Contacts: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org
Washington, DC, July 10, 2013 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today welcomed unanimous passage by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of H.R. 1848, also known as the Small Aircraft Revitalization Act, which aims to smooth the certification process for Part 23-certified general aviation (GA) aircraft, while preserving the safety focus at the center of the certification process.
The measure, which establishes a date for implementation of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) Part-23 certification recommendations, will now move to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
H.R. 1848 calls on the FAA to adopt consensus-based, design-specific performance requirements for Part 23 aircraft certification. Sponsored by congressman and long-time GA champion Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-4-KS) and a bipartisan group of Pompeo’s colleagues, the measure acts upon recommendations made by the Part-23 Reorganization Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC).
“We applaud the committee’s swift and unanimous action to move this vital legislation forward for consideration on the House floor,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “By adopting the aircraft-specific, consensus-based certification standards recommended by the ARC, manufacturers could more swiftly implement new designs and technologies, while also enhancing safety and markedly reducing the time and cost necessary to achieve FAA certification.”
In a July 9 letter, NBAA joined with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA); Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA); General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA); and National Air Transportation Association (NATA) in urging committee members to act quickly on H.R. 1848.
“The ARC developed these recommendations over an eighteen month period with input from over 150 government and industry experts from around the world,” the letter states. “The FAA and the general aviation community have identified implementation of these recommendations as key to improving general aviation safety.”
Current Part-23 certification standards are based largely on aircraft weight and propulsion method. Proponents of H.R. 1848 have noted the ARC recommendations would help achieve goals set forth by FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to double aircraft safety, while halving the costs necessary to achieve FAA certification.
“The new guidelines carry the potential to drastically improve the fortunes of an industry that continues to struggle in this difficult and challenging economic climate,” Bolen added following the announcement of committee passage of H.R. 1848.
Bolen concluded by commending a bipartisan group of House Committee members for their leadership in supporting H.R. 1848, including Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-9-PA), Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-3-WV), Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-2-NJ) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-2-WA), as well as Reps. Rodney Davis (R-13-IL), Sam Graves (R-6-MO), Dan Lipinski (D-3-IL), Rick Nolan (D-8-MN) and Trey Radel (R-19-FL).
In the U.S. Senate, a companion bill to H.R. 1848 was introduced in late May. The Senate legislation, S.1072, is sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 9,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.
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