Senate FAA Bill Advances, With NBAA’s Continued Strong Support

Contact: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org

Washington, DC, March 16, 2016 – National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen today commended the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee for its bipartisan vote to report S.2658, a bill to authorize funding and programs for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The legislation, introduced March 9 by Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD), Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) and other committee leaders, includes many important reforms designed to ensure the United States remains the world leader in aviation five, 10 and 25 years from now, without going down the risky path of turning over the air traffic system over to a combination of self-interested parties.

NBAA endorsed S.2658 upon its introduction; the legislation was “marked up,” or amended, by the Commerce Committee today, then forwarded to the full Senate for consideration.

“We thank Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Nelson and other committee members for their bipartisan support for this legislation,” Bolen said. “They recognize that, for America to retain its leadership position in aviation, the status quo is not acceptable – S.2658 brings smart, targeted solutions to the challenges we face. It moves us forward without putting at risk the citizens and communities all over America who depend on aviation – including general aviation.”

Bolen noted that the bill includes language addressing a specific NBAA priority: an amendment, introduced by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), which ensures the real-time location of general aviation aircraft is not disseminated or displayed, protecting the privacy and security of flight information.

The bill also calls for measures to streamline the certification process for aviation technologies, raise the bar on aviation safety, integrate unmanned aircraft systems, accelerate implementation of a Next Generation (“NextGen”) aviation system and provide a plan for the U.S. Department of Transportation to modernize third-class medical requirements for small-aircraft pilots.

“This bill takes the right approach to FAA reauthorization and aviation system modernization,” Bolen said. “Equally important, it retains a focus on the reality that the nation’s airports and airspace operate in the public interest, and should serve the public, including all aviation stakeholders, as well as all citizens and communities. We will continue working with the Senate as it takes up this legislation for floor debate, and we look forward to its final passage.”  

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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 10,000 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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