President Biden signed the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024, May 16, which renews authority for the agency for the next five years and invests in air travel infrastructure nationwide. Regarding the passage of the bill, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said, “Both sides of the aisle, on both sides of the Capitol, have come together and passed a bill that reflects the business aviation community’s priorities, provides a long-term roadmap for the agency and ensures that America will continue to lead the world in aviation safety, security, sustainability, innovation, workforce development and investment in airports and other critical infrastructure.”
The bill included the first-ever title dedicated to general aviation (GA). Bolen noted a key section of the legislation focused on enhancing safety, streamlining regulations and improving certification processes for general aviation aircraft, supporting certification for advanced air mobility (AAM) powered-lift aircraft and other technologies and protecting flight privacy.
Specific to GA, the bill increased funding for the FAA’s airport improvement program and aid in funding GA airports, including construction of itinerant and transient parking areas. It also protects the permanent closure of any grant-obligated airport unless it will not affect its aeronautical purpose. The Government Accountability Office was directed to conduct a study on the efforts of FBOs to meet their commitments to improve the online transparency of prices and fees for all aircraft. In addition, the bill expanded BasicMed to cover aircraft maximum takeoff weight up to 12,500 pounds, as well as an increase of passengers and seats; established a working group to ensure efficient certification of pilots; developed an “Airman’s Medical Bill of Rights;” took steps to eliminate aircraft registration backlog; and secured the future of GA through improving FAA Workforce Development programs, national oversight of Designated Pilot Examiners and more.
The bill authorizes more than $105 billion in funding for the FAA and $738 million for the National Transportation Safety Board for fiscal years 2024 through 2028.