GA Coalition Urges Lawmakers for Additional Relief Through CARES Act
A coalition of general aviation (GA) associations recently sent a letter urging lawmakers to build on the success of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act by providing additional targeted relief that ensures business aviation and the country’s airports can continue to deliver pivotal and essential services during the pandemic and maintain their valuable contribution to the country’s economy.
The CARES Act, enacted in late March, was a vital stimulus for general aviation and airports during the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis. Relief from excise taxes and initiatives like the Payroll Support Program and the Paycheck Protection Program provided general aviation businesses the means to mitigate the economic stress of the pandemic and continue their support of thousands of communities across the country, many of which rely on general aviation for essential services.
However, much of the relief granted will expire soon so the coalition is advocating not only for an extension of the support provided, but also for additional targeted relief, stating the measures are important to the continued success of the GA industry. One that supports 1.2 million jobs, generates more than $247 billion in economic output and provides essential access to more than 5,000 communities in the U.S. The targeted relief included more funding for the country’s general aviation airports, stating they are “home to thousands of independent small businesses providing essential aeronautical services.”
The letter was signed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Aeronautical Repair Station, the Association Experimental Aircraft Association, the Helicopter Association International, the National Association of State Aviation Officials, the National Business Aviation Association and the National Air Transportation Association.
CBAA Joins SAF Coalition
The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) was recently welcomed as part of the global Business Aviation Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition (SAF Coalition), a unified effort behind a forward-looking business aviation sustainability agenda.
Stating the SAF is key to the industry’s goal of continued emissions reduction, the CBAA President and CEO Anthony Norejko said, the association is pleased to be part of a group that will “dramatically reduce carbon emissions, and help the industry go further, faster in reducing an already low carbon footprint.”
The CBAA joins an alliance of leading international aviation groups that are part of the SAF Coalition, including the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI), the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). The SAF Coalition’s work is supported by a Steering Committee that includes dozens of aviation businesses, representing every point in the SAF development-and-supply chain.
The coalition is now focused on legislative, market-based and infrastructure-focused initiatives that catalyze SAF availability and use. More information about the SAF Coalition is available at futureofsustainablefuel.com.
Bolen Reappointed to NextGen Advisory Committee
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen was recently reappointed to the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC), where he will continue to represent business aviation. Established by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the NAC focuses on efforts to modernize the national airspace system (NAS).
Established in 2010, the NAC is tasked with exploring solutions to NextGen challenges involving concepts, requirements, operational capabilities and technologies. The NAC examines these considerations in support of the FAA’s ongoing modernization of the nation’s air traffic management system. Bolen is a longtime member of the government-industry group.
“Business aviation has long played an integral role in fostering the development of NextGen, and our industry remains committed to the implementation of these technologies to further increase the safety and efficiency of our nation’s ATC network,” Bolen said.
The NAC currently provides input to the FAA and DOT on topics related to data communications, multiple runway operations, surface and data sharing, performance-based navigation and airspace optimization across the Northeast Corridor, among other areas.