Senate Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill, While House Still Reviewing On April 19, 2016, the U.S. Senate passed Bill H.R. 636 to reauthorize funding and programs for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The bill, which passed with significant bipartisan support, includes measures highly supported by the aviation community for streamlining the certification process for aviation technologies,…
In mid-March, Congress passed legislation to extend current FAA programs and funding through July 15, which is needed to give both the House and Senate time to reach an agreement on a long-term FAA reauthorization bill. Currently the House and Senate have two different directions in their bill recommendations. In early February, a House Committee…
The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) recently named its Most Wanted List for this year. This list, published every year, “highlights safety issues identified from the NTSB’s accident investigations to increase awareness about the issues and promote recommended safety solutions.” All modes of transportation are included in the study to create the list and some of the points crossover…
As of Sept. 24, flight crews should use the flight service common frequency of 122.2 MHz for flight watch services that were formerly available on 122.0 MHz and Emergency Flight Advisory Service (EFAS), more commonly known as “Flight Watch.” The change means that most pilots will utilize a single frequency for access to all enroute…
Throughout its history, NBAA has worked to support policies that foster business aviation in the United States and around the world. Among the policy priorities for the Association and the industry it represents are modernization of the nation’s aviation system, building upon the already outstanding safety record for business aviation and preserving secure access to…
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee notified aviation groups that House leadership has delayed floor consideration for the FAA Reauthorization Bill until September. As a result, the aviation groups feel the bill may not be released until closer to the floor time. The bill was expected to be presented by Committee chairman, Bill Shuster (R-Pa.),…
On June 15, Rep. Bill Shuster (R-9-PA), House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee chairman formally revealed his plan of an FAA reauthorization bill to the Aero Club of Washington. Shuster has been hinting for weeks about the direction he feels the United States should go with its next aviation bill and in his prepared remarks noted…
On March 17, several aviation group leaders sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY), Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) and other related lawmakers, requesting dedicated funding for the Contract Tower Program. The letter requests that under the “Operations” section of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FY 2016 appropriations…
Pilot Health Requirements The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) once-controversial plan for testing pilots for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) now reflects a practical approach for ad-dressing the condition, without compromising flight safety. National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen said, “This new guidance reflects a pivot for the agency, which combines common sense…
Aviation Industry – Strong Supporters of Aviation Leading Prominent Committees in Congress As the 114th Congress got underway in January, two veteran aviation policymakers, Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), are the chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I). The T&I Committee, which has jurisdiction…