NBAA and NATA Applaud Final Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill

Both the NBAA and NATA have welcomed the congressional passage of a comprehensive measure to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years, by a vote of 387 to 26, with 17 not voting. Final passage of the bill comes ahead of the May 17 expiration of the current short-term authorization. 

“We are very pleased to see this important and historic legislation, after many months of work, advance to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “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.”

“Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D, WA) and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (D, TX) worked with Senate Aviation Subcommittee Tammy Duckworth (D, IL) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R, KS) to successfully navigate complex issues in a bipartisan manner while recognizing the input of diverse aviation industry stakeholders. House Transportation Chairman Sam Graves (R, MO), Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D, WA), Aviation Subcommittee Garret Graves (R, LA), and Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D, TN) demonstrated a remarkable commitment to a timely, collaborative process that recognizes the significance of the general aviation sector to the overall aviation industry,” said NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna.

The bill’s consensus policies include investments in a robust and diverse aviation workforce, directives for increased FAA/industry collaboration, general aviation protections during a safe transition to unleaded fuels, and provisions to foster emerging technologies such as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). In addition, H.R. 3935 recognizes the general aviation (GA) sector’s vital national role by including the first-ever GA title, which makes critical reforms to FAA services including aircraft registration and designated pilot examiners.