NBAA’s ‘CLIMBING. FAST.’ Hill Day Highlights Business Aviation’s Value With New Congress
/A recent CLIMBING. FAST. Capitol Hill Fly-In mobilized business aviation advocates from across the country for face-to-face meetings with congressional lawmakers to underscore the industry’s value to citizens, companies and communities as a new Congress prepares to take up legislative proposals critical to the industry.
In a day-long series of meetings on both sides of the Capitol, members of the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) Environmental Subcommittee reminded House and Senate legislators of business aviation’s essential role in supporting 1.3 million jobs and nearly $340 billion in economic output, connecting communities, helping businesses be more competitive, providing humanitarian lift and leading sustainability innovations to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The CLIMBING. FAST. advocacy initiative is a branded, multi-media program that details these and other societal benefits from business aviation with policymakers and opinion leaders. Learn more about CLIMBING. FAST.
The delegation’s Capitol Hill meetings coincide with the introduction of key policy proposals impacting the industry, including the sustainability-focused Farm to Fly Act, the Aviation Funding Stability Act, the Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act and other congressional bills. Included among the delegation’s specific priorities in discussions with legislators were requests to:
Ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implements the 2024 FAA reauthorization bill to strengthen safety, grow the industry workforce and maintain America’s global leadership in aviation.
Extend the 45Z biofuel tax credit, support the Farm to Fly Act (S.144, H.R.1719) and enhance the Department of Transportation’s Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition Grant programs.
Support administration and congressional legislative efforts to continually enhance the National Airspace System, including a focus on the air traffic controller workforce; air traffic control facilities and equipment; procurement, program efficiencies and facility realignment and the budget process for the Airport & Airway Trust Fund.
“One of the most important assets for any industry is its ability to advocate for its policy priorities,” said Jessica McClintock, vice president, leasing at Sky Harbour Group and co-chair of NBAA Environmental Subcommittee. “It’s critical to ensure policymakers are aware of what business aviation really does, and the economic impact it has. This CLIMBING. FAST. fly-in is vital to that advocacy effort.”
Nancy BSales, 4AIR chief operating officer and subcommittee member, agreed, adding: “We’re at such a pivotal point in business aviation, and it’s important to be in Washington to speak up for legislation like the 45Z tax credit and the Farm-to-Fly Act, so that we can increase the production, availability and use of sustainable aviation fuel throughout the Unites States.”
Kristie Greco Johnson, NBAA senior vice president of government affairs noted, “Members of Congress want to hear firsthand from their constituents about what matters to them, why our industry is essential to the U.S., including the ways business aviation is driving the future of sustainability. We thank the industry leaders in the CLIMBING. FAST. delegation for lending their time, expertise and dedication to this successful fly-in.”
NBAA subcommittee members met with: Sustainable Aviation Caucus Chair Rep. Sharice Davids (D-03-KS), Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and his staff, Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) Commerce Committee staff, Rep. Laura Friedman (D-30-CA), Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and his staff, staff members with Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-23-FL), staff members with Rep. George Latimer (D-06-NY), staff members with Rep. Ron Estes (R-04-KS) and Rep. Darren Soto (D-09-FL).