NBAA’s Congressional Testimony Highlights Business Aviation’s Focus on Sustainability, Safety and Innovation
/The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has detailed for Congress a policy roadmap for strengthening the general aviation sector in the U.S. and around the world, today and in the years to come.
In testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen urged lawmakers to facilitate access for emerging technologies, including advanced air mobility, in order to maintain America’s leadership in global aviation, partner with the industry to protect the privacy of flight and advance aviation sustainability, and help address workforce challenges as Congress prepares to tackle a five-year Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill next year.
Bolen commended Congress for passing several laws during the COVID-19 pandemic that enabled business aviation to continue to support 5,000 communities across the U.S. with 1.2 million jobs and $247 billion in annual economic output.
“Congressional action in a crisis moment helped put general aviation on a flight path for recovery – there is strong demand for new employees, and our industry is serving small towns and communities across the country,” Bolen said. “Aviation workers are back on the job, and in some cases, we are even seeing a return of worker shortages among pilots, maintenance workers and other aviation professionals.”
Among NBAA’s recommendations for Congress:
Build on the successful implementation of the next-generation air traffic control (ATC) system and maintain congressional oversight, along with the current tax structure to support the Aviation Funding Stability Act and Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF).
Ensure that the FAA takes steps to protect business aviation from 5G telecommunications interference and the privacy of general aviation travelers, who are easily tracked by “cyber-stalkers.”
Enact the blender’s tax credit as proposed in the in the Sustainable Skies Act (H.R. 3440) to increase the production, availability, and use of sustainable aviation fuel, which can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
Support transformative technologies so that aircraft can be powered by electric, hybrid and hydrogen propulsion, with legislation such as the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act (H.R. 6270), which would expand advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure, and by clarifying tax rules to allow electric aircraft charging stations to qualify for an existing tax credit applicable to ground vehicles.
Enact policy changes and recruitment efforts to help the industry meet its need for 600,000 new pilots, technicians and other professionals in the next 20 years.
Reflecting on the importance of the FAA Reauthorization for the many technology advancements coming out of business aviation today, Bolen said: “Our industry looks forward to continuing engagement with the committee and Congress as we develop policy solutions that safely embrace new aviation technologies and maintain the United States as the world leader in aerospace.”