Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine June/July 2024 Digital Issue
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) applauds the final passage of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R. 3935) on May 15, 2024 – transformational legislation overwhelmingly approved by the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
The bipartisan, bicameral legislation reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years, providing the agency clear direction to maintain the gold standard in aviation safety during a time of both immense innovation and immense pressure on the National Airspace System (NAS). Final passage of the bill came ahead of the May 17 expiration of the current short-term authorization.
NATA offers sincere appreciation to the Senate Commerce Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for carefully crafting a comprehensive bill that balances the needs of all users of the NAS.
“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 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. Of note, the legislation includes NATA priorities to address FAA inefficiencies and inconsistencies related to Part 135 certification, aircraft conformity, and pilot checks.
“The FAA’s current certification backlog and lack of timely check pilot and aircraft conformity functions inhibit the growth of NATA’s aviation business members while creating barriers to legitimate new industry entrants and increasing the risk of illegal charter activity. H.R. 3935 addresses these concerns, reflecting the advocacy of NATA and our members on FAA policies to increase efficiencies, ensure consistency, and safely maintain the continuum of certification and conformity for Part 135 and 145 operations,” said Castagna.
The President signed the bipartisan legislation into law on May 16, 2024.
The National Air Transportation Association has served as the voice of aviation businesses since 1940. Representing nearly 3,700 aviation businesses, NATA’s member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military and NATA serves as the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies (www.nata.aero).
