President Obama Signs Small Airplane Revitalization Act Into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) hailed President Obama’s signing of the Small Airplane Revitalization Act into law, November 27, 2013. The legislation – which was introduced in May 2013 in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-KS), Sam Graves (R-MO), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Rick Nolan (D-MN), and Todd Rokita (R-IN), and in the U.S. Senate by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) – requires the FAA to implement the recommendations of the FAA’s Part 23 Reorganization Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) by December 31, 2015.

Recommendations are focused on increasing safety and reducing government and industry certification costs for light general aviation (GA) airplanes, thus the price of new aircraft. The changes should also reduce the certification cost and price of modifications of all types, from avionics to airbags and seats to restraints, making it more affordable for owners to install modern safety equipment in older aircraft. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, who favors a revised Part 23, has stated that the changes will double safety at half the cost.

The legislation unanimously passed the Senate in October and the House in November.

“We applaud President Obama for making the Small Airplane Revitalization Act the law of the land today,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. “The tremendous support this law enjoyed in Congress, and the speed with which it moved through the legislative process, demonstrates a bipartisan commitment to safety, as well as a recognition that the FAA’s overly bureaucratic, outdated, and prescriptive regulations must change. We appreciate the widespread support among members of Congress for this landmark legislation, and want to especially thank the bill’s lead sponsors, Congressman Pompeo and Senator Klobuchar, for their leadership and commitment in ensuring this bill reached the President’s desk.

“This law is a win for the government as well as general aviation airframers and suppliers, but more importantly, for the general aviation pilots and passengers who will be able to benefit more rapidly from new safety-enhancing technologies.”

AOPA President Mark Baker stated: “Reforming the way the FAA certifies aircraft can help more pilots fly more safely while lowering their costs, and that’s exactly the kind of support general aviation needs to thrive. We’re appreciative of bipartisan efforts of the House and Senate GA Caucus members who developed this bill and saw it through.”

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