AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2016 - 28

PILOT BRIEFING
FAA NEWS |

Reauthorization bill released
A mix of positive and negative provisions, AOPA says
BY ELIZABETH A. TENNYSON
A LONG-ANTICIPATED FAA reauthorization bill that calls for creating a federally
chartered not-for-profit organization
to manage air traffic control functions
was announced recently by Rep. Bill
Shuster (R-Pa.), chairman of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee.
The proposed Aviation Innovation,
Reform, and Reauthorization (AIRR)
Act of 2016, H.R.4441, also includes
third class medical reform, certification
reform, and user fees for airlines and
Part 135 charter operators (see "'We're
Profoundly Disappointed,' Baker Says,"
p. 30), and would set priorities for the
FAA for the next six years.
"There are some very good things
for general aviation in this bill. I think
everyone can agree that the FAA can
be more efficient and effective, and this

legislation creates opportunities for both
third class medical reform and certification reform that have the potential to
make flying safer and more affordable,"
said AOPA President Mark Baker. "But
there are other provisions we will firmly
oppose, such as user fees for any segment
of GA, including business aviation. And
still other elements, like the plan to separate air traffic control from the FAA, raise
important questions that demand meaningful answers. Ultimately, we need to
know that any FAA reauthorization legislation will protect the interests of general
aviation now and into the future."
The proposed air traffic organization would be governed by a board that
includes representatives from the airlines,
air traffic controllers, GA, and others.
AOPA is carefully studying the bill's language and its potential consequences.

Aviation groups including AOPA have
been asking House transportation leaders
to make sure all stakeholders have adequate time and opportunities to weigh in.
"This is extremely complex legislation and we need to be sure we get it right
and fix only the things that are actually
broken. So we will be going over it with a
fine-tooth comb," said AOPA Senior Vice
President of Government Affairs Jim
Coon. "This bill is an important starting
point and there are many more steps to
go before it is finalized. AOPA is going to
be actively involved in the process, representing the needs of our members at
every step along the way and opposing
any provisions that would harm GA."
EMAIL elizabeth.tennyson@aopa.org

WEB

www.aopa.org/advocacy

THIS MONTH IN AVIATION

April 20, 1930
CHARLES AND ANNE Morrow Lindbergh set a
transcontinental speed record from Los Angeles
to New York. Flying their Lockheed Sirius airplane, the Lindberghs flew for 14 hours and
45 minutes at 14,000 feet and at speeds up to
180 miles per hour. Mrs. Lindbergh was seven
months pregnant. Of flying she said:

28 | AOPA PILOT April 2016

AP IMAGES

"Flying was a very tangible
freedom. In those days it
was beauty, adventure, discovery-
the epitome of breaking into new worlds."
http://www.aopa.org/advocacy
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2016
