A House bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration for six years would cut red tape, enhance safety, invest in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and airport infrastructure, and separate air traffic control (ATC) responsibilities from the federal government.
“This bill is about giving all Americans the safe and efficient, 21st century aviation system they deserve while keeping America the leader in aviation,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who introduced the bill on Thursday.
The 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act, H.R. 2997, would also take steps to ensure that more flights are on time, there are more direct routes, and planes spend less time on the tarmac. The legislation aims to improve the air travel experience for the nation’s millions of general aviation users.
U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Paul Mitchell (R-MI), Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) were original co-sponsors of the bill. U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, also supported the measure.
“We have the busiest aviation system in the world, and though it’s safe, it’s also inefficient, costly and unable to keep up with growing demand or developing technology,” Shuster said. Committee leaders met with a large number of stakeholders and members of Congress in drafting the FAA reauthorization bill, Shuster added, and momentum for the bill’s reforms continues to build as the committee prepares for markup tomorrow.
Graves, the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways & Transit, praised the work of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on addressing the concerns of the aviation industry. “When we talk about FAA reauthorization, I think about protecting the skies so all of aviation can continue flying safely, securely and freely. This is the beginning of a long process, and I look forward to continuing to work with the chairman and my colleagues to ensure a product that will be positive for all of aviation.”
One key aspect of the bill, air traffic control reform, would involve creating a not-for-profit corporation to operate the nation’s air traffic control services that would be separate from the FAA. The FAA has experienced difficulties with implementing its modernization effort known as NextGen, which has cost more than $7 billion so far, but which lawmakers say has produced few benefits for taxpayers and consumers.
Lawmakers argue that privatizing the air traffic control system would reduce government bureaucracy and funding uncertainties, and would allow the FAA to focus on safety.
“We’ve needed to modernize our air traffic systems in this country for far too long,” Denham said. “The 21st Century AIRR Act will increase efficiency — with more direct flights with on-time departures — and encourage innovation to improve safety and aviation infrastructure. American air traffic control systems still operate on World-War II-era radar systems while the rest of us have the latest GPS technology in the palm of our hands! It’s time to embrace new technologies and cut red tape to move American aviation into the future and maintain our competitiveness.”
The measure would also streamline the FAA certification process for aircraft and aviation products to help manufacturers bring products to market on time, and it would promote innovation and new aviation technologies that improve safety and efficiency.
Hanabusa said “the time for action is now, adding that the United States must continue to lead in aviation safety. “… This plan proposed by Chairman Shuster reduces red tape, resolves budgetary limitations on infrastructure upgrades and encourages innovation that will keep America’s air transportation safe and efficient as the skies become more crowded,” Hanabusa said.