Posts Tagged ‘innovation in air traffic’
United States Senate Finally Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill
The U.S. Senate finally got down to business and did something constructive!
Monday, they passed a reauthorization bill for the FAA that includes funding for the NextGen air traffic control system.
The great news for General Aviation is that there are no user fees in this bill. The Federal Excise Tax for fuel goes up, but we can live with that – especially if we get something for it.
This has been a long battle to fund the system without implementing user fees; but, it looks like for at least the next year or two we can take a breather. Hopefully, those user fees don’t get brought up again. The possibility exists, though; so, we will have to be vigilant.
Included in the bill are provisions for changing training and pilot qualifications for the regional airlines prompted by the Colgan Air crash last year.
An article posted on Tuesday, 23 March 2010, by Charles Spence, Washington, D.C. correspondent for General Aviation News, says the following:
Both the Senate and House bills were passed without user fees, but the Senate version raises the fuel tax from 22 to 38 cents per gallon to help fund modernization of the aviation system. The Senate bill passed by a vote of 93 to 0.
Craig Fuller, president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), said that the final bill will give the FAA “the long-term support it needs to move forward with the crucial work of modernizing our air traffic control system, preserving our network of airports and maintaining the safest air transportation system in the world.”
Speaking for the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), James Coyne, president, expressed thanks to the Senate for approving a bill devoid of user fees but that provides a fair jet fuel tax increase.
Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), welcomed passage of the bill “to fund the FAA and continue transformation to a Next Generation Air Traffic Control — NextGen — aviation system.” He added that the NBAA and other general aviation organizations have been strong advocates for proposals to modernize the nation’s aviation system and that passage of the reauthorization is a good step in that direction.
Pete Bunce, president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), echoed those comments, saying that his association was pleased with passage of the bill, which takes a number of critical steps needed for the acceleration of NextGen.
No user fees and a $.16 per gallon increase in the fuel tax (under the Senate version) is something we can all live with. The Senate’s passage, with its vote of 93 to 0 is amazing in itself. It’s amazing that all parties in D.C. can agree on anything these days.
Conspicuously absent from the comments of the various groups representing aviation interests are comments by the ATA, which represents the airline industry.
Will the airlines applaud this bill as well?