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AOPA Lauds Agreement on FAA Reauthorization Bill

Frederick, MD – The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is pleased that the House of Representatives and the Senate have finalized details for a long-term FAA reauthorization bill on Jan. 31.  This agreement now paves the way for a full vote in both houses before the latest short-term funding extension expires on Feb. 17.

The FAA has operated under a record 23 short-term funding extensions since 2007. The long-term bill would fund the agency through fiscal year 2015.

The bill’s general aviation highlights include:

• no increase in taxes for aviation gasoline or non-commercial jet fuel;
• creation of an avionics equipage incentive program for aircraft to achieve NextGen capabilities;
• continued funding to study unleaded aviation fuel and the safe transition to it for piston engine aircraft; and
• funding of $13.4 billion for the Airport Improvement Program.

“The House and Senate agreement shows the support Congress has for funding the FAA and moving forward with air traffic control modernization and satellite-based navigation,” said AOPA President Craig Fuller. “This move is long overdue and couldn’t come at a more critical juncture to improve the National Airspace System and keep it the model for countries worldwide.”

- AOPA -

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February 1, 2012