GA groups ask for longer term FAA funding extension
With the Sept. 30 deadline to continue funding authorization for the FAA quickly approaching, Congress needs to pass at least a six-month funding extension to keep the agency running and not derail progress on modernizing the air traffic control system, wrote AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker, along with the heads of the Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Helicopter Association International, National Air Transportation Association, and National Business Aviation Association, in letters sent Sept. 14 to the leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as well as the House Committee on Transportation.
A funding extension is needed because Congress has not reached consensus on H.R. 2997, House legislation that would provide multi-year FAA reauthorization but would also hand air traffic control to the airlines.
The letters stress the vital role GA plays in the economic development of communities and highlight opposition to the so-called privatization of ATC.
“The entire general aviation community, along with small airports, mayors, business leaders, conservative groups like the American Conservative Union Foundation, consumer groups and countless others across the country are opposed to this so-called privatization of our nation’s air traffic control system,” the groups said.
AOPA is asking members, pilots, and supporters to continue to contact their representatives in the House by calling 855/383-7330 or visiting AOPA’s call-to-action page on H.R. 2997.
