AOPA Action: How a government shutdown affects aviation
AOPA, industry concerned over negative ramifications
As of press time, the government shutdown continued and AOPA and other aviation groups were increasingly concerned over the long-term impact to the U.S. aviation industry. On January 10, 34 aviation groups including AOPA sent a letter to President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pointing out how a government shutdown hampers the aviation sector’s ability to operate efficiently. The civil aviation sector contributes more than 7 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product and $1.5 trillion of economic impact, along with creating more than 11.5 million jobs. These sectors of the aviation industry are affected:
- The FAA Registry has remained open. AOPA and other aviation associations advocated for language that was signed into law in 2018 as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act requiring the agency to remain open during shutdowns.
- FAA medical certification operations are halted. Aviation medical examiners may issue certificates to qualified pilots, but the longer the government is shut down, the longer it will take the FAA to work through the growing backlog of deferrals.
- The FAA Aeronautical Central Counsel office is closed and unable to issue opinions, delaying aircraft registration for types of trusts and businesses.
- Air traffic control continues to operate; however, controllers go unpaid, and with the number of controllers at a 30-year low, the shutdown affects training. The FAA Academy in Oklahoma City is closed. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the controller’s union, said a shutdown makes the shortage worse.
- FAA flight standards district offices are closed. Student pilots are unable to take FAA knowledge tests because the testing providers rely on FAA computer systems. Nearly 18,000 FAA workers are furloughed during a government shutdown.
- Government shutdowns affect Customs and Border Protection overtime, so pilots must confirm operating hours at their destinations if they are doing cross-border flying.
- Mechanics are affected during a shutdown. It hinders knowledge, oral, and practical testing for aviation mechanic certificate applicants.
- NextGen, the ongoing multibillion-dollar modernization of the national transportation system, is affected. Funding stops and starts contribute to instability, and many new NextGen technologies are delayed, costing airlines and passengers.
Along with AOPA, major groups including the Air Line Pilots Association, Airlines for America, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and the National Business Aviation Association signed the January 10 letter.
Related Articles
