AOPA Action: Responding to the pandemic
GA is vital to economy: AOPA says treat us the same as commercial carriers
While the hard-hit commercial aviation sector has taken center stage, the vital contributions of GA often go unrecognized. GA has stepped up to help the nation deal with the COVID-19 crisis through its more than 5,000 public airports across the country, providing transportation and logistical support for needed supplies and personnel.
GA contributes 1.2 million jobs and $247 billion in economic activity to the United States. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has designated transportation, which includes GA, as a critical infrastructure sector. Air medical is specifically named by CISA as a critical workforce, and air medical aircraft continue to provide lifesaving missions for those in need—whether stricken by COVID-19 or other health emergencies.
Joining AOPA are the Air Medical Operators Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Helicopter Association International, National Agricultural Aviation Association, National Air Transportation Association, and National Business Aviation Association.
Requested exemptions
AOPA and seven other GA organizations sent a letter to the FAA requesting a wide range of needed exemptions and deviations:
- Extension of FAR Part 61 pilot currency requirements, including the flight review and instrument proficiency check.
- Guidance that 709 reexaminations or paperwork inspections in person (such as logbook inspections under FAR 61.51, or maintenance record inspections under FAR 91.417) be deferred or at least be conducted electronically during the current social distancing safety protocols and directives regarding nonessential activities.
- Extensions for certificated flight instructor certificate renewal, expiration, and endorsement periods.
- Extension of knowledge exam expiration periods.
- Extensions for applicants to complete practical examinations.
- Extension for filing documents under FAR Part 13 (subparts C, D, and G).
- Extensions for aircraft maintenance and continuing airworthiness requirements with necessary mitigation procedures.
$100 million for general aviation
Funding for GA airports is an AOPA top priority
A $2 trillion stimulus package to support the economy during the pandemic includes $100 million to protect GA airports and maintain small and rural communities’ access to aviation services. The funding for GA airports—a top AOPA advocacy priority—is part of a $10 billion emergency appropriation for airports in the stimulus plan that passed the Senate by a vote of 96 to zero in March. The package was approved by the House and signed by the president.
Of the more than 3,300 airports in the federal system, 2,815 airports that have no scheduled air service or have fewer than 2,500 passengers per year on scheduled routes will be eligible for the $100 million in grant awards. The money will come from the general fund, not the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and may be used for any purpose on which airport revenue may lawfully be spent. No local match will be required as the federal government’s share of the grants will be 100 percent.
“We need these airports and I just want to thank those in Congress who understand the importance of them, especially the thousands of small airports across the country. I appreciate the fact that they ensured this emergency funding is a priority as the nation works to meet the challenges caused by this pandemic,” said AOPA President Mark Baker.
Provisions of the stimulus package require the Department of Transportation to consider the air transportation needs of small and remote communities. The legislation suspends certain aviation excise taxes through the end of 2020 including the passenger ticket tax, cargo tax, and fuel taxes on kerosene used in commercial aviation, including Part 135 operations.
Protect the AATF, AOPA says
The fund may run out of cash
AOPA is calling on the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate to protect the aviation industry from unintended consequences of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act). While the coronavirus relief bill was designed to support the economy through the COVID-19 crisis, it may also lead to insolvency of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF), which funds the national air transportation system.
AOPA and 18 other organizations—including air traffic controllers, manufacturers, unions, flight schools, and state transportation executives—sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to develop a solution and ensure the continued solvency of the AATF.
The AATF is funded almost entirely by tax revenues from users of and operators in the national aviation system, including GA. Significantly reduced demand and the tax holiday on passenger tickets, cargo, and fuel under the coronavirus relief bill will put the AATF in danger of insolvency. At the beginning of fiscal year 2020, the AATF was financially healthy with a cash balance of approximately $17.9 billion, while its uncommitted balance (not yet been obligated) was about $6 billion. Under the coronavirus relief bill, according to unofficial estimates by the FAA, the cash balance will fall to $7.8 billion while the uncommitted balance will be negative $3.5 billion by the end of fiscal year 2020.
The AATF funds more than 99 percent of the FAA’s fiscal year 2020 budget; supports the FAA’s operation of the nation’s ATC system; and provides all funding for the Airport Improvement Program, including safety construction projects at the nation’s airports.
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