WASHINGTON, DC, February 9, 2011 – Appearing today before the House Aviation Subcommittee, Pete Bunce, president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), testified on the importance of passing a multi-year Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill in 2011.
In his opening remarks, Bunce emphasized the important role general aviation plays in the U.S. economy. The industry contributes over $150 billion to the economy each year and supports more than 1.2 million high-paying, technical jobs.
He also testified that GAMA member companies have suffered more than 20,000 layoffs over the past two years and deliveries of general aviation airplanes have declined sharply as a result of the economic downturn. “Despite these tremendous economic challenges, our member companies have responded by continuing to invest in innovative products and technologies that will allow them to take advantage of new market opportunities as the recession ends,” said Bunce.
During his testimony on the NextGen air transportation control (ATC) system, Bunce emphasized that Congress must provide sufficient funding and direction to advance the modernization effort. In addition, GAMA believes that the subcommittee must find ways to incentivize operators to equip their aircraft earlier than the current federal mandate. Bunce added, “The aviation industry stands ready to work with you in a public-private partnership to accelerate NextGen through aircraft equipage so that we can begin to accrue the environmental, efficiency, and safety benefits of NextGen as soon as possible.”
On the issue of foreign repair stations, Bunce told the subcommittee that in order to ensure that the work performed at repair stations remain safe, they must direct the FAA to implement a risk-based system that provides the discretion to inspect repair stations based on the complexity and amount of work performed on U.S.-registered aircraft. Bunce also urged the committee to strongly support the U.S.-E.U. aviation safety agreement which will only enhance safety oversight capabilities. “To improve aviation safety and use resources efficiently, we strongly urge the committee to include a risk-based provision in this bill that helps the FAA meet its mission while at the same time protects international agreements.”
As GAMA members continue to invest heavily in new products and technologies, Bunce focused the last portion of his remarks on the importance of adequate certification resources necessary to deliver new products to market, support NextGen technology and help the piston aircraft industry transition to unleaded aviation gas. Despite the best efforts of the FAA, many manufacturers are subjected to a sequencing process which can cause delays and threaten their manufacturing competitiveness. Bunce concluded with a call for the formation of an advisory committee consisting of industry stakeholders to make recommendations on streamlining the certification process. He said, “The FAA will always need sufficient certification resources, but we can hopefully find savings through improved processes. If we don’t take this path, our ability to create and protect jobs in this country will be severely impaired.”
During questioning from Members of both parties, Bunce warned the committee that without environmental streamlining of the airspace redesign process, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to accelerate NextGen. "In order for aircraft to fly more efficiently in the system, we need to change the path they fly today," said Bunce. "Currently, this is a very time consuming process and the FAA must be able to make environmental reviews that expedite new procedures in order to make flying more efficient, thereby providing environmental benefits."
To view a full copy of the testimony: http://www.gama.aero/node/10209