Washington, DC—The following statement was released by Pete Bunce, President and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), on the Obama administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 budget proposal:

“As we continue to analyze the supporting documentation to the administration’s proposed FY 2015 budget, it appears that the fiscal resources for the FAA to certify new, safety-enhancing technologies will remain flat, which will dictate that the agency must make more effective use of certification streamlining and the delegation process. We are encouraged that the administration proposes making the R&D tax credit permanent, which will spur the development of new innovations and allow our industry to continue its economic recovery.

“However, we are extremely disappointed that the President’s budget threatens to throw down obstacles to recovery by seeking to impose a $100 per flight user fee. Fortunately, both Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress don’t share the president’s thinking on this issue. Last year, a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter to President Obama opposing the idea, and just last week, the bipartisan leaders of the House Aviation Subcommittee and the House GA Caucus asked President Obama not to include the proposal in this year’s budget. In addition, the administration’s decision to increase the depreciation period for general aviation aircraft is also very disheartening. We have always been open to being part of a larger look at depreciation for capital investments, but do not believe the general aviation industry should be singled out.

“As Congress now begins its consideration of the budget, we look forward to working with the administration and Congress on productive ideas to help create more highly paid, highly skilled manufacturing jobs and keep our economy growing.”