GAMA Praises U.S. House of Representatives’ Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill

Washington, DC – The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 4, a long-term Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill that will help advance key priorities for the general aviation manufacturing industry.

H.R. 4 contains provisions to dramatically improve the FAA certification process, including directing that the FAA fully utilize Organizational Designation Authorization (ODA), sending a clear message to the FAA to improve safety cooperation with international partners by focusing on effective and efficient validation and acceptance processes, streamlining FAA’s acceptance of mandatory continuing airworthiness instructions, and directing the FAA to improve its guidance and communication in order to establish more consistency in regulatory interpretation.

“This bill provides key provisions and language that improves safety, streamlines regulatory burdens, strengthens job creation, encourages competitiveness and innovation, and stimulates exports,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “We applaud the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and all House members for their work on this bill and encourage the U.S. Senate to pass its FAA legislation expeditiously.”

The legislation also includes language establishing a FAA Task Force on Flight Standards Reform to help drive needed improvements in the FAA Flight Standards Office, whose work directly impacts the efficiency of product certification and the timely entry into operational service of newly manufactured aircraft.

“We appreciate the leadership of Congressmen Ron Estes (R-KS), Jason Lewis (R-MN) and Drew Ferguson (R-GA) for successfully offering an amendment to the bill that would add aircraft manufacturers to this task force,” said Bunce. “Their amendment will allow manufacturers to have a voice on issues critical to them as the task force makes recommendations to address Flight Standards shortcomings.”

Additionally, H.R. 4 adopts a broad range of amendments that support various workforce initiatives to address the looming technical worker shortage that threatens to undermine the future growth and competitiveness of the general aviation manufacturing industry. These initiatives include promoting programs to encourage more women to seek careers in the aviation industry, hire more veterans and enhance the education and training of the workforce.

For additional information, please contact Sarah McCann, GAMA Director of Communications, at +1 (202) 637-1375 or smccann@gama.aero.

GAMA is an international trade association representing over 100 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation airplanes and rotorcraft, engines, avionics, components and related services. GAMA's members also operate repair stations, fixed based operations, pilot and maintenance training facilities and manage fleets of aircraft. For more information, visit GAMA's website at www.GAMA.aero.