Washington, DC—The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today strongly praised U.S. Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD), Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL), Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) for introducing a bipartisan FAA reauthorization bill that reforms the process for certifying general aviation aircraft products in the U.S. and addresses other regulatory barriers on manufacturing and maintenance organizations. The proposal would reauthorize the FAA until September 30, 2017.

“We applaud the bipartisan leadership shown by Senators Thune, Nelson, Ayotte, and Cantwell in introducing an FAA reauthorization bill which dramatically reforms the certification process so that it is more efficient and effective for both industry and government,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “These reforms are ready to go and give the FAA strong legislative direction so that manufacturers will be better able to get innovative, safety-enhancing technologies into their customers’ hands—improving safety in the nation’s skies, bolstering general aviation jobs, and increasing the global competitiveness of the industry.

“Additionally, this legislation seeks to make sure government and industry are on the same page when it comes to interpreting FAA regulations, reducing confusion and ensuring that disputes can be resolved quickly. Furthermore, the bill encourages the FAA to engage more fully with regulatory authorities around the world to allow manufacturers to bring their products to the global market more quickly.”

Bunce continued, “We are heartened that the U.S. House of Representatives also included strong certification process reform in their legislation. The House and Senate bills show the strong agreement that exists in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle for this much-needed and well-crafted reform. Having already had one extension of the current authorization—and with another coming up in just a few weeks—we hope the Senate proceeds quickly to a vote on this legislation and that Congress then acts as a whole to pass this historic and significant regulatory reform that will improve safety, make better use of FAA and industry resources, and bolster manufacturing competitiveness.”