WASHINGTON, DC – August 16, 2012 – Today the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) responded to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) report titled Aircraft Certification Process Review Reform that was submitted to Congress this week.

GAMA’s President and CEO, Pete Bunce, said "This report is an important first step in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the FAA certification process which is necessary to support growing industry activity in the development of new aircraft and safety enhancing technologies. The FAA leadership has made a public commitment to dramatic process improvement and has worked diligently with industry to establish recommendations and metrics that will be used to evaluate progress. However, much work remains and we plan to stay laser focused on this initiative. We look forward to working with the FAA, Congress, and other aviation stakeholders to ensure that certification process improvements are implemented that will contribute to the safety and economic vitality of our industry."

Congress requested the FAA’s review of the certification process through the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112.95, Sec. 312).  The FAA developed the report in cooperation with industry through the Aircraft Certification Process Review and Reform Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). GAMA’s Vice President of Engineering and Maintenance, Mr. Walter Desrosier, was a member of the rulemaking committee.

The FAA’s report to Congress can be accessed at:  http://www.gama.aero/advocacy/issues/aircraft-certification/report-aircraft-certification-process