WASHINGTON, DC, July 18, 2012 – The House Transportation Subcommittee, chaired by Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), today held a hearing about how to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Alien Flight Student Program.  Jens Hennig, Vice President of Operations, testified on behalf of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

The hearing focused on the security requirements established after September 11, 2001 for foreign nationals obtaining flight training for FAA pilot certificates. GAMA specifically discussed policy changes developed jointly between industry and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) during the past few years and a GAMA petition filed in 2011 to restructure the alien flight student program.  GAMA also provided the association’s perspectives on the recommendations released by the Government Accountability Office to reform the program.

"GAMA believes the restructuring of the program will provide a more effective vetting of foreign nationals seeking flight training while increasing the efficiency of the program," said Jens Hennig, GAMA’s Vice President of Operations. "We look forward to working with TSA to adopt and implement these changes."

GAMA’s written comments can be accessed online at: http://www.gama.aero/node/11513

NOTE: GAMA’s President and CEO Pete Bunce will testify this afternoon before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety and Security about the general aviation manufacturing industry. A separate press release will be issued by GAMA about Mr. Bunce’s testimony.