WASHINGTON, DC, February 16, 2011 – Speaking today before the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics at a hearing on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) research and development (R&D) programs, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President and CEO, Pete Bunce, emphasized the importance of several critical research programs that advance general aviation manufacturing. 

Bunce first highlighted the transition to an unleaded aviation gasoline (avgas) as one of the most important research activities related to general aviation (GA).  GAMA supports funding specifically for alternative fuels research for GA in the FAA’s R&D budget and hopes the subcommittee will include provisions from a bill introduced by Chairman Sam Graves of the Small Business Committee and Rep. John Barrow, which will support the development and transition to an unleaded avgas.

 “This subcommittee’s leadership will be essential in ensuring the transition to an unleaded avgas is first and foremost safe, that is it technically and economically viable, and that it has the least impact on the existing fleet of general aviation aircraft and operators,”  said Bunce. 

GAMA believes that environmental research programs like this are a critical part of the FAA’s mission.  So too is the advancement of air traffic control modernization and the NextGen program. 

Bunce added, “GAMA believes the current impediment to accelerating NextGen is not a lack of technology, but the inability to develop processes and procedures to support the technology,” said Bunce.  “To meet this critical need, the FAA must effectively leverage its R&D resources.”

To view a copy full copy of the testimony: http://www.gama.aero/node/10222