GA Groups to Congress: ATC Reform More Than Just User Fees; Request Sufficient Time to Review and Debate Bill

Washington, DC, January 19, 2016 – With Congress preparing to consider FAA reauthorization legislation this session, a host of general aviation association leaders today joined together to send letters to House transportation leaders underscoring “real and longstanding concerns” regarding a concept being pushed by some big airlines regarding air traffic control governance and funding.

Specifically, the organizations cited concerns over a proposal promoted by some big airlines for the creation of “a new governance and funding model for our nation’s aviation system, based on systems in other parts of the world."

“The general aviation community has very real and long-standing concerns about foreign air traffic control models, which go well beyond the user fee issue,” the letter states. “These concerns are based on our operating experiences in foreign systems, as well as thoughtful analysis about what those systems might look like in the United States.”

The Air Care Alliance, Aircraft Electronics Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Commemorative Air Force, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Helicopter Association International, International Council of Air Shows, National Agricultural Aviation Association, National Association of State Aviation Officials, National Air Transportation Association, National Business Aviation Association, Recreational Aviation Foundation, Seaplane Pilots Association and Veterans Airlift Command sent their joint letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-9-PA), Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-4-OR), T&I Aviation Subcommittee Chair Frank LoBiondo (R-2-NJ) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-2-WA).