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Eric R. Byer
Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs
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ebyer@nata.aero
NATA WELCOMES PASSAGE OF HOUSE FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL; COMMENDS REP. ROB WOODALL (R-GA) FOR AMENDMENT SUPPORTING PART 135 COMMUNITY ON FAA FLIGHT AND REST INTERPRETATION
Alexandria, VA, April 1, 2011 — This morning, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 658, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Act of 2011. The legislative process now moves to conference to resolve differences between H.R. 658 and S. 223, the U.S. Senate’s FAA reauthorization bill.
“I applaud Chairmen Mica and Petri, as well as Ranking Members Rahall and Costello, on leading this bill to passage in the House,” stated NATA President James K. Coyne. “H.R. 658 contains a number of NATA-supported provisions that will improve aviation safety and address the needs of the association’s membership.”
Among the 33 amendments offered during Floor discussion yesterday, U.S. Representative Robert Woodall (R-GA) successfully offered an amendment that would prohibit the FAA from finalizing a Notice of Proposed Interpretation to revise existing Part 135 interpretations that permit flight crews to extend their duty day when unexpected circumstances beyond their control occur. The amendment was agreed to by unanimous consent.
“We greatly appreciate the efforts made by Congressman Woodall in leading the effort to block this unnecessary Notice of Proposed Interpretation,” commented Coyne. “NATA, in comments submitted earlier this year, highlighted its concerns with the FAA's rejection of prior interpretations and the agency's effort to apply Part 121 interpretations to Part 135. The association continues to advocate that the FAA should conduct a full re-write of the existing Part 135 flight, duty and rest rules to effect changes in how crew duty is assigned and managed rather than resort to manipulation of the issue via legal interpretations.”
Congressman John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, also took to the House Floor, on behalf of the association, to address his growing concern with airports competing against private businesses. Duncan highlighted the need for government not to compete against private businesses, including fixed based operators. Duncan has received a commitment from House Transportation leaders to convene a series of meetings on the subject to address this important NATA issue.
“NATA thanks Congressman Duncan for leading the effort to address governmental entities, including airports, competing against private sector businesses such as FBOs and airline services companies,” Coyne stated.
The association also supported an amendment offered by Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA) that would require the FAA to recognize that the aviation industry is composed of a variety of different segments with different operating characteristics and that would direct that the agency tailor its regulations to address the unique characteristics of each industry segment. The amendment also requires the FAA to conduct appropriate cost/benefit studies on all proposed regulations and only enact regulations upon a finding that the costs are justified by the benefits. The association joined with other groups in a letter of support for the amendment. The amendment passed by a vote of 214-209.
NATA also joined an industry effort opposing an amendment offered by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) that would impose a nighttime ban on all aircraft operations at both the Burbank (BUR) and Van Nuys (VNY), California airports. The Schiff amendment was defeated by a vote of 243-178.
“As the process now moves to conference, I strongly encourage House and Senate leaders to resolve differences between the two bills within the current 60-day extension so the aviation industry can finally have a long-term measure,” Coyne concluded.
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NATA, the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.