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FY2018 Transportation Funding Bill Supports NATA Requests for Aviation Businesses
Proves Budget Process No Justification for ATC Privatization
Washington, DC, July 17, 2017 – This evening, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill, providing the Federal Aviation Administration with $16.6 billion for the fiscal year beginning on October 1st. The legislation also contains several provisions sought by NATA on behalf of the aviation business community. The following is a statement by NATA President Martin Hiller:
“NATA thanks the House Appropriations Committee for rejecting the Trump Administration’s proposal to short-fund the agency. The Committee-approved legislation provides an additional $434 million above President Trump’s request, continuing the trend by Congress of providing additional FAA funding, averaging 103% of the agency’s request over the last ten years alone,” stated Hiller. “This demonstrates yet again the congressional budget process is not a legitimate justification for privatizing the nation’s air traffic control system.”
The legislation also contains report language highlighting several issues brought to the Committee’s attention by NATA, including:
- Repair stations: requesting the FAA look at streamlining the certificate process for MROs with multiple locations.
- Part 135 impact study: directing the FAA to update its study of the Part 135 community. The last available data was from 2011.
- Small business pilot opportunities: reporting to the Committee on ways the agency can streamline the Single Pilot Part 135 air carrier certificate process, an important part of creating new business opportunities and providing additional career paths for pilots.
“NATA appreciates the Committee’s ongoing support of general aviation and for acting favorably on our requests made on behalf of the aviation business community. We hope the House leadership will quickly schedule this legislation for floor consideration,” Hiller concluded.
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The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has been the voice of aviation business for over 75 years. Representing nearly 2,300 aviation businesses, NATA’s member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military and NATA serves as the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies. For more information about NATA, please visit www.nata.aero, www.twitter.com/nataaero or www.facebook.com/nataaero.
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