Last week on Capitol Hill brought both progress on aviation safety legislation and news of the coming retirement of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). On Thursday, the House T&I and Armed Services Committees unanimously approved the ALERT Act, comprehensive aviation safety legislation endorsed by the NTSB. The bill would direct the FAA to advance collision avoidance upgrades, including ACAS Xa, and expand ADS-B requirements while preserving flexibility in how operators meet safety objectives.
That flexibility remains especially important to NATA. The legislation would allow consideration of portable ADS-B In receivers, panel-mounted displays, and electronic flight bags that demonstrate an equivalent level of safety to the bill’s performance standards, providing a more practical path for equipping Part 135 aircraft without the delays tied to fully integrated cockpit display certification and installation. The bill also calls for FAA consultation with Part 135 and Part 91 operators in its review of aircraft arrival rates at Reagan Washington National Airport.
On Friday, Graves announced he will not seek reelection, marking the eventual departure of one of general aviation’s strongest advocates in Congress. In a statement, NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna praised Graves’ collaborative leadership, sound policymaking, and firsthand understanding of aviation operations and the communities the industry serves.
The week also included House approval of seven bipartisan aviation bills, while Congressional efforts to secure full funding for TSA and customs operations remained unresolved. Although the Administration has taken executive action to pay TSA employees, NATA continues to advocate for full and immediate appropriations for aviation security and customs personnel.