Bill in CA Legislature Would Provide Relief For Flight Training Facilities

Eric R. Byer
Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs
800-808-6282
ebyer@nata.aero

Sacramento, CA, July 1, 2010 — The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is pleased to announce that California Assemblyman Roger Niello has introduced amended legislation that would provide a delay in compliance for California flight training from regulations issued by the Bureau of Private Post Secondary Education (BPPE). Amended Assembly Bill 1140 (AB 1140) provides for an 18 month delay in compliance for all flight training as well as requiring the California legislature to hold informational sessions during the delay to examine the appropriateness of regulating flight training.

California flight training providers were surprised earlier this year when they learned that legislation passed last year would now deem them to be “private postsecondary educational institutions” and therefore subject to the BPPE’s regulations. These regulations included fees and requirements that threatened to force a large number of training facilities to close their doors.

Regarding the amended AB 1140, Assemblyman Roger Niello, 5th Assembly District Representative stated, “It’s important that when an unforeseen and unintended consequence occurs after the passage of legislation, we recognize that and adjust accordingly.  In this case, the Legislature did not take into account the unique nature of the flight instruction industry in California with the passage of AB 48. California already has a difficult regulatory climate for businesses to navigate.  We can’t continue down that path. The Legislature needs to pass AB 1140 and provide the extension for the industry while it evaluates the appropriate level of regulation that will protect students and ensure the viability of the industry.” 

“NATA is pleased that Assemblyman Niello has offered this delay in compliance,” explains NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Michael France, “It is now imperative that all members of the flight training industry in California contact their state representatives in support of AB 1140.”

The California State Legislature is slated to begin their summer recess tomorrow, July 2nd.  When the legislature returns to Sacramento in early August, the industry will only have four weeks to get AB 1140 passed before the legislature adjourns for the year.

The industry is strongly encouraged to utilize NATA’s Action Call to contact their state representatives by clicking here.

Click here to view in PDF format.

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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.