Oct. 3, 2018
Washington, D.C. — The Regional Airline Association, the industry trade association representing North American regional airlines, commends the U.S. Congress on the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which provides the FAA and aviation industry stakeholders with more certainty than they’ve had in decades. After years of counterproductive short-term extensions, the FAA is now authorized through 2023; the five-year reauthorization is the longest for the agency since 1982. This provides the FAA, airlines and airports with the ability to plan for the future.
RAA appreciates the leadership of Rep. Bill Shuster, Rep. Frank LoBiondo, Rep. Peter DeFazio, Rep. Rick Larsen, Sen. John Thune, Sen. Roy Blunt, Sen. Bill Nelson and Sen. Maria Cantwell in reaching the bipartisan, bicameral compromise to move forward on this important legislation.
The bill is noteworthy for a number of provisions encouraging the development of the future aviation workforce. While RAA has pushed for more concrete, safety-enhancing alternate training methods for pilots – taking full advantage of modern training technology – than are included in the five-year reauthorization, we appreciate that the legislation fully acknowledges the challenges facing airlines in recruiting and training pilots and maintenance technicians. With uncertainty over the FAA’s authority and funding now eliminated, the agency, Congress and aviation industry stakeholders should work together to improve pilot training to ensure the necessary quality and quantity of future aviators. Importantly, the bill does not strip the FAA of its regulatory authority to address pilot training and qualifications to advance aviation safety.
“Regional airlines are extremely pleased that the cloud of uncertainty over the FAA has finally been lifted and commends Congress for enabling the agency and industry stakeholders to effectively plan long term,” said RAA President and CEO Faye Malarkey Black. “We are encouraged by Congress acknowledging that action is required to ensure there are enough well-trained pilots available to keep communities throughout the U.S. connected to the global air transport network. We expect the FAA to continue exploring ways to take advantage of the most modern training technologies and techniques to develop the safest, best-trained pilot workforce possible.”
The legislation requires the FAA to establish pilot and maintenance technician workforce development programs to provide grants, totaling $5 million per year for each program, for eligible projects to support the development of the pilot and maintenance workforce. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that it is critical to have a prevalence of programs and career pathway initiatives leading to employment in the aviation sector. The bill requires the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a study on various factors and best practices influencing the supply of young workers in the aviation industry and submit a report to Congress within a year.
RAA is also pleased the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 expresses the sense of Congress on the importance of encouraging and supporting women pursuing careers in aviation. The challenge of hiring enough pilots and technicians will not be met without the entire population having access to viable career pathways. The FAA Administrator has been directed to establish the Women in Aviation Advisory Board, which will promote organizations and programs that provide education, training, mentorship, outreach and recruitment of women into the aviation industry.
Finally, RAA is pleased Congress has acknowledged the importance of keeping small communities connected to the global aviation system by reauthorizing the Essential Air Service Program (EAS) at a level of at least $155 million per year and creating a new Regional Air Transportation Pilot Program under the Small Community Air Service Development Program. The new program, which is authorized at $4.8 million per year, will help rebuild air service to communities that have experienced service declines in recent years.
About RAA
The Regional Airline Association (RAA) provides a unified voice of advocacy for North American regional airlines aimed at promoting a safe, reliable and robust regional airline industry. RAA serves as an important support network connecting regional airlines, industry business partners and government regulators, and promotes the interests of regional airlines in a changing business environment. In the United States, regional airlines operate 41 percent of scheduled passenger flights and provide the only source of scheduled air service to nearly two-thirds of the nation’s airports.