April 30, 2018
WASHINGTON – The Regional Airline Association (RAA) thanks the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 4, FAA’s Reauthorization of 2018, and commends Chairmen Shuster (R-PA) and LoBiondo (R-NJ) along with Ranking Members Defazio (D-OR) and Larsen (D-WA) on their leadership for producing a long-term reauthorization bill, which ensures an operational FAA. The RAA is pleased the bill helps small communities preserve access to the global aviation system by reauthorizing the Essential Air Service Program and praises bill sponsors for shelving a specific plan to privatize air traffic control that could have priced small communities out of their access to the airspace. While H.R. 4 does not contain language encouraging the FAA to expand safety-enhancing structured pilot training pathways, which are critical for ensuring the proficiency of future aviators, we are pleased the bill did not strip FAA of its regulatory authority on the matter. RAA looks forward to working with the Senate on its reauthorization proposal, and will work to protect regional airline objectives, including improved pilot training, protection of small community air service, and measured regulatory provisions.
###