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NBAA's Government Affairs Division represents the interests and concerns of NBAA Member Companies utilizing business aircraft in the United States and worldwide.
Government Affairs News
NBAA Urges Congress to Continue Effort to Pass
FAA Reauthorization Bill
May 6, 2008
NBAA today commended Congress for its work to date to fund the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and modernize the
nation's aviation system, and urged the Senate to continue its work for passage of FAA "reauthorization" (funding)
legislation. For the past week, the Senate has been considering a reauthorization measure, which includes an additional
$290 million each year for continued transformation toward a satellite-based aviation system, also known as "NextGen."
However, consideration of the measure was suspended after a procedural vote unrelated to FAA reauthorization and funding.
More.
Bolen Joins Senators In Highlighting Need for
Aviation System Modernization
May 6, 2008
Last week, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen joined Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), Charles Grassley (R-IA) and a group of
transportation industry leaders in a news conference held to emphasize the need to modernize the nation's transportation
systems and outline the provisions of Senate legislation to fund investments in system upgrades. "We commend Senators
Baucus and Grassley for bringing a collaborative approach to working with other members of the Senate to produce a bill
that is clearly in the best interests of the United States and everyone who depends on aviation, including general aviation,"
Bolen told the assembly gathered in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. "We're grateful for their hard work and leadership on
this issue." Read the press release.
NBAA Commends Senate Committee Leaders for Agreement On FAA Funding Measure
April 28, 2008
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen today issued a statement regarding an agreement reached between the Senate Finance and Commerce Committees over funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and modernization of the nation’s aviation system. “NBAA has long been at the forefront of the effort to modernize the nation's aviation system, and we applaud Finance and Commerce Committee leaders for coming to an agreement that facilitates that effort. NBAA's Members appreciate the work Congress has done to adequately fund the FAA and modernize the system by building upon the proven and efficient fuel tax for general aviation. NBAA will continue to work with all Members of Congress on this critical issue.” More.
Senate Could Move Forward Soon on FAA Reauthorization
April 22, 2008
Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) added Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization legislation to a priority list of bills to be considered by the Senate in the next several weeks. NBAA Members are unified with the rest of the general aviation community in opposing new user fees in any FAA reauthorization bill approved by Congress. NBAA Members can reiterate with Congress opposition to user fees and support for funding the FAA and modernizing the nation's aviation system through adjustments to the proven, efficient fuel tax. To make your voice heard on this issue, visit NBAA's Contact Congress resource at www.nbaa.org/action.
Bolen Thanks DOT IG for Clarifying Study's Conclusions About NAS
April 16, 2008
Following a recent meeting with Department of Transportation Inspector General (DOT IG) Calvin L. Scovel, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen sent a letter thanking the IG for clarifying the conclusions that were – and were not – reached in a recent DOT IG study of the National Airspace System (NAS). "We appreciated the time the IG took to clarify the report's focus, especially given the misinformation about the report that has circulated in recent weeks," Bolen said. Bolen's letter specifically noted that, as wording in the IG's report states, the report "does not address the cost" of providing individual air traffic control services. Additionally, Bolen's letter notes, the report does not draw any conclusions on the causes of aviation delays. Review the letter.
NBAA Signs on to Industry Letter Urging Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill
March 10, 2008
NBAA last week was included among the more than thirty organizations that sent an open letter to the U.S. Senate urging the timely passage of a reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has been under consideration by the Congress for more than a year. "We wish to express our collective hope that passing a bill in a timely fashion will be a priority for the U.S. Senate in this second session of the 110th Congress," the letter states. Review the letter.
NBAA Reiterates General Aviation Community's Support for ATC Modernization
February 28, 2008
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen today reiterated the general aviation community's support for aviation system modernization, a topic of discussion at a congressional hearing today. "Unfortunately, a suggestion was made at today's hearing that general aviation is an obstacle to modernization," Bolen said. "That simply is not the case." Bolen noted that general aviation has been united in supporting funding provisions in two congressional modernization proposals, H.R. 2881 and S. 2345, because the bills tie a 65 percent tax increase on general aviation fuel taxes directly to system transformation, while wisely avoiding the creation of a giant, expensive and overly burdensome user fee bureaucracy. More.
NBAA's Letter in USA Today Makes Clear GA's Support for Aviation System Modernization
February 25, 2008
Last week, USA Today published a letter sent by NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen making clear that, in spite of a recent editorial's inferences to the contrary, general aviation (GA) recognizes the need for all aviation segments to support system modernization in the current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization. "It's unfortunate that USA Today's editorial on aviation system modernization – a topic of great importance to anyone who flies – focused so much on winners and losers in the funding debate, instead of supporting effective solutions for providing much-needed improvements to the nation's air traffic infrastructure," Bolen's letter states. "Let's stick to the facts." Bolen added: "NBAA's 8,000 Member Companies are united with the rest of the industry in supporting H.R. 2881 and S. 2345, because they tie additional general aviation tax contributions directly to system modernization, while wisely avoiding the creation of what will surely become a giant, expensive and overly burdensome user fee bureaucracy." Read the letter.
User Fee Debate Continues, With FAA Funding Extended Through June
February 18, 2008
The debate on user fees will continue as Congress works to complete multi-year Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization legislation. FAA funding and taxes originally expired last September, but since that time, Congress has approved a series of short-term extensions while it considers a final bill. With the most recent extension scheduled to expire on February 29, the House and Senate last week passed another extension fully funding the FAA through June 30. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen commended Congress for providing the FAA with the resources and authority to continue its operations. "But now we urge Congress to pass a final, multi-year reauthorization bill that modernizes our aviation system by building upon the efficient, pay-at-the-pump fuel tax for general aviation," Bolen added. "We look forward to working with Members in the House and Senate to make this a reality in 2008." To tell Congress you support general aviation fuel taxes to help fund the FAA and modernization, visit www.nbaa.org/userfees.
NBAA Challenges Mischaracterization of GA in USA Today Editorial
February 18, 2008
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen last week sent a letter to editorial writers at USA Today to call into question the newspaper's negative characterization of general aviation in a recent editorial regarding FAA reauthorization and aviation system modernization. "As NBAA's letter points out, the debate about FAA funding and modernization is important to anyone who flies," Bolen said. “Unfortunately, the editorial included factual errors and a depiction of general aviation that could not be left unaddressed. The paper's letter-submission guidelines require that NBAA not make the letter available until after the paper has published it. However, once the letter is in the public domain, we will share it with Members." Read the editorial.
House Aviation Panel Reviews Runway Safety Concerns
February 18, 2008
Last week, a hearing held by the House Aviation Subcommittee focused on runway safety, and actions the FAA and aviation community could take to improve runway safety. The hearing followed a recent report issued by the Government Accountability Office on runway and ramp safety issues. Representatives from the FAA, National Transportation Safety Board, Department of Transportation (DOT) and aviation stakeholder groups outlined efforts to address existing concerns. Subcommittee members urged the FAA to strengthen its focus on runway safety and work to improve safety initiatives, including better incident data collection, new airport and cockpit technologies, airport runway signage and runway/taxiway configurations and markings. The subcommittee also directed the FAA to provide an update every 90 days outlining efforts to improve runway safety. "Safety is at the very foundation of business aviation, and we appreciate the subcomittee's leadership on the issue," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. More.
NBAA Reiterates Call for Passage of Final Reauthorization Bill
February 12, 2008
With the expiration date looming for the most recent FAA funding extension (passed by Congress in December in lieu of a full FAA reauthorization bill), NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen again called for completion of a multi-year FAA reauthorization bill. "The general aviation community recognizes the need for another extension," Bolen said, "because any disruption in our system would not only harm the committed professionals who work at the FAA, but could also have a devastating impact on our local communities and national economy. However, it is important to get a multi-year bill completed this year. We look forward to working with Members in the House and Senate to make this a reality."
User Fee Debate Continues Into 2008
February 11, 2008
In hearings on both sides of Capitol Hill last week, proposals to fund the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through new, untested user fees drew criticism. In a Senate committee hearing to consider the nomination of Robert Sturgell as FAA administrator, Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) restated his support for aviation system modernization, but said, "I do not agree with the premise that we have to create a new bureaucratic system to pay for the improvements to the air traffic control system. I see no reason why we cannot use the current system of fuel and excise taxes to fund the FAA and the Next Generation Air Transportation System." Separately, in a House subcommittee hearing on the Administration's new budget proposal for FAA funding – which, like last year's proposal, calls for user fees – a number of Committee members criticized the Administration for again submitting a budget that would cut overall FAA funding while continuing to promote user fees. NBAA Members can voice opposition to user fee proposals by visiting www.nbaa.org/action.
New Rules on Carriage of Political Candidates Affect Part 91 Operators
February 11, 2008
As NBAA reported last year, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 changed the law with regard to carriage of candidates for election and other campaign travelers. The new law requires that presidential, vice presidential and senate campaigns must reimburse the person or company providing the flight at the charter rate for flights on aircraft operated under Part 91. In addition, candidates for the House of Representatives and others traveling on behalf of House campaigns generally are prohibited from travel on aircraft that are not operated under a commercial air carrier certificate. The Federal Election Commission is in the process of updating its regulations to reflect this act. Operators who are asked to carry political candidates are encouraged to review a new NBAA Member resource that explains the current regulatory environment.
House Passes Economic Stimulus Package as Senate Version Nears
Completion
February 4, 2008
The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a $146 billion
economic package supported by the Bush Administration which includes
enhanced "Bonus Depreciation" benefits to assist General Aviation and
other industries. The House bill could provide a cash flow benefit for
taxpayers who acquire aircraft during 2008 and meet the taxable income
standards for the use of accelerated deductions. The Senate continues
work on its version of the Stimulus package which will include enhanced
"bonus depreciation" provisions as well.
The House-passed measure and the Senate bill currently under
consideration, would allow for an additional depreciation deduction for
assets acquired and placed into service in 2008. Generally, tangible
property with a recovery period not exceeding 20 years, such as
aircraft, would be eligible for bonus depreciation. Bonus depreciation
accelerates the depreciation of the asset, pushing much of the
depreciation to the early years of asset ownership, which effectively
reduces the company's tax liability. The accelerated depreciation would
be 50% of the cost of the asset in the House-passed bill in 2008 and 25%
in each of the first two years in the current version of the Senate
bill. The bonus depreciation will be allowed under the alternative
minimum tax. The Senate is expected to complete its bill shortly so that
any differences in the two measures can be swiftly reconciled, passed by
the Congress and sent on to the President for his signature into law.
NBAA will provide additional details on the enhanced tax provisions
assisting General Aviation when the "Economic Stimulus" legislation
becomes final.
General Aviation Committed to System Modernization, Expanded Capacity
January 29, 2008
The general aviation community is urging Congress to complete FAA reauthorization as soon as possible as timely completion of FAA reauthorization is critically needed. NBAA has released a new issues document which emphasizes the role general aviation plays in the national air transportation system, and restates the support for aviation modernization through proven, efficient fuel taxes. Review the Issues Document.
Congress Passes Bill to Raise Pilot Retirement Age to 65
December 13, 2007
Last night the Senate passed HR 4343, the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act, which amends title 49 of the United States Code to modify age standards for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations (FAR Part 121), raising the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65. The bill, which the House approved earlier this week, now awaits the President’s signature. Pilots who fly business aircraft under FAR Part 91 do not have a mandatory retirement age, but since some Part 91 and 135 operators rely on aspects of Part 121 to guide their flight department policies, NBAA Members potentially could be affected by this legislation. NBAA will report further developments on this topic as they become available.
Congress Extends Current FAA Authorization
November 9, 2007
With work on the reauthorization for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) still unfinished, Congress last week passed a "Continuing Resolution" bill extending the current FAA authorization through December 14. By that date, Congress must either pass a new FAA reauthorization bill, or extend the current FAA bill again. "With a crowded schedule, and a limited number of business days left in this congressional session, it appears that the FAA reauthorization debate may continue into the new year," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "NBAA Members should continue making their voices heard on the issue with their elected representatives, who will be in their home states over the holidays. Our industry must keep sending a message to Congress in support of the fuel tax for FAA funding, and against user fees."
NBAA Issues Statement on President's Nomination of Robert Sturgell as FAA Administrator
October 29, 2007
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen issued a statement last week commending the White House on its nomination of Robert "Bobby" Sturgell to serve as administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Sturgell has served as acting administrator since former Administrator Marion C. Blakey's term ended in September. In Sturgell's former position as the FAA's deputy administrator, he oversaw the agency's day-to-day operations, capital programs and modernization efforts. The former naval aviator also flew for United Airlines as a commercial pilot, and later became the senior policy advisor at the National Transportation Safety Board. He has been a guest at several NBAA meetings and conferences in the U.S. and overseas. Sturgell's nomination is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate. To review his full bio, visit:
http://www.faa.gov/about/key_officials/sturgell/
NBAA Supports FAA's Call For NextGen Preparation
October 8, 2007
NBAA last week stated its support for an FAA proposal calling some aircraft to equip for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B), a satellite-based technology, by 2020. "Although general aviation aircraft avoid busy airspace and airports, NBAA welcomes the introduction of ADS-B technology because of its ability to enhance aviation safety and increase available system capacity," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "The general aviation community has long embraced technologies that improve safety and expand capacity, and this technology represents another advancement in those areas." The FAA issued its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on October 5, and comments on the proposal are due by January 3, 2008.
NBAA's Steve Brown Tells Congress: Airline Delays Are a 'Self- Inflicted Wound'
September 26, 2007
Despite airlines' attempts to shift blame for their recent record-setting delays, the commercial airlines' scheduling practices are in fact a leading cause of flight delays, second only to adverse weather, said Steve Brown, NBAA senior vice president, operations and a former associate administrator for FAA Air Traffic Services. Brown's comments were made during testimony today before the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. Learn more and review the testimony.
AOPA’s Boyer Says General Aviation Won’t Be Divided in User Fee Fight
September 26, 2007
Phil Boyer, president and CEO of the 412,000-strong Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), said he was making his third appearance today in 18 years as head of AOPA at a National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Annual Meeting & Convention to reinforce the two organizations' shared opposition to user fees as a dire threat to the future of general aviation. More.
NBAA Lauds Senate, House Actions on FAA Modernization
September 23, 2007
Last week, the Senate Finance Committee approved the "American Infrastructure and Investment Act" that would raise funding from sources including an increase in general aviation fuel taxes to modernize the nation's aviation system as part of the multi-year funding process for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "NBAA commends Senators Baucus and Grassley and the other Finance Committee members for their efforts to modernize the aviation system by building upon the proven fuel tax," Bolen said. "We agree with the Senate Finance Committee that everyone should support NextGen, and the best way for general aviation to contribute is by paying at the pump." Earlier in the week, the House passed the "FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007" that includes fuel tax increases to finance the FAA and its Next Generation Air Traffic System, or "NextGen." Both would increase the fuel tax on general aviation turbine aircraft to 36 cents per gallon, up from 21.8 cents. "NBAA thanks the House of Representatives for passing this legislation to fully fund the FAA and make the transition to NextGen, while preserving the ultra-efficient, reliable and stable 'pay-at-the-pump' funding mechanism that has worked so well for so long," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "
NBAA Lauds Finance Committee Action on FAA Modernization Bill
September 21, 2007
NBAA today applauded the Senate Finance Committee for approving the “American Infrastructure and Investment Act,” legislation designed to provide additional funding to modernize the nation’s aviation system. “NBAA commends Senators Baucus and Grassley and the other Finance Committee members for their efforts to modernize the aviation system by building upon proven, reliable and ultra-efficient fuel taxes,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We agree with the committee that everyone should support the NextGen effort, and that the best way for general aviation to contribute is by ‘paying at the pump.’” More.
NBAA Commends House of Representatives for Passing 'NextGen' Bill
September 20, 2007
NBAA today commended the House of Representatives for passing legislation that will fund the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its Next Generation Air Traffic System, also known as "NextGen." The legislation, entitled the "FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007," was approved by House lawmakers today as part of Congress’s multi-year funding process for the FAA. It provides additional funding for the FAA through sources including an increase in general aviation fuel taxes. "NBAA thanks the House of Representatives for passing this legislation to fully fund the FAA and make the transition to the Next Generation Air Transportation System, while preserving the ultra-efficient, reliable and stable 'pay-at-the-pump' funding mechanism that has worked so well for so long," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. More.
NBAA Welcomes House Leaders' Continued Rejection of User Fees
September 18, 2007
NBAA today stated its support for congressional legislation to fund the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and modernize the nation's aviation system through excise taxes rather than new taxes or untested user fees. The legislation, which was approved today by lawmakers on the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, was produced as part of Congress's multi-year "reauthorization," or funding process for the FAA. "NBAA supports the legislation reported by the Ways and Means Committee earlier today," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "While no one loves to pay taxes, the general aviation community recognizes the importance of air traffic control modernization. The fact that the committee’s bill dedicates the additional tax revenues exclusively to modernization is very significant." More.
New Congressional Ethics Reform Law to Affect Use of Private Aircraft
September 5, 2007
This week, Congress sent the President legislation which will enact major reforms to current congressional ethics laws. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 (S.1) was passed by both the House and Senate just prior to the recent congressional recess. This measure will make a number of major changes to ethics laws and regulations governing members of Congress and their staffs and impose new public disclosure requirements on registered lobbyists and the companies they represent. The President is expected to sign the bill into law once it is received at the White House.
Included in S.1 are new provisions that will govern the use of private aircraft by members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Senators will be permitted to travel on private aircraft but will be required to reimburse the provider for the actual cost of the flight at the fair-market charter rate. Members of the U.S. House are prohibited from accepting any travel on private aircraft and are restricted to the use of commercial air travel or air charter operations at the fair-market charter rate. Once the President signs the bill into law, NBAA will provide a more detailed summary of the new travel restrictions. Until that time, the Association urges NBAA Members planning to provide travel to any member of Congress to confirm details of the requested travel and ensure compliance with current ethics requirements. For additional information, contact NBAA's Dick Doubrava at rdoubrava@nbaa.org.
NBAA Sets Media Straight on Airline Delays and User Fees
August 27, 2007
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen recently responded to a story last week by the Associated Press inferring that general aviation (GA) has any relation to this summer's record airline delays. Bolen's letter to newspaper editors points out that data from the Department of Transportation shows that most delays are caused by weather and the airlines' own scheduling practices, and also stresses business aviation's support for a proposal in the House of Representatives for funding the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and system modernization – a position that the AP article ignores. Read the full letter.
NBAA Calls for Prompt Nomination of FAA Administrator
August 27, 2007
Last week, NBAA with other industry organizations signed a letter to President Bush calling for the timely nomination of the FAA's next administrator, stating, "Our nation cannot afford a recess appointee as we face the time-critical challenge of modernizing our nation's aviation infrastructure." Current FAA Administrator Marion Blakey will leave office in September when her term expires. Signatories to the letter, which include a number of general aviation organizations, urge Bush to act quickly and appoint a new administrator for a five-year term to allow the new appointee to "begin the urgent task of modernizing our aviation infrastructure." Read the letter.
NBAA Challenges Southwest Airlines' Misleading Claims About GA
August 20, 2007
Southwest Airlines recently became the latest carrier to publish an article in its in-flight magazine inferring that this summer's unprecedented airline delays are somehow related to general aviation (GA). Of course, despite plenty of evidence from the Department of Transportation that airline delays are mostly the product of weather and the airlines' own practices, the airlines continue using false and misleading claims like these to try and muster support for their plan to shift billions of their costs onto GA, introduce new user fees and assume control of the air traffic control system. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen challenged the misleading article with a letter to Southwest CEO Gary Kelly, saying, "We had reason to hope you would not take advantage of frustrated passengers to tell such a deceptive story." Read Bolen's letter.
NBAA Member Tells Congress: Modernize Aviation System With Fuel Tax
August 1, 2007
Rick Hale, president and CEO of NBAA Member Winner Aviation, testified before House members today that the general aviation (GA) community supports air traffic control modernization, but wants to continue to pay at the pump through fuel taxes rather than user fees or some other new tax. In addition to testifying, Hale read from a letter opposing user fees sent by James Martin, president of Martin's Pastry Shoppe, another NBAA Member. "General aviation opposes user fees or any proposal that would shift costs from these small businesses to give others – in this case the major airlines – a huge tax break," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
NBAA Again Challenges Airline Misstatements About GA and User Fees
August 1, 2007
While members of Congress are at home during August, the airlines are stepping up their attacks on general aviation. As the latest example, Delta Air Lines has followed several other carriers in promoting false and misleading statements about general aviation in its magazine and e-mail messages to frequent fliers. Delta’s messages play to passengers frustrated with record airline delays in an attempt to convince Congress to shift billions of airline costs onto general aviation and introduce new user fees. Read NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen's letter to Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein, along with letters Bolen has written to other airlines. More.
Review older news items in the government affairs news archive.
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