WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth & Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, legislation that will reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years and improve American aviation safety and infrastructure. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement on its passage:
“As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Aviation Subcommittee, I was proud to play a role in passing this historic, bipartisan bill to reauthorize the FAA. This legislation affects more than just pilots and passengers. It also benefits other aviation associated groups like farmers, business owners, health care providers, and everyday folks. The passage of this bill is critical to American aviation safety and infrastructure and will ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in aviation.”
Background:
H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act will benefit the El Dorado/Camden, Hot Springs, Texarkana, and Mena airports and will make significant advancements to support the agricultural aviation industry in the 4th District.
In part, the bill:
Improves efficiency at the FAA.
Supports the general aviation community.
Encourages aviation innovation.
Invests in U.S. airport infrastructure.
Enhances the passenger experience.
Upholds America’s gold standard in safety.
Strengthens the aviation workforce.
Authorizes the National Transportation Safety Board.
Congressman Bruce Westerman introduced two amendments that were included in H.R. 3935.
Makes technical corrections to Section 204 of the bill to ensure data privacy and safety of General Aviation aircraft, crew, and passengers.
This amendment will allow General Aviation aircraft to ask the FAA to block the plane’s aircraft code from the public.
Following incidents where people have tracked private planes and harassed passengers/compromised their safety, this amendment allows private planes to attest to a safety threat to the FAA and request that the FAA remove any public notice of the plane’s identification codes.
The FAA and other necessary air space users would still have the necessary information they need to properly steer air traffic and ensure airport logistics.
Ensures that the safety of manned aircraft is specifically taken into account when the FAA promulgates rules for Beyond Visual Line of Site (BVLOS) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
UAS, or drones, operating in low altitude areas beyond the visual line of sight of the drone operator may potentially interfere with General Aviation aircraft and put pilots in jeopardy.
This amendment, cosponsored by Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01), requires the FAA to ensure the safety of manned aircraft when making these regulations.
Click here to learn more about H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act