U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) praised the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s recent decision to advance the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act, reform legislation that would provide a six-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The committee also included several provisions and priorities introduced by Comstock, one of which regarded the creation of the Remote Air Traffic Control Tower Pilot Program.
“Our aviation infrastructure needs updating and this legislation will help meet the demands of the aviation sector for the 21st Century,” Comstock said. “[N]ew and innovative technology is essential to the future of aviation. Remote air traffic control towers put reliable, safe technology in the capable hands of our air traffic controllers at smaller airports across the nation.”
Another provision adds Washington D.C. to the list of areas from which the FAA Administrator must choose to study health effects of aircraft noise.
“Between Reagan National and Dulles International airports, my constituents in Northern Virginia are greatly impacted by aircraft noise,” Comstock said. “Our office has worked with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to address aircraft noise for our constituents in the past, but inclusion of my amendment, as well as other provisions included in the base text of the bill, will make progress toward reducing aircraft noise for everyday Americans.”