The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) said they supported the advancement of three aviation bills by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
The bills, the Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act (H.R. 5315), the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act (H.R. 6270), and the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act (H.R. 3482) will now go to the full House for consideration.
“State aviation officials are pleased to see Congress proactively providing practical assistance to local authorities and other stakeholders to prepare for the future of Aviation,” Greg Pecoraro, NASAO President and CEO, said. “These two bills will help state, local, and tribal government agencies as well as many others to plan for and make use of exciting new aviation technologies, and to integrate them safely and effectively into the National Airspace System.”
The Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act would authorize a grant program to state, local and tribal governments to purchase drones for infrastructure inspection, as well support drone education and workforce training in community colleges and universities.
The Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act would authorize a grant program for state, local and tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, and metropolitan planning organizations to plan the infrastructure needed for Advanced Air Mobility operations and for construction of vertiports.
And the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act would establish a national, independent forum to facilitate collaboration and cooperation between aviation and aerospace sectors in order to coordinate, promote and support the future of aviation.