The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) praised U.S. Congress for passing Fiscal Year 2017 Omnibus, which continues funding for general aviation manufacturers.
“We appreciate the strong support shown by Congress in this omnibus measure for general aviation, especially in the critical areas of safety, certification, and the transition to an unleaded avgas and in raising strong concerns about the attempt to remove the U.S. air traffic control system from the FAA,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said.
The omnibus provides $1.29 billion for aviation safety activities, $1.5 million of which will be used to employ six new full-time equivalent workers in charge of the certification of new technologies.
It also provides $7 million for NextGen – Alternative Fuels for General Aviation – as America’s fleet transitions to unleaded aviation fuel.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was ordered to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of product certification and encouraged to strengthen international aviation safety cooperation with agencies, such Transport Canada Civil Aviation, the European Aviation Safety Agency and the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil.
This cooperation will improve product safety.
A note attached to the omnibus said removal of the FAA’s air traffic control system would be fraught with risk and would increase passenger cost.
If President Donald Trump signs the bill, the omnibus will extend funding through Sept. 30, 2017.