The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) recently thanked the U.S. House Appropriations Committee for funding the general aviation industry in its Fiscal Year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill.
The bill provides $1.3 billion for aviation safety and $7 million for alternative fuels.
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao must provide the committee with annual reports detailing how the funds are used, including total employees and the number of vacant positions.
“The Committee’s action sends a strong message of support to the general aviation industry,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. “We thank members of the Committee, particularly Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Ranking Member David Price (D-NC), and Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY), for this critical funding measure. We look forward to working with them and other members of the House and Senate to ensure final passage.”
GAMA also praised the committee for supporting NextGen air traffic control modernization.
The bill also provides $16.6 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration.
All funding was higher than the Trump Administration’s budget request. The Administration had requested $51.7 million less for safety, $1.08 million less for alternative fuels and $434 million less for the FAA.
The fiscal year begins October 1.