GAMA thanks Congress for bills supporting aviation

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The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) recently voiced its support of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Committees advancement of legislation that funds general aviation for fiscal year 2019.

Funding was included in the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) and the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) bills.

The committees’ CJS bills increase funding for aeronautics at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and address initiatives for emerging technologies as well as the integration of the initiatives into national airspace.

The THUD bills focus on improving the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards office’s regulatory process, support the completion of the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative program, support NextGen and the NextGen Advisory Committee, and retain certification reform efforts.

“We thank the committees for their work on the THUD bills, which provide direction to the FAA that will further improve aviation safety and help facilitate innovation and advances in general aviation,” Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO, said. “The language in these bills will foster improvement in the FAA’s regulatory and oversight actions, as well as coordination with the aviation industry. This will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the aircraft certification process and acceptance and validation of aviation products globally.”