A coalition of 20 organizations across the aviation industry is urging House lawmakers to take action on a bill to make qualified pilot and maintenance technician schools eligible for 529 plan distributions. Introduced in March by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, H.R.1818, the Aviation Workforce Development Act, would permit 529 plans to cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for participation in a qualified aviation technician or pilot course, including with Part 147 maintenance schools and Part 61 and 141 flight schools.
The bill may ultimately end up in a comprehensive FAA reauthorization package but first must receive House Ways and Means Committee approval.
Industry backers sent a letter to committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts) urging them to schedule a vote on the bill, which they said is designed to reduce barriers for aspiring aviators facing the high cost of training. “We agree that a robust commercial aviation industry requires a steady supply of pilots and mechanics and allowing Americans to use 529 Plans—which are comprised of their own money—will help the industry meet the rapidly increasing demand for air services,” they said in the May 10 letter.
The organizations noted that similar legislation was recently enacted for trades apprenticeship programs. “H.R.1818 will build on that legacy and address the similarly growing need for aviators and aircraft mechanics by giving Americans the same tools to choose a career in aviation as those seeking four-year degrees,” they added of the bill introduced by Reps. Mike Collins (R-Georgia), Jimmy Panetta (D-California), Mike Kelly (R-Pennsylvania), and Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee).
NBAA, among the signatories of the letter, noted that Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) is expected to introduce similar legislation in the Senate. NBAA added that along with strongly backing H.R.1818, it also endorsed the recent introduction of a bill—the Flight Education Access Act (H.R.2874)—to increase loan limits for flight education and training programs.