The House Rules Committee today is expected to consider the comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill, clearing the way before the full House vote. The Rules Committee will establish the parameters for the House vote, which is anticipated later this week.
While the bill, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R.3935), passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee last month with a 63-0 vote, a few amendments have been floated that are generating opposition.
These include a possible amendment from Jay Obernolte (R-California) and Matt Cartwright (D-Pennsylvania) to require all public-use airports to provide transient aircraft parking for operators and require airports and FBOs to provide free access to transit from their airplane to parking, even if that means through privately owned buildings. However, the measure would permit the airport to assess a "fair, reasonable, transparent, publicly available" fee for use of the transient apron.
Similar to a measure included in the Senate bill, the amendment is strongly supported by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association but drawing fire from the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), which issued a call to action to members to urge a no vote.
NATA warned that the provision “ignores the unique, local operating environments of individual airports, as well as the varied needs and concerns of all stakeholders—airport users, airport businesses, and the airports themselves.” NATA also questioned whether it considered the economic burden on airports and FBOs, and safety and security risks and implications, among other concerns.
Meanwhile, pilot unions are urging support for an amendment to strip out a measure that would raise the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots to 67. That measure was added during the House T&I vote in June. Also, debate is possible on an effort to change the 1,500-hour rule requirement for airline pilots to permit some credit for simulator time.
However, inclusion of such a measure in the companion Senate bill thwarted its consideration last month in the Senate Commerce Committee. Another issue that has stalled the Senate bill is a dispute over slots at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
NBAA, meanwhile, urged its members to reach out to House lawmakers offering support for the overall bill.