Heli-Expo 2018 attendees woke to some good news on the second day of the show yesterday, after Congress ended its most-recent effort to privatize the U.S. air traffic control (ATC) system. The Helicopter Association International (HAI) and other aviation organizations applauded the move and indicated support for the plan for a reauthorization bill that would assure longer-term funding for the FAA. “HAI stands committed to working with Congress to modernize the FAA to maintain its world-class level of service and safety,” the association said.
“The voice of the entire general aviation community was heard,” added HAI president and CEO Matt Zuccaro. “I want to thank our members for their commitment and passion to engage their elected officials. I also want to express our community’s gratitude to our representatives for listening. This is a great example of what can happen when people unite and speak with one voice.”
On Tuesday afternoon, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pennsylvania) admitted that the proposed reform of ATC that was part of H.R.2997, the “21st Century AIRR Act,” did not receive enough support from Congress to pass. Shuster said he plans to work with his colleagues in Congress on a reauthorization bill “to provide long-term stability for the FAA.”