NE Florida News

WASHINGTON—Yesterday, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) voted in favor of H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and provide long-term stability for the nation’s aviation community and infrastructure programs for the next five years.

“When you fly, you expect to get where you’re going on time, safely, and at a reasonable price. But with mass flight cancellations, delays, runway near-misses, and surging prices, Americans are becoming increasingly frustrated. With this bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act, America’s aviation industry will once again soar to new heights. 

This bill is the latest effort to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, to bolster the aviation workforce, to increase consumer protections, and to ensure our innovators continue to lead in an advanced aviation future.

The age of aviation was born in America. This year’s FAA brings us one step closer to restoring our great nation’s position as the global leader in aviation safety and innovation,” said Congressman Bean.

“The legislation takes an important first step in investing in airside infrastructure to support the nation’s spaceports and the continued growth of the commercial space transportation industry. The Jacksonville Aviation Authority is very thankful to Congressman Bean for sponsoring this important provision in the House approved FAA Reauthorization Bill that will potentially provide essential infrastructure funding support for Cecil Airport & Spaceport and other horizontal spaceports in the country,” said Michael Stewart, Vice President External Affairs Jacksonville Aviation Authority.

Fighting for the Fourth District and Florida

Congressman Bean secured the following provisions as part of the FAA Reauthorization legislation that passed the House of Representatives:

• Secured language to stop the FAA from saddling the National Guard Bureau with increased costs that risked the future of National Guard units on airport properties. 
• Amended the bill to make the replacement or rehabilitation of runways and connected taxiways at spaceports, like Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, eligible for funding under the Airport Improvement Program. 
• Included provisions that safely expand the use of drones, including requiring FAA to produce rules for beyond visual line of sight operations, that will enable drone delivery services, arial mapping and surveying, and inspections. 
• Prioritized addressing recent runway incursion incidents by implementing new technologies and focuses on resolving underlying surface safety risks. 
• Worked to modernize and improve the nation’s air traffic control system which will reduce delays and enhance the passenger experience for NE Florida travelers.

Read a summary of the bill HERE.

Read the bill text HERE.

Original source can be found here.