The General Aviation
Manufacturers Association issued a statement in response to
President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget proposal on shifting the
air traffic control function of the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration to an independent, non-governmental organization:
"Removing the U.S. air
traffic control system from the FAA could create negative impacts
for aviation safety, rural and small communities, national security,
and air traffic control modernization as well as for other important
regulatory reform efforts.
"The FAA air traffic
control system is the safest, most efficient, largest, and most
complex in the world. To a degree not found in other countries, the
economic health and vitality of numerous businesses and communities,
small and large, depend on the U.S. aviation system. We must not
weaken this strong foundation.
"Additionally, while
there is rightfully a focus on making the FAA work more efficiently
and effectively, discussion about removing the air traffic control
operation has impeded the implementation of other necessary reforms
like certification which are known to deliver efficiency and safety
benefits. Certification reform efforts can have an immediate,
positive impact for the U.S. economy and the creation of American
jobs and should not wait on air traffic control discussions.
"Many of the
challenges with this type of air traffic control reform proposal
have been thoughtfully outlined in recent letters by U.S. Senators
Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and the leaders of the
U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. We agree with Secretary Chao
and Senators Klobuchar and Moran that before any action is taken,
there needs to be a dialogue among all stakeholders, including civil
and defense users of the National Airspace System, to achieve
national consensus on any potential changes to the U.S. air traffic
control system. We need to be certain that as we try to solve
specific problems, we do not create others.
"We look forward to
this dialogue while working expeditiously with the Administration
and the U.S. Congress to ensure the advancement of certification
reform, general aviation manufacturing and the nation’s aviation
system." |