WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas),
Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee,
said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization legislation
approved by the United States Senate today represents the future of U.S.
aviation. She also noted that it will
improve aviation safety, modernize the nation’s air traffic control system, and
make important investments in aviation infrastructure across the nation.
“This critical legislation is long overdue. For too many years, our nation has put off
the daunting task of modernizing our country’s antiquated air traffic control
system,” said Senator Hutchison. “Modernization
of the country’s air traffic is crucial to our economic growth and will move America
closer to a more efficient and effective use of our national airspace. This measure will improve the safety of air
travel for millions of Americans, and represents an important commitment to the
future of aviation in this country.”
The bill would
specifically:
Improve Aviation Safety
- Address National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations regarding causal
factors of the Colgan Flight 3407 accident last year. - Ensure steps are taken to
attain “one level of safety” across all commercial aircraft operations. - Improve safety oversight
of foreign repair stations. - Improve safety for air
emergency medical service operations by instituting new standardized
dispatch procedures, and promote the use of updated terrain awareness
systems and on board technology.
Modernize the Air Traffic Control System
- Advance the NextGen
initiative to transform the nation’s air traffic control from a
ground-based radar system to a satellite-based system that uses Global
Positioning System (GPS) navigation and surveillance, digital
communications, and more accurate weather services. - Establish clear NextGen
deadlines for technology adoption and better procedural development across
the entire aviation system and directs the FAA to accelerate planned
timelines for integrating Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
(ADS-B) technology into the NAS, requiring the use of “ADS-B Out” on all
aircraft by 2015 and the use of “ADS-B In” on all aircraft by 2018. - Create an “Air Traffic
Control Modernization Oversight Board” to provide better oversight of
FAA’s modernization activities.
Invest in Airport Infrastructure
- Authorize increased
investment in airport infrastructure through the Airport Improvement
Program (AIP), along with streamlining and creating greater flexibility
for certain airport improvement projects.
Improve Small Community Air Service
- Increase investment in
rural air service initiatives like the Essential Air Service (EAS)
program. The EAS program provides
access and economic opportunity to several small communities across the
U.S., including Victoria, Texas.
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