Sat, May 23, 2009
BUT... Concerned with Repair Station Provision That Threatens
US Jobs and Safety Cooperation
GAMA is praising the passage of the
FAA Reauthorization bill but expressing concern over a provision
that would invalidate a bilateral aviation safety agreement with
the European Union (EU), threatening safety cooperation with Europe
and potentially jeopardizing thousands of US jobs across the
country.
"It is absolutely critical that we move forward on the
reauthorization of the FAA programs," said Pete Bunce, GAMA's
president and CEO. "Reauthorization will expedite modernization of
the air traffic system and help ensure that the FAA can address
resource shortages in the certification process."
Specifically, Bunce expressed concerns about Section 303
requiring the FAA to send inspectors to Europe twice a year for
mandated inspections of FAA-certified repair stations. This would
prevent the implementation of the US-EU bilateral safety agreement.
"The consequences of eliminating the safety agreement with the EU
would threaten continued certification of EASA-certified repair
stations and safety cooperation in areas such as pilot training,
operating requirements and new aircraft certifications. This would
place many American jobs unnecessarily at risk," said Bunce.
A bipartisan group of 54 members led by Congressman John Barrow
(D-GA) signed a letter to the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee leadership urging amendment of the
provision to "protect the tens of thousands of American jobs that
rely on continued U.S. leadership of the global aviation industry."
Congressman Aaron Schock asked to make an amendment to Section 303
to protect the safety agreement, which was denied by the House
Rules Committee.
Bunce added, "As this bill moves forward, we must change Section
303 to protect the safety agreement. It not only improves safety
but helps sustain our industry's record as a contributor to a
positive balance of trade, and more importantly, protects tens of
thousands of high-paying American jobs."
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