Senator Inhofe Seeking Aviation Community Comment On Proposed Legislation

After getting little support for this concept when we first proposed it a few decades back, ANN is glad to see the associations start to back the concept of a Pilot's Bill of Rights. In fact, aviation organizations are now offering broad support for Senator James Inhofe's proposed Pilot's Bill of Rights 2, which the Oklahoma Republican released Monday.

The bill would further protect and promote general aviation activities in the United States. Sen. Inhofe, a longtime aviator and EAA member, hopes to build on the foundation established in 2012 when his initial Pilot’s Bill of Rights was signed into law.

The new proposal would specifically address such issues as pilot medical certification reform, unannounced searches of private aircraft by federal authorities, simplified processes for certifying and installing safety-enhancing equipment on general aviation aircraft, and numerous protections and due process improvements for pilots, aircraft owners, and other FAA certificate holders who find themselves subject to an FAA enforcement action. Sen. Inhofe is releasing his draft bill for review and comment by the aviation community prior to introducing a final bill after the summer recess.

“This legislation would further enhance the pilot and general aviation reforms in the first Pilot’s Bill of Rights, designed to support and grow the ability for people to participate in flying,” said Jack Pelton, EAA chairman of the board. “We are pleased to have worked with Sen. Inhofe and his staff to identify several key issues that are addressed within this bill, which would ease burdens on average Americans who participate in flying.”

“We can once again thank Senator Inhofe for bringing key general aviation issues before Congress,” said Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Mark Baker. “This new version of the very popular Pilot’s Bill of Rights comes at a time when the GA industry is actively engaged in actions aimed at protecting pilots’ civil liberties and the freedom to fly.”

“Senator Inhofe’s original Pilot Bill of Rights legislation wrote important protections for pilots into law,” said HAI President Matt Zuccaro. “We support his latest effort and look forward to working with him on this new legislation that will enhance those protections.”

Sen. Inhofe will host an update briefing on the proposed legislation during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014. That briefing will be held at 1000 (CDT) on Saturday, August 2, at Forum Pavilion 1 on the AirVenture grounds.

(Inhofe pictured right during ANN interview)

FMI: www.eaa.org, www.aopa.org, www.rotor.com