Working To Do Same In House
The
Helicopter Association International (HAI) continues to work with
Congress to obtain language in the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) Reauthorization Bill that would authorize the development of
a communications and weather infrastructure in the Gulf of
Mexico.
On May 1, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee approved a manager's amendment to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill (S. 824) authored by
Senator John Breaux (D-LA). Senator Breaux's amendment contains
language that directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop
and carry out a program designed to expand and improve the safety,
efficiency, and security of air traffic control services provided
to aircraft flying in the Gulf of Mexico.
Senator Ernest Hollings (D-SC), the ranking Minority Member of
the Commerce Committee, offered the amendment for Senator Breaux,
expressing his concern for the safety of helicopters operating in
the Gulf, as well as the need to expand and control navigation in
that region. Senator Trent Lott (R-Mississippi), Chair of the
Senate's Aviation Subcommittee also voiced strong support for the
measure.
HAI has worked closely with Congressman Richard Baker (R-LA), a
member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee,
to include the Breaux language in the House version of the FAA
Reauthorization Bill. A Committee working-draft of the House FAA
Reauthorization Bill includes language to enhance the safety and
security of aircraft operations in the Gulf of Mexico and allows
for the appropriation of funds for fiscal years 2004 through
2007.
New Flight Procedures
The House draft also includes language for the
establishment of "helicopter and tiltrotor approach and departure
procedures" using advanced technologies, such as the Global
Positioning System and Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS), to
permit operations in adverse weather conditions, in order to meet
the needs of air ambulance services. The House Subcommittee on
Aviation will hold a markup on the draft bill to reauthorize
programs for the Federal Aviation Administration on May 14.
HAI staff have also worked closely with the offices of
Representatives Richard Baker (R-LA), Don Young (R-AK), James
Oberstar (D-MN), Kevin Brady (R-TX), Ron Paul (R-TX), John
Culberson (R-TX), Gene Taylor (R-MI), Joe Barton (R-TX), Chris
Johns (D-LA), and Gene Green (D-TX) to pursue a letter of
congressional support for the draft language.
The goal of aviation leaders in both chambers is to have a bill
ready for conference before the August recess.
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