Bill Contains Several Provisions Important To GA Pilots

The US House of Representatives passed H.R. 2638 -- the Homeland Security Appropriations Act, that makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 -- last week by a vote of 268 to 150.

H.R. 2638 contains several important provisions, such as continued funding for the AOPA Airport Watch Program, requiring safety testing for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and continued support for the loran navigation system, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

"With more than 5,400 public-use general aviation airports in the United States, the committee supports a robust program to reinforce security at these facilities and directs the TSA [Transportation Security Administration] to continue funding ongoing activities in this area," stated the House Appropriations Committee report on the bill.

"The bill funds the hiring of 3,000 new border patrol agents…and improves aviation and port security. It also includes strong accountability measures to make certain that taxpayer dollars are being well-spent," added House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

According to the committee report, the bill mandates testing of UAVs to "determine the risk of midair collisions with manned aircraft." US Customs and Border Patrol will work with the FAA on the testing, according to AOPA.

"This testing is very important because expanded use of UAVs along the borders must not adversely affect aviation," explained Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. "UAVs should be certified by the FAA to the same level of safety as manned aircraft and include technology that allows them to safely fly in the same airspace as manned aircraft."

The bill also includes continued funding for Airport Watch, a program developed with the Transportation and Safety Administration. The program encourages the nation's pilots to be on the lookout for and report any suspicious activity at airports. It also advocates locking aircraft, hangars, and buildings when they're not being used.

The bill also has a provision to continue funding loran. The AOPA says it supports keeping it in operation as a backup navigation system to GPS.

The bill has been sent to the Senate for review.

FMI: www.aopa.org, http://appropriations.house.gov