GA Revitalization Bill Gains Support

A bill that aims to support the future of general aviation was introduced in the Senate last week by Senators Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and has gained support from GA advocates. This bill will empower the next generation of needed pilots, Inhofe said.

A bill that aims to support the future of general aviation was introduced in the Senate last week by Senators Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and has gained support from GA advocates. "Across the aviation industry, we are facing an unfortunate reality—too few young Americans are starting careers in the field,"Inhofe said."This bill will empower the next generation of needed pilots." The bill would encourage adding an aviation curriculum option in high schools, reduce red tape in an effort to grow the pool of pilot examiners and create some liability protection for volunteer pilots, along with several other measures. EAA, NBAA and many other aviation advocacy groups have expressed support for the bill, known as theSecuring and Revitalizing Aviation (SARA) Act of 2018.

Other details of the act include: The bill proposes giving the NTSB the authority to review the denial of an airman medial certificate by the FAA, extending to FAA designees the existing due process protections enjoyed by pilots and providing that an airman may voluntarily surrender a medical certificate and reapply for a certificate without an unnecessary wait period. It also supports efforts by seaplane pilots to mitigate the spread of aquatic invasive species, enabling seaplane pilots access to bodies of water that now are closed. It also proposes to implement the Volunteer Pilot Protection Act, which qualifies volunteer pilots for limited liability protection as long as they follow appropriate procedures, have the FAA-required flight experience and maintain liability insurance. The full text of the bill can be found here.