EAA Signs Letters of Support for FLIGHT Act

June 22, 2017 - EAA joined 27 other general aviation industry groups on June 16 in signing letters of support to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives regarding the Forward Looking Investment in General Aviation, Hangars, and Tarmacs (FLIGHT) Act, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) on June 8.

The bipartisan bill aims to provide the FAA with more flexibility in its funding of general aviation airport infrastructure, including the maintenance and upgrading of runways, taxiways, and aprons. This would be done by extending the rollover period for funding by one year and ensuring that non-primary grant carryover funds may continue to be used for high-priority non-primary airport projects.

The FLIGHT Act additionally would establish a public-private partnership program to help attract private-sector investment in the construction of private and business hangars and other airport facilities.

EAA strongly supports this effort to help revitalize the nation’s GA airports, which not only provide a home for our flying passions, but also produce millions of dollars in economic impact and serve a vital role in the efficiency of the national airspace system by serving as bases for agricultural, emergency, and law enforcement operations.

“To enjoy these benefits, it is vital that our GA airports are equipped to handle their day-to-day demands,” said Inhofe, a longtime pilot and EAA member.

A provision in the bill would ensure that construction of recreational aircraft is regarded as an aeronautical activity at airports, which is especially relevant to EAA members. It would put into law a position long maintained by EAA, and one successfully included in recent FAA hangar-use policy.