FAA reauthorization
Every several years, Congress is required to enact legislation to authorize funding and set policy priorities for the FAA. The current law, the FAA Reauthorization & Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. Law 112-95) expires at the end of fiscal year 2015. Below, you can find information on the latest reauthorization debate and ARSA’s role in the process.
Information on the next reauthorization measure will be available when the process begins anew.
Why reauthorization matters
ARSA believes long-term FAA bills are important to delivering certainty to the aviation industry. However, it is critical that Congress avoids micromanaging the aviation maintenance industry through the reauthorization process and that lawmakers be mindful of negative unintended consequences.
This is vital for the U.S. aerospace industry. As a current net exporter of aviation maintenance services, North America enjoys a $ 2.4 billion dollar positive balance of trade in this area. Additionally, with a substantial presence in every state, the maintenance, repair, and overhaul market contributes $39 billion annually to the American economy and employs more than 274,000 workers.
FAA Reauthorization & Reform Act of 2012
The battle to pass the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2012 was a long and arduous process that began in 2007. While FAA authorization bills are normally not politically controversial, it required more than 23 extensions of the prior law’s operating authority spanning more than four years – and a temporary shutdown of the FAA in mid-2011 – before lawmakers finally agreed to new legislation.
ARSA was pleased to play an active role in its passage and to suggest legislative language that respected the maintenance industry’s ability to prosper while maintaining the strongest possible commitments to safety. This language, which was adopted into law, ensured the preservation of the international aviation system and upheld the ability of American maintenance companies to compete globally
The legislation, which authorizes $15.9 billion annually for the agency through 2015, strikes the right balance between safety, oversight, and operational freedom.
