On June 4th, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing, “FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024: Stakeholder Perspectives on Implementation One Year Later.” During the stakeholder hearing, there was a bipartisan consensus on the significance of the 2024 reauthorization bill. There was a particular emphasis on the importance of maintaining US leadership in aviation safety and modernization of the air traffic control system within the context of the recent incidents at Washington National Airport (DCA) and Newark Liberty Airport. Members also discussed the need for timely rulemaking on emerging aviation technologies and increased workforce recruitment and protection efforts.  

Witness List 

• Mr. Darren Pleasance, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association 

• Mr. Edward M. Bolen, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Business Aviation Association 

• Mr. Michale Robbins, President and Chief Executive Officer, Association of Uncrewed Vehicle Systems 

• Captain Jody Reven, President, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association 

• Ms. Sara Nelson, International President, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO 

Chairman Troy Nehls (R-TX) began the hearing describing the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act as the largest and most comprehensive FAA reauthorization, highlighting its aim to strengthen the general aviation sector, address workforce development issues, invest in airport infrastructure, and safely integrate new technologies. While he commended the FAA for making progress on portions of the legislation, he also highlighted areas where there have been delays in implementation, including Section 372 on pilot qualifications, Section 930 on safe beyond line of site operations for unmanned aircraft, and Section 110 on civil supersonic aircraft.  

Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-TN) also began the hearing praising the reauthorization efforts and highlighting the need to modernize the air traffic control system, develop a highly trained workforce, and keep pace with emerging technologies. He called on the FAA to provide timely results and criticized the Administration for efforts to downsize the federal government. 

Modernization of the Air Traffic Control System 

Witnesses and members discussed current efforts to modernize the air traffic control (ATC) system, both as part of and in addition to measures in the reauthorization. Pleasance spoke in favor of the $12.5 billion downpayment through the budget to fund the effort and emphasized the need for a holistic approach to update the existing patchwork system. Boland said many members of the industry are united under the Modern Skies Collation to move forward with Secretary Duffy’s plan to hire 14,000 new air traffic controllers and invest in new facilities including air traffic control centers, terminal radar approach control facilities (TRACONs), and towers. He also highlighted the need for next generation radio and radar, increased connectivity, and industry collaboration.  

Rep. Jesús García (D-IL) highlighted the need for updates of ATC technologies like surface surveillance radar, and Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) emphasized the need to move from copper to fiber cables. Both highlighted how some components of technologies currently used by the ATC system are no longer in production. Robbins added that modernization should include low-altitude airspace awareness and digital infrastructure investments to ensure the future airspace can safely scale emerging aviation. 

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) inquired if Notices to Airman (NOTAMs) have improved, and Captain Revens said they are getting better for pilots to understand but that workforce expansion is still needed for better information sharing with between pilots and air traffic controllers. Rep. Nellie Pou (D-NJ) and Captain Reven spoke in support of air traffic controllers accessing flight decks as part of their training to have a better understanding of the pilot’s perspective.  

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) raised concerns about the FAA continuing to allow military helicopters to fly in the DC airspace with automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADB-S) transponders turned off and called for an independent review of the DC airspace. Rep. Gillen raised concerns about the chronic underinvestment in the Newark, with the most outdated radar and communications systems directly the U.S.’s busiest airspace. 

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) asked Nelson how unions feel about the potential privatization of the ATC system. Nelson said her union is against the privatization of anything related to safety but spoke in support of the current reauthorization plans and non-privatization provisions Secretary Duffy has put forward.  

Workforce Protections and Recruitment 

Bolen emphasized the importance of the Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Program grants in the reauthorization for recruitment of maintenance technicians and pilots. He highlighted the need to share the potential of a career in aviation with young people who may not have existing exposure. Captain Revens and Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) emphasized the importance of having two pilots in every cockpit, saying no technological solution will fully overcome the risk of reducing staff coordination. Captain Revens also spoke in support of maintaining the 1500 hour flying training requirement. Rep. Brad Knott (R-NC) asked if the FAA is sufficiently accommodating both legacy and newer pilots. Pleasance said the modernization of special airworthiness certification (MOSAIC) rule has made it easier for new pilots to train in smaller planes, lowering the overall cost of becoming a pilot. 

Rep. Jesús García (D-IL) inquired about the speed of regaining certification for pilots and air traffic controllers returning from medical issues. Captain Reven said progress has been made, such as the cardiac board meeting more frequently, but also highlighted areas for growth, including moving away from a culture of punishment for pilots facing mental health challenges. Rep. Knott emphasized the importance of internal FAA efficiencies such as digitalization of health and certification processes. Rep. Stauber highlighted the proposed Mental Health in Aviation Act to help pilots return to their roles after seeking mental health support.  

Nelson highlighted the importance of provisions within the FAA Reauthorization to promote workplace safety, including addressing issues like contaminated recirculated air, temperature standards, ramp safety, radiation exposure, flight deck secondary barriers, cyber risks, and disruptive passengers. Nelson raised concerns that the form to track radiation exposure was removed from the FAA webpage. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA) also flagged that the FAA has not moved forward on the cabin air safety and toxic fumes requirement, and Rep. Nellie Pou (D-NJ) flagged a lack of FAA progress on turbulence-related injuries.  

Nelson said much of this work has been delayed due to the Administration’s efforts to disband safety advisory and rulemaking committees, specifically the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, and to reduce the federal workforce. She said staff departures could disrupt the pace of licensing for pilots, the ability of pilots to access healthcare, and the ability of the FAA to hire new air traffic controllers. She also emphasized the importance of other federal agencies in aviation safety including the National Weather Service and USAID. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) pushed back on these statements, saying these issues were decades in the making.  

Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-TN) asked if unruly passengers are a more modern problem. Nelson said while it is not a new problem, rates have increased, possibility attributed to increased stressors including more overcrowded planes. She emphasized the need for evacuation standards to update their data to better represent the modern population utilizing flights and emphasized the importance of communicating consequences of unruly behavior.  

Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) brought attention to the dangers ramp workers face. Ms. Nelson agreed and urged airlines to provide more realistic schedules and better benefits to avoid worker burnout and potential safety issues. Rep. Jesús García (D-IL) mentioned the reauthorization’s requirement for GAO to complete a review of the airport service workforce and promoted the proposed Good Jobs for Good Airports Bill. 

Regulation of Emerging Technologies  

Rep. Bob Onder (R-MO) and Mr. Pleasance raised concerns about pilots being deterred from using ADS-B technologies, which can help to prevent aircraft collisions through tracking, due to their use in frivolous lawsuits and increased airport fees. Pleasance highlighted state legislative efforts to address this issue, and Rep. Bob Onder (R-MO) called for a similar federal effort. Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) advocated for more proactive broadcasting of positions with ADS-B amongst all aircraft, especially with the potential integration of unmanned aircraft in the airspace.  

Members emphasized the importance of drone technologies in both military and civilian contexts, such as search and rescue efforts. Robbins spoke in favor of the reauthorization’s clarity on drone integration, including mandating performance-based rulemaking and expanding certification-based pathways but raised concerns about delays in rulemaking hindering innovation and safety. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) asked about the delay in rulemaking for Section 2209. Robbins said the rule is currently in draft form under review by the White House with the possibility of moving to an interim final rule through executive order.  

Robbins commended the FAA for expediting approvals of waivers for beyond visual line of sight operations but said the case-by-case waivers are not a substitute for comprehensive legislation that will enable the industry to scale. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) raised concerns about the missed beyond visual line of sight draft rulemaking deadline. Robbins was hopeful the draft will be released soon but said the final rule deadline may be missed. Robbins also emphasized the need for an update of unmanned aerial system detection and mitigation authorities, including for non-kinetic mitigation technologies.  

Chairman Troy Nehls (R-TX) asked about the FAA’s progress in modernizing the certification progress for aircraft, and Bolen indicated that the FAA was on track, with the first advanced air mobility aircraft likely to be certified at the year of the year. Chairman Troy Nehls (R-TX) highlighted the proposed Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, updating the 1973 law on supersonic approval. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) raised concerns about homebuilt aircraft operating without FAA certification. Pleasance clarified that while these aircraft do not have certification, their construction is overseen by FAA mechanics and are an important aspect of the aviation innovation ecosystem. Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) and Bole commended the FAA for progress on advanced air mobility but suggested that there is room for more collaboration between industry, academia, and government in these efforts.  

Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) was critical of tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act to promote sustainable aviation fuels, saying they increase costs. Pleasance agreed with the importance of reducing expenses in aviation but was supportive of a safe transition to unleaded fuels due to the current operational risk of reliance on a single leaded fuel producer.  

Investments in Rural/Smaller Airports  

Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) emphasized how general aviation airports are critical for connectivity and emergency relief in rural areas and asked how reauthorization has supported rural airports. Bolen spoke in support of the $3.35 to $4 billion increase in funding for airports. Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI) emphasized the importance of the small airport fund within the Airport Improvement Grant Program (AIP), and Bolen agreed, saying the system is safer with as many airport nodes as possible. Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) and Pleasance discussed how implementation of policies must be flexible to meet the unique safety and operational needs of rural communities. Pleasance and Bolon raised concerns about excessive fees faced by smaller airports and urged the GAO to implement fees and pricing transparency measures.