Murkowski Reducing Red Tape Dragging Down Alaska Aviation
Bipartisan Bill Would Revise FAA Process, Result in Timely Alaska Fleet Upgrade
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at modernizing outdated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification policies currently bogging down small aircraft manufacturers with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The Small Aircraft Revitalization Act of 2013 updates the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) archaic part certification processes to improve safety, decrease costs and encourage innovation.
“As we mark the centennial of Alaska aviation, it’s critical for our pilots and manufacturers to be able to implement 21st century technology in our planes,” said Senator Murkowski. “This bill would ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration meets the needs of our general aviation community by creating a deadline for their certification process to work with so that we can move forward with the best available equipment and innovations.”
“When small aircraft manufactures struggle with red tape preventing them from using the latest technologies, it stifles growth and hurts local economies,” Senator Klobuchar said. “This legislation helps simplify the process for companies designing and implementing new equipment, allowing our manufactures like Cirrus to continue to create the safest, most advanced planes in the world.”
The Small Aircraft Revitalization Act of 2013 establishes a certain future date for the modernization and implementation of the FAA’s small aircraft and parts certification process – a much needed fix at a time when the average age of general aviation airplanes is close to 40. Under current regulations, the costs of investing in new equipment has for too long been restricted by outdated regulations. The bill directs the FAA to make changes proposed by the Aviation Rulemaking Committee, composed of aviation authorities and industry representatives from around the world, to remove barriers limiting investments in new designs and make available lifesaving safety equipment for existing airplanes.
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