Senate passes long-term FAA reauthorization bill

This is the longest extension of the FAA's authority passed since the early 1980s and will help ensure stable funding for the FAA, which has been working under a series of short-term extensions since 2012.

The legislation makes no mention of so-called air traffic control privatization, which many saw as a power grab by the airlines. AOPA strongly opposed the proposal and helped coordinate 250 general aviation organizations across the country to prevent the idea from inclusion in the final legislation. AOPA President Mark Baker said, “Our members spoke loudly and often throughout this process, and I am most pleased that the costly and controversial ATC proposal is not included in this bill. We can now look forward and work to build consensus to ensure that our nation’s aviation system remains the safest and most efficient in the world.”

The House passed the same FAA bill on Sept. 26, also with overwhelming support.

President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law later this week.