AOPA WELCOMES PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SIGNATURE ON SMALL PLANE REVITALIZATION ACT
Nov. 27, 2013
Contact: Steve Hedges
301-695-2159
[email protected]
Frederick, MD – President Barack Obama today signed into law the Small Plane Revitalization Act, a bill that requires the Federal Aviation Administration to adopt new certification regulations that should reduce the cost of aircraft and avionics upgrades.
The Small Airplane Revitalization Act (SARA) gives the FAA until Dec. 15, 2015 to adopt changes to the Federal Aviation Regulation Part 23, which governs the certification of many general aviation aircraft.
Manufacturers say that a streamlined Part 23 will reduce certification costs and thus the price of new aircraft. The changes should also reduce the certification cost and price of modifications of all types, from avionics to airbags and seats to restraints, making it more affordable for owners to install modern safety equipment in older aircraft.
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, who favors a revised Part 23, has stated that the changes will double safety at half the cost.
“Passage of the Small Airplane Revitalization Act (SARA) is great news for the general aviation community,” said Mark Baker, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “Reforming the way the FAA certifies aircraft can help more pilots fly more safely while lowering their costs—and that’s exactly the kind of support general aviation needs to thrive. We’re appreciative of bipartisan efforts of the House and Senate GA Caucus members who developed this bill and saw it through.”
SARA was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in May and passed in July by a 410-0 vote. It was introduced by House General Aviation Caucus member Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas). Original cosponsors included House GA Caucus co-chair Sam Graves (R-Missouri) and GA Caucus members Dan Lipinski (D-Illinois), Rick Nolan (D-Minnesota) and Todd Rokita (R-Indiana). In the Senate, a similar bill was also introduced in May by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who are also GA Caucus members.
AOPA worked with Members of Congress to garner support for the legislation, which led to swift passage in both chambers. The two measures were reconciled, with final passage in Congress on Nov. 14, and subsequently sent to President Obama for his signature.
About AOPA
Since 1939, AOPA has protected the freedom to fly for thousands of pilots, aircraft owners and aviation enthusiasts. AOPA is the world’s largest aviation member association. With representatives based in Frederick, Md., Washington, D.C., and seven regions across the United States, AOPA provides member services that range from advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels to legal services, flight planning products, safety programs and award-winning media products. To learn more, visit www.aopa.org.
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