harvesters hard at work in fields

Graves' Provisions Advance in FAA Reform Bill

February 3, 2012
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Congressman Sam Graves inserted several provisions into the Federal Aviation Administration Reform Bill that is headed for the President's desk. Graves was able to secure language for several aviation priorities.

"It was a big win for general aviation to keep user fees out of this bill," said Graves. "We are going to have to be vigilant and be prepared to educate members on why user fees are a bad idea."

Graves was able to attach language to protect through-the-fence agreements, which allow access to airports by those who have hangar homes on adjacent privately owned property. The language would protect existing agreements and allow future deals between airports and adjacent residential property owners.

"Protecting the through the fence agreements was a top priority of mine," said Graves. "Once again Washington tried to tell local airports that it knew best. My language protects the agreements already in place and allows airports to make their own decisions about future agreements."

It alsorequires the Federal Aviation Administration to preserve vintage aircraft type certificate (ATC) data from 1927-1939 and to make such data available to the public upon request for review and duplication.

"This is basically saving the blueprints of civil aviation," said Graves. "It will not be used for commercial purposes, but to make the historical record available for anyone who wants to see it."

Other language included:

  • Requiring commercial airports to take into account passenger convenience, airport ground access and access to airport facilities when crafting a new airport master plan.
  • Requiring the FAA to work with industry to research and develop an alternative fuel. General Aviation needs a single-source fuel that works for the entire fleet. It is not feasible to equip GA airports with multiple fuel systems.
  • Kept pilots from equipping aircraft with ADSB-IN technology that has not yet been certified but is consistent with NextGen requirements.

Graves was a member of the conference committee that drafted the final version of the bill. H.R. 658 was passed by the House and is expected to be signed by the President before February 17th when the current extension expires.

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