Although the FAA’s $60 billion reauthorization bill stretches over four years, GA advocates don’t have to wait four years to take their next shot, West said. The spending bills still need to be voted on every year. “Appropriations is an annual process, and we can work for GA relief in fiscal year 2005,” he told AVweb. Talks should begin soon in Washington about spending in 2005, he said, but it’s a long, slow road. “The reality is, these GA companies have been hurting since September 2001, and we need to stop the bleeding now,” he said. But with a war and a deficit and domestic demands on the budget, not to mention an election, that is easier said than done. On a positive note, West added, the bill included $3.4 billion for airport improvement projects, which is an increase of $100 million over last time. But how much of that will go to GA airports is not yet clear.
…Lost In Larger Problems
Key Takeaways:
- Despite a four-year reauthorization bill, General Aviation (GA) advocates plan to seek annual relief through appropriations bills, highlighting that GA companies have been struggling since September 2001 and need immediate support.
- Securing financial relief for GA is challenging due to national budget pressures from war, deficits, domestic demands, and an upcoming election.
- The bill allocates $3.4 billion for airport improvement projects, a $100 million increase, though the specific amount benefiting GA airports remains unclear.
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