A bill that recently passed in Congress takes a major step toward reinstating the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program, NBAA said this week. The new appropriations bill contains a clause that prohibits the FAA from using any funds to prevent GA operators from blocking their flight data on public tracking sites. NBAA President Ed Bolen said the bill represents a clear “legislative victory,” but the details of how the BARR program will be reinstated must still be worked out. The bill has been signed into law by President Obama.
“[Our attorneys] will undoubtedly meet with representatives of the Department of Transportation’s legal team,” Bolen said. “We will determine how best to go forward. But make no mistake: Congress has stepped in and said … the BARR program should continue as it existed from 2000 until August 2, 2011.” NBAA and AOPA are also going forward with a court challenge. Arguments on the case are scheduled in federal court for Dec. 2.
