Pete Bunce, president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), testified before a House subcommittee Thursday to promote industry growth through cooperation. Bunce told the subcommittee that the FAA should partner with the industry to streamline the certification process, cutting costs for both the government and manufacturers while increasing safety. Actions should prioritize NextGen resources, he said, and ensure that taxes and fees paid to the FAA are protected from any future government shutdowns or other disruptions. Bunce stressed the need for clear and consistent leadership from the FAA in the international marketplace by defending the robustness and efficiency of its safety certification globally and offered other specific advice.
Collaborative efforts, he said, could collect data to advance technologies safely. Bunce suggests that the restrictions of federal budget constraints could be eased by leveraging public and private expertise. He also urged members of the House to more clearly define the role played by the Department of Transportation in advocating for the aviation community within the government and internationally. And Bunce called for delivery of a consolidation report as directed by Congress by way of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.
