The U.S. Congress has passed the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3935), providing a 5-year authorization for the agency’s programs, revenue collection, and setting many new mandates for national aviation policy. The passage of this long-term reauthorization ensures the FAA has the proper staffing and infrastructure it needs to safeguard operations in the National Airspace System. EAA recognizes and thanks the leadership and staffs of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as the Aviation Subcommittees in both chambers, for their continuing efforts in creating and championing this important piece of legislation.
“A long-term FAA reauthorization is essential for the stable operations of the National Airspace System,” said Jack Pelton, EAA CEO and chairman of the board. “This bill, in addition to funding key infrastructure for general aviation, advances many policy priorities of our community for innovation and modernization.”
The FAA Reauthorization Act includes the first-ever general aviation title, a specific section that encompasses numerous provisions supported by EAA that benefit general aviation growth. Of note, the bill mandates the expansion of BasicMed, increasing the size of covered aircraft to 12,500 pounds, the number of allowable passengers to six, and the number of seats to seven. Another provision provides a 24-month maximum deadline for the FAA’s completion of the MOSAIC final rule. While the rule is expected significantly sooner – likely in 2025 – Congress providing a deadline highlights the importance of the rulemaking.
Also included are sections that provide for the continued availability of avgas, direct a review of the process for reserving aircraft registration numbers to reduce unfair profiteering, and spur development of a suitable position reporting system for voluntary use in non-rule airspace.
In further efforts to protect pilots from unfair enforcement, language is included that prohibits the use of ADS-B Out data by the FAA to initiate an investigation, and additional sections amend the Pilot’s Bill of Rights to ensure pilots have adequate time to respond to a letter of investigation.
“The first-time inclusion of a general aviation title recognizes the value and significance of our industry to the nation,” Pelton said. “We appreciate the leadership of lawmakers who see the importance of this section and worked in a bipartisan manner to include provisions that enhance safety and support general aviation.”
