The U.S. Congress is currently involved in legislative initiatives that will have a far reaching and long term effect on aviation in Texas and throughout the nation.
First, the good news. At long last it appears that Congress will finally take action to limit product liability on aircraft manufacturers. At present, manufacturers and after market suppliers are liable for damage or personal injury which might occur as a result of an aviation accident for the life of the aircraft. This potential liability has destroyed general aviation aircraft manufacturing in the United States. After a twenty year effort under the leadership of Representative Dan Glickman and Senator Nancy Kassenbaum from Kansas, it appears that Congress is finally ready to enact legislation to correct this inequity. The Senate passed an aviation industry supported bill by a vote of 91 to 8. The House is considering a similar bill, H.R. 3087, which has been delayed in the House Judiciary Committee. However, Representative Glickman has initiated a “discharge petition” which would bypass the Judiciary Committee and bring the bill directly to the House floor for a vote. To do so, the bill, which has 300 House sponsors, will need 218 representatives to sign the discharge petition. If this bill passes, the president of the Cessna Aircraft Corporation has committed to restarting single engine aircraft manufacturing immediately. Although things are looking good, the battle is not over yet.
Now for the news that is not so good. We have been waiting since last October for Congress to pass legislation allocating federal funding for airport development. Finally, last week an Airport Improvement Program re-authorization bill was passed. Unfortunately, the measure passed was “interim legislation” which means Congress allocated less than 50% of the funds which had been authorized earlier. This was done as a temporary measure to allow some airport construction to begin pending the disposition of an amendment to the original bill attempting to resolve a difference of opinion between the airlines and airport management regarding rates and charges for airport use. The concern that exists is that if this issue is not resolved prior to October 1, 1994, we could lose 50% of our federal funding for airport development for the year. With the critical need for additional funding to support the development and preservation of our statewide airport system, a loss of half of this year’s federal funding would be catastrophic. To make matters worse, The House Appropriations Committee is considering an additional 11% reduction in airport funding for next year.
If you feel strongly about funding for airport development in Texas and the aircraft product liability issue, please let your Congressmen know. Both these issues are crucial for the future of general aviation in Texas.
Finally, you will note on page 4, that we now have a new toll free telephone line for your use. The number is 1-800-68 PILOT or 1-800- 687-4568. Please call us at any time you have an aviation matter you would like to discuss or recommendation for us. It’s important that we maintain good communications in pursuit of our mutual goals. So, please stay in touch.