FAA Funding Picture Remains Unclear
With FM Program Authorization ending on September 30, 2007, Congress has yet to pass new legislation to reauthorize a new program and appropriate funding for Fiscal Year 2008. To date, two program extensions have been approved extending the previous authorization, the last expiring on December 14, 2007. With no consensus in sight, it is likely that Congress will approve a third continuing resolution until some areas of disagreement can be resolved. The primary obstacles to passing new legislation are:
(1) How taxes for the aviation trust fund revenue should be levied and;
(2) The granting of additional bargaining rights for air traffic controllers.
The airlines support some type of “user fee” to help pay for FM programs. The general aviation industry is vehemently opposed to this approach, favoring the historical method of generating tax revenue from a passenger ticket tax and a tax on aviation fuel. The second issue, additional bargaining rights for air traffic controllers, is included in HB 2881, already passed by the House of Representatives, which would require the FM to reopen new contract discussions with air traffic controllers. The Senate, in general, is opposed to this clause, as is President Bush who has threatened to veto the legislation unless this condition is removed. With these serious issues to resolve, it is not dear when FM grant funding will be available for our state grant program.
Congress Changes Mandatory Retirement Age for Airline Pilots
Congress has passed, and the President has signed, legislation to eliminate the age 60 retirement for commercial airline pilots and raise it to age 65.
