Press Releases

Washington, DC – The House of Representatives today unanimously approved the Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013 (H.R. 1848) a bill that helps streamline the general aviation regulatory regime for aircraft certification in a manner that will improve safety, reduce costs, and stimulate innovation. 

The general aviation industry includes nearly 600,000 pilots, employs roughly 1.3 million people, and contributes approximately $150 billion annually to the U.S. economy.  However, current airplane certification regulations for general aviation are outdated, overly prescriptive, and prohibit the application and use of efficient and cost-effective safety solutions. 

H.R. 1848, introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS), updates the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) aircraft certification processes governing general aviation and reduces costs and regulatory burdens for bringing new products to market.

“The general aviation industry has never asked for a bailout, but instead for a smart, common-sense certification process that will drive down costs and improve safety—which will, in turn, spur job growth,” said Pompeo.  “Even in the midst of great turmoil in Washington, I am really pleased we were able to achieve this bipartisan solution to help revitalize America's general aviation industry.  This is a big win for Wichita, for Kansas, and for all of America."

“I commend Congressman Pompeo and the other sponsors for bringing this bill forward,” said Subcommittee on Aviation Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ).  “H.R. 1848 is really about good government and making necessary, common sense reforms to the current prescriptive regulatory regime.  The bill will reduce the costs of bringing new, innovative products to market, improve general aviation safety, and help revitalize this critical industry.”

The Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013 requires the FAA to issue a final rule for new small airplane safety standards that will:

• Create a streamlined regulatory regime that improves safety and reduces regulatory cost burdens
• Set safety objectives that stimulate innovation and technology adoption
• Replace the existing prescriptive regulatory regime with new standards for compliance and testing
• Use FAA-accepted consensus standards to clarify how updated safety objectives may be met by specific designs and technologies, while continuing traditional methods for certification

H.R. 1848 has been approved by the Senate, and now goes to the President to be signed into law.

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