AOPA and the aviation industry are celebrating the long-awaited passage of the five-year FAA reauthorization bill, which approves an increase in funding for general aviation airports, expands BasicMed, modernizes FAA systems, and provides much more for GA.
This 1,000-page bill, known as the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, is a comprehensive piece of legislation that authorizes programs and policies administered by the FAA through 2028—impacting every sector of aviation.
The full House overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan, bicameral FAA bill in a 387-26 vote on May 15 after the full Senate passed it in an 88-4 vote on May 9. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law by the end of the week.
Throughout the development of this comprehensive bill, congressional authors have sought insight from experts in every corner of aviation, including AOPA. In March 2023, AOPA President Mark Baker testified before a congressional panel addressing the FAA reauthorization bill. Baker spoke about the need for a safe and smart transition to an unleaded fleetwide fuel by 2030, the FAA’s designated pilot examiner shortage, funding for small airports, and aviation workforce development to get young people interested in aviation.
“Many months of hard work and bipartisan collaboration has resulted in legislation that serves general aviation in a way like never before,” said Baker. “AOPA members and the GA community will reap the benefits of this reauthorization for years to come. I thank the leaders in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle for coming together around something so groundbreaking and central to our freedom to fly.”
The House passed its version of the FAA reauthorization bill last July with a vote of 351-69 while the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved its version of the bill in February.
Last year, Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) announced intentions to include a GA title in this year’s FAA bill. As an active pilot and chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Graves understands the value of the GA industry and the attention it needs to protect the freedom to fly.
“One of my highest priorities in developing and passing the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 was ensuring that the bill included the first-ever title in an FAA reauthorization dedicated to general aviation, and I want to thank the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for its extensive work in helping to make the GA title as strong as it is,” said Graves. “GA is the foundation of our civil aviation system and we need to make sure that remains true. Working closely with AOPA, we secured provisions in this bill to protect and expand pilot privileges, make robust investments in our GA airports, and encourage more young people to pursue careers in aviation, including by removing barriers and improving career pathways for high school students.”
This FAA reauthorization bill is both historic and transformative for the GA industry, as the GA title gives undivided attention to programs and policies that directly impact the unique needs of GA aircraft owners and pilots.
Read AOPA’s story for more details on specific items included in the reauthorization legislation.
