SW Arkansas Times

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted in favor of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, a bipartisan bill aimed at reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years and enhancing American aviation safety and infrastructure. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) expressed his support for the legislation, stating, "The FAA Reauthorization will make timely and strategic investments to bolster aviation safety and infrastructure, support the aviation workforce, and drive economic growth. Arkansas is on track to be a leader in aviation, and this legislation is a significant step in getting us there."

Westerman played an instrumental role in ensuring that certain provisions were included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. These provisions aim to:

- Expand Arkansas' aviation workforce by renewing funding for the Aviation Workforce Development (AWD) program, which aims to educate future aviation professionals.

- Enhance radio communications at Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport.

- Support the Unmanned Aircraft System Collegiate Training Initiative at the University of Arkansas to prepare students for careers in drone aviation.

- Improve Arkansas' airport infrastructure by allocating $23 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airport capital improvement projects across 76 eligible airports within the state.

- Safeguard data privacy and ensure safety of General Aviation (GA) aircraft, crew, and passengers by allowing GA aircraft to request that their aircraft codes be blocked from public view.

- Ensure that the safety of manned aircraft is taken into account when proposing rules for Beyond Visual Line of Site (BVLOS) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

Westerman currently serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Aviation.

For more information on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, click here.