The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed—with bipartisan support—a sweeping bill that reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and addresses many important safety, workforce, technology, and other issues facing the rotorcraft and other aviation industries. The bill now moves to the House floor for consideration.

Helicopter Association International (HAI) applauds this first step in securing the next five years of FAA priorities.

“The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act prioritizes safety, workforce development, the future of advanced air mobility (AAM), and for the first time addresses the importance of general aviation,” says James Viola, HAI president and CEO. “This bill, if enacted, will make our skies safer and allow the rotorcraft industry to grow. We are grateful for the time and effort our lawmakers and their staff members took to produce this important, innovative legislation.”

HAI thanks the committee leadership for tackling a number of issues important to vertical aviation. HAI worked closely with lawmakers to ensure that the bill addressed the shortage of pilots and maintenance technicians, removed regulatory barriers for the advancement of AAM, and improved policies that support general aviation.

The Senate’s markup begins on Thursday, Jun. 15. After both bodies pass their versions of the bill, HAI will work closely with representatives and senators as they reconcile the differences between their bills. The current FAA authorization expires at the end of September.