Helicopter Association International (HAI) applauds the bipartisan passage of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act by the House of Representatives. The bill, which will reauthorize the FAA for five years, is a broad package that impacts all aspects of aviation, not just the agency’s function and policies.

HAI thanks the House leadership for their bipartisan collaboration, including Reps. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as Reps. Garret Graves (R-La.) and Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Aviation Subcommittee.

“Helicopter Association International congratulates the House of Representatives on its bipartisan effort to address many important issues facing the vertical aviation industry,” says James Viola, HAI president and CEO. “This sweeping bill seeks to address the pilot shortage, streamlines the agency’s regulatory processes, addresses beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, and, most importantly, includes many provisions that will improve safety and training—all of which are important HAI priorities.”

Viola adds that the legislation is forward looking, allowing the FAA to adapt more quickly to innovation, including advanced air mobility (AAM) initiatives.

“The success of all air operations is built on the foundation of a strong general aviation sector. The House bill strengthens America’s general aviation and includes specific provisions that support vertical aviation. These will be critical to securing our industry’s long-term success,” Viola says.

With this vote, the focus shifts now to the Senate. HAI looks forward to working with the Senate on moving its version of the bill forward. The current FAA authorization expires at the end of September.