FREDERICK, MD – The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a measure to extend Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding through March 31, 2016.
The “Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2015,” which was passed Sept. 28 by a voice vote in the House, now goes to the Senate. The bill extends the FAA’s authorization, which is set to expire Sept. 30, and allows the agency to continue operating for six months.
Under the provisions of the extension, the FAA will receive $4.87 billion for operations, $1.68 billion for Airport Improvement Program grants, $1.3 billion for the construction of navigational facilities and equipment, and $78.4 million for research and engineering, including money for ongoing testing of possible replacements for leaded avgas. The authorization extension also allows the FAA to continue contracting for non-FAA operated control towers, collecting aviation taxes, and spending money.
“We’re pleased that the House has acted to keep the FAA running,” said Jim Coon, AOPA senior vice president of government affairs. “We hope the Senate will quickly follow suit so we can focus on a longer term FAA reauthorization measure that will deal with more challenging issues, including third-class medical reform.”
