USCTA Alert

February 6, 2024

On February 6, the House Aviation Subcommittee held a hearing titled “The State of American Aviation and the Federal Aviation Administration” featuring testimony from FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker.  While much of the discussion with the Administrator focused on the need to pass the pending FAA reauthorization legislation and FAA’s oversight of Boeing, some members also raised repeated concerns about FAA’s authority over airports that may be temporarily housing migrants and proposals to change the pilot retirement age from 65 to 67. 
 
Subcommittee Chair Garret Graves (R-LA), Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-TN), full Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) all called for swift passage of the pending FAA reauthorization legislation, in addition to emphasizing the importance of FAA continuing rigorous oversight of Boeing and their suppliers.  Committee leaders also thanked Whitaker for his communication and transparency during the recent Boeing event and aftermath.  Link to the hearing: T&I Whitaker hearing
 
Administrator Whitaker testimony highlighted FAA’s mission to put safety first and outlined his key priorities, including addressing safety events and staffing.  FAA is hiring the maximum air traffic controllers that the Oklahoma City training facility can support, expanded to year-round hiring and is working with colleges to reactivate the college-based controller training programs.  He also noted Austin-Bergstrom Airport’s new advanced tower simulator to train controllers on real scenarios at specific locations. 
 
As expected, the Boeing Alaska Airline incident was an area of interest for many members.  Whitaker stated the FAA has increased oversight of both Boeing and its supplier Spirit Aero Systems and is improving their oversight process of delegated authority by transitioning from an audit only process to an “audit and surveillance” process, with inspectors overseeing manufacturing compliance at the locations.  FAA is doing several reviews of their processes and data to determine next steps for their oversight procedures as well as meeting with manufacturers and operators to discuss issues. 
 
Additional Issues from the Hearing:
 
Migrants at Airports:  A number of GOP members asked Whitaker questions about FAA’s authority over airports who may be sheltering migrants at their facilities.  Members highlighted a letter (link to letter) asking the Department of Transportation to provide specific information about the issue and which, if any, airports FAA has approved to provide shelter to migrants.  Administrator Whitaker pointed out that FAA does not control the airports and only has authority to review requests related to community use of airport facilities behind security used by passengers. He did not speak to any specific airport’s circumstances or status or requests. 
 
Contract Towers:  Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) and Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) all highlighted the importance of contract towers to air service in their districts and asked the administrator to continue to support the program.  Stanton told Whitaker that the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport generates $2 billion to the regional economy and he thanked the FAA for helping the contract tower airport expand with $14.4 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
 
Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-NM), whose district includes the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, described the FCT program as a “critically important air traffic safety program.” He also hit on the staffing challenges that many contract towers are facing.
 
Whitaker told Carbajal that “we are fully supportive of the program and want to make sure it works, particularly for smaller airports.” He also acknowledged that the FAA often hires FCT controllers to work at FAA-staffed facilities.”
 
Drones:  Members including Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-IN), asked Whitaker when FAA would finalize their pending rule on Beyond Visual Line of Sight for drones.  Whitaker said he would like to finish the rule this year, pending the administrative review process and that FAA recognizes using existing waivers is not a long-term solution. 
 
Age 67 Pilot Retirement: Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), who was the sponsor of the successful amendment to the House FAA reauthorization bill that changes the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots from 65 to 67, repeatedly questioned the Administrator on the proposal. Whitaker stated the FAA does not have a position on the proposed change and if passed by Congress, would follow their direction on moving forward with a change in the retirement age. He also highlighted the inconsistency with current ICAO rules as well as the need for data to support any change. As we have reported, the pilot age issue has stalled action on FAA reauthorization legislation in the Senate.

[Report provided by AAAE's Karen Kuhlman.]