Helicopter Association International (HAI) applauds Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member David Price of the House Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies for their leadership in engaging stakeholders on an important funding issue associated with FAA reauthorization.

“We commend Chairman Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member Price for reaching out to members of the general aviation community so that the committee can better understand the implications of proposed policies to our industry,” said Matthew Zuccaro, president and CEO of HAI.

HAI believes giving oversight of air traffic control (ATC) to a private corporation dominated by the airlines has the potential to steer resources and investments toward airline-centric needs. This would create an additional financial burden on general aviation in the form of user fees and potentially could reduce general aviation access to certain airspace and airports, negatively affecting the needs of rural America.

“HAI thanks the Chairman and Ranking Member for their leadership and commitment to general aviation, and to ensuring all Americans’ fair and equitable access to the National Airspace System,” said Zuccaro. HAI is committed to working with Congress and the administration in crafting common-sense policies aimed at implementing NextGen technology in an efficient, cost-effective manner.