ALEXANDRIA, VA, December 5, 2011 – The uncertainty created by Congress’ failure to pass a new, multiyear reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is wreaking havoc on the aviation industry and undermining the competitiveness of American aviation maintenance providers, ARSA told House and Senate leadership in a Dec. 1 letter.

“While the country desperately needs the predictability of a new FAA law, Congress must also ensure that the final legislation does not detrimentally impact the thousands of facilities in communities throughout the country that provide aviation maintenance services,” said ARSA Executive Vice President Christian Klein.

In weighing in with House leaders, ARSA stressed the important role that aviation repair stations play in ensuring aviation safety and reliability. Specifically, the repair station and noncertificated maintenance provisions in final legislation must guarantee effective government oversight without unnecessarily increasing industry compliance costs.

Failure to do so would jeopardize the vitality of an industry that helps air carriers be more reliable, efficient, and safe; has a $2.4 billion positive balance of trade; employees more than 274,000 American workers in good paying jobs in all 50 states; and contributes more $39 billion to the U.S. economy.

ARSA’s letter follows a renewed sense of urgency on Capitol Hill for completion of a new, long-term FAA reauthorization measure before the Jan. 31, 2012 expiration of the current short-term extension authorizing FAA operations.

ARSA’s letter to congressional leaders is available by clicking here.

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ARSA is an Alexandria, Virginia-based trade association that represents aviation maintenance and manufacturing companies. Founded in 1984, the association has a distinguished record of advocating for repair stations, providing regulatory compliance assistance to the industry, and representing repair stations on Capitol Hill and in the media.

~~~ posted 12/05/11 ~~~

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