WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), members of the Senate Commerce Committee, this week introduced the Advanced Aviation Integration Act. The bill would re-designate a portion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so the agency is better equipped to tackle the regulatory challenges of emerging aviation technologies. This includes innovations like advanced air mobility, which promises to improve accessibility to underserved communities in rural and urban areas. The bill would also create an online portal at the FAA for all new aircraft certification requests, allowing applicants to monitor their progress. 

“The aviation industry is undergoing an exciting period of innovation, with new technologies emerging nearly every day. It’s critical then that the FAA has the right structure and people in place to keep up. Our bipartisan bill would retool the agency so it can more efficiently tackle the regulatory and safety challenges of the future,” said Senator Fischer.

“I’m proud to partner with Senator Fischer to introduce our bipartisan bill that will focus and enhance our nation’s leadership on Advanced Aviation. As we move into a new era of aviation with rapid technological advancement, such as Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing operations, our legislation will ensure the FAA prioritizes the effective and efficient integration of advanced air mobility aircraft into our National Airspace System,” said Senator Duckworth, Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation.

"We applaud Senators Fischer and Duckworth for this bipartisan legislation that provides the FAA with much-needed tools, leadership, and resources to position the United States to remain the leader in aviation safety globally. Our nation is at an inflection point for aviation safety, with safety-enhancing technologies that will prevent accidents and save lives within reach for smaller aircraft, and this legislation will accelerate that work,” said Robert Rose, Co-founder and CEO of Reliable Robotics.

The FAA’s reauthorization, which lasts five years, is up at the end of 2023.

Background:

Innovation in the aviation sector has led to a growth of new technologies.  The Advanced Aviation Integration Act would:

1. Charge the Deputy FAA Administrator to boost coordination across the agency on advanced aviation topics.
2. Create an online portal at the FAA for all new aircraft certification requests, allowing applicants to monitor their progress.
3. Re-designate the FAA’s office of NextGen as the Office of Advanced Aviation.

Click here to view text of the legislation.

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