WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, will convene a hearing on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. titled “FAA Reauthorization: Perspectives on Rural Air Service and the General Aviation Community.” The hearing will examine issues related to the safety and robustness of access to the National Airspace System for rural and general aviation users.  The discussion will focus on federal efforts to improve access and safety, including the Federal Aviation Administration’s Federal Contract Tower (FCT) program, the Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service (EAS) program, and the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) as well as initiatives that could bolster rural air service and the general aviation (GA) community.

Witnesses:

• The Honorable Laurie Gill, Mayor, Pierre, S.D.
• Mr. Spencer Dickerson, Executive Director of U.S. Contract Tower Association, an affiliated organization of the American Association of Airport Executives
• Mr. Mark Baker, President & CEO, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• Dr. Guy M. Smith, Professor Emeritus, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Hearing Details:

Thursday, April 6, 2017
10:00 a.m.
Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security

The hearing will be held in Senate Russell Office Building, Room 253. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available here.