WASHINGTON, April 27, 2016 - A Senate bill that would
reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration is proving to be an example of
legislation that might not scream agriculture, but could still have a big
impact on rural America.
The bill, S.
2658, was passed by a sweeping 95-3 Senate vote last week (only Barbara
Boxer, D-Calif., Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., voted against the
bill). It would reauthorize FAA through fiscal 2017 as well as address issues
important to agriculture and rural America, particularly as they relate to
drones and small airports.
For small rural airports, the bill continues Essential
Air Service funding, which typically subsidizes two round trips a day with
aircraft usually holding 30-50 passengers. The program currently serves 115
communities in the continental United States.
The bill boosts funding for the Airport Improvement Program by $400
million – just over 10 percent – and takes the Small Community Air Service
Development Funding to $10 million, a $4 million increase from previous levels.
The bill also addresses unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) –
also known as drones – which the ag sector sees as a key technology, especially
in crop production. Aside from other drone safety issues in the bill, FAA is
given the authority to approve drone use outside of strictly line-of-sight
operations, which could be critical for rulemaking that would allow the use of
drones in crop scouting. Other
provisions in the bill:
·
Direct
the Department of Transportation to look into airline complaints that are often
disproportionately felt by travelers to and from small airports.
·
Require
marking of shorter towers for the safety of low-flying aircraft such as crop
dusters.
·
Call
on the FAA to determine alternatives to traditional aviation gasoline and allow
for the use of unleaded gasoline.
Aside from the agricultural provisions of the bill, South
Dakota Republican John Thune, the chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and
Transportation Committee, said in a statement
that the bill “does more to enhance security against the threat of terrorism
and help frustrated passengers than any proposal in recent history.” The bill
now goes to the House for consideration.
#30
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