WASHINGTON (September 20, 2007) – Today, Congressman Ben Chandler’s aviation safety bill, the FAA Aviation Safety Research Assessment Act of 2007, was passed by the House of Representatives as Section 913 of H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007.

“I am thrilled that the FAA Aviation Safety Research Assessment Act was included as a section in this larger FAA Reauthorization bill,” said Congressman Chandler.  “Having passed the House, this aviation safety measure has a good chance of becoming law.”

Introduced in June, Congressman Chandler’s portion of the bill calls for an independent assessment of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) aviation safety-related research programs—in particular, those that focus on preventing runway incursions and lessening air traffic controller workloads.

“The Comair crash made it clear that improved safety measures are needed to save lives.  This is the first step in ensuring that the FAA’s safety research and programs are examined thoroughly and have proper oversight,” said Chandler.

In addition to providing an independent assessment of the FAA’s safety research, the FAA Reauthorization bill provides funding for air traffic control equipment and facility upgrades and also includes language that would send the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the FAA back to the negotiating table to finish work on a collective bargaining agreement.

Furthermore, the bill provides $42 million dollars for runway incursion reduction programs, provides $74 million dollars for runway light improvements, and requires the FAA to implement systems to alert controllers and flight crews of potential runway incursions.

“This is precisely the type of safety technology that could prevent tragedies like the Comair crash from occurring in the future,” said Chandler.  “I am determined to find every way possible to work toward ultimate safety in our nation’s skies and airports, and I believe this bill gets to the heart of FAA aviation safety.”

Click here to view the Congressman's speech about the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007.

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