The U.S Senate's version of FAA reauthorization legislation, introduced this week, includes measures supported by general aviation such as medical reform and streamlining for aircraft certification. Spinning off air traffic control services from the FAA, however, is no longer part of the picture after the House shelved its version of the bill. U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, introduced the bill(PDF) along with fellow committee leaders. The legislation, which would reauthorize the FAA until Sept. 30, 2017, will undergo discussion at a committee meeting on March 16. In the meantime, congressional leaders expect to pass interim legislation for the FAA as its current authorization expires this month. The legislation includes eliminating current third-class medical requirements for light aircraft, a top priority for GA advocates that had weathered congressional debate since it was originally proposed as part of the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2. It also rolls in the FAA's recently announced proposal to reform Part 23 certification rules and shorten the approval process for new aircraft.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/recent-updates/business-military/senates-faa-reauthorization-bill-gains-early-ga-support