New Legislation to Build Aviation Workforce

In late February, U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced Bill 3360 to the Senate, which would establish a National Center for the Advancement of Aviation (NCAA) where stakeholders could work together to coordinate, promote and support the development of aviation and aerospace within the United States. The bill is currently under review by the Committee on Finance.

As a federally chartered, not-for-profit entity, the centerwould foster collaboration between private and governmental organizations toensure the development and sustainability of the aviation workforce, the conductof research and development of new aviation materials, products, and procedures,the coordination of the dissemination of grants for the development of aviationand aerospace-oriented high school STEM education curriculum, and to leveragethe knowledge of other organizations and federal agencies.

“In the more than 100 years since Wilbur and Orville Wrightconducted their historic flights at Kitty Hawk, our nation has seen aviation inthe United States grow, powered by the individual passions of pilots, aviatorsand countless others,” Inhofe said in a statement. “The NCAA will advance acollaborative process to promote aviation in the United States and assist inthe development of the next generation of aviation and aerospace workers.”

The NCAA would support aviation and aerospace educationefforts and provide resources to aviation curriculum developers so all educatorshave the tools and training to ensure their success in the classroom. Establishmentof the center would help ensure that next generation pilots, aviation maintenancetechnicians, and other aviation professionals are educated by highly qualified,passionate professionals and are prepared with the knowledge and tools topursue fulfilling careers in aviation and aerospace.

“As a pilot, I know that investing in aviation-focusededucation and workforce development programs helps attract and retain the besttalent and keeps our nation at the forefront of global aviation innovation,”Duckworth said in a statement.

The center would serve as a “collaborative forum to leverageexpertise from all sectors of the aviation and aerospace industry to develop anddeploy a workforce of pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systemoperators, aviation maintenance technicians, or other aviation maintenanceprofessionals needed”. It would empower youth-oriented aviation and aerospaceprograms and training models to stakeholders to create the next generation ofaviation professionals. It would also serve as a forum for symposiums andconferences to facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration across the industryand “empower the engagement between and among all engaged stakeholders to pioneerfuture advancements for the aviation and aerospace community”.

The NCAA would also become a central place for economicdata, safety data, and research efforts related to the aviation and aerospace industry,which could give a full perspective on aviation and aerospace information thatcan be used to improve safety efforts.

In a letter to the lawmakers, more than 130 aviation trade and advocacy groups, commercial airlines, pilot unions, state and airport representatives and other aviation stakeholders showed their support of the bill. Supporters included Women in Aviation International, FedEx Express, National Business Aviation Association, International Air Transport Association, The Boeing Company and much more.

“Sens. Inhofe and Duckworth are proven aviation champions,and their support for this important bill underscores their commitment to ensuringthe industry’s future is bright,” said National Business Aviation AssociationPresident and CEO Ed Bolen. “We are proud to support this legislation and lookforward to doing all we can to ensure its passage.”