For more than a year, Senator has met with aviation stakeholders to ensure Arizona priorities are met
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema announced major Arizona aviation priorities she secured in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization legislation. The multiple, Arizona-focused investments increase aviation safety, efficiency, and innovation while strengthening the aviation workforce for generations to come.
“The investments I secured in the FAA reauthorization legislation are a huge win for Arizona. The resources we’re delivering ensure Arizonans can count on safe, efficient air travel now and into the future,” said Sinema, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee.
Breakdown of successful projects and provisions secured by Sinema in the FAA reauthorization legislation:
Contract Tower Program Changes/Transitions
Sinema’s bipartisan amendment revamps the FAA’s contract tower program, where towers are contracted out to local states, municipalities, or entities to run them. The largest one in the country is Mesa Gateway – if transferred to an FAA tower, it would be a massive safety benefit for the airport and the surrounding area. Including this provision was the top priority the City of Mesa presented when Sinema’s office met with them this year.
Safer and More Efficient Pilot Training
Sinema-led bipartisan language will require the FAA to establish criteria for airlines to provide enhanced pilot training credits that are found to enhance safety, including through the use of advanced simulator technology. These changes will train safer pilots more efficiently and address the current pilot shortage felt through the aviation industry, particularly for rural and regional service..
Cabin Temperature
Sinema secured resources to conduct a study on the health impacts of hot airplane cabins on workers and passengers, which the Senator heard as a top priority from the flight attendant union she met with.
Buckeye Deed Restriction Resolution
After years of back and forth with the FAA, the legislation removes deed restrictions on 940 acres of city land that may be developed and put to productive use.
Women in Aviation Advisory Committee
Sinema’s bipartisan Promoting Women in Aviation Act is incorporated into the legislation – empowering women in aviation with a seat at the table to advise on pathways to increase participation and create rewarding careers.
Aviation Workforce
As Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, Sinema previously led a field hearing in Goodyear, Arizona focused on building the aviation workforce of the 21st century. The FAA reauthorization legislation includes expanded workforce development grants to grow the aviation career pipeline, supporting the education and recruitment of pilots, engineers, technicians, and other skilled workers. The legislation also streamlines job pathways for veterans entering civil aviation.
Air Traffic Controller Staffing & Training
The legislation revises the FAA’s staffing model for air traffic controllers to increase efficiency while enhancing training programs that will improve safety and efficiency at all airports by addressing long-term worker pipeline issues.
Increased Air Service to Rural & Underserved Areas
Crucial to Arizona airports like Prescott, Page, and Show Low, the bipartisan legislation expands the Essential Air Service program to increase air service to rural and underserved areas.
Airport Improvement Funding
The legislation includes $20 billion in FAA airport improvement grants and expansion of eligible projects.
Aviation Innovation & New Technologies
The legislation includes $1.8 billion for FAA R&D and expands R&D for new technologies. Additionally, the legislation directs the FAA to issue new rules for “beyond visual line of sight” – allowing the U.S. drone industry to become globally competitive and further innovate with smaller drones for unmanned package delivery.
Flight Recording Devices
The legislation helps ensure planes are equipped with 25-hour cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders, increasing safety, gathering vital information, and lowering costs. Sinema’s bipartisan amendment also requires planes flying overwater to have this critical data be recoverable even if the physical devices cannot be located.
Wildfires
Sinema and fellow Arizona Senator Mark Kelly led a successful effort to fix an anomaly in the last reauthorization legislation so that first responders can rent aircrafts to use when fighting wildfires.
For more than a year, Sinema has convened aviation stakeholders and advocates – including Arizona pilots, aviation manufacturers, air traffic controllers, and Arizona airports – to discuss ensuring Arizona safety, efficiency, and innovation priorities are met in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization legislation.
In September 2022, Sinema chaired a subcommittee hearing highlighting opportunities to strengthen aviation safety and operations in Arizona and across America in the FAA reauthorization.