NATA’s ‘Day on the Hill’ Puts GA Leaders In Touch With Lawmakers

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is the trade group representing FBOs, charter operators and other segments of the general aviation industry. NATA coordinates an annual ‘Day on the Hill’ meeting between leaders of the general aviation industry and members of Congress on Capitol Hill. This year’s session, the 13th annual event, included close to 75 industry representatives meeting with more than 100 members of Congress. Topics for discussion at last week’s meetings included the potential implementation of user fees; a new TSA directive requiring badges for GA pilots based at airports served by airlines; the so-called ‘Large Aircraft Security Program’ (requiring many of the same security measures as airlines have for private aircraft greater than 12,500 pounds); and the newly proposed Clean Energy bill. NATA President Jim Coyne said, “Our members have once again demonstrated to key policy makers on Capitol Hill the important role they each play in our national air transportation system and the global economy.”