Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Chair, let me start by saying, I commend Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and Ranking Member Cohen on a very successful bipartisan FAA reauthorization bill.

One of the issues that I feel very adamant about is addressing the pilot shortage, which is crippling the air industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is projected that 14,500 pilots will be needed every year through the year 2030. Some other outlets have estimated the number to be even higher.

For this reason, I am proud to cosponsor the Pre-Pilot Pathway Act by my friend Byron Donalds. This commonsense amendment requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a voluntary apprenticeship program at Part 141 flight schools around the country.

More importantly, this program incentivizes retired pilots, those who are often the most experienced--the guys with the gray hair around the temple--to remain involved in the industry and train the next generation of pilots.

Mr. Chair, I support the amendment, and I urge adoption as one of the critical ways to support our pilots and alleviate the pilot shortage.

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Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Chair, every person should have an opportunity to view and experience our amazing national parks, whether it is Mount Rushmore, whether it is select areas in Hawaii, or whether it is the Grand Canyon.

I can't remember the last time somebody in this room or anybody has ever tried to walk it, if you have ever tried to walk it. I bet you there are people up in this gallery who have been to Las Vegas before, and they see these beautiful helicopters that give you an opportunity to view the beautiful Grand Canyon, that big hole in the ground. You can do it, and you can do it safely and effectively through a helicopter.

The ranking member just mentioned that it supports the privileged few. I would argue that for the disabled and elderly, how else are they going to get there? That is not the privileged few. It is right for grandma and grandpa that may want to go and view the Grand Canyon or Mount Rushmore. It makes no sense what we are trying to do here.

Air tours are often the only way that disabled and elderly are allowed to see our national parks. It is regulated by the FAA, and these operators have a great safety record.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration is attempting to limit the number of air tours at a number of our national parks, all at the request--go figure, no surprise--all at the request of certain environmental stakeholders. This is irresponsible. It is un-American.

Also, air tour operators oftentimes, in the off-season--don't forget what they do in the off-season--partner with Federal, State, and local governments to help fight wildfires.

They are great Americans. We need to continue to support them. I ask my colleagues to support Representative Gosar's amendment.

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