Committee Examines Impact of FAA's 2020 NextGen Mandate on General Aviation

Press Release

The House Small Business Committee, chaired by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), today examined the challenges and benefits of the Federal Aviation Administration's 2020 NextGen mandate for general aviation small businesses.

In an effort to modernize the nation's aviation surveillance system, as part of its NextGen initiative, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated that by January 2020 all aircraft operating in certain airspace be equipped with advanced technology systems. This hearing will examine the benefits of the 2020 mandate to the General Aviation (GA) industry, challenges GA may face in complying with the mandate, and the importance of both incentivizing and ensuring widespread adoption.

"The FAA's 2020 NextGen initiative is an ambitious effort to improve the safety and reliability of air travel through the use of available technologies," said Chairman Graves, a pilot who also co-chairs the House General Aviation Caucus. "General Aviation plays a vital part in the nation's commerce, creating jobs while directly and indirectly supporting thousands of small businesses. We commend the FAA's NextGen initiative goals of reducing congestion and improving safety, but recognize the 2020 mandate creates challenges that could act as barriers to widespread general aviation adoption. We appreciated today's testimony from FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, owners of general aviation small businesses and leaders of industry."

Source