U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Missouri) took over the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as chairman this year as Congress kicked off work on a comprehensive aviation bill to reauthorize the FAA’s programs and address a host of other issues. Congress faces a September 30 deadline to reauthorize the agency. Graves, who has served in Congress since 2001, formerly was the ranking member of the committee and is known in the industry as a general aviation advocate. He has co-chaired the House General Aviation Caucus; spearheaded House legislation on issues involving pilot rights, airport funding, and warbirds; and hosted an annual townhall and airshow—the Wingnuts Flying Circus—at Gould (gold) Peterson Municipal Airport near his hometown of Tarkio, Missouri. He talked with AIN about his desire to provide stability at the FAA, boost safety, and foster general aviation and advanced air mobility through a comprehensive reauthorization bill.
The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act spans five years. Why is a five-year bill important?
