ADVOCATING FOR YOU By Cade Clark, John Shea, and Emma Taylor Midterm Report:
The Only Constant Is Change A busy Congress keeps aviation issues in focus.
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INCE THE LAST EDITION OF ROTOR, much has transpired that has informed US congressio- nal and White House priorities. Foreign aid,
energy security, monetary policy, and several other eco- nomic issues have been at the top of the congressional to-do list. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had major rip- ple effects across the globe that have required close attention and careful responses. And, despite not being at the top of the list, aviation issues remain in focus.
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Congress has held discussions on a range of issues over the second quarter of 2022, includ- ing aviation noise, 5G interference with radio altimeters, priorities for the 2023 FAA reauthorization bill, and climate change at airports. The appropriations sea- son is in full swing as well, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been making the rounds on Capitol Hill to testify about the Biden administra- tion’s budget request. As March drew to a close,
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the FAA appointed Billy Nolen acting administrator after for- mer administrator Steve Dickson retired. Several other
leadership changes have transpired at the agency since Dickson’s retirement, and many senior members of Congress have announced their retirements, adding to what is already expected to be an eventful midterm election.
A Greener Airspace System Legislators on Capitol Hill have taken a considerable interest in creating a greener, more sustainable airspace system. Sustainable aviation fuel, often referred to as SAF, is one of the most effective ways to reduce
10 ROTOR JUNE 2022
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the aviation indus- try. President Biden recently reaffirmed his administra- tion’s commitment to increasing SAF production and recognized the important role SAF will play in helping the aviation industry achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
HAI has been engaged in several recent initiatives to
spur SAF production, and we’re proud to be partners in the Biden administration’s SAF Grand Challenge. Advancing the SAF Grand Challenge as well as the pro- posed SAF blenders tax credit and SAF grant program, which have passed the House of Representatives and are now pending in the Senate, will enable the federal government and the aviation industry to make significant strides in emissions reduction while supporting US job growth and energy security. As you may recall, HAI hosted a two-part webinar
series in fall 2021 to educate members about SAF’s potential to support a more ecologically sustainable rotorcraft industry. Participants heard from industry experts and helicopter OEM representatives how the alternative fuel can benefit helicopter operators and increase business and how OEMs are exploring SAF’s many capabilities. HAI members walked away from this webinar series with a deeper understanding of how SAF can safely and effectively decarbonize rotorcraft opera- tions. (See p. 42 to learn more about the process of SAF production, distribution, and implementation.) HAI also proudly supports the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative, a compre- hensive, public–private partnership comprising aviation and petroleum industry and US government stakehold- ers who are working toward transitioning to lead-free aviation fuels for piston-engine aircraft by the end of 2030 without compromising the safety or economic health of the general aviation industry. The first EAGLE stakeholder meeting, which took place in March, was attended by representatives from
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