The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) opened its 2022 Aviation Leadership Conference on Thursday with House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) ranking Republican Sam Graves (Missouri) noting that Congress is gearing up for its FAA reauthorization cycle.
Regardless of whether the Democrats retain control of the House, the elections this fall will change over the leadership on the T&I committee with the upcoming retirement of chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon), Graves said, expressing the belief that either Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Washington) or Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-Washington, D.C.) could take the Democrat leadership post.
Graves stressed a desire to work in a bipartisan fashion, as has been historically the case, in creating the next FAA reauthorization bill, and said lawmakers will gather information in the next year to set priorities. A pilot, Graves also expressed concern about Environmental Protect Agency “backdoor” efforts to place pressure on states to make it harder to use leaded aviation gasoline.
He noted the difficulties still ahead in moving towards unleaded fuel but stressed the importance of working toward that goal, particularly since the prevailing perception is that 100LL aviation gasoline is a significant source of lead in the environment, he said. And, he warned, that as progress is made, the industry may next hear about the need to get carbon out of the fuel.
Maria DiPasquantonio, who is leading the FAA/Industry Eagle project to find an unleaded solution, expressed confidence that the collaborative process will produce results. Speaking on a panel on Fueling Aviation’s Future, DiPasquantonio called the 2030 target for a transition “aggressive” but said there is a sense of urgency, particularly since the EPA is moving ahead with an endangerment finding. A draft is anticipated later this year with final rulemaking anticipated in 2023.
“We are at a pivotal point," she said, "where all the forces have aligned.”
The panel also discussed the move toward the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and NATA president and CEO Tim Obitts noted that many have the impression that there have been one billion gallons of “neat” SAF produced when the number is still far smaller than that at just under six million.
However, he expressed optimism about that increase, pointing to the deal announced on Thursday between Alder Fuels and Avfuel covering one billion gallons over 20 years. Obitts called that a "significant step forward."
Steve Csonka, executive director of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative who heads his own Csonka Aviation Consultancy, also noted he was aware of 62 companies that have been pursuing SAF projects and remained under the radar, not yet announcing their efforts. While not all will “make it to the goal line, it is looking good,” he said.
NATA’s conference also covered preparations necessary for advanced air mobility and the future of hangar fire protection. Thursday’s event also was hosting a discussion with regulators and National Transportation Safety Board member Michael Graham. In addition, it was to delve into workforce issues.
