This week RAA joined with other major aviation industry trade associations, including A4A, AOPA, GAMA, NBAA, AIA and others in support of the Aviation Working Group’s (AWG’s) amicus petition to the Supreme Court for review of the Florida Supreme Court’s Vreeland decision, which runs contrary to longstanding Federal law protecting lessors, owners, and secured parties from liability for personal injury, death, or property loss caused by aircraft, except when the aircraft is in their actual possession or control. Read the brief.

RAA joined Airlines for America, IATA, ACI-NA, and ACAA in response to the SNPRM on kiosk and website accessibility at US airports.  Read our joint comments here.

On December 21, 2011, the Regional Airline Association issued the following press release in response to the FAA Final Fatigue Rule

Washington, DC--The Regional Airline Association recognizes a science-based rule on pilot flight and duty time will advance guidelines for airlines, and RAA is reviewing the comprehensive final flight and duty time rule released today by FAA. 
"The cornerstone of our efforts continues to be safety.  This final rule is a culmination of considerable effort by FAA, pilots and airlines which began with the Aviation Rulemaking Committee established in July 2009 and with RAA and airline member participation," said RAA President Roger Cohen.  "While we are still reviewing the rule, it does open the door for additional research, including our own efforts on a ground-breaking fatigue study of multi-segment operations by Washington State University."

Docket No. FAA 2008-0677

Click here to download RAA comments.

Both Chambers of Congress are currently debating Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization. The FAA is now operating under the 17th short-term extension since the last Reauthorization act was passed and passage of long-term legislation is an appropriate priority for the 112th Congress. RAA strongly supports modernization of our nation's air transportation system through the transition to "NowGen," which will help reduce the carbon footprint of air travel, streamline airline operations, improve safety, and strengthen our nation's economy by creating jobs. These extensive national benefits should be reflected in a robust general fund contribution to the FAA's funding and through adequate funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which preserves air service in vulnerable communities.

FAA Reauthorization is currently being debated on the Senate Floor and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Aviation Subcommittee held hearings this week on the matter. RAA President Roger Cohen has previously testified at similar hearings. For more information, contact RAA's Faye Malarkey Black.Read RAA's previous congressional hearing testimony about FAA reauthorization. 

RAA Comments Submitted on Flightcrew Member Duty & Rest Requirements NPRM

Read RAA Press Release on FDT NPRM
Based on its primary objective of improving aviation safety, the Regional Airline Association today filed comments supporting FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt’s aim to combat crew fatigue, while recommending science-based revisions that will ensure airline flight crews are rested and safe.
RAA representatives and member airlines actively participated in the Flight and Duty Time Limitations and Rest Requirements Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) chartered by the Administrator last summer.   RAA earlier had launched its own Strategic Safety Initiative (SSI) which specifically called for a study of pilot commuting and research on identifying pilot fatigue in airline operations. Many of the elements in the SSI have been incorporated into the FAA proposed rulemaking.

Download the RAA Press Release

Click here to read the full comments submitted by RAA.

The Regional Airline Association (RAA) today filed comments in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing the adoption of additional regulations that intend to improve passenger protections in air travel.

“Providing an outstanding travel experience for our valued customers is a goal RAA shares with its member airlines, the Department of Transportation, and other aviation stakeholders,” said RAA Vice President-Legislative Affairs Faye Malarkey Black.  Black continued: “We urge DOT to reconsider its proposed rule, however, to reduce the possibility of causing unintended confusion or inconvenience to the traveling public, particularly those passengers traveling to or from the 75 percent of our nation’s airports that rely on regional airlines, exclusively, for scheduled air service.” 

Download RAA's Comments
The Regional Airline Association (RAA) submits the following comments on behalf of our airline membership .

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register on February 8, 2010 (see 75 FR 6164), seeking public comment concerning potential changes to the certification of airmen conducting air carrier operations under 14 C.F.R. Part 121.  The Regional Airline Association (RAA) and its members have a wealth of experience in, and commitment to, the qualification of airmen conducting such operations, and we respectfully submit the following comments on behalf of our 31 airline members regarding this important and timely proposal.