Faa Reauthorization Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman from Pennsylvania, the chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Mr. Shuster, for yielding me time.

Mr. Chairman, I support the FAA Leadership in Groundbreaking High- Tech Research and Development Act, or FLIGHT R&D Act, incorporated in H.R. 4 as Title VII of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.

Title VII's FLIGHT R&D Act will ensure America remains a world leader in aviation innovation. By making prioritized and strategic investments today, our Nation will continue to push the boundaries of aerospace technology, maintain a safe and secure aviation transportation system, and foster a healthy and growing aviation economy.

Mr. Chair, I thank Science Committee member Steve Knight for introducing this important legislation and Chairman Shuster for including it in his bill.

The safety of the flying public is of paramount importance. That is why Title VII's FLIGHT R&D Act prioritizes research and development to improve aviation safety.

Title VII authorizes increased funding for aviation safety research and development. Improving aviation safety is the fundamental mission of the FAA's research and development agenda.

Title VII establishes an FAA associate administrator for research and development to manage and oversee all FAA research and development programs and activities. These will include the R&D provisions in this bill regarding unmanned aircraft systems, cybersecurity, the national aerospace system, aviation fuel, air traffic surveillance, remote and computer piloting, and spectrum use.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, I strongly support Title VII, the FLIGHT R&D Act, and urge my colleagues to support this fiscally responsible, commonsense initiative to ensure that America remains at the forefront of civil aviation, innovation, and safety.

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