General Aviation Manufacturers Association president and CEO Pete Bunce urged lawmakers to “lean into” the next administration to ensure that the regulatory process continues to move.

Testifying before a House aviation subcommittee hearing this week, Bunce told lawmakers that the 2024 FAA reauthorization bill would have a “meaningful and positive influence” on aviation as a whole, but the challenge is to ensure its timely implementation and that the intent of the law is met.

Bunce also urged the subcommittee to work with the incoming administration to avoid reverting to the approach requiring revocation of two regulations for every new one passed—a policy enacted in the early days under the first Trump Administration and one that slowed key safety rulemakings.

He noted that during the FAA reauthorization hearing process leading up to the development of the bill enacted in May, “The FAA started listening. Rulemaking was broken. The FAA would use this ex parte as a reason not to even talk to foreign authorities as they're going through the long rulemaking process. Things sat on the shelf for years and years.”

But the FAA paid attention during the hearings, Bunce added, “and they started promulgating rules and getting a process going.”

The system is not perfect yet and still not fast enough, he said.  “But it’s going forward. That’s why we cannot go back to that two-for-one for aviation.”

While Bunce said he is in favor of less government regulation, “In aviation, we can’t do anything without regulations. They are enabling. And that [also] goes to policy and guidance,” he explained. “So, we really look to you to be able to help us make sure we emphasize to the new administration that's very important.”

As for the reauthorization bill, he said Congress needs to stay vigilant not only that the measures are followed through by the FAA, but that Congress adequately funds the measures.

“The 2024 FAA Reauthorization is a tremendous accomplishment that should be lauded for its comprehensive nature and broad scope of issues it tackles,” he said. “It should have a lasting impact given the strong foundation of consensus and bipartisan support it is built upon.”

The legislation addresses key priorities that advance safety, jobs, innovation, and global competitiveness in aviation, he added.

Since the law was enacted, the FAA has met several milestones such as the recent publication of the special federal aviation regulation on powered-lift aircraft as well as progress on cybersecurity, he noted. But rulemaking remains a key area of improvement.

“The biggest challenge to enabling efficiency is not to stop rulemaking and other regulatory materials related to the promulgation of safety and technical standards; instead, it is to find ways to move them forward in a timely, transparent, and accountable manner to facilitate advances in new technology and enhance U.S. aviation safety, leadership, and competitiveness,” Bunce said.

A key provision in reauthorization was the establishment of an assistant administrator for rulemaking and a regulatory improvement office designed to address rulemaking challenges, improve coordination, and support safety and innovation efforts.

“Our understanding is the FAA is working internally to stand up this office and implement this important position,” Bunce said. “However, reprogramming of existing funds or specific requests for new funds may be required to fulfill this objective.”