WASHINGTON, DC – After helping to eliminate proposed user fees on small aircraft that would have dealt a real blow to Kansas’ general aviation industry in a struggling economy, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today voted for the Federal Aviation Administration bill, approved by the Senate, to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system, improve regional and rural air service and enhance safety for all passengers.

"I am pleased the Senate has finally approved this bill after several years of negotiations and extensions," Roberts said. "Passengers will benefit from an improved air traffic control system, and we didn’t have to penalize general aviation, which is a major Kansas employer, to do it."

In 2007, Senator Roberts led the effort to eliminate a general aviation user fee during the Senate Finance Committee’s markup of the Trust Fund.

In 2008, following heated debate within the Senate Commerce Committee about the proposed fee on small aircraft owners, Roberts negotiated with colleagues on the Commerce Committee to eliminate the idea entirely. When the Commerce Committee approved this year’s language, the 2008 negotiation remained intact.

"My goals as we drafted this bill were clear," Roberts said. "Ensure that our air traffic control system is upgraded and remains safe for all passengers and aircraft; and, protect the general aviation community and Kansas jobs, which would have been threatened by a new user fee."

Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance and a long time champion of general aviation.

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