General Aviation (GA) Caucus

Overview

In 2009, the House General Aviation (GA) Caucus was created to help inform Congress about the value and benefits of general aviation, which include all aircraft activity not associated with airlines or military.  With revenue more than $150 billion and employment of more than 1.3 million people, GA is a crucial part of the nation’s economy and transportation system. 

Co-founded by EAA member Representative Vern Ehlers (R-MI) and Representative Allen Boyd (D-FL), the House GA Caucus has grown to 116 members who have pledged support for general aviation including EAA’s home representative Tom Petri (R-WI) and EAA member, pilot and homebuilder Sam Graves (R-MO).  A Senate GA caucus was formed shortly after the House version and currently has 29 members. (Check the full list to see if your senator and representative are members of the caucus.)

During the Caucus’ initial meeting, Doug Macnair, EAA vice president of government relations, stressed EAA’s mission to represent and promote aviation to anyone who has interest in flight, and the dedication and passion displayed by EAA members.  Other topics discussed with the Caucus include user fees, congressional oversight of FAA, air traffic modernization, and the impact of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security regulations and directives. 

EAA’s hope is that this Caucus will serve as a rallying point in Congress for support of EAA’s efforts to ensure that recreational aviation is well represented as an avocation, lifestyle and career choice.