Mike Collins | Mike Collins Official Website
Mike Collins | Mike Collins Official Website
Washington – Representative Mike Collins’ (R-Ga.) H.R. 1818, the Aviation Workforce Development Act is gaining momentum in Congress. On May 15, 2023, Collins announced that Senators Tim Scott of South Carolina and Maria Cantwell of Washington introduced companion legislation in the United States Senate.
"The Aviation Workforce Development Act is a commonsense proposal to give Americans who want to pursue a career in aviation – on the ground or in the air – the same tools as those seeking four-year degrees with zero increased cost to taxpayers,” said Collins. “Thank you to Senators Scott and Cantwell for joining our effort to bolster the aviation industry with a steady supply of pilots and aircraft mechanics.”
The House bill introduced by Collins has 70 bipartisan co-sponsors and is endorsed by a broad coalition of industry and labor, including Airlines for America and the Air Line Pilots Association. The legislation is commonsense and simple – it allows Americans to utilize 529 Plan distributions for an education at FAA-certified commercial pilot and maintenance technician schools.
Background
529 Plans are tax advantaged investment accounts that are a tool for parents or guardians to save for their child’s education. Initially, 529 Plan funds could only be used for degrees at four-year universities, but in recent years, Congress has added to the list of qualified expenses by including apprenticeship programs in certain trades, but not most aviation programs.
The aviation industry broadly agrees that something must be done to encourage more Americans to become pilots and mechanics, which is why the Aviation Workforce Development Act is endorsed by airlines, manufacturers, flight training education associations, and pilot and mechanic unions. A complete list of industry and labor support is below.
Aeronautical Repair Station Association
Aerospace Industries Association
Air Line Pilots Association
Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Airlines for America
Alaska Airlines
Allied Pilots Association
American Airlines
Atlas Air Worldwide
Boeing Corporation
Aviation Technician Education Council
Cargo Airline Association
Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations
Delta Air Lines
FedEx Express
Flight School Association of North America
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Gulfstream Aerospace
Hawaiian Airlines
International Air Transport Association
JetBlue
National Air Carrier Association
National Business Aviation Association
National Flight Training Association
NetJets
NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots
Raytheon Technologies
Regional Airline Association
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association
United Airlines
UPS
Original source can be found here.
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