Congressmen Cohen Questions Experts at Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Hearing on General Aviation

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), the new Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, today questioned expert witnesses at the first subcommittee hearing on “FAA Reauthorization: Securing the Future of General Aviation.” You can see his opening statement here.  

During his questioning of the witnesses, Congressman Cohen noted that nearly half of the students currently participating in the Aircraft Owners of America’s (AOPA) High School Aviation Stem Curriculum were people of color. He questioned Mr. Mark Baker of the AOPA about how the Aviation Subcommittee can partner with the AOPA High School Aviation Stem Curriculum to advance diversity in the aviation workforce. The program, which is entirely free for students nationwide from ninth to twelfth grade, has 16,000 participants with nearly half being students of color.  

Congressman Cohen acknowledged the importance of the program’s presence in Memphis and the continued need by FedEx for additional pilots. See his entire line of questioning here. 

Witnesses at today’s hearing were: 

• Mr. Mark Baker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; 
• Mr. Jack Pelton, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Experimental Aircraft Association;
• Mr. Rick Crider, Executive Vice President of Airport/Railport & Military Relations, Port San Antonio, on behalf of the American Association of Airport Executives; and 
• Mr. Curt Castagna, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Air Transportation Association 

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