Support for U.S. Rep. Mike Collins’, R-GA, Aviation Workforce Development Act, H.R. 1818, continues to grow. According to Collins, the Act now has 151 co-sponsors, 105 Republican and 46 Democrat supporters, three Committee Chairs and two ranking members of Congress.
“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.
Collins believes 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.”
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 airline industry has been facing a shortage of qualified pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians for several years, and officials say the early retirements forced by the COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated that shortage. Collins introduced this legislation last Spring to address this shortage. Colleagues Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-GA, and Rep. Lucy McBath, D-GA, joined Collins in introducing the bi-partisan bill.
Collins said the legislation is designed to incentivize more Americans to become airline pilots by making training more affordable. Members of the delegation said they are concerned the shortage of workers has the potential to disrupt the economy, supply chains, and travel and tourism.
According to Collins, the cost of flight training to become a commercial pilot at a private institution can easily exceed $100,000. This bill is designed to make that goal more attainable.
The number of supporters has increased dramatically in the last six months. In May, Collins announced that the legislation had 70 bipartisan co-sponsors and was endorsed by a broad coalition of industry and labor, including Airlines for America and the Air Line Pilots Association.
U.S. Sens. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Maria Cantwell of Washington have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
