Steve Cohen: “I oppose the amendment, which directs the FAA to issue an interim final rule to allow restricted category aircraft to be…”

“I oppose the amendment, which directs the FAA to issue an interim final rule to allow restricted category aircraft to be used to transport firefighters to and from wildfire sites and other conforming changes. While I support the intent of helping firefighters, this amendment is not the way to do it. In fact, if we are talking about firefighters, a firefighter lost his life in Memphis today fighting a fire. Several were injured, and we hope they will recover quickly. It is a difficult profession. Restricted category aircraft are certified by the FAA for only very specific types of missions. Many of them are aircraft specifically built for military operations. This amendment would create a shortcut for manufacturers interested in selling aircraft. However, the aircraft are not certified to the safety standards needed to carry passengers. This is an attempt by one manufacturer to create a domestic market for its aircraft without going through the FAA safety certification process. That is just not cricket. Furthermore, interim final rules are only issued in situations where a regulatory process or requirement is clearly and directly creating a safety or security hazard. There are multiple paths for this aircraft to be put to good use in helping firefighters, and manufacturers should follow those processes. Congress should not be writing safety loopholes for companies to sell aircraft that potentially put our Nation's firefighters at risk.…”