Rick Larsen: “This amendment would create an apprenticeship program for individuals seeking to become commercial pilots. I do want to…”

“This amendment would create an apprenticeship program for individuals seeking to become commercial pilots. I do want to say I am very pleased to be able to support many of Representative Donalds' amendments to the bill, working in a bipartisan manner. This one I just couldn't come to a place where I am comfortable, but certainly as a long-time supporter of aviation and STEM-related apprenticeships, I do appreciate the intent of Representative Donalds' amendment. However, it is duplicative of several provisions in the underlying bill that already bolster the pilot pipeline. This authorization already triples the funding for FAA's Aviation Workforce Development Grant programs, which funds aviation apprenticeship programs. It creates the Willa Brown Aviation Education Program, which could fund apprenticeship programs focused on underrepresented communities and creates a National Center for the Advancement of Aerospace, an independently, federally chartered nonprofit entity to administer grants to establish apprenticeships for aviation careers and serve as a centralized resource to provide comprehensive information on aviation apprenticeship opportunities. I earlier adopted an amendment in the en bloc amendment that was sponsored by Representatives Schrier and Gooden to help veterans transition into the commercial pilot world. Apprenticeships are already well covered in this underlying bill. Mr.…”