Indy Standard

WASHINGTON, DC—Last week, Congressman André Carson (IN-07) reintroduced the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act (NCAA) of 2023 with Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08). This bipartisan legislation first passed out of the House in 2022 and is being reintroduced to improve American aviation and expand the diversity of the aviation workforce. 

The NCAA focuses on key areas including aviation and aerospace STEM curriculum for students, aviation workforce development, and providing a critical forum for cross-disciplinary collaboration. The NCAA will also help the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue its focus on safety, certification, and air traffic operations, and it will improve the diversity and quality of the aviation workforce across military, passenger, general and unmanned aviation sectors.

“My bill will launch a new era for the aviation industry,” said Congressman Carson. “In order to take aviation into the next generation, we must work to diversify and strengthen its workforce. The aviation industry drives our economy, including in my home state of Indiana, and the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act will expand opportunities and improve the expertise needed to keep American skies the safest in the world.”   

“It’s crucial that we strengthen and promote interest in aviation industry professions,” said Congressman Stauber. “I’m proud to join Rep. Carson in introducing the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act. This center will facilitate training and professional development of our aviation workforce, improve collaboration across the industry, and boost innovation in American flight. It is my hope we can get this legislation across the finish line to honor the late Congressman Don Young who was such a steadfast champion of this bill.” 

Congressman Carson’s district is home to the award-winning Indianapolis International Airport, FedEx’s second largest cargo hub, plus a new aircraft maintenance station coming in 2024. The aviation industry supports over 10 million jobs -- including airport operators, mechanics, engineers, dispatchers, flight attendants, and more – and contributes more than $1.2 trillion per year to the national economy. More than 130 organizations including schools, airports, airlines, manufacturers, unions, and other entities involved in aviation and aerospace have expressed strong support for the NCAA. 

Original source can be found here.