Aviation Executives Rally at Capitol Hill

On Thursday, Air-traffic controllers, airline pilots and airport executives rallied with a group of leaders from several aviation organizations to protest the government shutdown that occurred on Oct.1st. About 200 aviation group representatives held the rally to call on Washington policymakers to find a path forward so that vital aviation services can resume.
While the shutdown has not immediately impacted aviation safety, the longer the shutdown remains in effect the more risk we are creating. Capt. Sean Cassidy, first vice president of the Air Line Pilots Association, said He cited burned-out runway lights and problems with radar displays that need to be replaced as risks. Pilots continue to anonymously report safety issues from their flights to the Federal Aviation Administration, but Cassidy says the shutdown hinders the government review of them to spot safety concerns.
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen joined the rally as well to discuss reopening the FAA. Since the start of the shutdown, NBAA has continually called upon decision-makers in Washington to promptly find a path for reopening the FAA.
The link below is a video clip from the rally held at Capitol Hill.
Video: Ed Bolen remarks on Capitol Hill (click the link and then enter password “digital”):