Latest News

Wednesday, 23 June, 2021

NATA Supports Bipartisan RETAIN GPS and Satellite Communications Act

Washington, DC, June 23, 2021 – The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) issued the following statement in support of S. 2166, the Recognizing and Ensuring Taxpayer Access to Infrastructure Necessary (RETAIN) for GPS and Satellite Communications Act. Introduced by Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Tammy Duckworth (D-Il), and Mike Rounds (R-SD), this bipartisan legislation requires Ligado to cover the cost for correcting any interference their operations may create for the public or private sector, including the aviation industry. Under the current order, Ligado is only required to upgrade or replace government devices that are impacted, leaving the private sector and its consumers to bear the costs for repairs related to private sector GPS signal interference.

“NATA applauds Senator Inhofe’s RETAIN Act — common sense legislation that would help protect the countless people who rely upon aviation for essential emergency, transportation, agriculture, security, and cargo services from risks to GPS and SATCOM communications access. This bill represents a positive move toward safeguarding the reliability and efficiency of our national air system while maintaining fairness for all spectrum users,” stated NATA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs John McGraw.

For general press inquiries, contact Shannon Chambers at 703-298-1347 or schambers@nata.aero.

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has been the voice of aviation business for more than 80 years. Representing nearly 3,700 aviation businesses, NATA’s member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military and NATA serves as the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.