Aviation
As a member of both the General Aviation Caucus and House Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation, and having lived in Northern Minnesota my whole life, I understand the enormous economic benefit general aviation has to the 8th District, Minnesota, and our nation as a whole. Our numerous regional airports are important economic drivers of our business and tourism industries, and critical hubs for visitors and commuters alike. It is vital we ensure their continued success as major employers in our district and across the United States.
I was the original Democratic sponsor of the Small Airplane Revitalization Act (H.R.1848), which was signed into law by the President in 2013. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken championed the bill in the Senate. This measure requires the FAA to update their Aviation Rulemaking Plan and give producers of small airplanes, like Cirrus Aircraft in Duluth, their own set of regulations. Over the past two decades, the small aviation industry in America has been slowly choking due to an outdated, unnecessarily lengthy approval process that increases the price of safety and technology upgrades by up to ten times, costing us jobs and innovation. The Small Airplane Revitalization Act will help regenerate those lost jobs, as well as spur investment and accelerate new designs and lifesaving safety features for a whole new generation of small planes being built in the United States.
More on Aviation
The plight of a development project at Brainerd Regional Airport helped inspire U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan to introduce legislation he says will lower costs when airports across the country want to build.
The bill that passed unanimously in the House Thursday night was inspired by incidents business leaders in the Brainerd lakes area recently experienced when they wanted to build a hangar at the airport capable of housing private jets, and were willing to put up $1 million to fund it, Nolan said—but the project hit a snag.
(International Falls, MN) -- The U-S Department of Transportation will spend two-million dollars helping officials at Falls International Airport begin the first phase of a major renovation project. Congressman Rick Nolan and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken had pushed the federal agency to provide the help. The existing airport terminal was built about four decades ago. Part of the money will pay for a jetway to move passengers from the terminal to aircraft without going outside into the weather.
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed U.S. Rep Rick Nolan’s bill, H.R. 6014, with unanimous support to reduce unnecessary cost burdens on State and Local governments and their airports from the Federal Government when conducting airport improvement and expansion projects. Currently, State and Local governments are being forced to pay an inordinate amount of money to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to complete a project that could be done at a lower cost by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Rep. Rick Nolan, announced Tuesday the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport a grant of $1,253,575 for infrastructure improvements, a news release said.
"The funds from this grant will help the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport make critical investments in its infrastructure to move goods and people quickly," Klobuchar said in the release. "Investing in our airports will boost performance, enhance safety, and help support good local jobs."
Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Rick Nolan, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Duluth International Airport a grant of $6,126,025 for runway rehabilitation.
"Duluth International is a shining example of how our airports bring local commerce to our rural regions by transporting business commuters and tourist visitors alike," Nolan said, "This grant is tremendous news for our entire region and will promote safe and efficient travel."
Duluth International Airport was awarded a $6.13 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday for its ongoing runway renovation project.
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan announced the grant in a joint news release.
“Investments in Minnesota’s infrastructure strengthen our economy by helping create good jobs while enhancing public safety,” Klobuchar said. “Today’s investment will benefit St. Louis County and all who travel through Duluth International Airport.”
U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today applauded passage of a funding extension for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to authorize the FAA’s programs and the taxes that will fund those programs through September 30, 2017 at current funding levels. Nolan also emphasized the importance of coming to an agreement on a long-term funding bill.
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Rep, Rick Nolan announced July 6 that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Longville Municipal Airport a grant of $337,500 for infrastructure improvements.
This grant will allow the airport to fund a master plan study to address key issues, objectives, and goals pertinent to the airport’s future development. It will also fund the rehabilitation of the existing hangar area taxi lane.
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Rick Nolan, today announced that the Eveleth-Virginia Municipal Airport has been awared a grant of $114,300 from the U.S. Department of Transportation for infrastructure improvements.
This grant will allow the airport to design the rehabilitation of the hangar area taxi lane.