Representative Haley Stevens Bill to Address Turbulence Heads to the President’s Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as part of the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, the FAA Severe Turbulence Research & Development Act, introduced by U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI), passed the House. The legislation, already passed by the Senate, is expected to be signed into law by the President later this week. 

The legislation directs the FAA to research and mitigate the effects of severe turbulence.

“Turbulence is an increasing problem as weather becomes more unpredictable due to climate change,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). “I’m excited that my Severe Turbulence Research & Development Act overwhelmingly passed the House and will be signed into law by President Biden this week. As more and more Americans take to the skies, I’m pleased to provide the FAA with another tool to make sure the flying public, flight attendants, and pilots make it to their destination safely.” 

Background

Rep. Haley Stevens' Severe Turbulence, Research and Development Act establishes processes for comprehensive data collection to record turbulence incidents. It ensures turbulence data is widely available to the scientific research, user, and stakeholder community. This legislation also supports research and development to understand the impacts of climate change on turbulence and study to enhance turbulence forecasts for flight planning for schedule and route-planning and long-term projections of severe turbulence. Additionally, the bill requires the FAA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to identify future research needed to predict and mitigate the safety impacts that may result from severe turbulence.