Sen. Cruz Applauds FAA for Implementing Critical Safety Measures for Commercial Balloon Pilots

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) this week announced that they are implementing safety measures for commercial balloon operations as required by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) bill, the Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2017. Sen. Cruz, chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation and Space, secured these safety measures in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.

"I'm glad to see the FAA implement this crucial rule in their Fall 2019 Unified Agenda, as it will put into place safety oversight for commercial balloon operators to help prevent further tragedies," Sen. Cruz said. "In May I sent a letter to Administrator Elwell urging him to consider this provision, and am grateful for his leadership in ensuring this rule is enforced in order to help provide a safer future for commercial air balloons."

Following a deadly hot air balloon crash in Lockhart, Texas in July of 2016, Sen. Cruz introduced the Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2017 to put into place regulations ensuring commercial hot air balloon operators receive medical certificates. Last year, Sen. Cruz's bill was included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and signed into law by President Trump.

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