    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [August 17, 1994]
    [Pages 1473-1474]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994
    August 17, 1994

        I am pleased to sign into law S. 1458, the ``General Aviation
    Revitalization Act of 1994.'' It is before me today as a result of
    bipartisan support in the Congress, and the hard work of many who have
    labored long to achieve passage of such legislation. The result is
    legislation that accommodates the need to revitalize our general
    aviation industry, while preserving the legal rights of passengers and
    pilots. This limited measure is intended to give manufacturers of
    general aviation aircraft and related component parts some protection
    from lawsuits alleging defective design or manufacture after an aircraft
    has established a lengthy record of operational safety.

        In 1978, U.S. general aviation manufacturers produced 18,000 of
    these aircraft for domestic use and for export around the world. Our
    manufacturers were the world leaders in the production of general
    aviation aircraft. By 1993, production had dwindled to only 555
    aircraft. As a result, in the last decade over 100,000 well-paying jobs
    were lost in general aviation manufacturing. An innovative and
    productive American industry has been pushed to the edge of extinction.
    This Act will allow manufacturers to supply new basic aircraft for
    flight training, business use, and recreational flying.

        The Act establishes an 18-year statute of repose for general
    aviation aircraft and compo-

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    nent parts beyond which the manufacturer will not be liable in lawsuits
    alleging defective manufacture or design. It is limited to aircraft
    having a seating capacity of fewer than 20 passengers, which are not
    engaged in scheduled passenger-carrying operations.

        In its report to me and to the Congress last August, the National
    Commission to Ensure a Strong Competitive Airline Industry recommended
    the enactment of a statute of repose for general aviation aircraft. The
    report indicated that the enactment of such legislation would ``help
    regenerate a once-healthy industry and help create thousands of jobs.''
    I agree with this assessment; this is a job-creating and job-restoring
    measure that will bring good jobs and economic growth back to this
    industry. It will also help U.S. companies restore our Nation to the
    status of the premier supplier of general aviation aircraft to the
    world, favorably affecting our balance of trade. Therefore, as I sign
    into law the ``General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994,'' I am
    pleased to acknowledge the bipartisan work done by the Congress and by
    all the supporters of the general aviation industry.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,
    August 17, 1994.

    Note: S. 1458, approved August 17, was assigned Public Law No. 103-298.