[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.