NEWS RELEASE
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Congressman John L. Mica, Ranking Republican
2163 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-9446
republicans.transportation.house.gov
Contact: Justin Harclerode
Phone: (202) 226-8767

Embry-Riddle Contact: Bob Ross
Phone: (386) 226-6198

Mica Announces Federal Support for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s “Integrated Airport”

Washington, D.C., Dec. 20, 2007 — U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-7th District), the Republican Leader of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today announced that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will receive just under $2 million in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish an “Integrated Airport” at Daytona Beach International Airport.

“Embry-Riddle is the leading aeronautical institution in U.S. aviation, and its ‘Integrated Airport’ project at Daytona Beach is a national model for safety,” Mica said. “By testing advanced aviation technologies, and developing safer ground management practices, this project will change the aviation industry for the better and truly bring our aviation industry into the 21st century.”

The objective of the Embry Riddle “Integrated Airport” is to create a national and major airport-based testing site for the Next Generation Air Transport System technologies that will lead to critical safety and security improvements and reduce congestion at the nation’s airports. Through the unique public-private partnership, Embry-Riddle, the FAA, and Daytona Beach International Airport will pool resources and expertise to demonstrate the practical integration of available and emerging technologies for airport safety, security, and efficiency.

“Recently, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a runway safety study which points to technology as one of the keys to seeing further improvements in runway safety,” Mica said. “The ‘Integrated Airport’ focuses on both on-board technology and ground management technology. This is a much-needed project at exactly the right time.”

So far, Embry-Riddle’s “Integrated Airport” project has attracted nearly $4 million in private investment from the industry. Daytona Beach International Airport and Embry-Riddle have agreed to partner in this high-technology approach to improving airport operations and safety.

“Thanks to innovative projects like the ‘Integrated Airport,’ the U.S. will remain the leader in world-wide aviation,” added Mica.