Small airplane bill could enhance air safety and technology Published: Aug. 28, 2013 at 12:48 PM By Sonali Basak, Medill News Service WASHINGTON, August 27--Senate is soon expected to pass a bill to revitalize the small airplane industry. The bill passed unanimously in the House of Representatives earlier this summer. Existing small airplane regulations are more than 30 years old. "The general aviation industry includes nearly 600,000 pilots, employs roughly 1.3 million and contributes approximately $150 billion annually to the U.S. economy," said Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-NJ at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee vote on the legislation. See how this bill could stimulate innovations in small planes and enhance air safety.