May 28, 2023 - Washington, DC - Congressman George Santos (NY-03) has cosponsored the “Aviation Workforce Development Act,” AKA H.R. 1818, which seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow qualified distributions from qualified tuition programs for certain aviation maintenance and commercial pilot courses.

“The aviation industry is in crisis,” said Rep. Santos. “We need to make sure we are proactive in helping prospective pilots attain what they need to start remedying the pilot shortages and the pandemic’s overall detriment on aviation. Aviation is struggling with an aging workforce facing mandatory retirements, fewer pilots exiting the military, and barriers to entry, including the cost of training. This bill is a great way to support such an important industry without impacting taxpayers."

Background on H. R. 1818:

• To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow qualified distributions from qualified tuition programs for certain aviation maintenance and commercial pilot courses, specifically 529 Plans.

• (Courtesy of Representative Collin’s website): Initially, 529 Plan funds could only be used for degrees at four-year universities, but in recent years, Congress has added to the list of qualified expenses by including apprenticeship programs in certain trades, but not most aviation programs.
  Source: Congressman George Santos