Rep. Mica to speak to business aviation group

By Keith Laing - 10/08/12 05:10 PM ET

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) will speak to a group of non-commercial airplane owners later this month.

Mica, who is likely in his final term as the House Transportation Committee chairman, will appear at the National Business Aviation Association's (NBAA) annual convention Oct. 30 through Nov 1 in Orlando, Fla., the group has announced recently.

The Washington, D.C.-based NBAA said it was pleased to have Mica address its members because he "is a national leader on transportation policy in the United States, including aviation issues."

"I'm sure his comments will be of great interest to Convention Attendees, and everyone in the business aviation community,” NBAA President Ed Bolen said in a statement.

The topic of general aviation, or noncommercial flights using private jets, has emerged as an occasional sticking point in the campaign between President Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Several general aviation groups, including the NBAA, have criticized Obama for suggesting that private jet owners should pay higher taxes for their airplanes.

The remarks diminish an industry that creates thousands of jobs, the groups have argued.