The Future of Aviation Advisory Committee (FAAC), whose membership represents a cross section of the aviation industry, last month presented Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood with a list of recommendations aimed at ensuring the strength, competitiveness and safety of U.S. aviation. Among the recommendations, the federal government should undertake a significant financial investment “to achieve extensive public ­benefits throughout the accelerated NextGen equipage of commercial and general aviation aircraft.” The committee also suggested that LaHood commission an ­independent study of the federal aviation tax burden on passengers, airlines and general aviation to determine if existing levels of taxes and fees sufficiently balance the department’s statutory mandates.