INDEPENDENT PILOTS ASSOCIATION — Lobbying Disclosure | Poliscope

INDEPENDENT PILOTS ASSOCIATION

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Lobbying Spend

—

Filings

Firms Hired

Active Period

2013–2026

Lobbying Spend by Year

Client-reported lobbying expenses on LDA filings

Year	Lobbying Spend	Filings	Firms
2026	—	3	1
2025	—	4	1
2024	—	4	1
2023	—	4	1
2022	—	4	1
2021	—	4	1
2020	—	4	1
2019	—	4	1
2018	—	4	1
2017	—	4	1
2016	—	4	1
2015	—	4	1
2014	—	4	1
2013	—	4	1

Hired Firms

Lobbying firms retained by this client; amounts are client-reported expenses when available

Firm Name	Reported Spend	Filings
THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC	—	55

Government Bodies Lobbied

Government entities explicitly identified as targets in LDA filings

Government Body	Filings
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	53
SENATE	52
Transportation, Dept of (DOT)	12
Natl Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)	6
Office of Management & Budget (OMB)	6
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)	5
White House Office	2

Top Issues

Most frequently reported lobbying issues

Issue Code	Description	Reports
Aviation/Airlines/Airports	Aviation/Airlines/Airports	47
Transportation	Transportation	26
Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace	Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace	4
Consumer Issues/Safety/Products	Consumer Issues/Safety/Products	1

Bills Explicitly Cited (25)

Bill numbers found in source-reported LDA specific issue text; broad topic matches are excluded

H.R. 4994119th Congress

Safe Air on Airplanes Act

2026 · third_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 4994, the Safe Air on Airplanes Act Discussions involving Air Traffic Control modernization Monitored FAA Reauthorization Monitored age limitations for pilots and pilot training hour requirements

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 4994

H.R. 4994119th Congress

Safe Air on Airplanes Act

2026 · third_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 4994, the Safe Air on Airplanes Act Discussions involving H.R. 7526, the Safe Skies Act Discussions involving H.R. 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Discussions pertaining to pilot certificate accessibility Discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored H.R. 7613, the ALERT Act Monitored S. 2503, the ROTOR Act

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 4994

H.R. 7191119th Congress

Fatigued Pilot Protection Act

2026 · third_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 4994, the Safe Air on Airplanes Act Discussions involving H.R. 7526, the Safe Skies Act Discussions involving H.R. 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Discussions pertaining to pilot certificate accessibility Discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored H.R. 7613, the ALERT Act Monitored S. 2503, the ROTOR Act

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 7191

H.R. 7526119th Congress

Safe Skies Act of 2026

2026 · third_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 4994, the Safe Air on Airplanes Act Discussions involving H.R. 7526, the Safe Skies Act Discussions involving H.R. 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Discussions pertaining to pilot certificate accessibility Discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored H.R. 7613, the ALERT Act Monitored S. 2503, the ROTOR Act

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 7526

Show 21 more cited filings

H.R. 7613119th Congress

ALERT Act

2026 · third_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 4994, the Safe Air on Airplanes Act Discussions involving H.R. 7526, the Safe Skies Act Discussions involving H.R. 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Discussions pertaining to pilot certificate accessibility Discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored H.R. 7613, the ALERT Act Monitored S. 2503, the ROTOR Act

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 7613

S. 2503119th Congress

ROTOR Act

2026 · third_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 4994, the Safe Air on Airplanes Act Discussions involving H.R. 7526, the Safe Skies Act Discussions involving H.R. 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Discussions pertaining to pilot certificate accessibility Discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored H.R. 7613, the ALERT Act Monitored S. 2503, the ROTOR Act

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: S. 2503

H.R. 7191119th Congress

Fatigued Pilot Protection Act

2026 · second_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 7526, the Safe Skies Act Discussions involving H.R. 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Discussions pertaining to pilot certificate accessibility Discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored H.R. 7613, the ALERT Act Monitored S. 2503, the ROTOR Act

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 7191

H.R. 7526119th Congress

Safe Skies Act of 2026

2026 · second_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 7526, the Safe Skies Act Discussions involving H.R. 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Discussions pertaining to pilot certificate accessibility Discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored H.R. 7613, the ALERT Act Monitored S. 2503, the ROTOR Act

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 7526

H.R. 7613119th Congress

ALERT Act

2026 · second_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 7526, the Safe Skies Act Discussions involving H.R. 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Discussions pertaining to pilot certificate accessibility Discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored H.R. 7613, the ALERT Act Monitored S. 2503, the ROTOR Act

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 7613

S. 2503119th Congress

ROTOR Act

2026 · second_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 7526, the Safe Skies Act Discussions involving H.R. 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Discussions pertaining to pilot certificate accessibility Discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored H.R. 7613, the ALERT Act Monitored S. 2503, the ROTOR Act

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: S. 2503

H.R. 5371119th Congress

Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026

2026 · first_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Monitored H.R. 5371, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026; provisions relating to the National Mediation Board

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 5371

H.R. 7191119th Congress

Fatigued Pilot Protection Act

2026 · first_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 7526, the Safe Skies Act Discussions involving H.R. 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Discussions pertaining to pilot certificate accessibility Discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 7191

H.R. 7526119th Congress

Safe Skies Act of 2026

2026 · first_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving H.R. 7526, the Safe Skies Act Discussions involving H.R. 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Discussions pertaining to pilot certificate accessibility Discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 7526

H.R. 5371119th Congress

Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026

2025 · fourth_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Monitored H.R. 5371, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026; provisions relating National Mediation Board

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: H.R. 5371

H.R. 5371119th Congress

Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026

2025 · third_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Monitored HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026; provisions relating National Mediation Board

Client expense: — · Firm income: $70,000

Matched citations: HR 5371

H.R. 10318118th Congress

Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act

2024 · fourth_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

HR 10318 Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act (all sections of full text) Discussions involving aviation safety Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions involving FAA safety initiatives pertaining to air traffic controller fatigue Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Monitored discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries

Client expense: — · Firm income: $60,000

Matched citations: HR 10318

H.R. 3459118th Congress

Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023

2024 · third_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving aviation safety Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions involving FAA safety initiatives pertaining to air traffic controller fatigue Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Monitored HR 3459 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored S 307 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries

Client expense: — · Firm income: $60,000

Matched citations: HR 3459

S. 307118th Congress

Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023

2024 · third_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving aviation safety Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions involving FAA safety initiatives pertaining to air traffic controller fatigue Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Monitored HR 3459 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored S 307 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries

Client expense: — · Firm income: $60,000

Matched citations: S 307

H.R. 3459118th Congress

Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023

2024 · second_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions involving FAA safety initiatives pertaining to air traffic controller fatigue Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Monitored HR 3459 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored S 307 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored appointments to federally designated agencies Monitored discussions on aviation safety

Client expense: — · Firm income: $60,000

Matched citations: HR 3459

S. 307118th Congress

Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023

2024 · second_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions involving FAA safety initiatives pertaining to air traffic controller fatigue Discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Monitored HR 3459 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored S 307 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored appointments to federally designated agencies Monitored discussions on aviation safety

Client expense: — · Firm income: $60,000

Matched citations: S 307

H.R. 3459118th Congress

Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023

2024 · first_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions involving FAA safety initiatives pertaining to air traffic controller fatigue Monitored HR 3459 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored S 307 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Monitored discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored appointments to federally designated agencies Monitored discussions on aviation safety

Client expense: — · Firm income: $60,000

Matched citations: HR 3459

S. 307118th Congress

Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023

2024 · first_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Discussions involving FAA safety initiatives pertaining to air traffic controller fatigue Monitored HR 3459 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored S 307 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Monitored discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored appointments to federally designated agencies Monitored discussions on aviation safety

Client expense: — · Firm income: $60,000

Matched citations: S 307

H.R. 3459118th Congress

Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023

2023 · fourth_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Monitored FAA safety initiatives pertaining to air traffic controller fatigue Monitored HR 3459 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored S 307 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Monitored discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored appointments to federally designated agencies Monitored discussions on aviation safety

Client expense: — · Firm income: $60,000

Matched citations: HR 3459

S. 307118th Congress

Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023

2023 · fourth_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Monitored FAA safety initiatives pertaining to air traffic controller fatigue Monitored HR 3459 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored S 307 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Monitored discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored appointments to federally designated agencies Monitored discussions on aviation safety

Client expense: — · Firm income: $60,000

Matched citations: S 307

H.R. 3459118th Congress

Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023

2023 · third_quarter · Firm: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC

Open original LDA filing ↗

Cited source text and reported amounts

Discussions involving cargo pilot fatigue regulations Monitored HR 3459 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored S 307 Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023 Monitored discussions regarding cockpit staffing requirements Monitored discussions pertaining to risk mitigation of aircraft cargo transportation of lithium batteries Monitored appointments to federally designated agencies Monitored discussions on aviation safety

Client expense: — · Firm income: $60,000

Matched citations: HR 3459

Source: Senate LDA