AOPA president commends state senate for moving forward on FAA nomination
November 29, 2012, 06:13 pm
Craig Fuller, president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association, praised South Carolina Republican Senator Jim DeMint for his nomination of Michael Huerta as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Fuller added that the administration needs consistent leadership as many monumental changes are being made within the industry.
The FAA is currently implementing the Next Generation Air Transportation System that will replace old ground-based radar systems and allow aircraft to use satellite global positioning systems so planes can take more efficient routes. NextGen is the largest aviation investment in U.S. history and will allow air traffic controllers to handle more planes. It is expected to reduce air traffic by as much as 10 percent once fully implemented.
“NextGen will affect the global aviation system for the better,” John Porcari, deputy secretary of transportation, told a group of transportation industry stakeholders in September. “NextGen is the United States’ chance to continue to lead the world in aviation."
Huerta has been with the FAA since 2010 following a long career in transportation. He previously held jobs as the commissioner of New York City's Department of Ports, International Trade and Commerce and went on to become the executive director of the Port of San Francisco. In December 2011, President Barack Obama appointed Huerta as acting administration and was later nominated to serve a five-year term for the full-time position. Huerta has been working as acting administrator for the top position in the FAA since Randy Babbitt left the administration after a drunken driving arrest last December.
“Michael Huerta is well-qualified to manage the monumental changes taking place in the FAA airspace, navigation, air traffic control and safety programs that directly impact general aviation,” Fuller said. “As acting FAA administrator he’s been a big part of these changes so far, and the general aviation community should be heartened that his confirmation is finally poised to move forward.”
Before the announcement DeMint blocked a final vote confirming vote until after the presidential election, hoping with a Mitt Romney win, that the Republicans would be able to choose their own administrator to head up the FAA. Since lifting his objection, the confirmation process of placing Huerta in charge can now move forward.
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