Michael Huerta named FAA leader
January 3, 2013, 05:16 pm
After serving as acting administrator to the Federal Aviation Administration for a year, Congress confirmed on January 1 that Michael Huerta will become the national aviation authority's permanent leader.
Huerta has been named the FAA leader at a pivotal time in aviation. The FAA is currently implementing its Next Generation Air Transportation System, the largest aviation investment in history, which will replace old ground-based radar systems and allow aircraft to use satellite global positions systems, enabling them to take more efficient routes, in addition to allowing air traffic controllers to handle more planes at once. The system is expected to reduce air traffic by as much as 10 percent once fully implemented, even with a growing number of passengers.
Huerta received the acting leader role at the FAA in December 2011, following a drunk driving arrest and subsequent resignation by former deputy administrator Randy Babbitt, even though charges were dismissed in May 2012.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Craig Fuller commended the Senate for confirming Huerta as the FAA leader.
“Huerta has a track record of listening to and working with the general aviation community," Fuller said. "This is critical for our industry as the FAA navigates through significant changes taking place in airspace, navigation, air traffic control and safety programs. He also brings recognized expertise to highly complex policy issues, which is especially important during this time of fiscal uncertainty."
Fuller said that when Huerta was a deputy administrator, he was an effective leader, adding that the AOPA looks forward to continuing to work with him on issues which are critical to general aviation.
General Aviation Manufacturers Association President and CEO Pete Bunce also praised the decision to name Huerta the FAA leader.
"We look forward to continuing our work with him on such critical issues as improving certification processes and practices globally, advancing NextGen and ensuring compatibility with SESAR (European airspace modernization), and furthering critical investments in general aviation safety and infrastructure," Bunce said. "Much progress has been made under Mr. Huerta’s direction and the general aviation industry looks forward to working with him to achieve much more in the future."
Since reaching a temporary deal which averted the fiscal cliff, Congress delayed sequestration for two months, a process which would cause a significant cut to the FAA budget and the loss of jobs for many airport personnel. With the fiscal cliff behind the U.S. and Huerta stepping into the FAA leading role, those in the general aviation industry are heading in a positive direction.
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