Senate Postpones Action on FAA Administrator

January 3, 2008
Government, People

A Senate hearing on the nomination of acting FAA Administrator Robert Sturgell to become the next permanent head of the agency was canceled at the last minute on December 20. Committee aides blamed Senate fatigue and the approaching holidays for the confirmation delay.

Others charged that it was politics and Congress’s penchant for micromanaging the FAA. Sen.

Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) put a “hold” on the nomination until he is satisfied with the agency’s response to questions raised about the Northeast airspace redesign plan. He and Reps.

Rob Andrews (D-N.J.) and Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) complained at a joint news conference that the FAA had reneged on public statements that it would not activate new routes for airplanes taking off from Philadelphia and Newark Airports until this summer. But Rep.

John Mica (R-Fla.), ranking minority member of the House Transportation Committee, charged the delay was an attempt by Democrats to appease special interests. Sturgell, who was deputy administrator under former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, was named acting Administrator of the agency in October.

Menendez said the nomination now won’t be considered until late this month at the earliest. In August, general aviation interests and the airlines sent a joint letter to President Bush urging him to appoint someone quickly to run the FAA following Blakey’s departure.

Back

AOPA, NBAA Join Airlines in Fight Against Fuel Prices July 24, 2008 While the airline and general aviation groups couldn’t be farther apart on the issue of aviation user fees, they seem to have found common... [more]
FAA Grant Funds Illegal Charter Hotline July 22, 2008 The FAA has provided grant money to fund a hotline for charter operators to report “suspected illegal commercial activity,” according to the... [more]
Bisignani blasts EU ‘greed’ over emissions trading tax July 17, 2008 IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani lambasted European governments for their alleged greediness for environmentally inefficient taxes here... [more]
A silent opening to the daily air demonstrations July 17, 2008 As a dramatic contrast to the usual way of opening an air display, this 60th anniversary event features the first all-female parachute jump team... [more]
EASA prepares new flight crew licenses July 17, 2008 The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), established in Cologne, Germany, in 2003, has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for the... [more]