Nominee Has Worked On Runway Incursion, Wind Shear Safety

On Monday, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) applauded President Bush for nominating Robert L. Sumwalt III to an open seat on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Sumwalt, a member of NBAA's Safety Committee, is a long-time aviation safety advocate, and former aviation department manager for the South Carolina-based public utility company SCANA Corp. The White House recently announced Sumwalt's nomination.

"NBAA commends the Bush Administration for nominating Mr. Sumwalt for an open seat on the NTSB," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "Mr. Sumwalt's firm grasp of a wide range of issues related to aviation safety has made him a tremendous resource to the business aviation community, and we are confident that he would be a great asset to the NTSB."

In order to be confirmed for an NTSB post, Sumwalt's nomination must first be cleared by the US Senate Commerce Committee, and a vote of the full US Senate.

A Senate Commerce Committee hearing to consider Sumwalt's nomination has yet to be scheduled. If Sumwalt is confirmed, he would occupy the NTSB position previously held by Richard Healing, who left the Board in August of last year.

NBAA sent the White House a letter of support for Sumwalt's nomination in December 2005. The letter reads, in part:

"[Sumwalt's] work on a variety of issues, including runway incursions, cockpit procedures, wind shear, and safety research and monitoring has directly contributed to the reduction of aviation accidents. As a trained accident investigator, NASA research assistant and aviation safety training instructor, Mr. Sumwalt would significantly strengthen the Board's aviation expertise."

FMI: www.nbaa.org, www.ntsb.gov