GAMA, AOPA Welcome Peters To New Post

In one of the swifter confirmations of a nominee for a post in the Bush cabinent, on Saturday the US Senate gave its approval for former highway administrator Mary Peters to succeed Norman Mineta as Secretary of Transportation. Mineta resigned from the post in July, after six years in office.

"I am pleased that the Senate swiftly confirmed Mary Peters as Secretary of Transportation," said President George W. Bush. "Mary is an innovative thinker who will work with state and local leaders to confront challenges and solve problems. I look forward to working with her to reduce highway and aviation congestion, modernize our nation's infrastructure, and increase the efficiency of travel in our

News of the confirmation also brought reaction from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), which states it was pleased by the Senate's swift confirmation of Peters.

"Ms. Peters brings to the DOT a tremendous background in transportation issues and we look forward to working with her to promote general aviation safety and enhance our industry's ability to grow the US economy," said Pete Bunce, GAMA’s President and CEO. "There is important work to be done in the coming months and years and we are confident that the White House has chosen the right person to lead our nation’s transportation system."

As Aero-News reported last month, Peters served as chief of the Federal Highway Administration from 2001 to 2005... where she was an advocate of tolls for building new highways.

It is unclear whether that view may also be applied to the aviation sector... as some aviation insiders fear she might also support user fees -- tolls, by another name -- for general aviation pilots. Phil Boyer, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, says a dialogue on that matter has already begun.

"Mary Peters reached out to me before the Senate vote, and we began the dialogue on the future funding of the FAA and our opposition to user fees," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "I'm sure that will be just the first of our many frank discussions of issues important to AOPA members and GA pilots."

While perhaps best known for heading the Federal Highway Administration, Peters does have experience with aviation and general aviation. Prior to the aforementioned post, she led the Arizona Department of Transportation (DOT), which oversees aviation and 82 airports in the state, in addition to other modes of transport.

FMI: www.dot.gov, www.gama.aero, www.aopa.org