Babbitt Testimony Before House Transportation Subcommittee

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt testified Tuesday before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, requesting nearly $16 billion for the agency next fiscal year.

In his first congressional testimony as Administrator, Babbitt told the committee, "Because aviation safety is my primary duty and I do not take that charge lightly: let me start by saying that this is a budget that enables the FAA to pursue our paramount mission — advancing operational safety throughout the National Airspace System."

That being said, I am aware that you don't have to turn too many pages in the newspaper to see that we find ourselves in complicated financial times. So I also want to stress that this is a fiscally responsible request that will help us deliver on all of our performance goals."

Of the $15.9 billion dollar request, $7.3 billion is for Air Traffic Control, and $1.2 billion for "aviation safety," Babbitt said. There is also a healthy appropriation for commercialization of space.

He also talked about the promise of NextGen navigation. "The equation is simple: run the system safely and look to the future through NextGen and commercial space investment. You'll be pleased to know that the budget funds the hiring of additional air traffic controllers, aviation safety staff, and NextGen staff as well." In the budget request, NextGen transformational programs, such as ADS-B, System Wide Information Management , Data Communications, and NAS Voice Switch are funded at $372 million. Approximately $392 million is provided for NextGen demonstrations, system development, and "enabling" activities.

The budget also requests $3.5 billion for safety projects at the nation's airports, including runway safety area improvements, runway incursion reduction, aviation safety management, and improving infrastructure conditions.

FMI: www.faa.gov