CAST Co-Chair Oversee Air Traffic Organization

On Monday, US Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters announced that Captain Henry P. (Hank) Krakowski has been selected to serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) air traffic organization.

Krakowski will lead the FAA Air Traffic Organization’s 35,000 controllers, technicians, engineers, and support personnel. As COO, Krakowski will oversee the operational and financial performance of the air traffic control system and the FAA’s research and acquisition programs.

Krakowski is scheduled to start his new position on October 1. His background includes all aspects of aviation, including flying, labor relations, air traffic and scheduling.

"Hank is the right person to help implement the next generation of aviation technology," said Peters. "His commitment to safety, outstanding operational experience, and leadership abilities will advance our efforts to modernize our nation’s air transportation system."

"I’m confident that passengers, aviation users, and the FAA will benefit from Hank Krakowski’s extensive aviation expertise," said Acting FAA Administrator Robert A. Sturgell.

Krakowski joins the FAA following a nearly 30-year career with United Airlines. As vice president of flight operations for United, Krakowski has been responsible for a worldwide staff of 8,000 employees and a $2 billion budget for all flight operations, flight training and standards, technology, and labor relationships.

Previously, Krakowski served as vice president of corporate safety, security and quality assurance.

Krakowski is a Boeing 737 captain. He has flown the Boeing 747, 737 and 727 as well as the Douglas DC-10 and DC-8. He has held various positions within United’s operations, including director of flight crew resources, responsible for pilot manpower planning and scheduling; and director of flight operations control, where he was responsible for flight dispatch, air traffic, meteorology and crew scheduling.

Krakowski holds a master's degree in business and management from National-Louis University and a bachelor's degree in aircraft maintenance engineering from St. Louis University.

For the past two years, Krakowski has served as co-chair of the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST), an industry and government partnership that has helped implement safety enhancements to significantly reduce the leading causes of commercial aviation accidents in the United States.

He also has served as chairman of the Star Alliance Safety Advisory Group, held numerous positions with the Air Line Pilots Association, and served in management positions at two previous airlines.

FMI: www.faa.gov