Sumwalt Named NTSB Vice Chairman Upon Appointment

NBAA has commended the United States Senate for approving the nomination of Robert L. Sumwalt III (pictured, right) to an open seat on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The White House nominated Sumwalt for the position in June, and, upon approval of his nomination by the Senate, Sumwalt was named NTSB vice chairman.

Sumwalt, who served as a member of NBAA's Safety Committee, is a long-time aviation safety advocate and former aviation department manager for South Carolina-based SCANA Corp., a public utility company.

"NBAA is delighted to learn that the Senate has approved Robert Sumwalt's nomination for an open seat on the NTSB, and that he will serve as the Board's vice chairman," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

"Through his work on NBAA's Safety Committee, and in so many other areas, Mr. Sumwalt has shown a true commitment to aviation safety. The Board will benefit greatly from his knowledge and expertise."

The Senate voted its approval for Sumwalt's nomination on August 3. He will 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."

NBAA also signaled its support for the appointment of Mark Rosenker as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

"Mark Rosenker (below) has proven himself to be a very capable and knowledgeable acting chairman of the NTSB, and NBAA is pleased that the Senate has given its support for him to serve as chairman of the Board," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

"Mark has a very solid understanding of the business aviation community, and we look forward to working with him."

FMI: www.nbaa.org, http://web.nbaa.org/public/govt/letters/20051201sumwalt.pdf