Leaves FAA Post To Work On Behalf Of The Airlines

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 03.31.06 1045EST: It could be a shot in the arm for those who theorize the FAA and the ATA are in collusion over the issue of user fees. The Air Transport Association (ATA) announced Friday that former FAA assistant adminstrator Sharon L. Pinkerton has been named the organization's vice president of government affairs.

In her new role, Pinkerton will oversee several aviation-related issues before federal, state and local governments, and report directly to ATA President and Chief Executive Officer James May.

After serving as the assistant administrator for aviation policy, planning and environment at the FAA where she provided policy guidance and expertise to both FAA Administrator Marion Blakey and Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, Pinkerton will join ATA on April 17.

Aero-News first learned of Pinkerton's probable hiring earlier this week. When ANN contacted David A. Castelveter, ATA's Vice President of Communications, to confirm the story, he replied the news was "nothing but a rumor, and ATA never comments on rumor or speculation."

In her time with the FAA, Pinkerton managed the agency’s strategic performance and planning process, served on the US delegation to the 35th General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization, and successfully navigated passage of the $14 billion FAA reauthorization bill, in 2003.

For the past several years, Pinkerton's office has been spearheading the FAA's Flight-100 reauthorization proposal on the Hill, and has also been coordinating the FAA's new five year strategic plan also know as "Flight Plan 2004- 2008"

"Sharon is a highly talented and reputable aviation policy professional, with vast knowledge of the airline industry and demonstrated leadership skills," said May. "Her contributions have strengthened the foundation on which the Federal Aviation Administration is built, and those efforts have helped to ensure that our nation’s airlines will remain a key and positive influence on our national economy."

"Airlines are starting to turn the corner, after years of extraordinary challenges and painful sacrifices," said May. "Sharon will play a critical role in supporting the ATA mission of creating a positive environment for the nation’s air carriers, and she will be an enormous addition to the ATA senior management team. I am delighted that she has chosen to join our association."

"I am excited to be joining ATA and its highly regarded government affairs team. ATA and its member airlines clearly are dedicated to improving the health of an industry that has faced unprecedented uncertainty, and I am looking forwarding to complementing their efforts," said Pinkerton.

When asked to comment on Pinkerton's hiring at ATA, AOPA Media Relations Director Chris Dancy stated, "Although AOPA hasn't always agreed with Sharon Pinkerton, especially over the future of FAA funding, we respect her and wish her well at the Airline Transport Association."

"We look forward to the challenge of "crossing swords" with her," Dancy added.

ANN will have more reaction throughout the aero-community as soon as it becomes available. Stay tuned.

FMI: www.air-transport.org