Coyne Looks Forward To Working With New FAA Administrator

NATA President James K. Coyne (a former member of Congress, by the way) has praised the United States Senate for confirming Randy Babbitt as the next FAA administrator. Babbitt is slated to serve a five-year term and takes over immediately for acting FAA Administrator Lynn Osmus.

Babbitt (pictured below), former president and chief executive officer of the Air Line Pilots Association, has more than 40 years of aviation experience. Last year, SecTrans Mary Peters named Babbitt to the independent review team tasked with evaluating and crafting recommendations to improve the FAA's implementation of the aviation safety system and its culture of safety.
 
"I applaud the Senate leadership for approving Randy Babbitt's confirmation as the next FAA administrator," stated Coyne. "Administrator Babbitt has a lengthy priority list to tackle over the next five years, including modernizing our nation's air traffic control system, and NATA and its members stand ready to work with him and his staff." 

Commenting on the importance for the new FAA administrator to work immediately with Congress to approve a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, Coyne stated, "It is clear that as the House approves its bill, that there is now momentum to pass FAA reauthorization legislation finally. I am hopeful that Administrator Babbitt's confirmation will carry us over the hump towards passage of a bill that modernizes our air traffic control system, rejects user fees, and invests in airport infrastructure."

FMI: www.nata.aero