Babbitt Asked For Leave After Informing Administration Monday

This was not a good weekend for FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. Late Saturday night, the FAA Boss was observed driving in the wrong lane in Fairfax City, VA,  a mistake that appears to be a costly one as the FAA leader has now been placed on leave after being charged with driving DWI.

No accident took place and Babbitt was alone at the time of his arrest. Babbitt, one of the most positively received FAA Admins in recent memory, was released on his personal recognizance after being taken to the local jail and ANN has learned (via the AP) that he has been placed on leave from the FAA.

Babbitt, 65, was sworn in as the FAA’s 16th administrator on June 1, 2009, and has been highly regarded in aviation circles for his comprehensive knowledge of virtually facets of aviation and a background that has spanned quite a lot of aviation activity... everything from having worked as a CFI to being a Captain for Eastern Airlines, and a past president of the Airline Pilot's Association..

The effect that this may have on Babbitt's future with the FAA is hard to discern at the moment but industry insiders suggest that such a matter, if corroborated by solid evidence, may be cause for the Administration to ask for his resignation.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.aero-news.net, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews