ANN Real-Time "On-Site" Report
While no one expected hugs and kisses between all the
participants at the 32nd Annual FAA Forecast Conference; many
attendees were none-the-less surprised to see strong hints of less
than impartial conduct as a pivotal panel composed of GA, Airline
and government officials started off the morning's discussions.
A short dissertation by the FAA's Nan Shellabarger, their
Director of Aviation Policy and Plans, set the mixed tone as she
noted a number of areas of growth, prospects of growth and a
cautiously optimistic tone. Shellabarger went so far as to opine
that the Commercial Airlines experienced a 3.7% growth rate in 2006
and should expect to see about 3.5% from here on out. She also
predicted that overall airline passenger numbers should double
(over the 2000 figures) by 2025.
Unfortunately; Ms. Shellabarger noted an alarming 2.7% drop in
GA student starts during 2006... a decline that she termed, "a
little worrisome."
But... it was the first panel that seemed to set up the battles
for the rest of the day. That discussion, entitled, "Next
Generation Air Transportation System Financing Reform & the
Future Aviation System," was "Moderated" by Jeff Shane, Under
Secretary of Transportation for Policy, U.S. Department of
Transportation (pictured below).
The panelists included Jim May, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Air Transport Association; Ed Bolen, President and Chief
Executive Officer, National Business Aviation Association; Greg
Principato, President, Airports Council International-North
America; Dan Elwell, Assistant Administrator for Policy, Planning,
and Environment, FAA; and Holly E. Woodruff Lyons, Republican Staff
Director and Senior Counsel, House Aviation Subcommittee, US House
of Representatives.
The last time ANN checked, we were under the impression that one
of the duties of a Moderator was to preside impartially over a
discussion of the issues of the day. If that's the case, Shane's
crack about his VLJ-related concerns over a "sky darkened by
dentists" flying such airplanes, seemed way off the mark. This
clearly displeased Bolen and thereafter, as May continued some of
the ATA rhetoric promoted in the past, Bolen took the time to
correct some of May's statements... even to the point of getting
May's acknowledgement of his corrections. Particularly troublesome
was May's continued insistence that every country in the world
treats all airplanes (in the NAS) the same way, unlike the
US... which was put down quite readily, once again, by Bolen.
However; after observing an opening panel with only one GA
representative and little support coming from the governmental
reps, we fear that the day seems set for continued anti-GA reaction
from the current administration and little opportunity for a proper
clearing of the air.
ANN is at the site of the Forecast conference and will be
reporting further on his event throughout the day.
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