Babbitt Submits Resignation To SecTrans LaHood (Updated with
DoT, AOPA Reaction)
ANN Real-Time Update, 120611, 2126: The
Washington Post is reporting that former FAA Administrator Randy
Babbitt was flying as the co-pilot aboard an FAA Cessna
Citation 560XL, N2, Monday morning, December 5th... some 36 or so
hours AFTER his arrest for DWI.
They have published an audio recording of the
flight. The Fairfax City Police have yet to
disclose Babbitt’s blood-alcohol level, but .08 is the
legal threshold required to levy charges of DWI, in VA.
Babbitt is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 2.
Original Report, 120611, 1711: The following
statement has just been received by ANN:
"Today I submitted my resignation to Secretary Ray
LaHood and it has been accepted. Serving as FAA Administrator has
been an absolute honor and the highlight of my professional
career. But I am unwilling to let anything cast a
shadow on the outstanding work done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
by my colleagues at the FAA. They run the finest and safest
aviation system in the world and I am grateful that I had the
opportunity to work alongside them. I am confident in their ability
to successfully carry out all of the critical safety initiatives
underway and the improvements that the FAA has planned. I also want
to thank Secretary LaHood for his leadership and dedication to the
safety of the traveling public."
SecTrans LaHood (pictured below) has issued a statement, as
well:
“As FAA Administrator, Randy Babbitt has been a
dedicated public servant and outstanding leader. I’m proud to
say that we have the safest aviation system in the world, and
thanks to Randy’s stewardship, it became safer and stronger.
He worked tirelessly to improve relations with the labor community
and bolstered employee engagement among his 49,000 colleagues at
the FAA. He led the FAA’s efforts to improve pilot training
and enhance safety for the traveling public, as well as those that
work in aviation. On behalf of the American people, I thank him for
his service and his leadership.”
AOPA President, Craig Fuller, has sent ANN a statement on this
news, as well:
"Randy Babbitt always impressed me as a principled
individual who does the right thing. Today, he determined that
means turning over the leadership of the FAA to Acting
Administrator Michael Huerta. As FAA administrator, Randy Babbitt
worked diligently to ensure that the U.S. aviation system remains
the safest in the world. We will respect and miss his leadership;
however, we at AOPA have full confidence that the commitment to
safety and the progress made over the past few years on a wide
range of issues important to our 400,000 members will continue
under the strong and effective direction of Acting Administrator
Michael Huerta."