Says Agency's Safety Goals Proceeding, But Need Funding

Editor's Note: Below is the complete text of the presentation made Friday by FAA Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell, before the Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies concerning the agency's $14.6 billion budget request for FY2009.

In his speech, Sturgell states despite a series of highly-publicized incidents of runway incursions and close calls in the skies, the agency has been "particularly aggressive in ratcheting up the level of safety." He notes out of 61 million commercial aircraft operations, there were 'only' eight runway incursions involving commercial airliners.

ANN expects to hear more details and arguments concerning the FAA's latest budget request -- as well as the stalled funding reauthorization plan, now stuck in the US Senate -- at the agency's annual Forecast Conference, which kicks off Monday, March 11. Stay tuned.

Good afternoon, Chairman Olver. It is a pleasure to testify before you, Congressman Knollenberg, and the members of the Subcommittee. We appreciate the opportunity to discuss the Administration’s budget request for the FAA in Fiscal Year 2009.

As the operators and regulators of the safest aviation system in the history of the world, we believe that our 2009 budget request of 14.6 billion dollars will provide adequate funding to support all our critical priorities — the priorities on which the flying public and the taxpayer depend.

Mr. Chairman, you have maintained many times that safety must be the FAA’s primary concern. That concern has been evident in your unwavering support of our critical safety staffing initiatives. Funding provided by the committee over the past two years is allowing us to increase our controller workforce by more than 500, and our safety staff by more than 400. Our budget request continues that emphasis, with more than two-thirds of our funding dedicated to our safety mission. This Subcommittee has been very clear that our industry’s already remarkable safety record today must be not just maintained but improved in the future. And I agree. We have to avoid complacency and strive for continuous improvement.

We’re being particularly aggressive in ratcheting up the level of safety, on our runways especially. Last year, only eight runway incursions involved commercial aircraft. That’s eight in more than 61 million operations. Even though the numbers are small, we are pushing to make a small number even smaller still. Just six months ago, I issued a Call to Action, a challenge to our industry partners that we need to step up our actions to make runways safe.

Together, we are answering that call.

We’ve had an incredibly positive response. The airlines and the airports have really stepped up to the plate in terms of focusing on quick turnaround solutions that have the potential to significantly improve safety. The call to action starts with things as simple as improving the markings and paint on taxiways at hundreds of airports around the country. That’s already taken place at 71 of the 75 airports that were mandated to do so, with more than 300 others committed to making the upgrades voluntarily.

But the call to action also involves more sophisticated activities, such as simulator training for scenarios from pushback through taxi.

As a former airline pilot, I’d also like to commend the chief pilots and chief safety officers. Our senior Flight Standards personnel have met with each of them. Frankly, without that type of cooperation, that urgency, that willingness to interrupt schedules that already are too busy, the Call to Action wouldn’t have been nearly as successful.

As this Subcommittee is well aware, we’re also using technology, specifically, runway safety lights, to make a difference as well. We’re testing them at DFW and San Diego. LAX wants them so quickly that it agreed to pay the full six million dollar cost to have this technology early next year. The bottom line:  they work. They’ve already averted one potential tragedy at DFW.

I think it’s fair to say that the very same push for technology with a focus on people is emblematic of our efforts with NextGen. In many ways, the linchpin for NextGen is the buy-in from stakeholders — industry and our employees. We’ve made sure that our stakeholders have a seat at the table. There will be no surprises as new technology and procedures are put in place. As you can see, the critics who’ve been saying "There is no NextGen” haven’t been doing their homework. We have a plan in place and participation from stakeholders and at all levels from seven different governmental organizations, including the White House. We have regular meetings to make sure that participation and collaboration are still in place.

We’re especially careful to use subject matter experts from the controller workforce. NATCA participates in four committees shaping NextGen. They are one of 16 members on the Institute Management Council, established by Congress with the specific intent to make sure that stakeholders have a say in the future of aviation. Controllers also are part of the Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee, the Air Traffic Procedures Advisory Committee and the Operational Evolution Partnership.

To be ready as our controller workforce retires, we have a major recruiting effort under way. Our most recent job posting drew more than 4,500 applications. We hired more than 1,800 controllers in ’07 and we’ll hire over 1,800 more in ’08.

In closing, I feel it appropriate to underscore that our 2009 request provides strong support for our staff hiring goals, safety and capital programs and NextGen activities. With respect to AIP, I understand the concerns about the funding levels, but our program proposal is designed to strategically target federal dollars to the airports where they will have the most impact. Further, the proposed PFC increase will add another 1.5 billion dollars revenue to the airport community.

But I must also say, that in the long run, without finance reform, a reliable revenue stream, each of these activities will be in a year-to-year state of flux. The constant need for short term extensions of our funding authorities does not serve the taxpayer or the flying public.

Thank you for your time, and I’d be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

FMI: www.faa.gov