Discussions Included The Economy, Taxes, Safety, And More
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) wrapped up
its 2009 NATA Aviation Business Roundtable Monday after two days of
high-level meetings with some of Washington D.C.'s influential
policy makers.
More than 65 aviation business leaders met with key political,
policy and financial experts to discuss a number of critical issues
affecting the aviation community, including the economy, taxes,
safety, security, and the impact recent elections will have for the
2010 mid-term elections.
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt addressed NATA's concerns with the
agency's lack of standardization of regulatory interpretations.
Babbitt was candid about the FAA's challenge with inconsistent
interpretation of regulations between its regional offices and said
that while the problem is vast, they will work through it. Babbitt
also stated that "consistency with regulations should be addressed
so safety is not compromised."
Babbitt, along with DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, stated that FAA
Reauthorization legislation is a priority of the Obama
administration; however, health care reform has taken precedence in
Congress. Babbitt confirmed that the Next Generation Air Traffic
Control System (NextGen) will be rolled out in layers such as the
implementation of the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM). The
ERAM system will replace the core system air traffic controllers
use at high altitudes to track aircraft - increasing capacity and
improving efficiency in the national airspace system.
NATA President James K. Coyne introduced Governor of West
Virginia Joe Manchin as an enthusiastic pilot who understands the
value of aviation to his state and to the national economy. Manchin
said, "In the words of General Chuck Yeager, it is time to push it
as an industry, not back off." In response to negative publicity on
aviation, Manchin made a plea for aviation business leaders to
"tell your story before other people tell your story for you." He
is doing so by expressing how deregulation hurt West Virginia and
how business aviation came to its rescue.
James Coyne
Richard T. Santulli was given the very first NATA President's
Award for his work as a pioneer in fractional aviation as the
founder and former president of NetJets. John Burns, former general
counsel of NetJets, also pointed out Santulli's tireless dedication
as the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund Chairman, who helped to raise
money for injured United States military personnel and for military
dependants after the loss of their loved ones in the performance of
their duties. In accepting the award, Santulli thanked many of the
people in the room for helping him to achieve this recognition,
saying, "I have worked with the greatest people over the last 25
years."
Coyne summed up the event by saying, "With the number of
questions we still have regarding user fees, budget deficits
proposed by the new Congress, and the future prospects for aviation
business, NATA's 2009 Aviation Business Roundtable provided an
important forum for business leaders to interact with
well-connected speakers to understand what their options are as
they make their plans for 2010. I am encouraged by the willingness
expressed by FAA Administrator Babbitt and Secretary of
Transportation LaHood to work with the aviation community on
Reauthorization, NextGen and other issues affecting our industry,
and I am also pleased to have had an opportunity to honor such a
pioneer in our industry as Richard T. Santulli."