Thu, Jun 18, 2009
Babbitt Testimony Before House Transportation Subcommittee
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt
testified Tuesday before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on
Transportation, requesting nearly $16 billion for the agency next
fiscal year.
In his first congressional testimony as Administrator, Babbitt
told the committee, "Because aviation safety is my primary duty and
I do not take that charge lightly: let me start by saying that this
is a budget that enables the FAA to pursue our paramount mission
— advancing operational safety throughout the National
Airspace System."
That being said, I am aware that you don't have to turn too many
pages in the newspaper to see that we find ourselves in complicated
financial times. So I also want to stress that this is a fiscally
responsible request that will help us deliver on all of our
performance goals."
Of the $15.9 billion dollar request, $7.3 billion is for Air
Traffic Control, and $1.2 billion for "aviation safety," Babbitt
said. There is also a healthy appropriation for commercialization
of space.
He also talked about the promise of NextGen navigation. "The
equation is simple: run the system safely and look to the future
through NextGen and commercial space investment. You'll be pleased
to know that the budget funds the hiring of additional air traffic
controllers, aviation safety staff, and NextGen staff as well." In
the budget request, NextGen transformational programs, such as
ADS-B, System Wide Information Management , Data Communications,
and NAS Voice Switch are funded at $372 million. Approximately $392
million is provided for NextGen demonstrations, system development,
and "enabling" activities.
The budget also requests $3.5 billion for safety projects at the
nation's airports, including runway safety area improvements,
runway incursion reduction, aviation safety management, and
improving infrastructure conditions.
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