Aero-TV: AirVenture Meet the Boss - Babbitt Addresses FAA Communication

On July 30th, 2009, Randy Babbitt took to the podium for the first time as the FAA Administrator, addressing EAA AirVenture attendees in the Honda Pavilion. With nearly 70,000 operations every day, and over 753 million people transported each year, the job of FAA Administrator is no simple task; yet, as Babbitt explained, he understands there are numerous ways in which the FAA can address current issues and improve the way in which the FAA regulates and connects with the general aviation community.

When asked what general aviation pilots can do to support better communication with the FAA, Babbitt reiterated the value of public input stating that the general aviation community has more eyes and ears to monitor the FAA than the FAA has to monitor itself. The FAAs Consistency and Standardization Initiative, for example, provides a process for which an individual who is dissatisfied with a decision made by the FAA Aviation Safety Office to have that decision reviewed by higher levels of management without fear of retribution. In addition, Babbitt emphasized the importance of upcoming efforts to ensure consistent regulatory implementation and timely communication. On September 17th, the FAA formerly announced the development of two new offices to improve transparency and responsiveness, the Office of Audit and Evaluation (developed to handle all public safety concerns more effectively) and the Accident Prevention Office (APO).

As an EAA member himself, Babbitt has an impressive background in aviation; receiving his certificate at the age of 16, Babbitt continued his flying career piloting such aircraft as the Douglas DC-9, Boeing B-727, and the Airbus A300. After his years at Eastern Air Lines (EAL), Babbitt served as president of the Air Line Pilots Association before being appointed to the FAAs Management Advisory Council in 2000 by President Clinton. On June 1st, the Senate confirmed Babbitt as the FAAs 16th Administrator, following Marion Blakey after the completion of her term in 2007.

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