Administrator Babbitt addresses EAA crowd at AirVenture2010
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:31 pm
I read this article online today. The administrator had some wonderful things to say about the LSA program. However, it is disappointing that he did not mention even one word about the dilemma that we certificated pilots have concerning our right and "permission" to fly under the Sport Pilot Ruling with a denied medical in our past and without having to go the unnecessary special issuance route. This would have been the perfect opportunity to at least mention it and update its progress.
FAA Administrator Connects with EAA Crowd
Posted by Fred George at 7/29/2010 1:43 PM CDT
More than 300 EAA members stuffed the "Meet the Administrator" forum at Oshkosh on Thursday, welcoming FAA administrator Randy Babbitt with unusually strong applause as he was introduced by EAA chairman Tom Poberezny. He said he's been coming to EAA Oshkosh long before he became the administrator.
He said he was "so impressed" with the success of Light Sport Aircraft in the aviation industry, pointing out that 8,700 new LSAs have been delivered since the ASTM validation standards went into effect in 2004. More than 3,500 pilots have earned licenses in LSAs in the past six years, according to Babbitt and their safety record is "marvelous". He said that the government / industry partnership in developing the LSA standard was a prime reason.
Babbitt reiterated his safety push, complimenting the general aviation community for continuing to reduce fatal accidents. But, he pointed out that night VFR disorientation, inadvertent flight into IMC and fuel exhaustion still account for a large portion of fatal accidents and that trend doesn't appear to be improving.
He believes that more frequent and rigorous training can help lower the accident rate, but "I can't make a rule to make people more professional". He does believe that all aviation organizations and pilots need safety management systems that identify specific hazards, implement solutions and look for feedback to determine the results.
Babbitt also said that FAA is committed to working with EPA and general aviation groups to find a "drop in" replacement for 100LL Avgas, one that's both technically possible and economically feasible. He assured the group that "there will not be any interruption in general aviation operations" as EPA, FAA and stakeholders work through complex issues.
The EAA crowd listened to Babbitt's now familiar push for FAA's Next-Gen air traffic management system, particularly when he said that ADS-B OUT avionics may not be any more expensive that a transponder in the future.
Responding to questions from the audience, Babbitt said that the Obama administration currently is not advocating airspace or airport user fees and that "it's not on the horizon right now."
FAA Administrator Connects with EAA Crowd
Posted by Fred George at 7/29/2010 1:43 PM CDT
More than 300 EAA members stuffed the "Meet the Administrator" forum at Oshkosh on Thursday, welcoming FAA administrator Randy Babbitt with unusually strong applause as he was introduced by EAA chairman Tom Poberezny. He said he's been coming to EAA Oshkosh long before he became the administrator.
He said he was "so impressed" with the success of Light Sport Aircraft in the aviation industry, pointing out that 8,700 new LSAs have been delivered since the ASTM validation standards went into effect in 2004. More than 3,500 pilots have earned licenses in LSAs in the past six years, according to Babbitt and their safety record is "marvelous". He said that the government / industry partnership in developing the LSA standard was a prime reason.
Babbitt reiterated his safety push, complimenting the general aviation community for continuing to reduce fatal accidents. But, he pointed out that night VFR disorientation, inadvertent flight into IMC and fuel exhaustion still account for a large portion of fatal accidents and that trend doesn't appear to be improving.
He believes that more frequent and rigorous training can help lower the accident rate, but "I can't make a rule to make people more professional". He does believe that all aviation organizations and pilots need safety management systems that identify specific hazards, implement solutions and look for feedback to determine the results.
Babbitt also said that FAA is committed to working with EPA and general aviation groups to find a "drop in" replacement for 100LL Avgas, one that's both technically possible and economically feasible. He assured the group that "there will not be any interruption in general aviation operations" as EPA, FAA and stakeholders work through complex issues.
The EAA crowd listened to Babbitt's now familiar push for FAA's Next-Gen air traffic management system, particularly when he said that ADS-B OUT avionics may not be any more expensive that a transponder in the future.
Responding to questions from the audience, Babbitt said that the Obama administration currently is not advocating airspace or airport user fees and that "it's not on the horizon right now."