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July 24, 2008 FAA Inspection Bill Passes House
FAA inspectors would have to wait two years before taking airline jobs where they deal with their old government boss under legislation passed, 392-0, by the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The measure now moves to the U.S. Senate, where the measure is expected to easily pass muster. The bill is designed to keep air carriers and FAA at 'arm's length’. The legislation would force the FAA to adopt recommendations it has resisted in the wake of embarrassing oversight lapses of Southwest Airlines. The bill calls for the creation of an independent ‘whistle-blower’ office within the FAA, new rules to rotate inspectors every five years and a two-year "cooling off" period before agency inspectors can work for airlines. Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of the House Transportation Committee, has said the agency is too cozy with air carriers on maintenance compliance. "There is a culture at the FAA that is evolving and changing, and we need to change it more," he said. "Unfortunately, the FAA seldom acts until they are pushed into acting," said Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL), chairman of the House aviation subcommittee. "We hope the FAA gets the message." The measure would also require the FAA to conduct monthly reviews of its computer-based safety oversight system in which airlines largely self-report maintenance problems. Oberstar hopes the legislation would lead to more hands-on inspection of jetliners by FAA inspectors.The bill closely mirrors recommendations from a report this month on the FAA by Calvin L. Scovel III, the inspector general of the Department of Transportation. The IG report said the FAA balked at periodically rotating supervisory inspectors to ensure reliable and objective air carrier oversight and resists establishing an independent organization to investigate safety issues identified by FAA employees.
Partnership to Boost ATC Capacity
A new non-profit group seeks to deliver the economic and environmental benefits of a new, improved air transportation system. The Alliance for Sustainable Air Transportation (ASAT) aims to help accelerate implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) in the United States. The organization's co-founder, is Traver Gruen-Kennedy of DayJet. "Air transportation is a key ingredient in global business activity. If we want to drive economic development through aviation in the United States and around the world, our success must come through taking care of the health of our planet, and we must act quickly," said Gruen-Kennedy. "ASAT's work will assist the implementation of NextGen operating efficiencies and environmental benefits for the good of travelers, employees, partners, shareholders and our communities at large. It is our hope that these efforts will be a model for implementing similar partnerships in other parts of the world,” he added.Daily News Archive
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