EAA Sport Aviation - December 2010

My First 60
Days
Making the rounds with chapters and industry

IT’S BEEN 60-PLUS DAYS since I’ve taken the helm at EAA, and I can
assure you there has been plenty to do. Getting to know the EAA
organization, attending chapter events, meeting with pilot groups,
being introduced to the industry, and attending the National Business
Aviation Association (NBAA), General Aviation Manufacturers
Association (GAMA), and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
(AOPA) annual conferences has deepened my understanding of the
breadth and depth in which EAA serves our
members and impacts aviation in a profound
and purposeful way.
As an EAA member for 21 years, I can also
tell you things look slightly different from
the “inside” of aviation; that’s different in a
good way. For example, during NBAA’s annual
meeting in Atlanta, FAA Administrator Randy
Babbitt and TSA Administrator John Pistole
were among the opening session keynote
speakers. Both leaders expressed a positive
outlook in their agencies’ relationships with
our industry and a collaborative approach to
managing the key aviation issues of our time.
I came away feeling there may be
an opportunity for more meaningful
relationships and sensible solutions than
in previous administrations. Administrator
Pistole even referenced EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh not once, but twice during his keynote speech as an example
of the quality found in our industry, and for the exemplary model
of collaboration between agencies and industry. Obviously, his
experience at AirVenture had a favorable impact, as it does on so many.
Any aviator would have been pleased and proud of the way
Ed Bolen of NBAA and Pete Bunce of GAMA collaborated to
create the No Plane No Gain campaign to drive awareness of the
importance of our aviation industry to the Obama administration
and to Congress, reminding them of one of the largest exporting
industries in our nation.

The GAMA fall board meeting provided powerful insights to
the level of commitment and activity our industry directs at guiding
regulatory policy toward sensible solutions on matters such as 100LL,
NextGen, ADS-B, and light-sport aircraft safety.
Lastly, the AOPA Aviation Summit recently concluded with strong
attendance, plenty of forums, and the latest aircraft and equipment on
hand for attendees to experience.

ROD HIGHTOWER COMMENTARY / TOWER FREQUENCY

What is clear to me is the collaborative power of EAA and industry organizations to work together to strengthen the voice of the aviator. As regulatory and legislative process leaders realize this collaboration, they in turn welcome industry input, ideas, and guidance to improve safety and security in sensible, equitable ways.

THE TABLES TURNED

During the GAMA fall board meeting, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt moderated a session in which he asked a panel of association leaders questions regarding the topics of the day. Those leaders included AOPA President Craig Fuller, National Air Transportation Association President Jim Coyne, Aircraft Electronics Association President Paula Derks, NBAA President Ed Bolen, and me. Not only was it fun for the audience of industry presidents and CEOs, it was also excellent insight and understanding that I believe Administrator Babbitt will use effectively as FAA formulates policy.

Administrator Babbitt is a highly skilled and experienced pilot who flies the system frequently. His in-depth knowledge of the technologies used throughout aviation is impressive. More impressive is his understanding of the impact those technologies have on aviation, air traffic control, and airport operations. In short, he gets it!

Perhaps that is why we see the FAA hiring experienced aviation professionals in key leadership positions, such as EAA’s own Earl Lawrence, who was recently appointed to lead the FAA Small Airplane Directorate based in Kansas City. To me that is a sign of the culture change in the FAA and also a move toward alignment with the industry. That is certainly good for aviation.

The Reno Air Races, one of my favorite aviation events, can be summed up in a phrase: “Fly fast, fly low, turn left.” How fast depends on the type of airplanes and what class: Biplane, Formula One, Sport, Super Sport, T- 6, Jet, or Unlimited. And it’s a bronze, silver, or gold race, depending on how fast you were in qualifying rounds. Join us on page 40 as we introduce you to the “fastest sport on Earth” and the 2010 National Championship Air Races held this past September.