Departed FAA Chief Says More Needs to be Done

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), is also part of the

solution, and "the ADS-B contract award to ITT put in place the commitment to

acquire ground infrastructure."

She said the airlines are going to have to embrace the change involved.

"Regrettably, ours is a world in which we wait for the other guy to step up, and

then maybe we will, too. We need to stop the phenomenon in aviation of running

to the back of the line. Let's see a push to be among the first to

equip...Aviation can no longer afford for the full-performance fleet to be the

exception."

In a recurring theme, Blakey said the U.S. Congress needs to accept a new

paradigm. "Not only is the technology in place to reduce the number of air

traffic control facilities, but it offers major benefits in service and safety.

Bottom line: the taxpayer shouldn't be expected to pay for a scenario that

outdated technology once made mandatory.

"Failure to move forward on the (FAA) reauthorization is a tacit

acceptance of gridlock. Except this time, when the modernization programs lag

behind, we'll all know that it wasn't mismanagement by the FAA that allowed it

to happen.

"And status quo legislation for a few years is much more risky than

taking on the tough financing questions now and addressing the heart of the

problem -- the need for a stable, cost-based funding stream that allows for

adequate, dependable investment" Blackey stated.

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