AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2023 - 10

AOPA ACTION
TOP STOR IES /
New FAA administrator nominated
AOPA applauds experienced choice
MI CHAEL WH I TAK E R , who has spent
more than three decades in aviation leadership
positions, has been nominated by
the White House as the next administrator
of the FAA.
The role marks a return to the FAA for
Whitaker, who served as the agency's deputy
administrator and chief NextGen officer
from 2013 to 2016. He worked closely with
then-Administrator Michael Huerta to run
the world's busiest, most complex, and safest
airspace and air traffic control system.
Whitaker began his career as an attorney
for Trans World Airlines in New
York and Washington, D.C., then spent
15 years at United Airlines in Chicago,
where he served as senior vice president
of alliances, international, and regulatory
affairs. He has held senior leadership roles
at Supernal, a U.S.-based mobility service
provider that is developing an advanced
air mobility electric aircraft and a supporting
transit ecosystem. Whitaker also
AOPA, community rally
for threatened airport
ON AU G U ST 24 , the Common
Council in Portage, Wisconsin,
voted on a resolution that would
have considered closing Portage
Municipal Airport (C47) and pursuing
options to redevelop the
property. News of the pending closure
consideration broke on August
18, and in just a few days, AOPA
Airport Support Network volunteer
David Tesch had rallied dozens of
supporters.
Leading up to the vote, pilots, students,
and advocates gathered at the
airport to make their voices heard-
a show of support that culminated in
a standing-room-only crowd at the
August 24 council vote.
The council expressed intentions
to use the months preceding
10
AOPA PILOT / November 2023
the January meeting to review airport
operations, funding, and investment.
AOPA has offered to be a resource
during that investigation and planning
process.
" It was fantastic to see all the
passionate support for Portage airport
at this meeting, from people of
all walks of life, " said Tesch. " ...We
look forward to the newfound spirit
of cooperation between the common
council, airport commission, and the
aviation community of Portage. "
AOPA also lent a hand by issuing
a call to action in Wisconsin and
northern Illinois, asking our members
to call and email the Portage
Common Council and the mayor of
Portage to vote against the closure of
the airport.
served as global head of policy at Hyundai
Urban Air Mobility, and principal of his
own aviation and aerospace consultancy
after departing his first stint at the FAA.
" The aviation industry has had a significant
need for a permanent leader for
more than a year, and I am happy that
Michael has been nominated for the role, "
said AOPA President Mark Baker. " Our
close collaboration during his time as
deputy administrator gave us the unmistakable
sense that Michael knows aviation,
he understands how the FAA operates,
and he appreciates GA's needs as a private
pilot. I am confident that under Michael's
leadership, the FAA will address serious
issues that have loomed over the agency
and the aviation industry. "
City restriction
contested
A STAUNCH LEGAL warning was submitted to the city
of Torrance, California, after the city council voted to
prohibit many forms of aeronautical activity around
Zamperini Field (TOA) on the sole basis of noise control.
AOPA views this action as a clear legal violation
of federal law, as Title 49 of the United States Code
grants the FAA " exclusive sovereignty of airspace of
the United States. "
A letter in response to the action was submitted
to the city on September 8 by AOPA in collaboration
with several other aviation organizations. The signees
encouraged the city to suspend the action until the FAA
can verify whether the city is acting in legal compliance
with the federal agency.
More online
Read more about these stories and the latest from
AOPA's advocacy team.
aopa.org/advocacy
http://www.aopa.org/advocacy
AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2023

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