NBAA Commends FAA Administrator, Controllers For Redoubling Safety Focus

Contact: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org

Washington, DC, April 21, 2011 – National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen today issued the following statement on issues of air traffic controller fatigue and scheduling:

“For years, fatigue and scheduling have been critical safety issues across a number of aviation disciplines. NBAA commends the leadership of Federal Aviation Administrator Randy Babbitt on his action to promptly confront the challenging set of issues raised in recent air traffic control events with revised rules regarding rest time between shifts for controllers, and new safety-conscious procedures for setting controller shifts.

“Likewise, NBAA welcomes the commitment air traffic controllers have demonstrated to work with the Administrator on effective solutions to fatigue-related challenges. The controllers are key aviation safety partners for business aviation. Every day, thousands of business aviation flights in the United States operate safely under the guidance of professional air crews and the approximately 15,000 professional air traffic controllers in the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

“Aviation is the safest form of transportation in North America and that level of safety is due in no small part to the professionalism and dedication of our air traffic controllers, who safely guide us to our destinations every day. Business aviation especially relies on the professionalism of controllers, given the remote nature of many of the airports businesses rely on, and we welcome the steps being taken to ensure that the U.S. continues to lead the world in aviation safety.”

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

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