- AOPA letter endorsing Carl Vogt for FAA Administrator

AOPA endorses former NTSB chairman Carl Vogt for FAA Administrator

January 14, 1997

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the 340,000 members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, I am writing to encourage you to appoint Carl W. Vogt to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Our next FAA Administrator will assume leadership of the agency at a critical point in the history of the aviation industry. Perhaps at no time in the past has the industry faced so many serious questions, all of which are essential to the continued health of the nation's air transportation system. Vital issues abound involving matters of safety, capacity, security, modernization, and funding of the system.

The Vice President has been quoted as saying that this position should be filled with someone who can be "an agent of change". Obviously, with all of the tasks noted above, AOPA agrees with this statement. In order to manage change, it is vital that the individual have the respect and support of the stakeholders in the aviation community - airlines, general aviation, military, cargo carriers, airports, and labor unions. To attempt the reform needed it is critical there be dialogue, compromise, and agreement from all constituents. AOPA feels that Carl Vogt can bring about this consensus in order to accomplish the necessary tasks and changes. In addition, the next individual appointed to the position will be eligible for the first time to serve a five year term as Administrator - a worthwhile reform which we support, but one which makes it all the more important to select the most qualified candidate available.

The next Administrator must be well-equipped to lead the FAA through the unique challenges confronting the agency. He or she must be respected, knowledgeable, and fair. The appointment must be seen as utterly free of even the slightest hint or appearance of political favoritism - particularly in light of the strongly held view within the industry regarding the need to divorce politics from the decision-making process within FAA. Finally, the next Administrator must be free of any pre-existing bias on the extremely controversial debate concerning the future financing of the air transportation system. An open mind and a willingness to objectively consider all sides of this stormy issue are absolute requirements if the next Administrator is to succeed.

In our view, Mr. Vogt's background and reputation clearly qualify him for the position. As you know, Mr. Vogt is a respected attorney who served for two years as Chairman of the National Transportation Board, from 1992 to 1994. In 1990, he was appointed by FAA Administrator James Busey as a member of the Aviation System Capacity Advisory Committee. In 1996, Administrator Hinson asked Mr. Vogt to serve on his Ninety Day Safety Review Committee chaired by FAA Deputy Administrator Linda Daschle. More recently, Mr. Vogt was appointed by President Clinton to serve as a member of the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security, better known as the Gore Commission.

In addition to his professional qualifications, Mr. Vogt is an experienced aviator. He holds a commercial pilot's license, and he flew jet fighters during his tour of duty as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Finally, Mr. Vogt is well-known and well-liked by his professional colleagues and by representatives of the aviation industry.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association represents the interests of 340,000 individual members who take advantage of general aviation aircraft to fulfill their personal and business transportation needs. We are pleased to have this opportunity to support the candidacy of Mr. Carl Vogt for appointment as FAA Administrator. Thank you for considering our views, and please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Phil Boyer
President

cc: The Honorable John McCain
The Honorable Ernest F. Hollings
The Honorable Slade Gorton
The Honorable Wendell H. Ford
The Honorable Bud Shuster
The Honorable James L. Oberstar
The Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr.
The Honorable William O. Lipinski