The nature of the work you expect from AOPA leads to much interaction between the association and two government agencies regulating aviation activities: the Federal Aviation Administration, operating within the larger body, the Department of Transportation. As AOPA's leader, I found numerous occasions last year to communicate our general aviation positions on a variety of topics to the heads of both of these agencies. Whether it was in writing, by telephone, or by personal visits at their headquarters or ours, we quickly developed a relationship of mutual respect. No, we didn't agree on every issue, but for one of the few times in history, both understood the operational requirements of what was being discussed because both were pilots.
Samuel K. Skinner, former secretary of transportation, loved to talk flying. On my first visit to his Washington, D.C., office, I was armed with a variety of topics, yet the meeting turned into a "hangar session" about airplanes, with his pledge to visit our AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland, within the month to sit down and go over the issues. A pledge, by the way, that the secretary kept early last year.
In January 1991, it was former FAA Administrator James B. Busey who invited me to visit his office for a private lunch that set up an open dialogue throughout 1991. From that point forward, Busey has always been readily available to answer telephone calls or hold meetings, more with a positive outcome for GA than negative.
Those in attendance at AOPA Expo '91 had an opportunity to see the pro-aviation attitude of both these government leaders and ask questions — Skinner by live satellite and Busey at an early Friday-morning speech. But at that late October gathering in New Orleans, I asked both about rumors that each was to be promoted by President Bush. While neither would confirm the fact, both answers pointed to change.
Less than 30 days later, the change occurred, and both were given well-deserved promotions to senior positions in the President's administration: Skinner to White House chief of staff and Busey to deputy secretary of the DOT. This left the two most important aviation positions in the country vacant.
Shortly after these promotions, Bush nominated Jerry Curry to be FAA administrator. Curry appeared before the Senate for a rushed, late-November, pre-recess confirmation, but some were concerned with his record at the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), and at press time, controversy surrounds his appointment.
Over the holiday season and into the New Year, all of us involved in aviation still wondered who would be the FAA administrator's new boss? Due to Jerry Curry's heavy military experience and often confrontational attitude with consumer groups while at NHTSA, we hoped for one of two pilots heavily rumored for the position. One was Busey, just promoted to the DOT deputy secretary position, a career Naval aviator with a Navy Cross for combat action and a heavy military and civilian flying background. The other, Carol Hallet, currently the first female head of the U.S. Customs Service, past U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, a former assistant to the secretary of the interior, and a general aviation pilot with more than 5,000 hours of flight time. Both, many aviation organizations felt, understood the complex aviation issues facing us in the 1990s.
Instead, Bush recently nominated Deputy White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card, Jr., to the top position at DOT. Ten secretaries have served in this post since it was established by Congress in 1966. The President can, and frequently over the course of history has, nominated political loyalists to this government position, regardless of specific transportation background. Some have been proven to be very capable, some have not. In addition to his loyalty to the Bush Administration, Card is a former civil engineer, worked in a computer company, and spent time at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He was also elected to the state legislature and, in 1982, made an unsuccessful run for governor of Massachusetts. AOPA's initial public reaction to Card's nomination matched that of many in the industry and in Congress; all felt that someone with stronger aviation credentials would be preferable.
However, AOPA worked with Card on the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) situation, where his New England back ground proved valuable. He was a good manager, an understanding listener, and helpful to this particular aviation battle. During the Senate Commerce Committee confirmation hearings in early February, Card showed poise and understanding. He indicated that his interest in transportation went back to his days as a Massachusetts state legislator, when he authored a comprehensive "white paper" on state transportation problems and opportunities.
It is expected that the secretary will be confirmed by the time you read this, and AOPA will attempt to establish an early, meaningful dialogue with him, following up with factual and businesslike presentations of the GA issues that affect all of our members. While Card may not be familiar with many of GA pilots' operational requirements, Busey remains his deputy with a thorough background in this area. We will look to Card's apparent ability to listen and focus on problems and solutions as his strong suit in facing the challenges before all segments of transportation.
Strange as the appointments and policies set "inside the beltway" are, one thing is for certain: History since 1966 indicates that only one DOT secretary has held the position for three years, with the average tenure being just two years. Let's hope that this is the "Card" our general aviation hand needs and that we can play this hand as long as possible for the greatest rewards.
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