Babbitt Confirmed as FAA Administrator

Congress has confirmed President Obama's choice of Randy Babbitt as new FAA Administrator. Babbitt is former head of the Air Line Pilots Association and an aviation consultant. Besides living from hand to mouth through a series of temporary funding bills, the FAA has also operated under acting administrators Robert Sturgell (September 2007 to January 2009) and Lynne Osmus (January 2009 to present) since Marion Blakey's term expired in September 2007. Despite his ties to the airline industry, general aviation groups have applauded Babbitt's appointment and supported his agenda to fast-track the NextGen aviation infrastructure plan.