Expert Opinion
AIN Blog: NextGen? It's a Wonder FAA Gets Anything Done
Bedeviled by political gamesmanship and misfortune, it’s a wonder that FAA gets anything done, never mind NextGen.
As deputy administrator, Michael Huerta served as FAA's point man on NextGen. Now he's leading the agency as acting administrator. (Photo: FAA)
As deputy administrator, Michael Huerta served as FAA's point man on NextGen. Now he's leading the agency as acting administrator. (Photo: FAA)

Bedeviled by political gamesmanship and misfortune, it’s a wonder the FAA gets anything done—never mind accomplishing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). With the latest transition in FAA leadership, we’ve come full circle to the situation that prevailed when President George W. Bush left office three years ago, with an interim administrator and no reauthorization.

Much has happened in the meantime. Three years ago, Robert “Bobby” Sturgell was acting administrator, having succeeded Marion Blakey when her five-year term ended in September 2007. President Bush nominated Sturgell, a lawyer and former Navy and United Airlines pilot, to take over as Administrator. But the U.S. Senate, then and now controlled by Democrats, never confirmed the nomination.

Bill Carey
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