Huerta Confirmed as FAA Administrator

January 2, 2013 - While most of Congress' attention was focused on tax and spending questions, the U.S. Senate did complete the formal confirmation of Michael Huerta as FAA Administrator over the long New Year's weekend, ending Huerta's year-long role as acting administrator.

Jack Pelton, EAA Chairman of the Board, called Huerta personally on Tuesday to offer the organization's congratulations. Huerta had served as acting administrator for a year after Randy Babbitt's resignation in December 2011.

"We have had a good working relationship with Administrator Huerta and we look forward to that continuing," Pelton said. "He has been supportive of GA in several areas, such as setting up the FAA's fuels program office that will provide leadership in finding viable alternatives to 100 low-lead fuels."

Pelton also pledged EAA's support on recreational aviation safety matters and a continued positive working relationship that seeks solutions for issues that face EAA members and GA. EAA's philosophy on working collaboratively with federal agencies and the GA community to find solutions and create opportunities continues a half-century of relationship-building efforts that began with EAA Founder Paul Poberezny in the 1950s.

Huerta will serve a five-year term. According to POLITICO, his nomination earned a clear path after the November election. Prior to that, a hold had been placed on the nomination by outgoing Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), who wanted the presidential candidate who won the election to have an opportunity to present his own nominee.