FAA Warms to Proposed Safety Changes

WASHINGTON -- Federal Aviation Administration chief Robert Sturgell signaled a readiness to compromise in a dispute that could change how the agency monitors airline safety, four months after revelations about lax oversight rocked the agency.

An aviation bill from House transportation leaders would force the FAA to adopt proposals by the Department of Transportation Inspector General Calvin Scovel (second from left, testifying on Capitol Hill in April).
Department of Transportation Inspector General Calvin Scovel, a former Marine officer, wants Mr. Sturgell, a former instructor at the Navy's "Top Gun" aviator school, to adopt two recommendations: Rotate supervisory FAA inspectors to ensure they don't get too cozy with airlines; and establish an independent body to investigate concerns raised by agency employees.

"We may move forward with some version of what the inspector general is recommending at the end of the day," Mr. Sturgell said.

Mr. Scovel has already persuaded Mr. Sturgell to embrace several changes. His position on the remaining points has won backing in Congress.

Last week, House transportation leaders unveiled a bipartisan aviation-safety bill that would force the FAA to adopt proposals by Mr. Scovel.

Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate, but quick passage is unclear, making Messrs. Scovel and Sturgell key to determining how far the FAA goes in adopting changes this year.

"We have consistently pointed out areas where we thought the FAA's approach was weak or misguided," said Mr. Scovel, 56 years old, in an interview. "We're going to follow on their heels."

Mr. Sturgell, 49, praised Mr. Scovel's work and indicated he may be willing to give a little. "We're trying to be thoughtful about the right approach to use," he said.

The overhaul efforts stem from probes that revealed, among other things, that an FAA office last year allowed Southwest Airlines to operate 46 jets that were long overdue for mandatory inspections. The FAA stepped up its scrutiny of airline maintenance, and one technical dispute with AMR Corp.'s American Airlines grounded 3,000 flights.

The FAA last week said it would spend $400 million over three years to install specialized lighting systems at major airports to reduce the threat of runway accidents. The agency also finalized rules on fuel-tank flammability that will force the industry to spend at least $1 billion in coming years.

Still, the FAA faces considerable pressure to adopt Mr. Scovel's slate of recommendations and overhaul its approach to safety inspections.

"I'm pleased that we're seeing some movement, but they've got a long way to go," said Rep. Jerry Costello, an Illinois Democrat who chairs the House Aviation subcommittee.

Mr. Sturgell said the discussions on rotating FAA supervisors touch on "how often, what percentage and why is it just supervisory and not all inspectors." He also said that a wave of FAA whistleblowers working with Mr. Scovel's office, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel and other outside groups suggests that "perhaps the processes we're using aren't meeting the needs of our employees."

Mr. Sturgell also must consider the views of the airline industry, which is pushing back against changes that would make the FAA less partner and more regulator. Basil Barimo, vice president of the Air Transport Association trade group, said rotating inspectors "has the potential of keeping good candidates out of those jobs," among other things.

For now Mr. Scovel has the momentum. Beyond the issues under disagreement, he says he isn't convinced the FAA will follow through on its promises.

"Right now, we have their verbal assurances at a very high level and generalized level. We want to see the implementation," he said.

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Fonte: Fligth Safety Information 22/07/2008.