During this somber time, our hearts go out to all of those impacted by the tragic loss of AA5342, PAT25, and the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance Lear 55 over Philadelphia: first and foremost, the victims and their loved ones. NATA and our members also stand in solidarity with the commercial airline, military, and air ambulance communities during this somber time, and we express our sincere appreciation to first responders and FAA/NTSB investigators. The NATA team will continue to monitor developments and will keep our members apprised as we learn more.
As representatives of the aviation industry, we are as duty-bound to the facts as we are to our mission. Amidst the swirl of speculation and unproved theories, NATA is committed to fact-based reporting and information on behalf of our vital industry. Recent events have created a level of public fear, deepening our responsibility to rededicate ourselves to safety and demonstrate that we operate to the highest safety standards.
With aviation safety under intense scrutiny, NATA reaffirms our commitment to our core mission: empowering the safety, security, and success of the aviation business industry. To that end, we are emphasizing our role as connector between our members, Congress, and the Federal Agencies to foster technical expertise, sound policies, and collaborative efforts to ever advance safety.
NATA is encouraged by the appointment of Chris Rocheleau to serve as Acting FAA Administrator. We have experienced firsthand Chris’ collaborative spirit as both COO of NBAA and in his prior leadership roles at the Agency, and we appreciate his deep understanding of our industry’s value and its challenges. We look forward to his strong leadership under Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who demonstrated his commitment to furthering the safety and efficiency of the NAS during his confirmation hearing. These pillars are foundational to NATA and our partner industry organizations’ core missions.
We pledge to continue working with our members through the leadership of our policy committees to provide valuable resources and elevate safety culture throughout the industry. Know that we are always here for you and available as a resource, but especially in times of crisis.