Boeing Chief Alan Mulally Comments
On Small Aircraft Role Business Aviation 09/27/2004
Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Alan Mulally, who was the keynote
luncheon speaker during FAA's safety forum Thursday, conceded with
a smile that he didn't know much about small airplanes. Responding
to a question about how he thought general aviation safety fit into
the spectrum of commercial aviation safety initiatives, Mulally
said he couldn't speak to small aircraft safety, but that he had
learned more about small aircraft by sitting with FAA Administrator
Marion Blakey and Northwest CEO Richard Anderson during the luncheon.
He noted there was quite a bit of conversation about "small airplanes
and navigation, and who pays for it and who doesn't." Anderson has
been complaining over the past several months that GA has not been
paying its fair share for the aviation system, while he says airlines
continue to be overtaxed (BA, June 7/257).
