Dan Sullivan

I am also confident in the men and women that serve under you, and in the Service's ability to do all that we ask of it.

Good. We would like to work on that and--with our pilots on that initiative.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I would echo Senator Daines' comments. This is actually a great panel. So, really, really appreciate everybody's testimony.

We're fully on board with supporting the growth of ADSB; and whatever it takes to fill in the last pieces, we're going to be pushing for that.

I think it's an enormous issue, and we always--we just add more.

I fear that this kind of regulatory redtape--we're always looking for more dollars, but we're not always looking for ways to make our own permitting system more efficient.

No, nobody wants to cut corners, but--on the environment, on protecting the environment--but nobody wants 15 years for a permitting process.

I actually want to also encourage you to continue your focus on Essential Air Service.

In parts of Alaska, 41 below zero is just another day.

Are there specific challenges that actually relate to states like South Dakota or Alaska that are very big and yet have highly sparsely populated parts of the state?

What do you see as kind of the key top challenges that are inhibiting your ability to do your job better?

So you think that's striking the balance between, again, unique needs of states like Alaska and our economy, the issue of safety that you mentioned, and the environmental issues?

This is a really important issue for my state.

I appreciate your knowledge on that issue and my office will be following up with you for a little bit more detail on those matters.

These veterans should be viewed as some of the top candidates for jobs, as you well know--motivation, discipline, they have it all, right? This is a win-win for corporate America, for anyone who hires a veteran.

I think that is a great goal. I think that is something we should all be rallying around.

Not the White House or the Executive branch?

With policy direction ultimately from the Congress in the form of legislation?

I want to talk just a little bit about the budget.

I think sometimes people forget that word 'independent' and what it means and how important it is.

There were a lot of concerns that this was not done in a transparent manner, that this could increase cost to the FAA, this could, obviously, in my view, undermine safety.

I think finding that right balance between the needs of rural communities and the needs of the aviation system in its entirety is really a central theme that Congress needs to grapple with as we look at reauthorization.

The general aviation industry contributes over a billion dollars to our state's economy, as well as supports close to 50,000 jobs in the state

I can't imagine why we would not be encouraging this kind of training versus, with the stroke of a pen, not encouraging those students who have put literally years into training to get careers.

I would like to get you up to Alaska, and soon, if you can.