Adrian is Auckland bureau chief for Aviation Week, based in New Zealand. He covers commercial aviation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Adrian was previously based in Aviation Week’s Washington office for nine years, writing for a range of the group’s publications and covering many aspects of the commercial aviation industry. He has won Australasian and international awards for his aviation writing.
Prior to joining Aviation Week in 2002, Adrian covered aviation industry and policy issues for two other publishing companies in Washington. He has also worked for newspapers in Texas and New Zealand, covering a wide range of topics. Adrian graduated from Auckland University with a degree in history and English in 1992.
While FAA is meeting its targets for introducing RNAV/RNP procedures, the chief watchdog for the U.S. Transportation Dept. questions whether the agency is addressing the areas of greatest need.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is conducting a runoff vote after the two leading candidates for union president failed to win the necessary majority in an earlier ballot. The runoff will be between Ruth Marlin, a former NATCA executive VP, and Paul Rinaldi, the current executive VP. Notably, incumbent President Patrick Forrey will not be included in the runoff after finishing third in the main ballot. The term for NATCA officers is three years.
Senate legislation including Transportation Dept. appropriations for fiscal 2010 will not come up for a floor vote until September at the earliest — and could easily be pushed back further. Senate staffers say there probably won’t be a floor vote on the legislation this week, and then August recess begins. September’s floor schedule could be congested, particularly if Health care reform debate drags on. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the funding legislation last week.
