A former Navy fighter pilot is being nominated to run the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five years. Acting Federal Aviation Administrator Robert A. Sturgell will be nominated by President Bush for promotion to the permanent position. Sturgell was sworn in as the 12th deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration in2003. Sturgell oversaw the agency's day-to-day operations, capital programs and modernization efforts. Sturgell previously served former Administrator Marion Blakey at the FAA as her senior counsel. He held the position of senior policy advisor at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), where he served as the Chairman's primary advisor and coordinator on the NTSB's recommendations, policy programs and other safety initiatives. Prior to joining the NTSB, Sturgell was a flight operations supervisor and line pilot for United Airlines, flying the B-757 and B-767 in both domestic and international operations. Sturgell is also an attorney and has practiced aviation law. Sturgell is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and the University of Virginia School of Law. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters said “as a former fighter pilot with over three decades of aviation experience, Bobby Sturgell has worked tirelessly as deputy FAA administrator to fight congestion and modernize our aviation system while preserving the safest period in aviation on record. I urge the Senate to swiftly consider Bobby’s nomination and confirm him to a full five-year term.” The Air Transport Association of America said Sturgell’s “distinguished and varied background, in both civil and military matters, uniquely equip him to serve as FAA administrator.” Airports Council International - North America said he “understands the challenges and issues facing the airport industry, making his nomination particularly well-deserved." But the National Air Traffic Controllers Association opposes Sturgell’s nomination, saying he has been “an integral part of the systematic demise of controller staffing and abysmal labor-management relations.”