Source: Maui Time, Maui News, Best of Maui, Maui Activities

The%20Exchange
The Exchange

by By Anthony Pignataro

March 01, 2007





WHO GAVE: David Chevalier—owner, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters



WHO RECEIVED: President George W. Bush



DATE: Nov. 13, 2003



AMOUNT:  $2,000



Very interesting story in the Feb. 20, 2007 Maui News. “When it

comes to making decisions on air safety,” writes News City Editor Edwin

Tanji, “Maui-based helicopter tour operator David Chevalier isn’t

waiting for the federal government to decide what the rules should be.”

 The story, headlined “Air tour operators taking safety into their

own controls,” mostly concerns Chevalier, owner of Blue Hawaiian

Helicopters, and his view that the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA) is so “slow” in approving new safety rules that he insists on

following “his own high standards for air safety.” But what’s really

fascinating is Chevalier’s explanation for the FAA’s glacier-like pace:

“I think it all comes down to funding,” he said. It’s a perfectly

logical and reasonable reason, but one that also flies in the face of

Chevalier’s 2003 financial contribution to the George W. Bush’s

reelection campaign. For the past six years, Bush has done wonders to

hobble agencies like the FAA. In fact, his current proposed budget for

the FAA includes more than $500 million in cuts that will hit air

traffic control, safety inspection and small airports that cater to

general aviation. “[J]ust this past Friday, the [FAA] Administrator

told us to expect about 30 percent fewer inspectors to be hired,” U.S.

Senator Patty Murray (D, Washington) said in May, 2006. “So with all

the requirements placed on our flight safety inspectors, their number

will still be well below the level the agency had back in 2003.”