John H. Shaffer
Encyclopedia
John Hixon Shaffer was an administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
from March 24, 1969 until March 14, 1973.
Most notably, he was the administrator during an en-masse calling-in sick strike of air traffic controller
s during 1969. In the summer of that year, Shaffer himself testified in front of a congressional committee, reporting that air traffic controllers were neither overworked nor underpaid. Shaffer's testimony, coupled with increased pressure on individual controllers to return to their jobs, Francis Lee Bailey
of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization stated "This guy Shaffer has got to go." The FAA and Shaffer were both later attacked by the PATCO for continuing to operate despite the low number of air traffic controllers.
On December 3, 1970, he testified to Conngress about aviation safety.
Following his retirement from his position in the FAA, Shaffer was involved in the ongoing debate over both the inclusion of Microwave landing system
s in civil aviation
during 1978 and to whom the contract for construction of such devices should be awarded, American
, British
or German
companies. Shaffer himself agreed with British assessments that the American manufactured MLS system was inferior and poorly tested.
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
from March 24, 1969 until March 14, 1973.
Most notably, he was the administrator during an en-masse calling-in sick strike of air traffic controller
Air traffic controller
Air traffic controllers are the people who expedite and maintain a safe and orderly flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system. The position of the air traffic controller is one that requires highly specialized skills...
s during 1969. In the summer of that year, Shaffer himself testified in front of a congressional committee, reporting that air traffic controllers were neither overworked nor underpaid. Shaffer's testimony, coupled with increased pressure on individual controllers to return to their jobs, Francis Lee Bailey
Francis Lee Bailey
Francis Lee Bailey Jr., commonly referred to as F. Lee Bailey, is a former attorney in Massachusetts and Florida. He was a criminal defense lawyer who served as the lawyer in the Sam Sheppard re-trial. He was also the supervisory attorney over attorney Mark J...
of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization stated "This guy Shaffer has got to go." The FAA and Shaffer were both later attacked by the PATCO for continuing to operate despite the low number of air traffic controllers.
On December 3, 1970, he testified to Conngress about aviation safety.
Following his retirement from his position in the FAA, Shaffer was involved in the ongoing debate over both the inclusion of Microwave landing system
Microwave landing system
A microwave landing system is an all-weather, precision landing system originally intended to replace or supplement instrument landing systems...
s in civil aviation
Civil aviation
Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices...
during 1978 and to whom the contract for construction of such devices should be awarded, American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
or German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
companies. Shaffer himself agreed with British assessments that the American manufactured MLS system was inferior and poorly tested.