Main

Background

Mode S Technology

Interviews

Reports

Bibliography

Glossary

Other Links

Interview with Jack Ruina - 12/8/00

Originally asked to be head of ATCAC. Recommended Ben Alexander, the eventual chairman, instead. Ben Alexander has passed away. Larry Goldmuntz of the DOT formed the committe.

Larry Goldmuntz was one of the first people in the DOT that had a technical background, which was very rare." His background was that he had been part of a company which was doing some work in lasers. "His idea was that there had to have a blue ribbon commission reporting to the [secretary of transportation?? type too slowly, not sure what he said] directly reporting on air traffic control [missed something here] from a technical point of view

Ruina then suggested the person who should be chairman - Ben Alexander - who was an outstanding technical person, really one of the great people in his mind. Ben also happened to be a private pilot which "maybe was bad in the sense that he had a strong vested interest". Goldmuntz didn't know Ben, but it turned out that he did become the chairman and he turned out to be an excellent chairman, a "marvelous choice".