OAPM Receives Recognition with LaHood: "The future is ours to win."
Thursday, February 07, 2013


Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in the Metroplex (OAPM) team accepts recognition with Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood.

The Washington, D.C., Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in the Metroplex (OAPM) team was recognized on Friday, Feb. 1, during the Washington Airports Task Force general meeting where Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood received the Williams Trophy Award.


Pictured left to right: Secretary LaHood pictured with the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York and United Airlines Capt. Marc Gittleman.

The Williams Trophy "is awarded to recognize those whose leadership, vision and dedication in the application of aviation or space has enriched the quality of life on earth."

LaHood received the award for participating in Federal Aviation Administration's Metroplex initiative and in the extension of the Metrorail to Washington Dulles International Airport, into Loudoun County, Va., among many other services.



LaHood began by noting the extraordinary efforts that have gone in to extending the Metrorail to Washington Dulles Airport.

"This is about all of you who have a vision for how you improve the quality of life, the quality of transportation, improve the economy and create an economic engine for your region of the country," said LaHood in accepting his award.

He also took time to recognize the importance of enhancing the Metroplex "for safety, for fuel efficiency and for on-time arrivals."

The OAPM team collectively expressed its gratitude:

"When working in a collaborative environment, we can achieve great successes that not only benefits the FAA, NATCA, and industry, but also extends out to hundreds of thousands of people. That is what Dave Perkins, Program Manager, Bennie Hutto, Article 48 Representative, and the D.C. team believe. President Obama stated, 'the future is ours to win, but to get there we just can’t stand still. Sustaining the American dream has never been about standing pat. It has required each generation to sacrifice and struggle to meet the demands of a new age. Now it’s our turn, we need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world.'

"The D.C. Optimization of Airspace and Procedures for the Metroplex (OAPM) team believed the future was ours to win. We saw a great collaborative opportunity to innovate and make a difference. The D.C. team has always been about doing the right things for the right reasons, and by redesigning the airspace and procedures within and around the Washington Metropolitan area, we have been able to maintain or increase the level of safety within the National Airspace System (NAS) while reducing controller/pilot workload, reducing flying miles and fuel burn for industry, which reduces the carbon footprint and is a win for everyone as we continue to work towards greener skies. 

"These achievements are a testament of true collaboration, innovation, and education that will serve as the basis for Next Generation Air Traffic. Today served as acknowledgment that the innovative path and vision the prototype D.C. team followed—through collaboration, dedication, and hard work—was ‘the right thing for the right reason.' It also showed that we can, in fact, make a difference and change the world by meeting the demands of a new age and not standing by."