I am pleased to report that, just moments ago, FAA chief Randy Babbitt cleared Santa Claus for his traditional round-the-world holiday mission.
Said Babbitt: "Santa and his crew have always shown extraordinary professionalism. I'm certain they'll pull off this year's flight without a hitch."
The public is invited to follow Santa's progress on Christmas Eve at www.noradsanta.org via NORAD's famous SantaCams.
During the North Pole International Airport (NPIA) 90-minute check flight, Santa demonstrated precision execution of the pinpoint rooftop landing and takeoff maneuvers his extensive delivery manifest and single-night constraint require.
Babbitt also pronounced the sleigh's onboard equipment to be in tip-top operating condition, including the following systems:
- Deicing
- Reindeer propulsion
- Navigation
- Grinch/Heat-Miser avoidance system
Critically, Babbitt also verified Santa's crew manifest to ensure enough elves would be available to relieve Santa for proper pilot rest periods.
New this year, Santa and the North Pole elves have instituted several energy-saving measures.
Santa's wondrous sense of orientation will be supplemented by Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) technology to make this year's trip more fuel-efficient.
And Rudolph's bright red nose and other onboard sleigh lighting systems have been converted to energy-saving LEDs.
Thank you, Randy, for attending to this critical responsibility.
And thank you, Santa, for your faithful service (please check that list twice; I've been pretty nice this year)!
Ho, Ho, Ho. A good one,(and a safe flight), indeed!
Posted by: Joe M | December 22, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Hahaha. This is cute! Thanks for the norad santa link. :]
Posted by: wedding registry | December 23, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Unlucky me thought, i knew it when Christmas day just passed by.
Sad indeed..
Posted by: Gezonde Voeding | December 25, 2009 at 04:02 PM
Grinch/Heat Miser avoidance... NICE! Christmas is the best!
Posted by: Insulating paint | March 17, 2010 at 01:08 AM
That's wonderful - I think that's a great tradition. I also think the Santa tracker is a great thing too - kids can watch him on TV making progress around the world.
Posted by: Flood damage | May 30, 2010 at 01:16 PM
Like Santa needs clearance from the FAA. Yeah right - if Babbit wants to be a naughty boy he wont get any presents this year.
Posted by: Sacramento water damage | August 20, 2010 at 12:26 AM
Let's hope for a repeat of clear air and good flying for Christmas 2010!
Posted by: santa suit | October 29, 2010 at 09:19 AM