FAA Gives Santa, Sleigh & Crew a GO for Launch

For Immediate Release

December 24, 2013
Contact: Kristie “Elf on the Shelf” Greco
Phone: (202) 267-3883

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today said Santa Claus, his elfin crew and the Santa One sleigh are GO for the annual round-the-world flight that will deliver presents to good boys and girls everywhere.

“This is my first holiday season as Secretary of Transportation, and I feel a special responsibility to make sure Santa’s flight goes off without a hitch,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

While there were no external changes to Santa One this year, FAA inspectors put in many hours ensuring that the sleigh’s systems – and especially its crew – met all applicable regulations. The agency approved installation of a state-of-the-art WiFi system so Santa’s helpers can use their Portable Elftronic Devices (PEDs) to connect with the internet. Thanks to the FAA’s policy change in late October, the elves may now use their PEDs from takeoff to landing to keep in touch with the North Pole.

The Jolly Old Elf himself will employ modern computer technology in the sleigh’s Captain’s seat. After an evaluation period, FAA inspectors gave Santa a thumbs-up to use a tablet computer instead of paper documents to store his flight plan, chimney approach charts and Naughty-or-Nice checklist.

“We’re helping Santa fly smarter and faster while making sure he has a safe and successful mission” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.

Pilot issues occupied much of the FAA’s Santa-related activities this year. Inspectors verified that Santa has an appropriate flight, duty and rest program, and that Santa One has an approved crew rest area. The FAA also confirmed that Santa’s First Officer, Amelia Elfhart, has the required 1,500 sleigh piloting hours and Santa One type rating. Santa made sure he could continue to serve as Sleigh Captain by completing a new FAA-approved Sleigh Transport Pilot training program.

A Turkish Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing in Irkutsk, Russia, on December 26.

The Boeing 737-900 plane was diverted while it was heading from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to Ulan Bator, Mongolia.

The plane landed safely. There were over 150 passengers aboard at the time; all of them remained unhurt.

The plane resumed the flight after refuelling.

The reason for emergency landing is not clear at the moment, although it is suspected that bad weather or a technical glitch might have prompted the decision.

We have come again to the twenty-fifth of December, the one day a year when the fire of hospitality and charity is kindled in heart and hearth, in the smell of pine needles and the laughter of children, the day of gift-giving, the light in children’s eyes, the day, to paraphrase the Grinch, that “doesn’t come from a store, the day that means, perhaps, a little bit more.” Okay Grinch, it means a whole lot more than a visit from St. Nicholas.

This year, may those who sit alone this year, may that those who are without, those who have no homes nor a holiday fire to circle around, find what they want and need.

This season is kind of like a boxing match, except instead of all the bouts of practice behind the scenes, the preparation is all the planning of gifting, the thought behind the choosing of gifts, the shopping, the choosing of paper and ribbons, the act of wrapping and tying of bows, the presenting of gifts leading to a day that hangs like a smile on the face of the world. It’s a day that is about both the journey and the arrival. Today shines like a bright holiday mirror reflecting all the days of Christmas past. Yet it is a time to be of the moment too. So let me wish you this, all my friends and all my family, and even the ones I don’t get along with the rest of the year: that you may have a Christmas to exceed all expectations. To all of my friends and family, to all of Los Angeles and America, to all of the world, my wish for the season—May you and yours have all your wishes granted, the Merriest of Christmases, and the Happiest of New Years.

A WestJet plane had to divert and make an emergency landing at Boise Airport in Idaho, on December 29.

The plane, heading from Calgary, Canada, to Phoenix, Arizona, was diverted after a passenger fell sick mid-air.

The plane landed safely. The patient was rushed to the hospital.

The flight resumed shortly afterwards.