David Schaffer spent 26 years in the Federal government handling aviation issues.  From 1978 to 1984, he was an attorney-advisor with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) responsible for rulemaking and litigation involving consumer protection, small community air service, and international aviation issues.

From 1984 until 2004, he held various positions with the Aviation Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives.  From 1995 to 2004, he was the Staff Director and Senior Counsel of that Subcommittee.  While there, he was responsible for, among other things, legislation involving aviation safety, aviation security, airline competition, international air service, Airport Improvement Program, air traffic control modernization, war risk insurance, FAA reform, and for oversight of the FAA and NTSB.  He played a key role in the formulation of the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), Vision 100 – Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act, Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996, Aviation Medical Assistance Act, Pilot Records Improvement Act, Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act, and the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), among others.

Since 2004, he has been engaged in private practice representing clients before Congress and Federal transportation agencies and providing consulting services to various Federal agencies.

David was born in Rhode Island and graduated from Colgate University and Boston University School of Law.