The House voted in favor of a reauthorization bill in July that would have included raising the mandatory airline pilot retirement age to 67 from 65. But in February, the Senate Commerce Committee rejected that element of the proposed five-year, $105 billion FAA reauthorization measure.

According to a Reuters report, the mandatory-retirement-age extension is not in the bill agreed to by House and Senate negotiators. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill later this week.

• READ MORE: FAA Data Shows Student Pilot Numbers on the Rise

Among the provisions that are still included in the 1,000-page document are measures prohibiting airlines from charging extra for families to sit together; a required five-year period for airlines’ vouchers and credits to remain valid; and a mandate for 24-hour cockpit voice recorders. Not included, according to Reuters, were other “stricter consumer rules” proposed by the Biden administration.

While consumer concerns are prominent in the news about the agreement (it includes raising the maximum civil penalty for airline passengers’ consumer violations to $75,000 from $25,000), in large part, the reauthorization legislation addresses concerns over aviation safety following months of alarm over near collisions and quality-control discrepancies, primarily focused on Boeing.

• READ MORE: FAA Adopts New Rules for Air Traffic Controller Rest

The negotiator-approved version of the legislation addresses FAA staffing shortfalls in air traffic controllers (a need for 3,000 new controllers) as well as inspectors, engineers, and technical specialists. The five-year time frame for the FAA reauthorization bill also includes five years of funding for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

In a joint statement, Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) joined the top Republican on the panel Ted Cruz (R-Texas), House Transportation Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.), and top Democratic member of the committee Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) in writing, “…now more than ever, the FAA needs strong and decisive direction from Congress to ensure America’s aviation system maintains its gold standard…”

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

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That was the reaction of many throughout the aviation community Thursday when President Joe Biden officially nominated the former FAA deputy administrator with more than 30 years of aviation management experience as the agency’s top official. 

The FAA has been without an administrator since March 2022, when Steve Dickson resigned.

• FAA Administrator Steve Dickson Resigns, Cites Family Pressures

After weeks of rumor, the Biden Administration announced Thursday that Whitaker, who is currently the chief operating officer of Supernal, a company designing an electric advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicle, had been officially nominated to serve as FAA administrator.

“Whitaker served as Deputy Administrator at the FAA from 2013–2016. There, he brought industry and government together to drive the successful transition of the nation’s air traffic control system from radar to a satellite-enabled surveillance technology (ABS-B),” the White House said in a statement. “Prior to Supernal and his tenure at the FAA, Whitaker served as Group CEO of InterGlobe Enterprises, India’s largest travel conglomerate and operator of its largest and most successful airline, IndiGo.” 

He also spent 15 years in management at United Airlines.

“His broad portfolio at the airline included commercial alliances and joint ventures, international and regulatory affairs, and strategic counsel to the Chairman and CEO on international matters,” the White House said. “He is a private pilot and holds a juris doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He serves on the board of the Flight Safety Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes aviation safety globally.”

Biden’s former nominee, Phil Washington, withdrew his name in late March after failing to receive a committee hearing for eight months as several lawmakers raised concerns about his lack of aviation experience.

• READ MORE: Phil Washington Withdraws Nomination for FAA Administrator

“The FAA, the civil aviation industry, and the American flying-public deserve a leader with experience in managing large organizations and an aviation background to develop an aviation system that is safer, more efficient and technologically advanced,” Pete Bunce, General Aviation Manufacturers Association president and CEO, said in a statement Thursday morning.

“Having worked with Mr. Whitaker in his previous role as FAA Deputy Administrator, we are confident that his intimate knowledge of how the agency functions and interfaces with the Department of Transportation, Congress, and the industry will improve his ability to navigate the challenges now facing the FAA,” Bunce added.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) leadership called on the Senate to confirm Whitaker as soon as possible.

“The aviation industry has had a significant need for a permanent leader for more than a year, and I am happy that Michael has been nominated for the role,” AOPA president Mark Baker said in a statement. “Our close collaboration during his time as deputy administrator gave us the unmistakable sense that Michael knows aviation, he understands how the FAA operates, and he appreciates GA’s needs as a private pilot.” 

Whitaker’s experience with NextGen airspace modernization will be “essential” in leading the agency in the days ahead, according to James Viola, Helicopter Association International president and CEO.

“Vertical aviation is leading the future with advanced helicopter technology, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) operations, and continued innovation across the vertical flight sector,” Viola said. “As our industry moves forward, it is critical that the United States has strong leadership at the FAA to provide global regulatory guidance while continuing to set the gold standard in safety.”

The post Biden Nominates Michael Whitaker as FAA Administrator appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

In a March 25 tweet, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed the news, writing, “The FAA needs a confirmed Administrator, and Phil Washington’s transportation & military experience made him an excellent nominee. The partisan attacks and procedural obstruction he has faced are undeserved, but I respect his decision to withdraw and am grateful for his service.”

Despite being nominated for the position in July, Washington didn’t receive a committee hearing for eight months as several lawmakers raised concerns about his aviation experience and ability to lead the agency. While he faced heavy criticism from Republicans, Washington also lacked support from other key senators, including Kyrsten Sinema (I-Arizona), who expressed uncertainty ahead of a scheduled vote last Wednesday that was quickly called off.

Washington currently serves as the CEO of Denver International Airport—a position he has held for two years. Prior to that, he held several positions in transportation, mostly focused on bus and rail lines. He also served 24 years in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of command sergeant major.

• READ MORE: Senate Delays FAA Administrator Confirmation Vote

During his confirmation hearing on March 1, Washington failed to convince Republicans of his ability to lead the agency as he was unable to answer basic questions regarding aviation safety, pilot certification, and licensing, repeatedly stating that he is “not a pilot.”

The FAA needs a confirmed Administrator, and Phil Washington’s transportation & military experience made him an excellent nominee. The partisan attacks and procedural obstruction he has faced are undeserved, but I respect his decision to withdraw and am grateful for his service.

— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) March 26, 2023

Meanwhile, the FAA has been without an administrator for more than a year. The agency has faced numerous challenges in the last few months, including a NOTAM shutdown, flight delays, staffing shortages, and several concerning near misses at U.S. airports.

• READ MORE: FAA Proposes Extending Cockpit Voice Recording to 25 Hours

In fact, the runway incursion incidents led acting Administrator Billy Nolen to call for an FAA Safety Summit—a first of its kind since 2009. As a result of the summit, the industry called for more vigilance, and the FAA issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) that included a list of nine recommended actions.  

Lawmakers and industry both agree that a confirmed leader is crucial to ensure the FAA is operating at its full potential. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has been at the forefront of criticism for Washington.

“Given the significant challenges facing the FAA, this wasn’t the time for an administrator who needed on-the-job training,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). “The Biden administration must now quickly name someone to head the FAA who has an extensive aviation background, can earn widespread bipartisan support in the Senate, and will keep the flying public safe.” 

Cruz has repeatedly pushed the idea of Nolen to head the FAA given his extensive aviation background. “A well-qualified nominee such as Nolen would likely receive widespread bipartisan support and earn a quick confirmation in the Senate. Most importantly, the flying public would be safer and better off,” noted Cruz.

According to a White House official, the administration “will move expeditiously to nominate a new candidate.”

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