![who will replace Billy Nolen Acting Administrator FAA](https://dronelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/faa-logo-e1682351405998-291x300.png)
:
The move has been into consideration since May, when it was reported by Axios. Whitaker served as FAA Deputy Administrator through the Obama administration, serving under FAA Administrator Michael Huerta from 2013 – 2016. Whitaker was an attorney for TWA after which United Airlines. Whitaker then worked as Group CEO at Indian travel conglomerate InterGlobe. Whitaker has been with Hyundai eVTOL company Supernal since 2020: he currently serves as Chief Industrial Officer.
The appointment would offer stable leadership for the agency, lacking for greater than a 12 months. The FAA Administrator is appointed by the President and have to be confirmed by the Senate. The agency and has been with out a everlasting leader since March of 2022, when Trump appointed FAA Administrator Steve Dickson announced that he would depart the position mid-way through his 5 12 months appointment. Acting Administrator Billy Nolen was then named to carry the position until a brand new Administrator might be appointed: Nolen left the agency in June of 2023 to take a position with eVTOL manufacturer Archer Aviation. The FAA is currently under the leadership of Acting Adminstrator and US DoT Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg.
If nominated, Whitaker may have to be approved by the Senate. President Biden’s first nominee to the position was Phil Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport. Washington withdrew from the method after 9 months of delay as Senators questioned the depth of his experience in aviation and refused to advance his nomination.
The FAA is facing significant challenges currently. The 2018 FAA Reauthorization will expire in September of this 12 months: a brand new Reauthorization package has passed the House but stalled within the Senate. A series of recent runway incursions have led to renewed scrutiny over aviation safety. For the drone industry, a rule on BVLOS flight and definition on Type Certifications and more have yet to be defined.
Read more: