President Biden has just announced a new nominee for the role of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator. Based on what we know so far, I’m impressed by his choice…
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President Biden nominates new FAA Adminsitrator
President Biden has revealed his intent to nominate Michael G. Whitaker to serve as Administrator of the FAA. Whitaker is currently Chief Operating Officer of Supernal, a Hyundai Motor Group company designing an electric advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicle, where he oversees all commercial and key business operations.
Previously, from 2013 until 2016, Whitaker served as Deputy Administrator at the FAA. There, he worked to successfully transition the air traffic control system from radar to a satellite-enabled surveillance technology (ABS-B).
Prior to that, he served as Group CEO of InterGlobe Enterprises, India’s largest travel conglomerate and operator of India’s largest airline, IndiGo. Whitaker also worked at United Airlines for 15 years, where he worked in variety of senior roles, involving commercial alliances and joint ventures, international and regulatory affairs, and strategic counsel to the CEO.
Prior to that, Whitaker started his career as a litigator, then as an Assistant General Counsel of international and regulatory affairs at Trans World Airlines (TWA). He is also a private pilot, and holds a juris doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
The FAA urgently needs an Administrator
The FAA has been without a confirmed Administrator since March 2022, when previous FAA Administrator Steve Dickson resigned. In July 2022, Biden nominated Phil Washington as Administrator of the FAA.
Washington had a lot of airport experience, as he was CEO of Denver International Airport, and for six years prior to that he was the CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. However, he otherwise lacked airline experience.
Washington was facing quite a bit of political scrutiny when it comes to getting confirmed for the position. In March 2023, he finally withdrew his nomination, as many people questioned his airline experience, and ability to lead the FAA.
I didn’t know a whole lot about Whitaker prior to this announcement, but on the surface he seems like a great nominee. He has been in the aviation industry for three decades, and has an incredible breadth of experience, ranging from already working at the FAA, to having a variety of roles at airlines and in aviation startups.
Assuming he’s as qualified as he sounds, hopefully he’s confirmed soon, because we need an FAA Administrator, given all the constraints that our aviation system faces.
Bottom line
President Biden has nominated Michael Whitaker as FAA Administrator. He has been in the aviation industry for decades, and has worked at airlines, at air mobility vehicle startups, and even spent 15 years at United. On the surface he seems pretty qualified, so hopefully the confirmation process happens quickly.
What do you make of Whitaker being nominated as FAA Administrator?
I highly doubt a new administrator will fix much. Granted thats just little old me in the air traffic side of things. But when you have completely broken facilities that require gutting from district management down to fix, the solutions might seem too difficult to consider. Bottom line for ATC: Open a second academy ASAP or restart programs to teach people Atc that bypass the academy entirely. Not sure why they ever got rid of the one in Minnesota.
I don't expect the party of bad faith to operate any differently with a nominee who has stellar qualifications. Republicans will probably only confirm an anti-abortion nominee whose top leadership priority is addressing the "Woke Agenda" at the FAA, whatever that even is.
ADS-B
Despite being pedantic, I will point out the degree is juris doctor. It is not a juris doctorate, despite commonly being called that, albeit erroneously.
Despite being pedantic, I'll let that one go this time