acting Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Billy Nollen has announced his intention to step down this summer.
Continue reading below or listen:
The announcement comes shortly after President Biden’s first-choice candidate, Denver Airport CEO Philip Washington, withdrew from the appointment process late last month due to questions about his level of experience in the aviation industry. rice field.
The last few years have been plagued by a long-term lack of leadership and a series of emergencies for the drone industry, and the aviation industry in general.
FAA Director Michael Huerta, nominated by President Barack Obama, served from 2013 to 2018. Acting Secretary Dan Elwell served from January 2018 until President Donald Trump’s nominee Steve Dixon was confirmed in July 2019. No FAA Director has been confirmed by the Senate. It has been over a year since former manager Steve Dixon left the agency in the middle of his appointment in March 2022. Nolen was appointed acting administrator after Dixon left, serving for a year.
Dixon’s confirmation comes just months after a series of Boeing 737 crashes brought the agency’s safety certification process under close scrutiny. flight delays, a high-profile issue with the FAA’s NOTAM system in January, and a string of runway accidents classified as “near misses,” have the FAA making headlines.
In a memo to staff, Nolen, like Steve Dixon, said he needed to focus on his family as the reason for his retirement. is writing
FAA reauthorization is also looming as President Biden looks for a new candidate to fill the position. The House has concluded his March series of hearings on aviation safety, consumer flight experience, and the future of U.S. aviation. Negotiations on a reauthorization package over his proposed privatization of air traffic control failed in 2016, and it took Congress another two years to reach an agreement. Current FAA approval expires on September 30, 2023.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Missouri) released a statement on Nolen’s resignation, praising Nolen’s leadership but leaving the FAA’s top seat vacant. emphasized that he could not
“This should serve as a wake-up call to the President and his administration to fill the FAA’s growing leadership vacuum with top talent without further delay. As Congress works aggressively to reauthorize FAA policies and programs, it is important that we do not continue to lack these critical roles within the FAA.”
read more:
Miriam McNabb, editor-in-chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of professional drone services marketplace JobForDrones, is a fascinating observer of the emerging drone industry and drone regulatory environment. With her 3,000+ articles focused on the commercial drone space, Miriam is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and high tech she has over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, please email Miriam.
twitter:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to Drone Life here.
