Aviation associations applauded the confirmation of Michael Whitaker as the next head of the Federal Aviation Administration. The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Whitaker – an attorney and private pilot – who will be returning to lead the agency where he served as deputy FAA administrator from 2013-2016. Whitaker currently serves as chief operating officer at Supernal, the advanced air mobility subsidiary of Hyundai, a role he has held since 2020.
Whitaker will serve a five-year term ending in 2028 and will become the FAA’s first permanent leader since Steve Dickson resigned in March 2022. Acting administrator Polly Trottenberg, who has been in the role since June, was prohibited from serving in the role past October 25.
In a statement released by the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), President and CEO Greg Pecoraro said that state government aviation agencies have had a longstanding partnership with the FAA in supporting the National Aviation System and they look forward to continuing that partnership with Administrator Whitaker.
While previously at the agency, he also led the FAA’s air traffic modernization efforts as the chief NextGen officer. Whitaker also stood up the agency’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office, the first FAA organization dedicated to UAS operations in the National Airspace System (NAS).
“Congratulations to Mike Whitaker on his well-deserved confirmation as FAA administrator,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We look forward to working with Mike, whose expertise will help chart a clear path toward a successful future for the aviation community.”
Lisa Ellman, Executive Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance said the dedicated professionals at the FAA and the entire aviation industry deserve the continuity and consistency that a Senate-confirmed leader provides. “We look forward to working with Mr. Whitaker to address long-overdue advanced aviation regulatory matters, such as enabling beyond visual line of sight drone operations. Only then can the U.S. fully realize the significant societal benefits of commercial drones and regain its position as a global leader in advanced aviation.”
NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna said the tremendous bipartisan support he received in both Congressional chambers and from a broad swath of industry stakeholders speaks to his qualifications as well as his character. “After more than 18 months without a permanent leader at the Agency’s helm, NATA looks forward to partnering with Administrator Whitaker to recruit a resilient aviation workforce within the FAA and the industry, usher in safe commercial operation of the next generation of aircraft and invest in our nation’s critical network of more than 5,000 airports – priorities he highlighted at his confirmation hearing earlier this month.”
“I am really pleased the Senate took action to confirm Mike and look forward to working with him to help pilots and to move GA forward,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “He’s a capable leader, knows aviation, knows the agency, and he’s a private pilot.”
