New FAA Boss Takes A Cautious Stand Within Minutes of Swearing In

The Boeing 737 MAX controversy, for all of its media-driven hysteria, is obviously of supreme concern to anyone working at the FAA these days... especially if you're the new Boss.

Right after brand-new Admin Dickson shook hands with SecDoT Chao after his swearing-in, Dickson started to set the language he'll be using as he goes forward with an extraordinary issue he became heir to, following two high-profile foreign accidents, a lot of verbal sword-play from elected officials (many of who don't know an aileron from their posterior) and the media hysteria and inaccuracies (of which there were simply too many to measure) that have overtly complicated the job at hand.

Dickson noted that, "At this moment, an entire fleet of U.S.-made aircraft is grounded due to two tragic accidents overseas. My heart goes out to the families of those who perished in Indonesia and Ethiopia. I want to again be clear: FAA is a safety-driven organization and safety is my highest priority. This plane will not fly in commercial service until I am completely assured that it is safe to do so. FAA is following no timeline in returning the aircraft to service. Rather, we are going where the facts lead us and diligently ensuring that all technology and training is present and correct before the plane returns to passenger service."

The coming days and weeks are likely to be interesting, especially as Boeing nears the submission of the flight test packages needed to validate the return to service for the 737MAX program.

FMI: www.faa.gov