Lirio Liu of FAA International Affairs to Move Up on May 8

The FAA has named the new head of its Aircraft Certification Service to be installed once Earl Lawrence moves on to another role at the FAA.

Lirio Liu, soon-to-be erstwhile head of the FAA's International Affairs office, will become the new executive director of the Aircraft Certification Service. Her resume has seen her work as the executive director for operational safety in the Commercial Space Transportation Office, as well as a series of roles in the Office of Aviation Safety. Her experience during the 737 Max problem there will likely come in handy in her new role, as she was able to obtain an intimate working knowledge of the 2018 reauthorization provisions as they were being put into place. 

Her new spot will see her take charge of the certification office on May 8, just in time to oversee the 737 Max 10 brouhaha that's been simmering over that aircraft's likely delays and subsequent extension requirements. Her structural engineering background served as the basis for her work as program manager for Robinson Helicopter before her time at the Seattle, Washington Certification Office to oversee type certification of the Boeing fleet. 

The administration recently played a bit of musical chairs following the departure of Steve Dickson, who surprised many around the water cooler when he announced he would leave only halfway through his 5-year term. The change required some shuffling to cover his duties until his replacement could work its way through the political milieu in Washington DC. Billy Nolen was moved from his role as Aviation Safety head to acting administrator at the first of the month.

April 1st was also the imposition of the FAA's acting safety chief, Chris Rocheleau, who only days later was announced as the new chief operating officer... of the NBAA. 

FMI: www.faa.org