ALPA Calls for Michael Whitaker to be Named FAA Administrator | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Wed, Oct 18, 2023

ALPA Calls for Michael Whitaker to be Named FAA Administrator

Union Prevails Upon U.S. Senate on Eve of Key Vote

Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) president Captain Jason Ambrosi issued the following statement in advance of the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Wednesday, 18 October 2023 vote vis-à-vis the elevation of Michael Whitaker to the station of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator.

This is a critical moment to preserve American aviation’s role as the world’s safest air transport system, and Michael Whitaker recognizes that preserving our gold standard in aviation necessitates two, highly trained and well-rested pilots. The pilot training requirements that Americans depend upon to keep aviation safe continue to be threatened, and ALPA appreciates Michael's commitment to protecting our current pilot safety training requirements.

“The FAA deserves stable, long-term leadership to guide the safety and technological improvements that our system needs, and we urge the Senate to confirm Michael Whitaker as the next FAA Administrator.

Whitaker, an attorney, longtime aviation industry professional, and private pilot, served as deputy FAA administrator from 2013-2016—a role in which he headed-up the agency’s air traffic modernization efforts under the supplemental title Chief NextGen Officer. While no doubt ornamenting Whitaker’s CV, the air traffic modernization initiative has failed spectacularly of late to live up to its appellation.

Since 2020, Whitaker has toiled in the service of Supernal, the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) subsidiary of South Korean automotive giant Hyundai Motor Company. Currently, Whitaker serves the company in the capacity of chief operating officer.

Whitaker has served major U.S. airlines in a number of prominent roles, to include assistant general counsel for TWA, and a 15-year stint with United Airlines, during which he functioned as the Chicago-based air-carrier’s senior vice-president of alliances, international, and regulatory affairs. After leaving United, Whitaker was named Group CEO of InterGlobe Enterprises, the holding company for IndiGo, India’s largest airline.

While FAA deputy administrator, Whitaker stood up the agency’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office, the first FAA organization dedicated to UAS operations in the National Airspace System.

If approved Michael Whitaker will succeed Stephen Dickson, the FAA’s last permanent administrator, who stepped down in March 2022; and interim administrators Billy Nolen and Polly Trottenberg, who sustained the agency—more or less—over a 17-month absence of long-term leadership.

FMI: www.alpa.org

Advertisement

More News

Airborne 07.11.25: New FAA Boss, New NASA Boss (Kinda), WB57s Over TX

Also: ANOTHER Illegal Drone, KidVenture Educational Activities, Record Launches, TSA v Shoes The Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford to become the next Administrator of the FAA, in a ne>[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 07.10.25: ATC School, Air Race Classic, Samson School

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight ag>[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 07.03.25: Sonex HW, BlackShape Gabriel, PRA Fly-In 25

Also: DarkAero Update, Electric Aircraft Symposium, Updated Instructor Guide, OSH Homebuilts Celebrate The long-awaited Sonex High Wing prototype has flown... the Sonex gang tells >[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 07.10.25: ATC School, Air Race Classic, Samson School

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight ag>[...]

Rick Kenin New Board Chair of VAI

30-Year USCG Veteran Aviator Focusing On Member Benefits The Vertical Aviation International Board of Directors announced its new leadership officers in April, and all began their >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC