Needs To Bring U.S. Aviation System Into Modern Era

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, minced no words in his opening statement at the Committee’s confirmation hearing for FAA Administrator nominee Bryan Bedford, stressing the need for urgency in modernizing the country’s aviation systems and integrating cutting edge technologies such as drones, air taxis, and commercial spaceflight.

Sen. Cruz talked about the importance of the $12 billion designated for the FAA modernization efforts in the reconciliation bill currently under consideration by the Senate while also noting Bedford’s credentials with extensive experience as both a pilot and airline executive.

Sen. Cruz’s remarks:

“Today, we consider the nomination of Bryan Bedford to be the next administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.  Mr. Bedford’s nomination comes at a critical moment for the FAA. In January, American Airlines flight 5342 collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter—the deadliest accident in the U.S. in more than fifteen years.

“The accident, and air traffic control breakdowns that have occurred since, laid bare the vulnerable state of the U.S. air traffic control system.  The technologies are outdated, old facilities are understaffed, and the systemic issues that have plagued the FAA for decades remain unsolved. The stakes are extraordinarily high.

“If the United States doesn’t make critical progress in the near future, other countries—allies and adversaries alike—will become aerospace hubs at our expense.

“It is my hope that under the leadership of Bryan Bedford, the U.S. will lead the world in aerospace innovation and remain the gold standard for safety.

“For the last 25 years, Mr. Bedford has led Republic Airways, growing it from a fledgling regional airline to one with over $3 billion in annual revenues and more than 200 aircraft—all while maintaining a robust safety culture. As CEO, Mr. Bedford launched the LIFT Academy, the first airline-owned training academy to leverage modern technologies to train better aviators. LIFT Academy has created an affordable and state-of-the-art training for both aviation mechanics and pilots. It’s become a vital pipeline to address the industry’s workforce shortages.

“As a pilot, Mr. Bedford understands how important it is for pilots to go through rigorous training—both with real-world and simulator flight time, which is the best way to prepare for severe weather and extreme situations. 1,500 hours of mindless banner-towing is no way to train a commercial pilot.

“Mr. Bedford did all of this while raising nine children with his wife, Maria.

“The FAA is sorely in need of his steady leadership. No Senate-confirmed head of the agency has completed a full five-year term since 2018.

“Looking forward, the FAA faces numerous challenges. It needs to help get Boeing back on track. The FAA will have to integrate new aviation technologies like drones, air taxis, and commercial space launches. And it must accelerate the advancement of air traffic control. 

“Last week, this Committee released the Commerce title of the Senate’s reconciliation bill. We will provide the FAA with more than $12 billion to improve poor infrastructure and deploy better technology. Poor management over many decades left Congress with no choice. I have high expectations for transparency and intend to hold the Department of Transportation and the FAA accountable for implementing the improvements responsibly and promptly.

“I look forward to hearing about how Mr. Bedford will ensure the FAA is equipped to meet this moment and bring the U.S. aviation system into the modern era.”

FMI:  www.commerce.senate.gov/