Mike Whitaker to be Vetted by Senate—Possibly

The Biden White House is making ready to name Mike Whitaker—a former FAA Deputy Administrator (2013-2016) under Obama-era FAA boss Michael Huerta—its new nominee for the long-vacant, permanent FAA Administrator job.

Currently, Whitaker serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Hyundai eVTOL subsidiary Supernal, a capacity in which he’s tasked with ensuring the company’s inchoate aircraft adheres to the regulatory conventions of the nations in which Hyundai intends to market the contraption.

Prior to joining the FAA, Whitaker functioned in a similar regulatory-compliance capacity for United Airlines.

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Whitaker will replace acting FAA Administrator Polly Trottenberg.

Phil Washington, Joe Biden's former nominee for the FAA’s top job, withdrew from contention for the position after fourteen Republican lawmakers—certificated pilots all—called upon Biden to withdraw his nomination. The cadre of GOP aviators cited Washington’s "zero aviation experience,” and his worrying ignorance of aviation principles, regulations, and orthodoxies.

FMI: www.faa.gov