Life After the FAA

AAR Corp—a Chicagoland-based global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company providing aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs—has named former Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen to its board of directors.

Mr. Nolen, 66, brings more than thirty-years of aviation experience across safety, operations, and regulatory affairs. In addition to his impressive FAA credentials, Nolen currently serves as the chief safety officer at Archer Aviation Inc., the California-based designer of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. During his FAA tenure, Mr. Nolen revamped certification requirements and airport-focused safety management systems. Prior to his ascension to the lofty station of Acting Administrator, Nolen served as the FAA’s Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety.

Mr. Nolen’s aviation experience began during his service in the U.S. Army, where he was an airplane and helicopter pilot and a safety officer. Following his military experience, Mr. Nolen moved into commercial aviation, becoming a pilot for American Airlines. There, Nolen transitioned to managing the company’s Operations Aviation Safety Action Partnership program before assuming a Senior Manager of Flight Safety position. He transitioned to Airlines for America, where he was the Senior Vice President of Safety, Security, and Operations, and to Qantas Group, where he was the Executive Manager of Group Safety and Health. Nolen later joined WestJet as Vice President of Safety, Security, and Quality.

AAR chairman, president and CEO John M. Holmes set forth: “Mr. Nolen brings a unique combination of commercial, government, and military expertise in aviation and a vision for the future of the industry. He will add to the breadth of experience we have on our board and help guide the continued execution of our strategy. AAR prioritizes the safety of flight in all that we do. We look forward to advancing our ‘Quality first. Safety always.’ culture by drawing from Mr. Nolen’s strong safety background.”

Mr. Nolen remarked: “I admire AAR’s proactive approach to safety, including fidelity to its corporate safety management system program. Safety is paramount in aviation, and I’m honored to join a Board with values tied so closely to my own.”

FMI: www.aarcorp.com