The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen yesterday welcomed US Senate confirmation of Bryan Bedford as the next permanent administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA, the US authority for civil aviation).

He is a longtime pilot with decades of leadership and management experience at regional carriers Mesaba Airlines, Business Express Airlines and, most recently, Republic Airways.

His selection to lead the FAA comes at a time of heightened focus on aviation safety and the need to transform the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system.

His confirmation as FAA administrator comes as federal agency leaders and Capitol Hill lawmakers are taking significant actions on ATC modernization, following a series of high-profile aviation incidents and accidents that highlight the need for significant investments in ATC technologies, staffing, facilities and other infrastructure.

In May, the US Department of Transportation unveiled a detailed plan to implement needed ATC upgrades. A budget reconciliation bill recently passed by Congress includes a provision allocating $12.52 billion as a downpayment for ATC transformation. Both actions are strongly supported by the Modern Skies Coalition of more than 50 international aviation stakeholder groups, including NBAA.

In welcoming Bedford as the FAA’s new administrator, Bolen also recognized acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau for his guidance and leadership throughout an unprecedented moment for the country’s aviation industry (see for details AVIONEWS). 

Bedford is slated to serve a five-year term as FAA administrator.

See for details AVIONEWS 1 and 2.