On Sept. 13, ARSA joined 27 organizations including ally trade associations, labor unions, and business advocates in urging Congress to provide “permanent leadership and clear direction” for the American aviation safety regulator.

The group’s letter to Senate majority and minority leaders as well as the Commerce Committee’s chair and ranking member pressed lawmakers to:

(1) Prioritize confirmation of Michael Whitaker to serve as the permanent administrator of the FAA.

(2) Move forward as soon as possible on an FAA reauthorization bill before the Sept. 30 expiration of the current law.

ARSA and its members have dealt repeatedly with issues in management and leadership created by the cascade of “acting” positions resulting from the lack of a permanent administrator. Internal agency management problems were a key focus of ARSA’s 2022 Leadership Roundtables, with reports from both Aircraft Certification and Flight Standards of problematic workforce readiness. The installation of David Boulter as associated administrator for aviation safety is a step in the right direction, particularly for AVS leadership stabilization, but the top role in the agency must be pulled from the carousel of actors that has rotated through the position in absence of a full time administrator.

“A completed FAA reauthorization bill and a confirmed administrator in 2023 will contribute in a substantial fashion to strengthening the agency’s efforts in advancing safety, efficiency, infrastructure, and innovation, supporting the FAA’s workforce, and enhancing the jobs and global competitiveness of the U.S. aviation industry,” the letter said.

To see the full letter, click here.

For coverage of Congress’ efforts to reauthorize the FAA, visit arsa.org/faa-reauthorization-2023.

In addition to ARSA, the following organizations signed the letter:

Aerospace Industries Association
Aircraft Electronics Association
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Airports Council International – North America
Air Traffic Control Association
American Association of Airport Executives
Association of Flight Attendants – CWA
Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International
Aviation Technician Education Council
Cargo Airline Association
Commercial Drone Alliance
Experimental Aircraft Association
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Helicopter Association International
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
International Council of Air Shows
National Agricultural Aviation Association
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Air Transportation Association
National Association of State Aviation Officials
National Business Aviation Association
NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots
Professional Aviation Safety Specialists
Recreational Aviation Foundation
Small UAV Coalition
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Vertical Flight Society

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