President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Michael G. Whitaker to serve as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President and CEO, Pete Bunce, released the following statement regarding U.S. President Joe Biden’s nomination of Michael G. Whitaker to be the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator:

“The FAA, the civil aviation industry and the American flying-public deserve a leader with experience in managing large organizations and an aviation background to develop an aviation system that is safer, more efficient and technologically advanced. We are pleased to see that the Biden Administration has nominated Mike Whitaker, who we feel possesses the leadership skills, management experience and aviation knowledge needed to lead the FAA. Having worked with Mr. Whitaker in his previous role as FAA Deputy Administrator, we are confident that his intimate knowledge of how the agency functions and interfaces with the Department of Transportation, Congress and the industry will improve his ability to navigate the challenges now facing the FAA. We also believe that Mr. Whitaker and Katie Thomson, the recently appointed Deputy Administrator, will be a strong leadership team for the agency. GAMA supports the confirmation of Mr. Whitaker to provide needed stability and direction for the FAA during this transformative time for aviation.”

Whitaker is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Supernal, a Hyundai Motor Group company designing an electric advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicle. In this role, Whitaker overseas all commercial and key business operations. Whitaker served as Deputy Administrator at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from 2013–2016.

The FAA is in dire need of long-term leadership following the departure of Acting Administrator Billy Nolen, who recently announced his resignation.