AAM Industry Shocked “After Michael Whitaker Steps Down from FAA Just Fourteen Months in to Job”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is experiencing another leadership change after Administrator Michael Whitaker last week made the surprise announcement that he was departing his five-year tenure after just fourteen months in the job, while choosing Donald’s Trump’s Presidential inauguration on January 20th to be his final day.
Whitaker brought extensive aviation experience to his role at the FAA. He previously served as Deputy Administrator and Chief NextGen Officer at the agency during the Obama administration, spearheading the modernisation of the air traffic control system.
Before returning to the Agency, he held leadership positions at the electric air taxi company, Supernal. Whitaker also spent 15 years at United Airlines earlier in his career in a variety of roles as Director, Vice President and Senior VP.
He took the helm of the FAA in October 2023 after the Senate, which is frequently divided along partisan lines, voted 98-0 to confirm his selection by President Joe Biden. In fact, the agency had been without a Senate-confirmed chief for nearly 19 months and a previous Biden nominee withdrew in the face of Republican opposition.
The AAM industry was delighted at Whitaker’s appointment. He was an ally of the new green aviation revolution and understood the trials and tribulations being faced.
Fourteen months on, a rather weary-looking Michael Whitaker while speaking to FAA members, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve and highlighted the agency’s commitment to safety. He also announced the departure of Deputy Administrator Katie Thomson on December 10th and named Mark House, the current Assistant Administrator for Finance and Management, as the acting deputy administrator.
The FAA has experienced significant turnover in recent years, with several administrators serving brief terms. Trump’s last nominee to lead the FAA, ex-Delta captain Steve Dickson, resigned in 2022, midway through his term.
Some suggest the role is a poisoned chalice. This rapid turnover has come during one of the U.S aviation industry’s most tumultuous periods, which includes two crashes of Boeing’s best-selling 737 Max planes and subsequent grounding, the Covid-19 pandemic, and a series of high-profile close calls and safety issues involving U.S airlines and airports.
Whitaker has had to deal with other challenges including a shortage of air traffic controllers, due to a growing number suffering from burn-out, as well as an industry facing antiquated equipment.
Some mainstream media like the UK’s Independent, even looked at a political angle to Whitaker’s sudden departure by mentioning his clash with Trump ally, Elon Musk, after proposing that his company SpaceX be fined over safety issues.
Fox News took this one step further by writing, “The FAA’s oversight of the space industry has also been the source of controversy. Companies including Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin have been urging improvements to the FAA’s speed and efficiency in regulating rocket launches and spacecraft returning from orbit.”
In September, Musk called for Whitaker’s resignation and harshly criticised the FAA’s decision to impose a USD633,000 fine for “regulatory overreach,” after the agency fined SpaceX for license violations and, according to the company, held up test flights of its Starship rocket.
Others have mooted the increasing stresses of the job including a far tougher enforcement policy against Boeing. Whitaker stated during his farewell speech, “This has been the best and most challenging job of my career.”
After his recent decisive Presidential win and an impending second term, Donald Trump has said he plans to oust many officials before their terms expire, but had not specified plans for the FAA with no new nominee put forward, yet.
Some view Trump’s recent victory as a positive for the U.S AAM industry. Immediately after the election, Archer, for example, posted Trump’s 2023 speech on X vowing to beat China in the Advanced Air Mobility race with plans to create ten new ‘freedom cities’ around the U.S that will employ electric air taxis and drones.
Just a few days ago during an interview on cnbc.com, Archer CEO, Adam Goldstein, reiterated his positive view on the incoming Republican administration.
(Watch from 45 seconds in to interview)
The aircurrent.com (TAC) has also taken a more upbeat position after first reviewing the challenges a new Trump administration faces.
In an article published this week, the website writes, “Whitaker’s departure has already sent shockwaves through the industry, with some industry officials interviewed worn down by the déjà vu created over fears of more temporary leadership gaps. The chief position is not the only one vacant: As previously reported by TAC, the FAA’s heads of aviation safety and aircraft certification are also open. Other new political appointees to be filled in by incoming President Donald Trump include the heads of communications, government relations and airports as well as the deputy administrator and general counsel.”
“I didn’t have that when I came into office,” Billy Nolen, a former acting FAA administrator, told TAC of this massive leadership gap. “I don’t think [former FAA Administrator Steve Dickson] had that. So that’s a lot. It’s a lot to take on.”
The feature continues, “With this cavalcade of FAA leaders headed for the door, an opportunity exists for Trump — and his allies, notably SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — to completely reshape how the agency does its work and install a new set of leaders more aligned with his industrial priorities.
“Both men, but especially Musk, have made their disdain for the agency known many times, publicly criticising its perceived bureaucratic bloat as an impediment to innovation. And while the rumour mill spins over who may replace Whitaker in due time, examining the window now open for Trump at the FAA is critical in understanding how the agency will continue to tackle its intersecting crises going forward.”
Therefore, it is quite possible the FAA along with the AAM industry may become supercharged by Trump and his incoming disruptor second term. As Goldstein says, “It’s going to be a very positive tailwind for the industry, where the new administration will really make sure America can maintain a leading position in aviation and the AAM industry.”
(Top image credit: Joby Aviation)
For the latest news, insights and content regarding the global Advanced Air Mobility market, please join the following eVTOL Insights channels: WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, X and LinkedIn.