Editing Federal Aviation Administration (section)

==History==
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2023}}

=== Background ===
The [[Air Commerce Act]] of May 20, 1926, is the cornerstone of the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. federal government]]'s regulation of civil aviation. This landmark legislation was passed at the urging of the aviation industry, whose leaders believed the airplane could not reach its full commercial potential without federal action to improve and maintain safety standards. The Act charged the [[United States Secretary of Commerce|Secretary of Commerce]] with fostering air commerce, issuing and enforcing air traffic rules, [[Pilot certification in the United States|licensing pilots]], certifying aircraft, establishing airways, and operating and maintaining aids to air navigation. The newly created Aeronautics Branch, operating under the [[United States Department of Commerce|Department of Commerce]] assumed primary responsibility for aviation oversight.

In fulfilling its civil aviation responsibilities, the [[United States Department of Commerce|U.S. Department of Commerce]] initially concentrated on such functions as safety regulations and the certification of pilots and aircraft. It took over the building and operation of the nation's system of lighted airways, a task initiated by the [[United States Post Office Department|Post Office Department]]. The Department of Commerce improved aeronautical radio communications—before the founding of the [[Federal Communications Commission]] in 1934, which handles most such matters today—and introduced radio beacons as an effective aid to air navigation.

The Aeronautics Branch was renamed the Bureau of Air Commerce in 1934 to reflect its enhanced status within the Department. As commercial flying increased, the Bureau encouraged a group of airlines to establish the first three centers for providing [[air traffic control]] (ATC) along the airways. In 1936, the Bureau itself took over the centers and began to expand the ATC system. The pioneer air traffic controllers used maps, blackboards, and mental calculations to ensure the safe separation of aircraft traveling along designated routes between cities.

In 1938, the [[United States government role in civil aviation|Civil Aeronautics Act]] transferred the federal civil aviation responsibilities from the Commerce Department to a new independent agency, the [[Civil Aeronautics Board|Civil Aeronautics Authority]]. The legislation also expanded the government's role by giving the CAA the authority and the power to regulate airline fares and to determine the routes that air carriers would serve.

President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] split the authority into two agencies in 1940: the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) and the [[Civil Aeronautics Board]] (CAB). CAA was responsible for ATC, airman and aircraft certification, safety enforcement, and airway development. CAB was entrusted with safety regulation, accident investigation, and economic regulation of the airlines. The CAA was part of the Department of Commerce. The CAB was an independent federal agency.

On the eve of America's entry into [[World War II]], CAA began to extend its ATC responsibilities to takeoff and landing operations at airports. This expanded role eventually became permanent after the war. The application of [[radar]] to ATC helped controllers in their drive to keep abreast of the postwar boom in commercial air transportation. In 1946, meanwhile, Congress gave CAA the added task of administering the federal-aid airport program, the first peacetime program of financial assistance aimed exclusively at development of the nation's civil airports.

=== Formation ===
The approaching era of [[Jet aircraft|jet]] travel (and a series of midair collisions—most notably the [[1956 Grand Canyon mid-air collision]]) prompted passage of the [[Federal Aviation Act of 1958]]. This legislation passed the CAA's functions to a new independent body, the Federal Aviation Agency. The act also transferred air safety regulation from the CAB to the FAA, and gave it sole responsibility for a joint civil-military system of air navigation and air traffic control. The FAA's first administrator, [[Elwood Richard Quesada|Elwood R. Quesada]], was a former [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] general and adviser to [[Dwight D. Eisenhower|President Eisenhower]].

The same year witnessed the birth of the [[NASA|National Aeronautics and Space Administration]] (NASA), which was created in response to the [[Soviet Union]] (USSR) launch of the first manmade satellite.  NASA assumed NACA's aeronautical research role.

=== 1960s reorganization ===

In 1967, a new [[United States Department of Transportation|U.S. Department of Transportation]] (DOT) combined major federal responsibilities for air and surface transport. The Federal Aviation Agency's name changed to the Federal Aviation Administration as it became one of several agencies (e.g., Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, the Coast Guard, and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Commission) within DOT. The FAA administrator no longer reported directly to the president, but instead to the Secretary of Transportation. New programs and budget requests would have to be approved by DOT, which would then include these requests in the overall budget and submit it to the president.

At the same time, a new [[National Transportation Safety Board]] took over the Civil Aeronautics Board's (CAB) role of investigating and determining the causes of transportation accidents and making recommendations to the secretary of transportation. CAB was merged into DOT with its responsibilities limited to the regulation of commercial airline routes and fares.

The FAA gradually assumed additional functions. The hijacking epidemic of the 1960s had already brought the agency into the field of civil aviation security. In response to the hijackings on September 11, 2001, this responsibility is now primarily taken by the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]]. The FAA became more involved with the environmental aspects of aviation in 1968 when it received the power to set aircraft noise standards. Legislation in 1970 gave the agency management of a new airport aid program and certain added responsibilities for airport safety. During the 1960s and 1970s, the FAA also started to regulate high altitude (over 500 feet) kite and balloon flying.
[[File:FAA Joint Surveillance Site Canton Michigan.JPG|thumb|200px|right|FAA Joint Surveillance Site radar, [[Canton, Michigan]]]]

=== 1970s and deregulation ===
By the mid-1970s, the agency had achieved a semi-automated air traffic control system using both [[radar]] and computer technology. This system required enhancement to keep pace with air traffic growth, however, especially after the [[Airline Deregulation Act|Airline Deregulation Act of 1978]] phased out the CAB's economic regulation of the airlines. A nationwide strike by the [[Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (1968)|air traffic controllers union]] in 1981 forced temporary flight restrictions but failed to shut down the airspace system. During the following year, the agency unveiled a new plan for further automating its air traffic control facilities, but progress proved disappointing. In 1994, the FAA shifted to a more step-by-step approach that has provided controllers with advanced equipment.<ref>[http://www.faa.gov/about/history/brief%5Fhistory/ FAA History] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702041843/http://www.faa.gov/about/history/brief_history/ |date=July 2, 2008 }} from official website.</ref>

In 1979, Congress authorized the FAA to work with major commercial airports to define [[noise pollution]] [[contour line|contours]] and investigate the feasibility of [[Noise control|noise mitigation]] by residential retrofit programs. Throughout the 1980s, these charters were implemented.

In the 1990s, satellite technology received increased emphasis in the FAA's development programs as a means to improvements in communications, navigation, and airspace management. In 1995, the agency assumed responsibility for safety oversight of commercial space transportation, a function begun eleven years before by an office within DOT headquarters. The agency was responsible for the decision to ground flights after the [[September 11 attacks]].

===21st century===
In December 2000, an organization within the FAA called the [[Air Traffic Organization]],<ref>[http://ato.faa.gov Air Traffic Organization] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070419014949/http://www.ato.faa.gov/ |date=April 19, 2007 }} Official website.</ref> (ATO) was set up by presidential executive order. This became the [[air navigation service provider]] for the airspace of the United States and for the New York (Atlantic) and Oakland (Pacific) oceanic areas. It is a full member of the [[Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation]].

The FAA issues a number of awards to holders of its certificates. Among these are demonstrated proficiencies as an aviation mechanic (the AMT Awards), a flight instructor (Gold Seal certification), a 50-year aviator (Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award), a 50-year mechanic (Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award) or as a proficient pilot. The latter, the FAA "[[Pilot Proficiency Award Program|WINGS Program]]", provides a lifetime series of grouped proficiency activities at three levels (Basic, Advanced, and Master) for pilots who have undergone several hours of ground and flight training since their last WINGS award, or "Phase". The FAA encourages volunteerism in the promotion of aviation safety. The FAA Safety Team, or FAASTeam, works with Volunteers at several levels and promotes safety education and outreach nationwide.

On March 18, 2008, the FAA ordered its inspectors to reconfirm that airlines are complying with federal rules after revelations that [[Southwest Airlines]] flew dozens of aircraft without certain mandatory inspections.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/03/18/air.safety/index.html FAA looking to see if airlines made safety repairs] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321214609/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/03/18/air.safety/index.html |date=March 21, 2008 }}.</ref> The FAA exercises surprise [[Red team#Airport security|Red Team]] drills on national airports annually.

On October 31, 2013, after outcry from media outlets, including heavy criticism <ref>{{cite news |title=If the FAA changes its electronics rules, you can thank a reporter |url=http://blog.chron.com/techblog/2013/10/if-the-faa-changes-its-electronics-rules-you-can-thank-a-reporter/ |author=Dwight Silverman |date=October 7, 2013 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |access-date= November 16, 2014 |archive-date=May 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525075115/http://blog.chron.com/techblog/2013/10/if-the-faa-changes-its-electronics-rules-you-can-thank-a-reporter/ |url-status=live}}</ref> from [[Nick Bilton]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://skift.com/2013/10/31/the-internet-is-thanking-nick-bilton-for-the-faas-new-rules/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525062418/http://skift.com/2013/10/31/the-internet-is-thanking-nick-bilton-for-the-faas-new-rules/|archive-date=May 25, 2015|title = The Internet Is Thanking Nick Bilton for the FAA's New Rules|first = Jason|last= Clampet|work = Skift|date = 31 October 2013|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bilton |first= Nick |title= Disruptions: How the F.A.A., Finally, Caught Up to an Always-On Society |work=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 9, 2013 |url=http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/disruptions-as-society-changes-a-brighter-future-for-devices-on-planes/ |access-date=July 28, 2019 |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930223922/https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/disruptions-as-society-changes-a-brighter-future-for-devices-on-planes/ |url-status=live}}</ref> the FAA announced it will allow airlines to expand the passengers use of portable electronic devices during all phases of flight, but [[mobile phone]] calls would still be prohibited (and use of cellular networks during any point when aircraft doors are closed remains prohibited to-date). Implementation initially varied among airlines. The FAA expected many carriers to show that their planes allow passengers to safely use their devices in [[airplane mode]], gate-to-gate, by the end of 2013. Devices must be held or put in the seat-back pocket during the actual takeoff and landing. Mobile phones must be in airplane mode or with mobile service disabled, with no signal bars displayed, and cannot be used for voice communications due to [[Federal Communications Commission]] regulations that prohibit any airborne calls using mobile phones. From a technological standpoint, cellular service would not work in-flight because of the rapid speed of the airborne aircraft: mobile phones cannot switch fast enough between cellular towers at an aircraft's high speed. However, the ban is due to potential radio interference with aircraft avionics. If an air carrier provides [[Wi-Fi]] service during flight, passengers may use it. Short-range [[Bluetooth]] accessories, like [[wireless keyboard]]s, can also be used.<ref>{{cite web |title=At last! FAA green lights gadgets on planes |url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/at-last-faa-green-lights-gadgets-on-planes/ |publisher=[[Fox News]] |access-date=October 31, 2013 |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101070053/http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/10/31/faa-oks-air-passengers-using-gadgets-on-planes/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2014, in the wake of the downing of [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17]], the FAA suspended flights by U.S. airlines to [[Ben Gurion Airport]] during the [[2014 Israel–Gaza conflict]] for 24 hours. The ban was extended for a further 24 hours but was lifted about six hours later.<ref name="IraqBA">{{cite news |title=British Airways CEO insists flights over Iraq are safe |url=http://www.theuknews.com/index.php/sid/224382415/scat/0f440bf3fff89f01/ht/British-Airways-CEO-insists-flights-over-Iraq-are-safe |access-date=August 2, 2014 |publisher=The UK News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808053222/http://www.theuknews.com/index.php/sid/224382415/scat/0f440bf3fff89f01/ht/British-Airways-CEO-insists-flights-over-Iraq-are-safe |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 gives the FAA one year to establish minimum pitch, width and length for airplane seats, to ensure they are safe for passengers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/27/airplane-seat-sizes-would-be-regulated-in-faa-law.html |title=House passes bill to require minimum standards for airplane seat size, legroom |last=Josephs |first=Leslie |date=September 27, 2018 |work=[[CNBC]]|access-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928073614/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/27/airplane-seat-sizes-would-be-regulated-in-faa-law.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr302/BILLS-115hr302enr.pdf |title=FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 |date=October 5, 2018 |access-date=July 28, 2019 |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803034132/https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr302/BILLS-115hr302enr.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.enotrans.org/article/summary-of-final-compromise-faa-reauthorization-act-of-2018/ |title=Summary of Final Compromise FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 |publisher=Eno Center for Transportation |date=September 24, 2018 |first=Jeff |last=Davis |quote=Section 577 of the bill requires the FAA to issue rules establishing minimum width, length and seat pitch of airline seats. |access-date=July 28, 2019 |archive-date=July 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728044050/https://www.enotrans.org/article/summary-of-final-compromise-faa-reauthorization-act-of-2018/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2018,
the FAA plans to replace the "FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure" (FTI) program with the "FAA Enterprise Network Services" (FENS) program.<ref>
Daniel Elwell.
[https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2021-11/FTI-Mission-Support-Network-submitted-to-Congress.pdf "FTI Mission Support Network Status and Future Plans: Report to Congress"].
2018.
p. 6 and p. A-1.
</ref><ref>
[https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/cinp/fens "FAA Enterprise Network Services Program"].
</ref>

The first FAA licensed orbital [[human space flight]] [[SpaceX Crew-1|took place on November 15, 2020]], carried out by [[SpaceX]] on behalf of NASA.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/space/article/Crew-1-is-headed-to-Space-Station-launching-the-15729280.php |title=Crew-1 is headed to Space Station, launching the NASA/SpaceX venture |date=November 10, 2020 |work=[[CNBC]]|access-date=November 10, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116004235/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/space/article/Crew-1-is-headed-to-Space-Station-launching-the-15729280.php |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.space.com/nasa-certifies-spacex-crew-1-astronaut-mission-go-for-launch |title=NASA certifies SpaceX's Crew Dragon for astronaut flights, gives 'go' for Nov. 14 launch |website=[[Space.com]] |date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113004627/https://www.space.com/nasa-certifies-spacex-crew-1-astronaut-mission-go-for-launch |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== History of FAA Administrators ===
{{anchor|FAA Administrator|List of FAA administrators}}
The administrator is appointed for a five-year term.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Joel |title=FAA chief Mike Whitaker announces that he will step down in January |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/12/12/nx-s1-5226796/faa-head-resign-mike-whitaker-january-boeing |website=NPR |access-date=10 January 2025 |date=December 12, 2024}}</ref>
<!-- If this heading is changed, please update the redirect at [[FAA Administrator]]. -->
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! {{Abbr|No.|Number}} !! Portrait !! Administrator !!  Term start date !! End date !! {{abbr|Refs.|References}}
|-
| {{center|1}} || [[File:Richard Quesada color photo portrait head and shoulders.jpg|70px]]|| [[Elwood Richard Quesada]] ||November 1, 1958|| January 20, 1961|| 
|-
| {{center|2}} || [[File:Najeeb Halaby 1961.jpg|70px]]|| [[Najeeb Halaby]]|| March 3, 1961|| July 1, 1965|| 
|-
| {{center|3}} || [[File:William F. McKee, 3rd FAA Administrator.jpg|70px]]|| [[William F. McKee]]|| July 1, 1965|| July 31, 1968|| <ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite journal |journal=Air Progress |title=William F. McKee |date=August 1989 |page=76}}</ref>
|-
| {{center|4}} || [[File:John Hixon Shaffer.jpg|70px]]|| [[John H. Shaffer]]|| March 24, 1969|| March 14, 1973||  <ref name="ReferenceA"/>
|-
| {{center|5}} || [[File:Alexander Butterfield, 5th FAA Administrator.jpg|70px]]|| [[Alexander Butterfield]]|| March 14, 1973|| March 31, 1975|| 
|-
| {{center|6}} || [[File:John L McLucas.jpg|70px]]|| [[John L. McLucas]]|| nowrap| November 24, 1975|| April 1, 1977|| 
|-
| {{center|7}} || [[File:Langhorne Bond, 7th FAA Administrator.jpg|70px]]|| [[Langhorne Bond]]|| May 4, 1977|| January 20, 1981|| 
|-
| {{center|8}} || [[File:J. Lynn Helms, 8th FAA Administrator.jpg|70px]]|| [[J. Lynn Helms]]|| April 22, 1981|| January 31, 1984|| 
|-
| {{center|9}} || [[File:VADM Donald D. Engen.jpg|70px]]|| [[Donald D. Engen]]|| April 10, 1984|| July 2, 1987|| 
|-
| {{center|10}} || [[File:T. Allan McArtor, 10th FAA Administrator.jpg|70px]]|| [[T. Allan McArtor]]|| July 22, 1987|| February 17, 1989|| 
|-
| {{center|11}} || [[File:James B. Busey IV, FAA Administrator official portrait.jpg|70px]]|| [[James B. Busey IV]]|| June 30, 1989|| December 4, 1991|| 
|-
| {{center|12}} || [[File:Thomas C. Richards, 12th FAA Administrator.jpg|70px]]|| [[Thomas C. Richards]]|| June 27, 1992|| January 20, 1993|| 
|-
| {{center|13}} || [[File:David R. Hinson, 13th FAA Administrator.jpg|70px]]|| [[David R. Hinson]]|| August 10, 1993|| November 9, 1996|| 
|-
| {{center|14}} || [[File:Jane Garvey by Jim Wallace (Smithsonian Institution).jpg|70px]]|| [[Jane Garvey (aviation administrator)|Jane Garvey]]|| August 4, 1997|| August 2, 2002 || 
|-
| {{center|15}} || [[File:Marion C Blakey.jpg|70px]]|| [[Marion Blakey]]|| September 12, 2002|| nowrap| September 13, 2007|| 
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| {{center|acting}} || [[File:Robert A Sturgell.jpg|70px]]|| [[Robert A. Sturgell]]|| nowrap| September 14, 2007|| January 15, 2009|| 
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| {{center|acting}} || [[File:Lynne Osmus.jpg|70px]]|| [[Lynne Osmus]]|| January 16, 2009|| May 31, 2009|| 
|-
| {{center|16}} || [[File:J. Randolph Babbitt official portrait small.jpg|70px]]|| [[Randy Babbitt]]|| June 1, 2009|| December 6, 2011|| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessofgovernment.org/bio/randy-babbitt |title=Randy Babbitt |work=[[IBM Center for The Business of Government]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/20111206/business/babbitt-leaves-u-s-aviation-agency-amid-safety-fund-debate/ |title=Babbitt leaves U.S. Aviation agency amid safety, fund debate |date=December 6, 2011 |newspaper=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)]]}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| acting || rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"| [[File:Michael Huerta official picture.jpg|70px]]|| rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"| [[Michael Huerta]]|| December 7, 2011|| January 10, 2013|| 
|-
|{{center|17}}
|January 10, 2013
|January 6, 2018
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fedscoop.com/post-358/ |title=Huerta sworn in as FAA administrator |first=David |last=Stegon |date=January 10, 2013 |work=FedScoop}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://enotrans.org/article/faa-administrator-to-resign-on-january-20/ |title=FAA Administrator to Resign on January 20 |date=December 13, 2024 |first=Jeff |last=Davis |work=[[Eno Center for Transportation]]}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| {{center|acting}} || [[File:Daniel Elwell.jpg|70px]]|| [[Daniel Elwell|Daniel K. Elwell]]|| January 6, 2018|| August 12, 2019|| <ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web |url=https://heavy.com/news/2019/03/daniel-elwell/ |title=Dan Elwell: 5 Fast Facts You Need To Know |first=Paul |last=Farrell |date=March 13, 2019 |access-date=March 14, 2019 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731050641/https://heavy.com/news/2019/03/daniel-elwell/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=nyt1>{{cite news |first1=Tiffany |last1=Hsu |first2=Thomas |last2=Kaplan |first3=Zach |last3=Wichter |title=Trump Picks Former Delta Executive Stephen Dickson as F.A.A. Chief |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 19, 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/19/business/faa-stephen-dickson-trump.html |access-date=March 19, 2019 |archive-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320011147/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/19/business/faa-stephen-dickson-trump.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=wsj1>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/steve-dickson-is-white-house-pick-as-permanent-faa-head-11553024733 |title=White House to Nominate Steve Dickson as Permanent FAA Head |date=March 19, 2019 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=March 19, 2019 |url-access=subscription |first1=Andy |last1=Pasztor |first2=Andrew |last2=Tangel |archive-date=March 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319230616/https://www.wsj.com/articles/steve-dickson-is-white-house-pick-as-permanent-faa-head-11553024733 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{center|18}} || [[File:FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.jpg|70px]]|| [[Stephen Dickson (executive)|Stephen Dickson]]|| August 12, 2019||March 31, 2022|| <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/stephen-m-dickson-sworn-administrator-federal-aviation-administration |title=Stephen M. Dickson Sworn in as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration |date=August 12, 2019 |publisher=FAA}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/16/politics/federal-aviation-administration-chief-steve-dickson-resigning/index.html |title=FAA Administrator Steve Dickson is resigning |first=Pete |last=Muntean |date=February 16, 2022 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| {{center|acting}} || [[File:Billy_Nolen.jpg|70px]]|| [[Billy Nolen]]|| April 1, 2022|| June 9, 2023|| <ref name="NolenFAA">{{Cite web |title=Billy Nolen, FRAeS–FAA Administrator (Acting) |url=https://www.faa.gov/about/key_officials/nolen |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418140811/https://www.faa.gov/about/key_officials/nolen |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NolenWapo">{{Cite news |last=Duncan |first=Ian |date=March 26, 2022 |title=Top FAA safety official named as interim leader of agency |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/03/26/billy-nolen-faa-administrator/ |access-date=2022-04-20 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327095608/https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/03/26/billy-nolen-faa-administrator/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| {{center|acting}} || [[File:P.Trottenberg.jpg|70px]]|| [[Polly Trottenberg]]|| June 9, 2023|| October 27, 2023|| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.faa.gov/about/key_officials/trottenberg |title=Polly Trottenberg |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |access-date=January 18, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| {{center|19}} || [[File:Michael Whitaker 2023 FAA Portrait.jpg|70px]]
|[[Michael Whitaker (government official)|Michael Whitaker]]
|October 27, 2023
|January 20, 2025
|<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Duncan |first=Ian |date=October 24, 2023 |title=Senate confirms new FAA administrator, filling a role vacant for 18 months |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/10/24/faa-administrator-michael-whitaker/ |access-date=2023-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/faa-administrator-quit-jan-20-045322293.html |title=FAA Administrator Quit on Jan. 20 After Elon Musk Told Him to Resign |first=Hugh |last=Dougherty |date=January 29, 2025 |work=[[Yahoo News]]}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| {{center|acting}} ||  [[File:Chris Rocheleau 2025 FAA Portrait.jpg|70px]]  || [[Chris Rocheleau]] || January 30, 2025 || ''present'' || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/30/trump-chris-rocheleau-faa-administrator-00201551 |title=Donald Trump names new acting FAA administrator in wake of "tragedy of terrible proportions" |date=January 30, 2025 |publisher=Politico |access-date=2025-01-30}}</ref>
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On March 19, 2019, President Donald Trump announced he would nominate Stephen Dickson, a former executive and pilot at [[Delta Air Lines]], to be the next FAA Administrator.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/03/19/704900992/trump-to-nominate-former-delta-airlines-executive-to-lead-faa |title=Trump To Nominate Former Delta Airlines Executive To Lead FAA |website=[[NPR]]|date=March 19, 2019 |access-date=March 19, 2019 |archive-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320000543/https://www.npr.org/2019/03/19/704900992/trump-to-nominate-former-delta-airlines-executive-to-lead-faa |url-status=live |last1=Naylor |first1=Brian}}</ref><ref name=nyt1/><ref name=wsj1/> On July 24, 2019, the Senate confirmed Dickson by a vote of 52–40.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=1&vote=00225 |title=U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 116th Congress - 1st Session |website=U.S. Senate|access-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-date=August 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804173543/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=1&vote=00225 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="faa.gov">{{Cite press release |url=https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=24094 |date=August 12, 2019 |title=Stephen M. Dickson Sworn in as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |language=en-us |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731052926/https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=24094 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was sworn in as Administrator by [[United States Secretary of Transportation|Transportation Secretary]] [[Elaine Chao]] on August 12, 2019.<ref name="faa.gov"/> On February 16, 2022, Dickson announced his resignation as FAA Administrator, effective March 31, 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |title=FAA administrator Steve Dickson to resign next month |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/02/16/faa-steve-dickson-resignation/ |url-access=subscription |date=February 16, 2022 |first1=Ian |last1=Duncan |access-date=2022-02-17 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220165030/https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/02/16/faa-steve-dickson-resignation/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2023, President [[Joe Biden]] announced that he would be nominating Mike Whitaker to lead the FAA. Whitaker previously served as deputy administrator of the FAA under President [[Barack Obama]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tangel |first1=Andrew |title=Mike Whitaker Is President Biden's Pick to Lead FAA |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/biden-picks-mike-whitaker-to-lead-faa-b4630e6d |date=September 7, 2023  |website=Wall Street Journal |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref>