Who should be the next FAA Administrator ?

     As you know President Trump has tipped John Dunkin, his personal long time pilot for the FAA Administrator position. A position that puts him in charge of the $16 billion budget according to reports all over the news. There isn't a lot or anything about his resume online but John Dunkin has worked for Donald Trump since 1989 when Trump owned his own airline. Dunkin's role took off in 2016 during the Presidential campaign when he coordinated and led the aviation-related side of Trump's campaign for travel to 203 cities in 43 states over the course of 21 months, coordinating aircraft movement, among other duties, while serving as captain for the Boeing 757 jet. He's also managed airlines and corporate flight departments, certified airlines from start-up under FAA regulations. Other candidates however include acting FAA Administrator Daniel .K. Elwell, who is filling in after Huerta's departure. Elwell is a former pilot and has served in various roles at the FAA for years. Previously served as Deputy Administrator of the FAA, Assistant administrator for Policy, planning and environment, most recently Senior Advisor on Aviation to U.S Secretary of Transportation. From 2013 - 2015 he was Senior Vice President for Safety, Security and Operations at Airlines for America, prior to that he was Vice President of the Aerospace Industries Association from 2008 - 2013. He was also a commercial pilot for 16 years with American Airlines while serving as Managing Director for International and Government Affairs at American Airlines. Republican Representative Sam Graves , who sits on the Aviation subcommittee of the House committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is also reportedly a candidate.
     Looking back at past Administrators and their qualifications I picked out Jane .F. Garvey. She earned her B.A from Mount Saint Mary's College and her M.A from Mount Holyoke College. From 1988 to 1991 she was commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, and later served as Director of Boston's Logan International Airport. In 1993 she joined the Federal Highway Administration, serving as Deputy Administrator and then acting Administrator. In 1997 she became the first FAA administrator to serve a 5-year term. Also going all the way back to the mid 1900's, John .H. Shaffer. He earned his wings while attending West Point. Graduating in January 1943, at the height of World War 2, he went on to fly 46 combat missions as a B-26 pilot with the 9th Air Forces in Europe. In 1946, while still in uniform, he earned his M.S degree from Columbia University. This was followed by successful assignments as production project officer of the Army Air Forces B-50 program (1948-54). In January 1954, he resigned his Air Force commission with the rank of lieutenant colonel to become general production manager and assistant plant manager of the Ford Motor Company's Mercury assembly plant in Metuchen, New Jersey. Three years later he joined TRW, Inc., an aerospace conglomerate.
     As the FAA Administrator, this person is responsible for the safety and efficiency of the largest aerospace system in the world. They oversee the budget and employees and is focused on ensuring the agency and its employees are the best prepared and trained professionals to meet the growing demands and requirements of the industry. I think it definitely matters who takes on this role as you can see from the qualifications of past administrators and the job description. I think Mr. John Dunkin just maybe meets the bare minimum of a person that can take on that position and I say this not because Trump put him in the running but because after reading what past Administrators had done before getting into the position I think he's not in the same class as they are. Perhaps, if his airline didn't fold up after 2 years I'd take him more seriously. But generally speaking, I think it takes an extensive knowledge of the politics and aviation practices and application as well as administrative qualities to take on the responsibilities that come with the job.

REFERENCES

Davis, Parker. Trump's Personal Pilot on Short List for new FAA Head. February 28, 2018.

Lanktree, Graham. Who is John Dunkin? Trump wants his personal Pilot to head the FAA. February 26, 2018.

https://www.faa.gov/about/history/media/AOA_bios.pdf

https://www.faa.gov/about/key_officials/elwell/