"My Controls": New FAA Administrator Sworn In

Good morning! We’re less than a week out from Oshkosh—who else is driving over 1,000 miles to get there? It’s times like this when I really wish I had my own plane... but if you’ll be at AirVenture 2025, please swing by booth 4133 and say hello!

Also, what do you think of the new Flybuyer logo? 🛩️

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• FAA Gets New Leader in Bryan Bedford

• Around the Skies: Garmin adds FISK arrival for Oshkosh, Fuel cutoff switches probed in Dreamliner crash, Drone collision grounds Texas flood rescue helicopter, Crews prep backcountry Montana airstrips, Alaska door plug failure explained, FAA overhauls environmental compliance rule, Trump appoints Duffy as interim NASA head

• PilotTube: Private Pilot Mock Oral: Are You Ready to Fly?

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Bryan Bedford Steps Into FAA Role

The FAA officially has a new captain at the controls. Former Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford was confirmed as FAA administrator on Wednesday in a 53-43 Senate vote, ending a months-long leadership vacuum at the top of the nation’s aviation authority. Bedford succeeds acting administrator Chris Rocheleau, who stepped in after Michael Whitaker resigned earlier this year.

Bedford’s nomination, backed by President Donald Trump, drew strong support from major airlines and groups like AOPA thanks to his decades of industry experience. But not everyone was onboard. His past comments on controversial issues such as the 1,500-hour rule for airline pilots and the mandatory retirement age of 65 sparked concern among the Air Line Pilots Association and some congressional Democrats. While Bedford sidestepped a direct endorsement of the 1,500-hour rule during Senate hearings, he emphasized that safety would remain non-negotiable under his leadership.

Controversy briefly flared when a biography on Republic’s website incorrectly listed him as a commercial pilot. In reality, Bedford holds a private pilot certificate, not a commercial one. After Politico raised the issue, the Department of Transportation defended Bedford and the biography was promptly corrected.

Bedford steps into the role at a pivotal moment. The FAA is working to dig itself out of an air traffic controller shortage estimated at 3,500 positions and carry out a sweeping modernization plan. That includes building six new ATC centers and 15 towers by 2028, the largest effort of its kind since the dawn of the jet age. With Boeing under scrutiny and the agency under pressure to rebuild public trust, Bedford’s tenure promises to be anything but dull. For now, he’s got the controls and the aviation world will be watching to see where he takes it.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ Garmin has added the full FISK VFR arrival to its navigation database just in time for EAA AirVenture. Pilots can now select the procedure in Garmin avionics and the Garmin Pilot app, with SmartCharts displaying detailed waypoints and notes. While the official Oshkosh Notice remains required reading, this update makes navigating the iconic arrival smoother than ever. A 30-day free trial of SmartCharts is available for those who want to try it out before the big show.

🛩️ Investigators are focusing on the fuel shutoff switches in the June 11 crash of Air India Flight 171, which killed 260 people. Preliminary data suggests “improper, inadvertent or intentional actions” may have caused the loss of engine thrust. While the 787’s switches are built to prevent accidental activation, their involvement is still being examined. With no safety alerts issued by Boeing, GE or the FAA, mechanical failure is considered unlikely, putting the spotlight on possible human error.

🛩️ A rescue helicopter conducting flood relief missions near Kerrville, Texas was forced to make an emergency landing last week after colliding with a drone flying illegally in restricted airspace. Fortunately, no one was injured but the aircraft was taken out of service during a critical phase of recovery efforts. Officials issued a sharp warning afterward, stressing that Temporary Flight Restrictions are not optional and that flying drones in TFR zones puts both emergency crews and the public at serious risk.

🛩️ Montana’s backcountry airstrips are getting a summer refresh thanks to a dedicated crew of volunteer pilots and outdoor enthusiasts. Teams from the Recreational Aviation Foundation and Montana Pilots Association have already tackled major maintenance at Spotted Bear and Meadow Creek, replacing windsocks, clearing brush, filling gopher holes and rebuilding firewood storage by the legendary bear boxes. Nearly 30 people flew or hiked into Meadow Creek alone, one of the biggest turnouts in years. With the flying season heating up, the next stop is Schafer Meadows on July 19, where more trail clearing and runway TLC await.

🛩️ The NTSB has released its final report on the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 door plug failure, which forced a Boeing 737-9 to return to Portland after a rapid depressurization in January 2024. The cause was traced to missing retaining bolts and poor oversight during manufacturing, with Boeing faulted for inadequate training and documentation. No one was seriously hurt but the report highlights major safety lapses and calls for sweeping changes. Among the recommendations: redesign the door plug, improve training and tighten FAA oversight to prevent future close calls.

🛩️ The FAA has scrapped a decade-old rule guiding its environmental reviews, replacing it with a faster, more streamlined process. Prompted by President Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” order, the new rule—1050.1G—prioritizes speed and economic impact over regulatory red tape. While the FAA says environmental protections remain intact, the change allows broader exemptions from NEPA requirements. It comes just as the agency gears up for a major overhaul of air traffic control infrastructure across the country.

🛩️ Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been tapped by President Trump to serve as interim head of NASA following the sudden withdrawal of Jared Isaacman’s nomination. Duffy steps in during a turbulent moment for the space agency, which faces deep budget cuts and a sweeping workforce reduction under Trump’s latest fiscal plan. Known for his ambitious infrastructure work, Duffy brings bold energy to the role. His focus now shifts from roads and runways to rockets and orbit.

PilotTube

This video dives into a mock oral exam with a student gearing up for their Private Pilot checkride just weeks away. From airspace to weather, regs to performance, it’s a full run-through of the questions a DPE might throw your way. It’s the perfect dry run to sharpen your knowledge, boost your confidence and get you one step closer to earning those wings.

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