FAA Nominee Bedford Calls for Focus First on ATC Upgrade | Aviation International News

Regulations and Government

FAA Nominee Bedford Calls for Focus First on ATC Upgrade

Commerce Committee questioned Bedford on safety, privatization, 1,500-hour rule, and spectrum

Republic Airways president Bryan Bedford — Bryan Bedford © Republic Airways

By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine

June 11, 2025

FAA Administrator nominee, and current president and CEO of Republic Airways, Bryan Bedford stressed the importance of moving rapidly forward with ATC modernization rather than getting distracted by a privatization discussion. Appearing before the Senate Commerce Committee during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Bedford also committed to remaining in the position for the full five-year term, saying that “the inconsistency in leadership and the turnover that we’ve suffered over the last 25 years has to change.”

During the hearing, Bedford was repeatedly pressed by committee members who were both in favor of and opposed to his past stance on changing the 1,500-hour requirement for Part 121 pilots. He responded that his focus is on “the urgent need to modernize the air traffic control system, fix the FAA staffing shortages, and redesign the [National Airspace System] for emerging technologies and innovation,” but added that he is for “structured training” and pledged not to support actions that would compromise training or pilot safety.

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