Report: FAA Nominee Bedford Does Not Have Commercial Pilot License He Once Claimed

CEO’s official biography altered after POLITICO inquiry.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 03:21 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford. [Courtesy: Republic Airways]

Key Takeaways:

President Trump's FAA nominee, Bryan Bedford, has been found to have claimed a commercial pilot license in his official biography and public descriptions, despite the FAA database only listing him as a private pilot.
Following media inquiries, Bedford's biography was altered to remove the "commercial" claim, with the Department of Transportation stating it was an "administrative error" and denying personal misrepresentation by Bedford.
This credential discrepancy, alongside concerns from Democrats and pilot unions regarding his potential weakening of the 1,500-hour pilot experience standard, marks challenges for his confirmation despite strong industry and Republican support.

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President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FAA does not have the commercial pilot license he long claimed in his official biography, according to a report from POLITICO.

Bryan Bedford’s bio page on the website of Republic Airways, which he has led as CEO since 1999, once said he “holds commercial, multi-engine, and instrument ratings.” But the FAA database that contains information about pilot credentials does not list a commercial license for Bedford, POLITICO found.