FAA Safety, Aircraft Certification Focus of Senate Hearing

FAA acting administrator Billy Nolen told lawmakers that the agency continues to review new versions of the Boeing 737 Max .

Amelia Walsh

Wednesday, March 08, 2023 at 05:11 PM ET

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The Senate Commerce Committee's hearing focused on aircraft certification and FAA reform efforts in the aftermath of the Boeing 737 Max accidents. [Credit: Alejandro-Barba/Unsplash]

Key Takeaways:

The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on FAA reauthorization, focusing on aircraft certification and reform efforts in the aftermath of the Boeing 737 Max accidents.
Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen detailed progress in safety oversight, plans to increase staffing for regulatory functions, and efforts to streamline processes like aircraft registration and medical certifications.
Nolen affirmed the safety of the 737 Max, addressed whistleblower protections, and discussed the agency's review of new Max variants with active pilot input.
Senators criticized the administration's FAA administrator nominee, Phil Washington, for his lack of aviation experience, contrasting it with Acting Administrator Nolen's extensive qualifications.

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On March 8, the Senate Commerce Committee held its second meeting ahead of FAA reauthorization, this time focusing on aircraft certification and FAA reform efforts in the aftermath of the Boeing 737 Max accidents.

On October 28, 2018, a Boeing 737 Max operating as Lion Air Flight 610 went down 11 minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 on board. Months later, on March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Air Flight 302 crashed six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing 157.