Polly Trottenberg Named Acting Head of FAA

She will replace Billy Nolen, who plans to join eVTOL startup Archer Aviation in the coming weeks.

Amelia Walsh

Friday, June 09, 2023 at 02:57 PM ET

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Polly Trottenberg will be replacing Billy Nolen as FAA acting administrator. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg has been appointed as the new interim head of the FAA, replacing Billy Nolen.
Trottenberg has extensive public sector experience but no apparent aviation background, a factor that previously challenged another FAA administrator nominee.
The FAA has operated without a permanent, Senate-confirmed leader since 2022, facing ongoing issues like staffing shortages and flight delays.
Her appointment, along with other leadership changes, aims to provide stability while the White House conducts a national search for a permanent administrator.

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On Friday, President Joe Biden announced Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg will be the new interim head of the FAA.

Trottenberg will replace Billy Nolen, who plans to join eVTOL startup Archer Aviation in the coming weeks. Having served as New York City’s transportation commissioner from 2014 through 2020, Trottenberg boasts decades of experience in the public sector. She has served as a legislative staffer in the U.S. Senate for 12 years and worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.