“The FAA must lead the world on safety. And the FAA must build that workforce that is going to help us lead around the globe.”

TRANSCRIPTS AND VIDEOS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, questioned FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen today on the status and implementation of aviation safety reforms required in the Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act (ACSAA), which Congress passed following the tragic 737 MAX crashes. Sen. Cantwell emphasized the need for transparency to ensure the FAA is meeting key deadlines, including workforce reviews to build a technical workforce.

“We are here today to measure the FAA’s progress in implementing important safety reforms for aircraft accountability safety in the act that was passed, following two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that claimed the lives of 346 people,” said Sen. Cantwell. “We have seen near misses and incidents that remind us that aviation safety requires constant vigilance and constant effort.”

“The FAA has yet to complete a workforce review of aircraft certification staff to identify and address any shortfalls in the agency’s expertise. This is foundational. Emerging aviation technologies and future advances will only continue to press the FAA,” Sen. Cantwell continued. “The FAA must lead the world on safety. And the FAA must build that workforce that is going to help us lead around the globe.”