Trump’s FAA Nominee Lacks Commercial Pilot License: Report
Bryan Bedford, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has long claimed to hold a commercial pilot’s license—but recent reports reveal he does not.
Bedford, CEO of Republic Airways, was listed on the airline’s website as having “commercial, multi-engine, and instrument pilot ratings.” However, Politico reports that the word “commercial” was removed from his biography on Friday after questions emerged about the validity of his credentials.
FAA records reviewed by Politico confirm that Bedford holds a private pilot license, not a commercial one, despite claims dating back to at least 2010, according to archived web pages. The Department of Transportation acknowledged Bedford passed certain exams related to commercial flying but clarified that he never publicly presented himself as a commercial airline pilot.
In a statement, the DOT said the discrepancy was due to “an administrative error that was immediately corrected,” insisting Bedford never misrepresented his qualifications.
Aviation publication The Air Current also previously noted the discrepancy, writing that Bedford is a pilot “although not a commercial pilot, as he has sometimes claimed to be.”
Bedford’s credentials were not raised during his Senate confirmation hearing last week, though he did face tough questions on whether he would support keeping the FAA’s 1,500-hour flight requirement for new commercial pilots. He did not give a definitive answer, prompting concern from lawmakers like Senator Tammy Duckworth.
The nomination comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety, following a mid-air collision near Washington, D.C. in January that killed 67 people.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=FAA, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/safety/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com