Clock Ticking on FAA Administrator: Still No Permanent Pick

As a recent article in Politico highlighted, the clock is ticking on the current Acting Administrator of the FAA.  FAA Acting Administrator Polly Trottenberg, the Deputy Administrator of the Department of Transportation, is limited by law to a term of no more than 210 days.  This term will expire on October 25, 2023: at which time internal emails indicate that Deputy Administrator and former FAA Chief of Staff Katie Thomson will take over the position, failing a permanent appointment.

The position of FAA Administrator is a Presidential appointment which must be approved by the Senate.  The White House has not successfully filled the position since Trump-appointed Steve Dickson, a former Delta executive, left the post midway through his five year term last year.

Is This Unusual, or Just How Long it Takes?

It takes time to appoint a new Administrator and to receive Senate confirmation: the Senate vote is often split along party lines.  Former FAA Administrator…