What are the qualifications of John Dunkin (President Trump's pilot)?.


     He was responsible for coordinating all flights for all the aircraft in Trumps’ fleet during his Presidential campaign, making sure all aircraft were within regulations, and responsible for prepping all aircraft in accordance to company policy. The fleet consisted of four aircraft. (Laris and Halsey, 2018)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/as-trump-puts-longtime-personal-pilot-on-shortlist-to-head-faa-agency-faces-biggest-challenges-in-decades/2018/02/27/c1ac0102-1b4d-11e8-b2d9-08e748f892c0_story.html?utm_term=.15126a952dc2

-Who are the other candidates for FAA Administrator and what are their qualifications?

     There are three candidates on the shortlist for the FAA Administrator. They are Dan Elwell, the current acting FAA administrator, Representative Sam Graves, and Bobby Sturgell. Sam Graves and Bobby Sturgell are licensed pilots. Graves has been a long-time supporter of the general aviation industry. Sturgell is a former Naval pilot, Top Gun instructor, and was the acting FAA administrator under George W. Bush. (Laris and Halsey, 2018)


-Pick two past FAA Administrators. What was their qualifications?

     Two former FAA Administrators that I researched are William F. McKee and Elwood Quesada. McKee was the FAA Administrator from 1965 to 1968 and Quesada was the FAA Administrator from 1959 to 1961. Both were high ranking military officers with aviation and logistics experience. (Revolvy)


-What is the job description of FAA Administrator?

     The FAA Administrator is responsible for is the final authority for carrying out all functions, powers, and duties of the Administration relating to the appointment and employment of all officers and employees of the Administration (other than Presidential and political appointees); the acquisition and maintenance of property, services, and equipment of the Administration; except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3), the promulgation of regulations, rules, orders, circulars, bulletins, and other official publications of the Administration; and any obligation imposed on the Administrator, or power conferred on the Administrator, by the Air Traffic Management System Performance Improvement Act of 1996 (or any amendment made by that Act); shall offer advice and counsel to the President with respect to the appointment and qualifications of any officer or employee of the Administration to be appointed by the President or as a political appointee; may delegate, and authorize successive redelegations of, to an officer or employee of the Administration any function, power, or duty conferred upon the Administrator, unless such delegation is prohibited by law; and except as otherwise provided for in this title, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, shall not be required to coordinate, submit for approval or concurrence, or seek the advice or views of the Secretary or any other officer or employee of the Department of Transportation on any matter with respect to which the Administrator is the final authority. (Cornell) 


-In terms of your career and based upon the job description above, do you feel that it matters who the FAA Administrator is? Why or why not?

     As an aviation management major, I feel that the person in charge of the FAA should have some knowledge of the flight aspect of the industry, but, he or she is the administrative leader of the FAA. This person is responsible for the overall performance of the FAA. Having working knowledge of all aspects of the industry is important but having experience in a leadership position prior to appointment is a must. By this I mean that the person appointed should have leadership experience working with large corporations and some exposure to working with government agencies.


References

Laris, Michael and Halsey, Ashley. (February 27, 2018) As Trump puts personal pilot on shortlist to head FAA, agency faces biggest challenges in decades. Retrieved February 28, 2018 from https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/as-trump-puts-longtime-personal-pilot-on-shortlist-to-head-faa-agency-faces-biggest-challenges-in-decades/2018/02/27/c1ac0102-1b4d-11e8-b2d9-08e748f892c0_story.html?utm_term=.91763f36a85b

Revolvy. Retrieved February 28. 2018 from https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=William%20F.%20McKee

Revolvy. Retrieved  February 28, 2018 from https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=William%20F.%20McKee

Cornell University. Retrieved February 28, 2018 from https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/106

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