President Biden’s nominee to be the new Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration received an endorsement from Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford as the Senate voted 98-0 for confirmation of Michael Whitaker.
“I met personally with Michael Whitaker to discuss the value and importance of the Air Traffic Control Academy in Oklahoma City and to hear his commitment to continuing the quality training at the MMAC Academy into the future,” said Lankford.
“America’s skies are the busiest in the world, which is why we need a seasoned leader at the helm of the FAA. Michael Whitaker’s decades-long aviation career will not only strengthen the agency but his leadership will also help to expand opportunities for the next generation of aviators.”
The Senator called the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center an essential part of the nation’s safe and efficient air travel network coordinated by the FAA.
“The center is a national treasure for research, maintenance, safety, air traffic control training, and innovation for the future of aviation. MMAC is also home to the only FAA Academy that provides the initial training for air traffic controllers.”
Michael Whitaker is a former deputy FAA administrator and most recently served as chief operating officer of a Hyundai affiliate that is developing an air taxi. He was Biden’s second nominee for the position and was nominated after the nomination of Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington failed to get out of the Senate Commerce Committee.
The FAA has not had a Senate-confirmed administrator since March of last year.
The FAA’s Academy is located at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.