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2w ago

FAA Nominee Faces Scrutiny Over False Pilot License Claim

Misrepresenting his commercial pilot status has heightened scrutiny over his commitment to maintaining the FAA’s 1,500-hour certification standard.

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Bryan Bedford, President Donald Trump's nominee to run the Federal Aviation Administration, testifies at the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Overview

  • FAA registry records obtained by Politico show Bryan Bedford never held a commercial pilot license despite listing it on Republic Airways’ website since at least 2010.
  • Republic Airways removed the “commercial” rating from Bedford’s biography after inquiries, and the Department of Transportation labeled its inclusion an administrative error.
  • DOT officials confirmed Bedford passed written and oral exams for commercial flying but never secured a formal commercial license.
  • During a Senate Commerce Committee hearing, Bedford declined to affirm he would uphold the 1,500-hour flight requirement for aspiring airline pilots.
  • The Air Line Pilots Association warns that rolling back the 1,500-hour rule could undermine the significant reduction in passenger fatalities achieved since its implementation.