Particle.news
Download on the App Store
7 ARTICLES
·
3d ago

Senators Question Trump’s FAA Pick Over False Pilot Credentials

Misleading claims about his licensure have fueled doubts over possible reductions to the 1,500-hour flight rule

Image
Republic Airways President and CEO Bryan Bedford testifies during his nomination hearing to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Russell Senate Office Building on June 11, 2025.
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)

Overview

  • FAA records obtained by Politico show Bryan Bedford has no commercial pilot license despite claiming that rating since at least 2010.
  • Republic Airways updated Bedford’s online biography by removing the “commercial” pilot rating after Politico raised questions about his credentials.
  • The Department of Transportation called the mislabeling an administrative error and said Bedford has passed written and oral commercial flight exams.
  • At his nomination hearing, Senate Commerce Committee members pressed Bedford on Republic’s failed bid to certify pilots with only 750 hours of flight time, half of the federal 1,500-hour requirement.
  • Sen. Tammy Duckworth highlighted Bedford’s evasive stance on preserving the 1,500-hour flight rule, deepening concerns over his commitment to aviation safety after January’s fatal midair collision near Reagan National Airport.