Bryan Keith Bedford (born October 26,1961) is an American business executive who is the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Before becoming administrator,Bedford served as the chief executive of Republic Airways Holdings from 1999 to 2025. In March 2025,President Donald Trump nominated Bedford to serve as FAA administrator. He was confirmed by the Senate on July 9,2025.[2]
By 1990,Bedford was a financial controller for WestAir Commuter Airlines.[5] Three years later,he had become the chief financial officer of Phoenix Airline Services. That year,he was named a principal of Chicago Express Airlines's regional service.[6]
Mesaba Airlines (1995–1999)
In July 1995,Bedford became the president and chief executive of Mesaba Airlines.[4]
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
At the start of president Donald Trump's second administration in January 2025,Michael Whitaker,the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration,resigned. In March,Bloomberg News reported that Bedford was a frontrunner to serve as Trump's nominee for the position.[11] On March 17,Trump named Bedford as his nominee.[12] On July 9 the US Senate voted 53-43 to confirm him to the position of FAA administrator.[13]
Views
Bedford has opposed a rule that requires pilots to log 1,500 hours of flying before obtaining their Airline Transport Pilots License and being able to operate as a flight officer for a commercial FAA part 121 airline,lobbying against it before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in 2014.[14][15] In 2022,the Federal Aviation Administration rejected Republic Airways Holdings's request to reduce required hours to 750 for pilots that trained at their in-house flight school.[16] Bedford opposes the mandatory retirement age of 65 for pilots.[15]
Personal life
In August 1990,Bedford married Maria Richelle La Riche at Naples United Church of Christ in Naples,Florida.[5]
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