Bryan Bedford’s FAA confirmation hearing: What you need to know

The Air Current
Will Guisbond
09 June 2025

On Wednesday, June 11, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will consider Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford’s nomination to lead the Federal Aviation Administration. Bedford is expected to face sharp questions about his resume as well as his positions on several hot-button aviation topics.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the hearing, as well essential reading from The Air Current on the state of the FAA and the crises it is facing.

In April, The Air Current detailed Bedford’s history of strong, opinionated viewpoints on a host of important aviation issues — positions that may come back to haunt him this week. Perhaps most significant of those is his longstanding criticism of pilot training requirements — known as the 1,500 hour rule — born out of the 2009 Colgan Air crash, which have forced regional carriers into  an acute shortage of qualified pilots. This issue, as well as Bedford’s past exaggeration of his credentials as a commercial pilot, could spell a difficult grilling for the nominee, particularly from Democratic Senators.

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