Bryan Bedford, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the FAA, faced Senate questioning last week amid scrutiny over his pilot credentials and safety policies. Bedford has claimed to have a commercial pilot license since at least 2010, but FAA records confirm that he holds only a private pilot license.
During confirmation hearings, Bedford declined to confirm retaining the FAA’s 1,500 flight-hour rule for pilots, drawing criticism from lawmakers concerned about safety rollbacks.
The Department of Transportation stated Bedford never misrepresented his credentials and attributed the commercial license listing to an administrative error.
The controversy highlights ongoing safety debates at the FAA and emphasizes the importance of maintaining flight-hour requirements to prevent accidents like the January 2025 midair collision that killed 67 people.
