NBAA and NATA Welcome Capt. Billy Nolen as New FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety

The National Business Aviation Administration (NBAA) and The National Air Transportation (NATA) have congratulated Capt. Billy Nolen on his appointment to serve as the next associate administrator for aviation safety for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Nolen will lead a team of more than 7,600 FAA employees who oversee all aspects of aviation safety, including aerospace manufacturing and certification, business and general aviation activities and the emerging fields of commercial space, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and electric propulsion.

A former commercial airline captain, Nolen is type-rated on the Boeing 757, 767 and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and has held several industry safety roles, including as senior vice president for safety, security and operations at Airlines for America and executive manager for group safety and health at Qantas Airways. He also led the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) at American Airlines, and most recently served as vice president for safety, security and quality for Canada’s WestJet Airlines.

Nolen is a U.S. Army veteran fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter pilot. He holds a Bachelor of Science in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and specialized aviation safety management certificates from the University of Southern California, U.S. Army Safety Center and the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School.

He succeeds former FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Ali Bahrami, who retired earlier this year.