Stephen Dickson, a former senior vice president for flight operations at Delta Air Lines, was sworn in today as administrator of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Dickson succeeds Acting Administrator Dan Elwell, who held the post since the resignation of Michael Huerta in January 2018. Elwell has returned to his job as deputy administrator.
Dickson said he was “honored to be able to help write the next chapter in the history of the FAA” and that maintaining current high levels of safety “while adapting to technological advancements will be a key part of our success.”
Dickson retired from Delta in 2018, after 27 years with the airline. As senior vice president for flight operations, his responsibilities included safety and operational performance, pilot training, crew resources, crew scheduling and regulatory compliance. He also was an Airbus A320 captain and previously flew the Boeing 727, 737, 757 and 767. He began his aviation career as an F-15 fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force.