CHANGES COMING TO FAA AND AVIATION ASSOCIATIONS

Federal Aviation Administration head Michael Whitaker to step down Jan. 20

The head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Whitaker, will step down Jan. 20, leaving the key agency that oversees Boeing and the U. S. airline industry again without a leader.

Whitaker was confirmed to serve a five-year term last October. He set production limits and heightened the agency’s scrutiny of Boeing after a near-catastrophic door-plug blowout on a Boeing 737 Max in January, when he was months into the job.

Mark House, the assistant administrator for finance and management at the FAA, will becoming acting deputy administrator.

The agency has seen a steady change of leadership in recent years, some of the most tumultuous in the U.S. aviation industry, including two crashes of Boeing’s best-selling 737 Max planes and a subsequent grounding, the Covid-19 pandemic, and series of high-profile close calls and safety issues involving U.S. airlines and airports.

Trump’s last nominee to lead the FAA, ex-Delta captain Steve Dickson, resigned in 2022, midway through his term.

“You have seen leadership come and go – and through every transition you have kept air travel steady and safe. This transition will be no different,” Whitaker said in a statement.

A spokesman for the transition team for President-elect Donald Trump, who is scheduled to take office Jan. 20, didn’t immediately comment.

Trump has not yet nominated an FAA administrator. His eventual nominee, if confirmed, will face a host of challenges, including continued oversight of Boeing and staffing up and modernizing air traffic control. Shortages of controllers have vexed airline executives, who have blamed staffing shortages for congestion in some of the country’s busiest airports.

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GAMA’s Bunce To Retire In April; James Viola To Take Over

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) board of directors announced today (Dec. 12) that President and CEO Pete Bunce will retire in the spring of 2025 and be succeeded by James Viola. Bunce will have served as leader of the association for 20 years upon retirement. Viola comes to GAMA from Vertical Aviation International (VAI), formerly known as the Helicopter Association International. He has served there as the president and CEO since 2020 and led the association’s rebranding effort as VAI, expanding the group’s focus to include the oncoming “expansion and technological evolution in vertical aviation,” according to the GAMA announcement.

Before joining VAI, Viola served for more than 10 years with the FAA—most recently as Director of General Aviation Safety Assurance. He also served for more than two decades as a U.S. Army aviator, rising to the rank of Colonel. With airline transport pilot (ATP) and certified flight instructor (CFI) ratings, Viola has logged more than 7,000 flight hours, including 1,100 hours flown with night-vision goggles. He also holds “several” master's degrees, including one in the strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College and another in international relations from Auburn University in Alabama.

Bunce, a former U.S. Air Force F-15 and A-10 combat pilot, joined GAMA in 2005. Under his stewardship, the industry advocacy group weathered the 2008 economic crisis, numerous FAA reauthorizations, the COVID pandemic and its aftermath, and a wide range of legislative and regulatory milestones. Among his accomplishments is establishing the GAMA European headquarters and expanding to include more rotorcraft manufacturers and the emerging air mobility sector among GAMA’s membership rolls.

Bunce has also advocated for grass roots aviation, supporting groups such as the Recreational Aviation Association and Veterans Airlift Command. He has also assumed a sometimes-controversial leadership role in industry efforts to transition to unleaded fuel.

Bunce said, “My wife, Patty, and I will always cherish our time at GAMA and the close friendships we’ve been blessed to forge with so many leaders in the entire GA community. Jim has been one of those good friends who I have had the privilege to work with and build a close professional bond. I look forward to watching Jim take GAMA to new heights as our industry journeys into the most exciting time in aerospace since the dawn of the jet age.”

Henry Brooks, GAMA Vice Chair and President of Power & Controls at Collins Aerospace, said of Viola, “James will be a bold leader for GAMA. His industry experience and knowledge, combined with his excitement for the future of general aviation, make him a great proponent to champion the critical work and priorities of GAMA, its members and the aviation manufacturing industry.”

Viola will officially take the reins at GAMA in mid-March, and Bunce will stay on as a special advisor until his retirement date in April.

LONGTIME TRUSTEE NAMED AOPA CHAIRMAN

AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker announced in early 2024 that he planned to step down around the end of the year, giving the board of trustees time to find a replacement and have an orderly transition. The board announced in the fall that Darren Pleasance will take over as president and CEO on January 1. 

Meanwhile, William C. “Bill” Trimble III also said he planned to step down as chairman of the board at the end of 2024, after nearly 20 years in the role. The board has elected James N. “Jim” Hauslein to serve as the new chairman, also effective January 1.

A longtime pilot and aircraft owner, Trimble joined the board in 1993 and became chairman in 2005. During his time as chairman, Trimble shepherded AOPA's path through the economic downturn in 2008 and oversaw the association’s strategic direction. His vision, dedication, and commitment to excellence have set a standard that will inspire the organization, and benefit the pilots and aircraft owners AOPA serves, for years to come.

He led the board decision to support the establishment of the AOPA You Can Fly program, which provides a free aviation-oriented STEM curriculum to more than 1,400 high schools across the nation. You Can Fly also recognizes flight schools and CFIs for their expertise, supports the creation of new flying clubs, and encourages lapsed pilots to return to flying.

During Trimble’s tenure, AOPA fought and won a long battle to reform pilot medical certification with the creation of BasicMed, which has helped tens of thousands of pilots.

“We are all grateful for Bill’s leadership and dedication to this organization,” Baker said. “All of general aviation has benefited from his support. Thankfully, he has agreed to remain on the board.”

William C. "Bill" Trimble III.

“Serving as chairman of AOPA has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career,” Trimble said, “and general aviation has been integral to every aspect of my life. Having the honor to work with such a talented team has made the post a joy. I am so lucky to have worked with three presidents of the organization and look forward to welcoming Darren Pleasance.

“Jim Hauslein will be a wonderful new chairman, and I could not be more excited for AOPA’s future,” Trimble continued. 

Trimble, who recently retired from a public real estate company, lives in Washington, D.C., and flies his Daher TBM 850 from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland. He continues to serve on the boards of numerous financial institutions.

“Bill’s commitment and leadership is unmatched and the full AOPA board appreciates, recognizes, and commends all that has been accomplished during his tenure,” Hauslein said. “Personally, I am honored that Bill has agreed to continue on the board going forward.”

Hauslein joined the board in 2012 and has served on numerous committees, including as chair of the Finance and Investment Committee.

He has been an AOPA member since 1987, well before he earned his private pilot certificate in 1996. He later went on to earn instrument, seaplane, and multiengine ratings. Later he earned a commercial pilot certificate and type ratings in the Cessna Citation 500 and 525 models. He has more than 2,500 flight hours and over the years has owned a variety of airplanes including a Cessna 172, a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, and several different Cessna Citations. 

“Jim’s extensive and varied aviation experience combined with his vast business background make him a great candidate for the chairmanship,” Baker said. “AOPA members will benefit for years to come from his leadership.”

Hauslein is president of Hauslein & Company, Inc., a private investment firm. Among his many business credentials is more than a decade as chairman and CEO of Sunglass Hut International. His leadership there dramatically grew the company into the global, category dominant leading omni-channel retailer of non-prescription sunglasses and lifestyle watches before it was acquired by Luxottica Corporation. More recently Hauslein served as chairman and CEO of Big Time Products, the nation’s leader in work-site accessories. He has appeared on business news programs on CNBC, CNN, and Fox News. In addition to running his own private investment firm he continues to serve on the boards of several for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

“I’m thrilled and honored to be given the opportunity to lead this influential organization as board chairman. I will work closely with the AOPA team, industry leaders, and individual members to continue to expand the successful legacy of this historic institution,” Hauslein said.

A new video for the 8th Air Force display in EAA's Eagle Hangar, highlighting its 250th bombing mission during World War II has been produced.