Regulatory Alert: FAA Reopens Nominations for Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee
July 21, 2026
Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice soliciting nominations for membership on the Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation (BCWA) Advisory Committee. Established under Section 403 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the committee will provide independent advice and recommendations to the FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on initiatives that promote the recruitment, retention, employment, education, training, career advancement, and well-being of women in aviation professions and aviation-focused federal civil service positions. DOT previously solicited nominations for the committee in November 2024, but the Biden administration did not make any appointments.
The committee will include approximately 25 voting members representing stakeholders from across the aviation industry, including airport owners, operators, and employees. Airport representatives interested in serving on the committee have until Thursday, August 20, to submit a nomination package to FAA that complies with the notice. Additional details are available in today's Federal Register notice.
Background. Section 403 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 directed the Secretary of Transportation to establish the BCWA Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations to DOT and FAA on initiatives that support women pursuing and advancing careers in aviation and aviation-focused federal civil service positions. The committee will consist of approximately 25 voting members representing a broad cross-section of the aviation industry, including airports, airlines, manufacturers, labor organizations, educational institutions, general and business aviation, aviation maintenance, and nonprofit organizations. Additional nonvoting members may be appointed from FAA, the Department of Education, and the Department of Labor. The committee is expected to meet virtually at least twice each year.
Application Process. According to the solicitation notice, qualified individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by another individual or organization to serve on the BCWA Advisory Committee. Nomination packages are limited to two pages and must include the nominee’s name, title, and contact information; a letter of support from a company, union, trade association, academic institution, or nonprofit organization explaining why the individual should be appointed; a brief biography highlighting the nominee’s professional and academic qualifications; and a statement confirming the nominee meets the committee’s eligibility requirements and identifying the stakeholder category the nominee would represent.
FAA asks applicants not to include brochures or other supplemental materials with their nomination package. If additional information is needed, DOT may contact the nominee directly or obtain information from the nominee’s previous affiliations or publicly available sources. Airport members interested in applying should review the solicitation notice to ensure they include all required materials.
What’s Next? Nominees interested in serving on the BCWA Advisory Committee must submit their nomination package to FAA by Thursday, August 20. For federal advisory committees, FAA traditionally reviews applications and prepares recommended appointments for the Secretary of Transportation, who makes the final appointment decisions. FAA’s notice does not specify when appointments will be made, stating only that selected nominees will be notified by return email and a letter of appointment.
