Regulatory Alert: FAA Solicits Nominations for Appointment to the Women in Aviation Advisory Committee
FAA Solicits Nominations for Appointment to the Women in Aviation Advisory Committee
November 21, 2024
Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice to solicit nominations for membership on the new Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation (BCWA) Advisory Committee. In the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which was signed into law in May, Congress directed the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish the committee to advise the department and FAA on matters related to promoting the recruitment, retention, employment, education, training, career advancement, and well-being of women in the aviation industry and aviation-focused federal civil service positions.
In the FAA reauthorization law, the advisory committee must be composed of 25 individuals representing stakeholders from across the aviation industry, including airport owners, operators, and employees. Representatives from the airport community who are interested in serving on the committee have until Monday, December 23, at 6 p.m. ET to submit a nomination package for consideration that complies with the notice. You can find additional details in the Federal Register solicitation and notice here, which was published this morning.
Background. In the FAA reauthorization law, Congress directed DOT to establish the BCWA Advisory Committee for the purpose of advising DOT and FAA on matters related to the promotion of women in the aviation industry and aviation-focused federal civil service positions. Congress specifically directed the committee to develop reports with (a) findings and recommendations for any legislative and administrative actions to improve the advancement of women in aviation; and (b) any other recommendations related to the education, training, recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in the aviation industry as the committee deems appropriate. The committee will consist of 25 representatives from across the aviation industry, including, among others, airport owners, operators, and employees.
Application Process. According to the solicitation notice, FAA indicated that qualified candidates must be in good public standing and bring a unique perspective that will help advance the committee’s goals of promoting women in aviation and aviation-focused federal civil service positions. They must have the ability to participate for a two-year term without compensation and attend at least two meetings per year. FAA also indicated that membership solicitation will be undertaken in a manner that encourages participation by members of underrepresented and underserved communities.
Nominees will be required to submit the following materials to FAA for consideration: (a) a short biography; (b) a resume or curriculum vitae; (c) a one-page statement that describes how the candidate will benefit the committee; and (d) a short statement describing the candidate’s experience on advisory committees and/or rulemaking committees, their level of knowledge in the stakeholder group to be represented, and the size of the constituency they represent or are able to reach. Airport members who are interested in submitting an application are encouraged to review the solicitation notice to ensure they provide all the requested information.
What’s Next? Nominees who are interested in serving on the BCWA Advisory Committee must submit their nomination package to FAA no later than 6 p.m. ET on Monday, December 23. With federal advisory committees, FAA traditionally reviews applications and prepares recommended appointments for the Secretary of Transportation, who makes the final decision. However, FAA’s notice does not provide any details on when DOT and FAA are expected to make appointments to the committee, including whether such appointments will be made prior to January 20, 2025, when President-elect Trump takes office.
November 21, 2024
Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice to solicit nominations for membership on the new Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation (BCWA) Advisory Committee. In the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which was signed into law in May, Congress directed the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish the committee to advise the department and FAA on matters related to promoting the recruitment, retention, employment, education, training, career advancement, and well-being of women in the aviation industry and aviation-focused federal civil service positions.
In the FAA reauthorization law, the advisory committee must be composed of 25 individuals representing stakeholders from across the aviation industry, including airport owners, operators, and employees. Representatives from the airport community who are interested in serving on the committee have until Monday, December 23, at 6 p.m. ET to submit a nomination package for consideration that complies with the notice. You can find additional details in the Federal Register solicitation and notice here, which was published this morning.
Background. In the FAA reauthorization law, Congress directed DOT to establish the BCWA Advisory Committee for the purpose of advising DOT and FAA on matters related to the promotion of women in the aviation industry and aviation-focused federal civil service positions. Congress specifically directed the committee to develop reports with (a) findings and recommendations for any legislative and administrative actions to improve the advancement of women in aviation; and (b) any other recommendations related to the education, training, recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in the aviation industry as the committee deems appropriate. The committee will consist of 25 representatives from across the aviation industry, including, among others, airport owners, operators, and employees.
Application Process. According to the solicitation notice, FAA indicated that qualified candidates must be in good public standing and bring a unique perspective that will help advance the committee’s goals of promoting women in aviation and aviation-focused federal civil service positions. They must have the ability to participate for a two-year term without compensation and attend at least two meetings per year. FAA also indicated that membership solicitation will be undertaken in a manner that encourages participation by members of underrepresented and underserved communities.
Nominees will be required to submit the following materials to FAA for consideration: (a) a short biography; (b) a resume or curriculum vitae; (c) a one-page statement that describes how the candidate will benefit the committee; and (d) a short statement describing the candidate’s experience on advisory committees and/or rulemaking committees, their level of knowledge in the stakeholder group to be represented, and the size of the constituency they represent or are able to reach. Airport members who are interested in submitting an application are encouraged to review the solicitation notice to ensure they provide all the requested information.
What’s Next? Nominees who are interested in serving on the BCWA Advisory Committee must submit their nomination package to FAA no later than 6 p.m. ET on Monday, December 23. With federal advisory committees, FAA traditionally reviews applications and prepares recommended appointments for the Secretary of Transportation, who makes the final decision. However, FAA’s notice does not provide any details on when DOT and FAA are expected to make appointments to the committee, including whether such appointments will be made prior to January 20, 2025, when President-elect Trump takes office.
