The chief of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced his resignation halfway through his term, saying that he was planning to devote more of his time to his family amid the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Steve Dickson took the role of FAA administrator in August 2019 after Former President Donald Trump's nomination to the five-year term position. The FAA chief said that he would officially be stepping down on Mar. 31.
FAA Chief's Resignation
In a letter that Dickson sent to FAA employees on Wednesday, he stated that, over the past several years, his family has given him tremendous encouragement, strength, and support. However, he argued there were sometimes long and unavoidable periods of separation from his loved ones amid the health crisis.
Dickson said that he wanted to give his full time and attention to his family, writing in his letter to United States President Joe Biden that it was his time to go home. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement that he was grateful for Dickson's years of service to the country and his lifelong dedication to support the aviation system in the country and make it the best and safest in the world, as per CNN.
The FAA chief is known for heading the aviation agency in the wake of two fatal Boeing 737 Max crashes. Dickson has been living in Washington D.C. while leading the agency that employs roughly 45,000 people and leaving his family in Georgia.
In his statement, Dickson said that, while he was disappointed with having to separate from the FAA, he was also proud of the work that he and the agency have achieved together in the past several years. He added that, compared to two years ago, the FAA was in a much better place, poised for great success.
According to CNBC, Dickson's nomination came days after the second of two fatal crashes of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft. In total, the two accidents killed 346 people and pitted the FAA into crisis over approving the planes and its close ties with Boeing. The FAA chief was given the responsibility of cleansing the agency's reputation and improving its safety culture.
Faced With Controversies
After Trump's nomination of Dickson, Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about a claim of whistleblower retaliation during the former pilot's time at Delta Airlines and the fact that he was confirmed with only Republican votes. However, President Biden retained Dickson as FAA administrators and served fixed terms in office unlike most political appointees.
Buttigieg praised Dickson as a steady and skilled captain of the FAA who worked tirelessly to fulfill the aviation agency's commitment to safety. Early in the FAA chief's tenure, he told the agency's employees in a video message that he was acknowledging the intense pressure of working quickly to solve the issue with Boeing.
However, Dickson said that the federal government was in control of the timeline and urged workers to take their time and focus solely on safety. At the time, the FAA chief said that he was supporting each and every single employee of the agency, The Washington Post reported.
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