Regulatory Alert: President Trump Appoints Chris Rocheleau as Deputy FAA Administrator; Orders Assessment of Aviation Safety
January 30, 2025
This afternoon, in the aftermath of the tragic aircraft collision yesterday evening, President Trump officially appointed Chris Rocheleau as Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Rocheleau will serve as Acting FAA Administrator until President Trump nominates and the Senate confirms a permanent Administrator to lead the agency.
Rocheleau returns to the FAA after serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Business Aviation Association where he oversaw aircraft and flight department operations. He has over 22 years of experience working at FAA, including serving as Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety between 2021 and 2022. He was also a Senior Policy Advisor at the Transportation Security Administration and an officer and special agent with the U.S. Air Force.
In addition to the appointment and as a result of yesterday’s accident, Trump also signed a memorandum ordering the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and FAA to conduct an “immediate assessment of aviation safety.” The order specifically requires DOT and FAA to “review all hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols made during the prior 4 years, and to take such corrective action as necessary to achieve uncompromised aviation safety, including the replacement of any individuals who do not meet qualification standards.” The review must also include a “systematic assessment of any deterioration in hiring standards and aviation safety standards and protocols during the Biden Administration.”
No timeline or other details are provided regarding the safety assessment.
This afternoon, in the aftermath of the tragic aircraft collision yesterday evening, President Trump officially appointed Chris Rocheleau as Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Rocheleau will serve as Acting FAA Administrator until President Trump nominates and the Senate confirms a permanent Administrator to lead the agency.
Rocheleau returns to the FAA after serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Business Aviation Association where he oversaw aircraft and flight department operations. He has over 22 years of experience working at FAA, including serving as Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety between 2021 and 2022. He was also a Senior Policy Advisor at the Transportation Security Administration and an officer and special agent with the U.S. Air Force.
In addition to the appointment and as a result of yesterday’s accident, Trump also signed a memorandum ordering the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and FAA to conduct an “immediate assessment of aviation safety.” The order specifically requires DOT and FAA to “review all hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols made during the prior 4 years, and to take such corrective action as necessary to achieve uncompromised aviation safety, including the replacement of any individuals who do not meet qualification standards.” The review must also include a “systematic assessment of any deterioration in hiring standards and aviation safety standards and protocols during the Biden Administration.”
No timeline or other details are provided regarding the safety assessment.
