Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration

The Federal Aviation Administration employs more than 45,000 employees and had a proposed budget of $15.8 billion in fiscal 2016.⁶

• Serves as the final authority for carrying out the appointment and employment of all FAA officers and employees (other than presidential and political appointees)
• Offers advice and counsel to the president on the appointment and qualifications of any administration officer or employee to be appointed by the president or as a political appointee
• Is responsible for the acquisition and maintenance of FAA property, services and equipment (49 U.S.C. § 106)
• Oversees the FAA’s daily operations, capital programs and modernization efforts⁷
• Serves as FAA’s chief executive officer
• Is responsible for the complex national system for aviation safety, airspace, and air traffic control and management
• Oversees the development and operation of a system of air traffic control and navigation for both civil and military aircraft
• Manages the development, expansion and operations of airports throughout the U.S. and provides grants for airport development
• Guides the regulation of U.S. commercial space transportation
• Oversees the regulation of air navigation facilities’ geometry and flight inspection standards
• Encourages the development of civil aeronautics, including new aviation technology
• Oversees staff responsible for issuing, suspending or revoking pilot certificates
• Fosters cooperation among federal, state and local governments, carriers, labor and other interested persons to achieve transportation objectives
• Evaluates, develops and recommends courses of action, both policy- and budget-related, to the secretary, executive branch officials and Congress
• Ensures fiscal discipline and effective operations⁸

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]