https://coloradosun.com/2023/03/01/colorado-phil-washington-faa-hearing/

“He does not have any experience in aviation safety,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. “This quite simply is a position he is not qualified for.”

Cruz discounted Washington’s job running the Denver airport, telling the nominee, “You are in charge of coffee shops, clothing stores and newsstands,” but not pilots, aircraft mechanics or air traffic controllers.

Other Republicans peppered Washington by reading detailed questions about aviation — such as the number of special-use airspace types, and what causes a plane to stall — which he was mostly unable to answer.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer vowed “to break this logjam” and clear the way for Washington’s confirmation. [Schumer vowing to push through the diversity nomination tells you all you need to know.]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/03/01/philip-washington-faa-hearing/

Some of the questions Mr. Washington was asked:

Republicans pressed Washington to answer rapid-fire technical and procedural questions, with Sen. Ted Budd (N.C.) repeatedly directing the nominee to speed up his answers.

“Mr. Washington, can you quickly tell me what airspace requires an ADS-B transponder? Quickly, please,” Budd said.

“Thank you for the question, senator,” Washington responded. “Not sure I can answer that question right now.”

(ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, transmits information on an airplane’s location, altitude and speed, and the FAA provides a “decision tree” to help pilots determine when it’s required.)

Budd asked Washington to describe the six types of special use airspace over military bases. He asked about types of certifications required by the FAA. Washington said he did not know. The senator asked what causes an airplane to spin or stall, and Washington said he would lean on career employees and safety specialists at the FAA.

“Let’s just keep going, see if we can get lucky here,” Budd said at one point, before asking about minimum separation distances and drone regulations, finally concluding: “You know, the FAA can’t afford to be led by someone who needs on-the-job training.”

We have to have pilots reading this- I’d like your inputs please 😊

DEI?

More details concerning the lack of appropriate aviation safety experience, along with Mr. Washington's corruption on some of his other job assignments:

https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2023/3/sen-cruz-phil-washington-doesn-t-qualify-because-he-has-woefully-inadequate-aviation-safety-experience

https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/2/wicker-statement-on-faa-nominee-phil-washington

As if I needed anymore reason to never fly.

Someone should have asked about why the acceptable band of EKG readings for pilots was relaxed. Shouldn’t we want our pilots to be health and not die suddenly of inexplicable causes?

Oh he's from Denver Airport? So a total satanist as well as an unqualified moron. How do u run an airport and not know this stuff?

Pilots will quit in droves.

Sounds like the perfect guy to work at a high level federal job.