Release #: 19.13
May 21, 2019
ALPA President Named to FAA Drone Advisory Committee
Washington, D.C.—Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) president Capt. Joe DePete has been named by DOT Secretary Elaine Chao to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Drone Advisory Committee (DAC). The committee, originally established in 2016, is charged with advising, recommending, and tasking the FAA on improving the efficiency and safety of integrating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace system.
“I appreciate the confidence that Secretary Chao has placed in the world’s largest nongovernmental air safety organization, and ALPA stands ready, willing, and able to assist the DOT and the FAA on this important work to keep flying safe,” said Capt. DePete. “I look forward to working with the DAC members to ensure that we do all we can to safely integrate all new entrants into our airspace.”
Previously, Capt. DePete has served since 2017 as a member of the DAC subcommittee, where he worked on Technical Group 3 that advised the DAC on determining sources of funding for UAS integration and implementation. Capt. DePete has also been instrumental in leading initiatives to begin collaborating with new entrants on operational integration and safety enhancements.
The DAC is composed of 32 executives from various industries that are directly impacted by the integration of UAS into the national airspace. The committee includes members from the piloted and remotely piloted aviation industry, local and state law enforcement, manufacturers, retail, and the technology industry. ALPA and the National Air Traffic Controller Association are representing the views and perspectives of aviation labor and as experienced operators in the national airspace system.Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 62,000 pilots at 33 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org