Former Delta executive sworn in as FAA chief

Stephen Dickson, a former Delta Air Lines executive, was sworn in on Monday as the administrator of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

New Federal Aviation Administrator Stephen Dickson, is sworn in by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, during a ceremony at the Department of Transportation in Washington. [Photo: AP via IC/Jacquelyn Martin]

Dickson, who spent 27 years at Delta, started as a pilot and worked his way up to senior vice president of flight operations, before retiring last year.

He was nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump this March and is to take over the FAA from Acting Administrator Daniel Elwell. On July 24, The U.S. senators voted 52-40, largely along party lines, in favor of confirming Dickson's nomination.

The swearing-in comes as the FAA is facing scrutiny of its oversight after two Boeing 737 Max crashes killed nearly 350 people.

Boeing 737 Max planes have been grounded in the United States since March 13 and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Inspector General subsequently started to look into whether the FAA used appropriate design standards and engineering analysis in certifying the anti-stall system, which is suspected of having played a role in the crashes.

The U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who administered the oath of office, asked Dickson to assess the performance of the agency and the results of the ongoing investigations to make recommendations about any needed reforms.

Dickson reiterated FAA's position that the Boeing 737 Max will not fly in commercial service "until I am completely satisfied that it is safe to do so."

Elwell will serve as FAA's deputy administrator upon Dickson assuming office, according to FAA.