The FAA has named agency veteran David Boulter as associate administrator for aviation safety. Boulter has held the role in an acting capacity since June 2022, when he filled the position that was vacated after Billy Nolen became acting FAA administrator.
As the head of aviation safety, Boulter steers an organization that is responsible for the safety standards involving all aspects of the aviation industry, encompasses 7,600 professionals, and has an annual budget of more than $1.8 billion.
Boulter has also held positions with Part 135 and 121 operators but has served with the FAA for more than 25 years, beginning as an aviation safety inspector in the Scottsdale, Arizona Flight Standards District Office.
Over his tenure with the agency, he has held numerous roles such as pilot, check airman, Part 119 manager, and senior FAA representative and foreign affairs specialist in Afghanistan. His responsibilities grew over time and before taking the acting associate administrator position he had been executive director of the Flight Standards Service.