Former FAA Administrator and head of Midway Airlines David Russell Hinson died at the age of 90 over the weekend. The 13th administrator of the FAA, Hinson led the agency under then-President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1996.
“We are forever thankful for the service of former FAA Administrator Hinson,” said General Aviation Manufacturers Association president and CEO Pete Bunce. “He was a champion for aviation safety and security, and he did a steadfast job overseeing the FAA during trying times.”
Born March 2, 1933, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Hinson brought a lengthy background in airline operations and flying to the agency. A University of Washington graduate (a first for his family) who later completed the Stanford University Graduate School of Business executive program, he began flying in 1954, entering flight school with the U.S. Navy and earning his wings in 1955. He served in both active duty and as a reserve for a decade but moved into civil aviation in 1961 as a pilot for Northwest Airlines.
This kicked off a decades-long career with airlines that included serving as an instructor pilot for United Airlines and as a captain and director of flight standards and engineering with West Coast Airlines (later Hughes AirWest).
He was one of four who founded Midway Airlines in 1978, and he served as its chairman between 1985 to 1991. He had slid over into manufacturing, as executive v-p for McDonnell Douglas, when asked to serve at the FAA. He also had a hand in general aviation, including through a limited partnership that invested in the Beech Aircraft distributor Flightcraft.
He managed the FAA during a period when several high-profile accidents put a spotlight on the agency, including the 1994 crash of an American Eagle ATR-72 in Roselawn, Indiana, the 1996 ValuJet DC-9 crash in the Florida Everglades, and a 1996 crash of a Cessna Cardinal 177B that killed seven-year-old Jessica DuBroff, who was hoping to become a pilot. Hinson implemented a "One Level of Safety" program that ultimately brought most regional airline operations under Part 121 requirements. He also is credited with moving the agency toward adoption of global positioning system navigation in the civil airspace.
“David Hinson guided the agency with immense leadership during challenging times and is rightly credited with historic safety accomplishments including the Single Level of Safety initiative," said former FAA Deputy Administrator Linda Hall Daschle, who served with Hinson. "He was a person of deep integrity, professionalism, and grace. It was an honor to serve with him during his tenure and I valued his friendship and collaboration greatly.”
NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen agreed: “David Hinson was a great leader and aviator who, during his tenure as FAA administrator, set an enduring standard for excellence. He will be greatly missed by all of us who were fortunate to have worked with and been inspired by him.”
Logging more than 8,000 hours in more than 70 aircraft types—which ranged from the Marine Corps AV-8 Harrier and B-2 stealth bomber to a Boeing 777—his passion for general aviation continued; he flew his own Beechcraft Duke. Hinson further served on the board of the National Air and Space Museum and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Foundation's board of visitors.
He also was involved in a variety of corporate philanthropic and community-oriented boards and was inducted into the Oklahoma and Idaho Aviation Halls of Fame. Additionally, Hinson was a recipient of the Museum of Flight’s Pathfinder award.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ursula; their three children, Eric, Spencer, and Heidi; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Bunce added, “GAMA has been fortunate to have Administrator Hinson’s son, Eric, as an integral part of our board of directors, serving on our Executive Committee and as our 2023 chairman. It is clear that the Administrator’s passion, knowledge, and dedication for aviation were passed on to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eric and his family during this difficult time.”
The FAA also marked the passing of its former chief. "We are saddened at the death of former FAA Administrator David Hinson. Our thoughts are with his family."