US Senate panel to hold March 8 hearing on FAA reform efforts

The US Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday said it would hold a March 8 hearing on efforts by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reform how it certifies new airplanes after two Boeing 737 MAX crashes killed 346 people. Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen will appear at the hearing. Congress in 2020 passed sweeping reforms to address FAA certification efforts after the fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 raised safety questions about the agency's airplane certification program. "We need a clear commitment that this legislation will be fully implemented, and that these reforms -- ensuring designee oversight, mandating Safety Management Systems, and holding manufacturers accountable -- are all adhered to," Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell said at a hearing on Wednesday on President Joe Biden's pick to head the FAA. "We feel that industry and FAA got too cozy," she said.<br/>