FAA Administrator Steve Dickson Honored With NBAA American Spirit Award

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has announced that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Steve Dickson, who will retire effective March 31, received the association’s 2022 American Spirit Award for his incomparable achievements in advancing America’s aviation interests.

The award was presented today by the association’s Board of Directors.

“Steve embodies leadership, integrity and love of country,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Aviation has been very fortunate to have someone like Steve Dickson in the left seat, moving our industry forward.”

Dickson was named FAA administrator in July 2019. He began his FAA tenure in the wake of two fatal airline accidents; soon thereafter, he was called on to address the pressing and unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He responded swiftly and decisively, safely addressing “ATC Zero” outages and other system disruptions, and implementing policies, including SFAR 118, which were critical to the viability of aviation operations under pandemic circumstances.

Dickson has redoubled the FAA’s focus on environmental sustainability, the safe introduction of emerging technologies such as advanced air mobility, and the expansion of initiatives to inspire the next generation of professionals to consider aviation careers.

Before coming to the FAA, Dickson’s extensive career with Delta Air Lines was characterized by his leadership of several industry stakeholder groups and federal advisory committees that focused on the development of a world-leading Next Generation aviation system.

Dickson has been continually engaged with NBAA and the business aviation community, including through his participation as a speaker at NBAA’s 2019 and 2021 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) events.

A former U.S. Air Force officer and F-15 fighter pilot, Dickson served as senior vice president for operations at Delta before he was named FAA administrator.

Since its creation in 1994, NBAA’s American Spirit Award has recognized individuals within business aviation who exemplify excellence and service to others. Past recipients include: Barrington Irving, Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger and Bruce Whitman. Read more about the American Spirit Award.