REPUBLICation of Bessie Coleman Charter equals what for DEI???

JDA Aviation Technology Solutions

 

Below is a Federal Register issued by the DoT/FAA under the Federal Advisory Committee Act authorizing the continuation of a Committee which Congress enacted to encourage the ENTRY OF WOMEN into AVIATION CAREERs. SIGN OF THIS ADMINISTRATION’S POSITION ON DEI???

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-63)[1] was signed into law on May 16, 2024. It was actually a repeat of similar legislation passed in 2018 and that initial effort was supported by Sec. Chao’s appointments AND included a lengthy report in 2022[2].

 

This 2024 reauthorization is effective from the date of its enactment through Fiscal Year 2028 and as with all such bills it expresses Congress’ priorities for how the agency carries out its mission.. Section 403 of that 2024 Act directed the FAA to establish the BESSIE COLEMAN WOMEN IN AVIATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

The Charter was first published December 5 of last year. Its text does not materially vary from the most recent publication of that document.

The FAA on 11/21/2024 issued its Notice of Solicitation for Nominations for Appointment to the Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation (BCWA) Advisory Committee. with a deadline of December 23, 2024, for submissions. It was republished by ATEC and the Drone Girl

As of today, there has been no publicly available list of nominations submitted for appointment. The FAA stated that it would notify appointed members in writing, but it did not commit to publishing a list of all nominations received. The BCWA site notes:

“Once all complete submissions have been received, nominees will be selected after a review period.”

[date: 11/21/2024]

SO, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE JULY 25, 2025, REPUBLICATION? IS DEI STILL ALIVE IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON?

Hard to tell- neither FAA nor DOT issued any press release; further none of the aviation DI advocacy groups commented on the document. There is no ostensible reason for its republication and the telephone listed for the individual responsible for BCWA has been disconnected.

The authorization for the Bessie Coleman team expires on OCTOBER 1, 2028; so , if the Trump Administration intends to meet the Congressional direction; time is getting short.

The Charter established steps to precede action by the Advisory Committee. Again, assuming that the Secretary or Administrator wants to see some action, one would expect to see these soon :

• appointing the members of the group
  • NB, the statute names 16 specific categories of perspectives to be named
• naming of the Designated Federal Officer
• announcements of dates/times/places of the meetings
• all committee and subcommittee agendas must be formulated and approved by the DFO, in consultation with the Chair.
• All the administrivia that need be done for such work.

Only time will tell and any positive movement towards Bessie Coleman action would be front page news.

 

Charter of the Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee U.S. Department of Transportation

1. Advisory Committee’s Official Designation.

The Committee’s official designation is the Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation (BCWA) Advisory Committee.

The Committee is established under the authority of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), pursuant to Sec. 403 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Public Law (Pub. L.) 118-63, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. ch. 10.

3. Objectives and Scope of Activities.

The objectives of the BCWA Advisory Committee are to provide independent advice and recommendations to the DOT and the FAA and to respond to specific taskings received directly from DOT or the FAA. The advice, recommendations, and taskings relate to PROMOTING THE RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, TRAINING, CAREER ADVANCEMENT, AND WELL-BEING OF WOMEN in aviation professions and aviation-focused Federal civil service positions. In response to DOT and FAA requests, the BCWA Advisory Committee may provide DOT and FAA with information that may be used for planning purposes.

4. Description of Duties.

The BCWA Advisory Committee will act solely in an advisory capacity and will not exercise program management responsibilities. All activities carried out by the Committee, including special committees, shall BE IN RESPONSE TO WRITTEN TERMS OF WORK FROM THE SECRETARY OR FAA ADMINISTRATOR, or taskings approved by a majority of the voting members of the Committee and may not duplicate the objectives of the Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee. The BCWA Advisory Committee will:

1. 403. Foster industry collaboration in an open and transparent manner by engaging with representatives of the private sector associated with an entity described in subsection (e)(1)(B) of Sec. 403.
   404. Make recommendations for strategic objectives, priorities, and policies that would improve the recruitment, retention, training, and career advancement of women in aviation professions.
   405. Evaluate opportunities for the FAA to improve the recruitment and retention of women in the FAA.
   406. Periodically review and update the recommendations directed to the FAA and non-FAA entities produced by the Advisory Board created pursuant to section 612 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) to improve the implementation of such recommendations. e. Coordinate with the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Transportation and the Federal Women’s Program of the FAA to ensure directives described in subsection (c) of Sec. 403 do not duplicate objectives of such office or program.
   407. Agency or Federal Officer Receiving the Advisory Committee’s Advice/Recommendations.

The BCWA Advisory Committee reports to the Secretary of Transportation through the FAA Administrator.

5. Support.

The FAA will provide support, including funding for the Committee. The Office of Aviation Policy and Plans is the primary entity within the FAA responsible for supporting the BCWA Advisory Committee.

7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Staff Years. The FAA’s annual operating costs to support the BCWA Advisory Committee for the period and scope specified by the charter is approximately $460,000, which includes 2.0 full-time equivalent salary and benefits at $413,000, plus $47,000 for meeting, travel, and miscellaneous expenses.
8. Designated Federal Officer. The FAA Administrator, on behalf of the Secretary of Transportation, will appoint a full-time or permanent part-time Federal employee to serve as the BCWA Advisory Committee Designated Federal Officer (DFO). The BCWA Advisory Committee DFO will ensure that administrative support is provided for all activities. The DFO must:
9. Ensure compliance with FACA, FACA Final Rule, DOT’s administrative procedures, and any other applicable laws and regulations.
10. Approve or call, in coordination with the Chair, all meetings of the BCWA Advisory Committee or subcommittee.
11. Formulate and approve, in consultation with the Chair, all committee and subcommittee agendas.
12. d. Attend all BCWA Advisory Committee and subcommittee meetings for their duration.
13. Fulfill the requirements under § 10(b) of FACA (codified at 5 U.S.C. 1009(b)). f. Adjourn any meeting when the DFO determines it to be in the public interest.
14. Chair meetings when directed to do so by the FAA Administrator.
15. Maintain information on BCWA Advisory Committee activities and provide such information to the public, as applicable.
16. Ensure BCWA Advisory Committee members and subcommittee members, as applicable, receive the appropriate training (e.g., FACA overview, ethics training) for efficient operation and compliance with FACA and FACA Final Rule.
17. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings.

The BCWA Advisory Committee estimates meeting at least two times per year to carry out its responsibilities. BCWA Advisory Committee meetings will be open to the public, except as provided under section 10(d) of FACA, as implemented by 41 CFR part 102-3. Unless otherwise required by law or approved by the Secretary, all meetings will be held virtually (or in a hybrid forum that does not require additional use of Federal funds).

10. Duration.

The duration of the BCWA Advisory Committee is continuing, subject to the Termination section below.

11. Termination.

The charter will terminate 2 years after its effective date unless renewed in accordance with FACA and other applicable regulations. THE BCWA ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL TERMINATE ON OCTOBER 1, 2028.

12. Membership and Designation.

The BCWA Advisory Committee shall comprise members appointed by the Secretary. All the BCWA Advisory Committee members serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of Transportation.

1. The BCWA Advisory Committee shall be composed of the Administrator, or the designee of the Administrator, voting members, and non-voting members.
2. Voting members—There will be at least 25 voting members, appointed by the Secretary, representing the following:

(i) Aircraft manufacturers and aerospace companies.

(ii) Public and private aviation labor organizations, including collective bargaining representatives of—

(I)Aviation safety inspectors and safety engineers of the FAA;

(II) Air traffic controllers;

(III) Certified aircraft maintenance technicians;

and

(IV) Commercial airline crewmembers.

(iii) General aviation operators.

(iv) Air carriers.

(v) Business aviation operators, including powered lift operators.

(vi) Unmanned aircraft systems operators. (vii) Aviation safety management experts. (viii) Aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul entities.

(ix) Airport owners, operators, and employees.

(x) Institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)), or a high school or secondary school (as such terms are defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)).

(xi) A flight school that provides flight training, as defined in part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or that holds a pilot school certificate under part 141 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

(xii) Aviation maintenance technician schools governed under part 147 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

(xiii) Engineering business associations. (xiv) Civil Air Patrol.

(xv) Nonprofit organizations within the aviation industry.

1. Nonvoting members—

In addition to the voting members, the Committee shall be composed of not more than five nonvoting members appointed by the Secretary from among officers or employees of the FAA, at least one of which shall be an employee of the Office of Civil Rights of the FAA.

1. Additional nonvoting members

The Administrator may invite additional representatives from the Department of Education and Department of Labor to serve as nonvoting members on the Committee.

1. Compensation

Committee members will serve without compensation for their work on the Committee. Members appointed solely for their expertise will serve as special government employees.

1. Member representatives are appointed for a 2-year term but can continue to serve until their replacement is chosen or they are reappointed. The Chairperson shall serve a 2-year term.
2. Members shall not preference or otherwise utilize their membership on the Committee in connection with public statements in their personal capacities without a disclaimer that views expressed are their own and do not represent the views of the Committee, the Federal Aviation Administration, or the Department of Transportation.
3. Subcommittees.

The FAA Administrator has the authority to create and dissolve subcommittees as needed. Subcommittees must not work independently of the BCWA Advisory Committee. They must provide recommendations and advice to the BCWA Advisory Committee, not the FAA, for deliberation, discussion, and approval. The BCWA Advisory Committee is also permitted to establish special committees composed of industry representatives, members of the public, labor representatives, and other relevant parties. These special committees would function the same as the subcommittees described in paragraph 13 in carrying out their statutorily prescribed duties.

14. Recordkeeping.

The records of the BCWA Advisory Committee are handled in accordance with the National Archives and Records Administration General Records Schedule 6.2 or other approved agency records disposition schedules. Subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, the records, reports, transcripts, minutes, and other documents that are made available to or prepared for or by the BCWA Advisory Committee will be available for public inspection at https://www.faa.gov/women-in-aviation.

15. Filing Date.

This charter is effective November 15, 2024, which is the filing date of this charter. The amended charter is effective on June 9, 2025. If not renewed, this charter will expire on November 15, 2026.

[1]This bill was originally established in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act as a means to encourage and support female students and aviators to pursue an aviation career.

[2] U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao today announced the appointment of 30 board members to the newly-formed Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB). Former U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson will serve as chair of the board. Board members represent a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise, including those from major airlines and aerospace companies, nonprofit organizations within the aviation industry, aviation and engineering business associations, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, and institutions of higher education and aviation trade schools. A full list of appointees and their biographies is available here. There is no public record yet of a comprehensive FAA or DOT implementation plan.