Trump’s FAA pick advances over opposition from Democrats, Capt. Sully

President Donald Trump's nominee to oversee the U.S. air safety system is one step closer to

confirmation despite strong opposition from one of the nation's best-known pilots. Chesley Sully-Sullenberger says Brian Bedford, the CEO of regional carrier Republic Airways

is not qualified to lead the Federal Aviation Administration. Sullenberger, who safely landed a damaged airliner in 2009 in what became known as the Miracle on the Hudson

complained that Bedford has not committed to keeping a rule requiring new pilots to have 1,500 hours of in-flight training before they're allowed to fly commercial aircraft

Pilots licensed before 2009 needed only 250 hours to be certified. In a post on LinkedIn, Sullenberger wrote, airline pilots would have far less experience and would not be seasoned, literally not having experience flying in all seasons of the year

The crosswinds of spring the thunderstorms of summer the frost and fog of fall and the ice and snow of winter The first time a pilot experiences real weather should not be with paying passengers aboard Bedford says his focus as FAA

administrator would be modernizing the nation's air traffic control system. Republicans, including

Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, praised Bedford. Brian Bedford is ready

to be FAA administrator. Over his 25-year tenure at Republic Airways, he has demonstrated a

laudable commitment to aviation safety. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth questioned Bedford at his

confirmation hearing. Well-trained pilots are our last line of defense. In incident after incident

it has been the pilots, the pilots who have made last-second decisions to avert disaster

Mr. Bedford, will you commit to not reducing the number of flight hours currently required

for pilots. What I'm saying is I don't believe safety is static. The full Senate could vote on

Bedford's nomination as soon as next week. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey. For more

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