FAA chooses new unmanned aircraft executives

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently chose Marke “Hoot” Gibson and Earl Lawrence to fulfill two executive-level positions in the agency.

The two new executives will help the agency provide safe, efficient and timely integration of the U.S. airspace with unmanned aircraft systems.

Gibson will now be the senior adviser concerning UAS Integration. This position requires him to concentrate on external outreach, education and interagency initiatives. He will also take an enterprise-level approach to the integration efforts of the FAA management team.

The FAA deputy administrator will be his direct supervisor. Gibson was previously the executive director of NextGen Institute. He has experience in offering professional services to the UAS Joint Program Development Office. Gibson also owns an aviation consulting firm.

Lawrence is now the director of the UAS Integration Office, a branch of the Aviation Safety organization of the FAA. He will head the efforts of the FAA to effectively and safely unite the UAS with the national airspace.

Lawrence spent five years at the FAA Small Airplane Directorate where he served as the director. He has also been with the Experimental Aircraft Association, serving as vice president for industry and regulatory affairs since 1994.

Both new hires will begin their positions this month.