Long-time US FAA executive John Duncan will assume the role of deputy associate administrator of Aviation Safety (AVS) on a permanent basis, following six months that saw several agency officials serve in the position on an acting basis.

Duncan assumes the role as the agency’s No. 2 safety official, reporting to AVS Associate Administrator Ali Bahrami. The change is effective July 22, FAA confirmed. He replaces John Hickey, who retired Jan. 30 after 28 years at the agency, including 10 in his most recent role.

Duncan has been leading FAA’s Flight Standards division as its executive director. He joined FAA in 1986 as an aviation safety inspector and held roles in Flight Standards’ air transport and general aviation divisions before assuming his current role six years ago.

Replacing Duncan at the top of Flight Standards will be Rick Domingo, a former Flight Standards Aircraft Maintenance Division executive who has been acting deputy associate administrator for the last several months. Domingo’s most recent permanent full-role at the agency has been director of Flight Standards’ office of Safety Standards, a position created in FAA’s recent Flight Standards reorganization. 

Sean Broderick, sean.broderick@aviationweek.com