People in composites: June 2023

Former FAA administrator joins Archer as chief safety officer

Archer chief safety officer, Billy Nolen, standing in front of Archer’s Midnight aircraft at the company’s flight test facility in Salinas, California.

Archer Aviation Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif., U.S.) has appointed Bill Nolen, former acting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator, as its chief safety officer. Nolen’s expertise in aviation safety and flight operations, along with his deep passion and excitement for advanced air mobility (AAM), will further strengthen Archer’s ability to successfully commercialize urban air mobility (UAM) at scale.

“Billy is an incredible leader and has long been a staunch supporter of the eVTOL [electric vertical takeoff and landing] aircraft industry, spearheading our country’s and the FAA’s global leadership role in this important area,” Adam Goldstein, Archer’s founder and CEO, says. “Together, we will shape the future of transportation and make sustainable, efficient air travel a reality.”

While at the FAA, Nolen led the agency’s efforts to enable the safe entry of eVTOL aircraft into national airspace. Nolen has been a strong advocate for the eVTOL aircraft industry and its role in changing the way the world moves. In his new position, Nolen will play a leadership role to help Archer more effectively collaborate with industry stakeholders and help ensure its safe entry into service as it prepares for planned commercialization in 2025.

“I’m honored to join Archer Aviation, a true visionary at the forefront of revolutionizing UAM,” Nolen says. “The commercialization of eVTOL aircraft is no longer a question of ‘if,’ but rather ‘when’ and after careful consideration and assessing the competitive landscape, I joined Archer because I believe its approach to designing for certification and only developing the key enabling technologies necessary for eVTOL aircraft is the right recipe for success. I’m excited to bring my expertise as a former FAA administrator to Archer and believe its dedication to safety, innovation and commercialization aligns with my own values and aspirations.”

While serving as the acting administrator at the FAA from April 2022 to June 2023, Nolen led certification reform and new safety management systems for airports. Prior to that, he was the associate administrator of aviation safety for the FAA, which covers more than one million registered aircraft, more than one million active pilots, thousands of approved manufacturers and more than 50,000 flights every day. He has more than 33 years of experience in corporate safety, regulatory affairs and flight operations. Nolen started his career as a pilot for American Airlines, followed by numerous safety leadership positions at WestJet Airlines, Qantas Airways, Airlines for America and American Airlines.

Nolen also served tours of duty in the U.S. Army as an airplane and helicopter pilot and safety officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, as well as specialized aviation safety management certificates from the University of Southern California, U.S. Army Safety Center and the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

ORNl names hew director for facilities and operations

Ann Weaver has been named facilities and operations (F&O) director at the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL, Oak Ridge, Tenn., U.S.), effective this fall.

“Given the wide range of responsibilities under F&O, a strong leader is required,” interim ORNL director Jeff Smith says. “Ann is the right choice for the job, as she will ensure that organization continues making critical contributions to ORNL’s success each day.”

Because of her experience and accomplishments over nearly 20 years at ORNL, Weaver is uniquely equipped to guide F&O. She has served as chief operating officer (COO) of the Neutron Sciences Directorate since 2019. As the operational leader for the organization responsible for the Spallation Neutron Source and the High Flux Isotope Reactor, Weaver has ensured these neutron facilities meet their operational objectives.

As one of the first COOs named at ORNL, she has also been a leader in establishing the roles and responsibilities for COOs in the lab’s science and technology directorates. Previously, Weaver was the director of the Facilities Management Division within the F&O directorate. From 2012 to 2019, she was responsible for ORNL’s laboratory and office space, fabrication services and a staff of more than 300. This role included oversight of a budget of more than $50 million.

Ann Weaver, facilities and operations (F&O) director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Weaver has also been actively engaged in learning and sharing operational best practices with other Battelle national laboratories. She serves as a member of the Operations Committee at Los Alamos National Laboratory and graduated from Battelle’s Laboratory Operations Leadership Academy. In addition to her operational leadership, Weaver has been involved in the community throughout her career, representing Team UT-Battelle, leading ORNL Gives activities and serving on the board of advisors for the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Tennessee (UT) and on the board of directors for Clinch River Habitat for Humanity. Weaver holds a bachelor’s in industrial engineering and a master’s in engineering management from UT.

“I am excited about ORNL’s future and the significant role that F&O plays in the success of our laboratory,” Weaver says. “In my previous roles at the lab, I have gained insight that has helped shaped my vision for F&O, an organization of highly skilled, talented and dedicated people working toward our mission to support ORNL as a world-leading research and energy lab. I am honored and grateful for this opportunity.”

Until she begins her new role this fall, Weaver will serve as F&O’s deputy director, which began June 1, 2023, working with current F&O director Jimmy Stone, who plans to retire at year’s end.

“Working alongside Jimmy for 20 years, I am thankful for his commitment to ORNL, the mission and the people — especially those in F&O,” Smith says. “His passionate advocacy for this institution has been instrumental in ORNL’s accomplishments through the years.”

Bye Aerospace welcomes new president and COO

Bye Aerospace (Denver, Colo., U.S.) announces the appointment of Rod Zastrow as president and COO. Zastrow joins the leadership team to spearhead the final stages of FAA certification and commence production of the eFlyer 2, the company’s FAA Part 23 certified electric airplane.

Rod Zastrow, Bye Aerospace president and COO.

With a background as the former chair and CEO of Spartan Global Aviation Training, Zastrow brings extensive expertise in pilot training, aircraft maintenance, logistics and global business development. Zastrow played a pivotal role in securing a prominent position in a comprehensive $1 billion pilot and maintenance training Middle East Foreign Military Sale for Spartan. Zastrow’s accomplishments also include a distinguished career as a senior USAF leader, F-15 combat pilot and Fighter Weapons School “Top Gun” graduate.

Bye Aerospace recently achieved a significant milestone by completing the full “Means of Compliance” for its eFlyer 2 certification. This accomplishment, comprising 16 specific plans encompassing a wide range of systems and procedures, marks what the company claims is the first FAA approval under Amendment 64 for a Level 1 all-electric aircraft in the general aviation industry. Zastrow will lead Bye Aerospace’s team of experts as they embark on the assembly of the initial conforming eFlyer aircraft.

George Bye, chairman and CEO of Bye Aerospace, expresses his enthusiasm for Zastrow's addition to the team, stating, “Rod Zastrow brings invaluable aviation leadership experience to our organization. His guidance will be instrumental in leading the company through the completion of the FAA certification process and transitioning to eFlyer 2 production. Of particular significance is his extensive background in global logistics, supply chain management and support for large fleets of pilot training aircraft.”

“I am honored and thrilled to join the Bye Aerospace team during this pivotal moment on the path to achieving a historic FAA all-electric certification,” Zastrow comments. “We have a clear roadmap to eFlyer 2 certification, and I have complete confidence in our team’s ability to execute on that game plan. Our focus is laser sharp as we work towards delivering this clean and quiet technology to our pilot training customers and their students, as well as other customers who stand to benefit from the disruptive advantages of significantly lower operating costs.”

For more information, read “People in Composites: May 2023.”