Former US air force and airline pilot Daniel Elwell has taken over at the Federal Aviation Administration as acting administrator.
He replaced outgoing FAA Administrator Michael Huerta whose five year term of office expired Sunday.
Elwell was an Air Force lieutenant general and a pilot with American Airlines.
He also later served as senior vice president for safety, security and operations with trade group Airlines for America.
"Dan’s background as a military and commercial pilot and past leadership positions in FAA and the aviation sector ensures a seamless transition to continue the important mission of the FAA," said transportation secretary Elaine Chao.
During the George W Bush Administration Elwell was an assistant administrator at the FAA responsible for policy, planning and environment and also established his own consulting group, Elwell & Associates.
He returned to the FAA last year as deputy administrator.
