FAA Safety Leader Peggy Gilligan Receives NBAA Silk Scarf Award

March 22, 2017

FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Margaret “Peggy” Gilligan today received NBAA’s Silk Scarf Award for her significant contributions to the aviation industry.

In Gilligan’s eight years as associate administrator for aviation safety, a role soon coming to an end as she retires on March 31, Gilligan has been responsible for setting, overseeing and enforcing safety standards for all parts of the aviation industry, including airlines, air traffic controllers, manufacturers, repair stations, pilots, maintenance technicians and more.

Gilligan has been a passionate advocate for improving safety through data sharing, supporting initiatives like the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing program, and data analysis and safety recommendation developments by the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee. She was instrumental in developing rules for commuter operations in the mid-1990s, as well as fractional ownership regulations in the early 2000s. She also helped develop pilot flight- and duty-time regulations and policies.

“Peggy has served the industry in various roles at the FAA for more than three decades, which is a remarkable achievement,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Peggy’s dedication to data-driven safety initiatives has quantifiably reduced aviation fatalities, and her impact on the industry will be felt long after her retirement later this month. It has been a privilege to work alongside her in her tireless efforts to improve aviation safety.”

Gilligan previously served as the chief of staff at the FAA, in the FAA Chief Counsel’s office and as a staff attorney in the FAA’s Eastern Region. She is a 1979 graduate of Boston University School of Law and a 1975 graduate of Manhattanville College.
About the Award

In an effort to honor outstanding business aviation community members and inspire future aviators, the NBAA Silk Scarf Award is given to individuals for special contributions to the business aviation community during their careers. Learn more and view past award recipients at the NBAA Silk Scarf Award web page.