Nick DeLotell
Aviation Safety Inspector, FAA General Aviation and Commercial Division’s Operations Group
By Paul Cianciolo, FAA Safety Briefing Associate Editor
Growing up in Dayton, Ohio around aviation historical hot spots kept Nick DeLotell’s head in the clouds from an early age. After all, Ohio is known as the “birthplace of aviation” and is home to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force — the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world.
Nick’s first flight was in a Robinson R22 helicopter at age 13. After that jaunt in the sky, there was no turning back from a career in aviation. A year later, he took the controls of a 1946 Aeronca Chief and headed for the second star to the right and straight on ’til morning.
With a bachelor’s degree in aviation from Ohio University, Nick worked at the university airport as a flight instructor and air transportation service pilot before moving to a regional airline. He joined the airline’s training program as an instructor and check airman, and eventually became their director of training.
Nick also spent time as part of the National Guard in both West Virginia and Ohio where he served as a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk mechanic, crew chief, and door gunner. That experience included a 2009 tour in Iraq.
Once Nick became a father, it was time to cool his jets and focus on family. That’s when his passion for aviation, experience flying 50 types of aircraft, and Army values aligned with the FAA’s mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.
As part of the Operations Group in the FAA’s General Aviation (GA) and Commercial Division, Nick and his teammates manage the regulations and guidance for aerial work and public aircraft operations, unmanned aircraft systems policy and processing, private and commercial flights under parts 91 and 125, fractional ownership program managers under part 91K, helicopter external load operators, and agricultural aircraft operators. The work includes developing Advisory Circulars, Information for Operators, Safety Alerts for Operators, policy interpretations, and providing safety assurance assistance to Flight Standards District Offices. The team also works with special programs and policies like runway safety. Everything is intended to ensure that GA is as safe as possible.
Nick is most proud of the work he does with the FAA’s Runway Safety Group, a team of experts dedicated to improving safety on the surface of our nation’s airports. One of the many runway safety initiatives they produce is the From the Flight Deck video series, a collaborative agency effort designed to help pilots identify hot spots and other safety-sensitive items. These videos are available on the FAA’s YouTube channel.
With so many pilot deviations involving runway incursions, Nick challenges flight instructors to make the investment to their trainees to ensure they understand the knowledge, risk management, and skill components of airport operations and surface safety.
Nick’s advice to all pilots is simple:
Aviate — Taxi slowly, intentionally, and without distraction.
Navigate — Use the airport diagram for situational awareness and to manage risk. Avoid hot spots and intersection departures when possible.
Communicate — “Roger” is a person, not a clearance onto a runway. “Unable” is something you should say more and is never frowned upon. If you’re lost, confused, or simply need a minute, say so. Clearly communicate your needs and expectations to ATC; they’re on your team and care about your safety.
Nick looks forward to a future with pilots “flying” the pavement more safely. He hopes to see new surveillance technologies enhance air traffic services at smaller airports. He notes that the FAA will continue to focus on providing expanded resources for pilots, airfield drivers, airport operators, and controllers to help combat threats to safety at our nation’s airports.
Paul Cianciolo is an associate editor and the social media lead for FAA Safety Briefing. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran, and an auxiliary airman with Civil Air Patrol.
