Reagan Reportedly to Name Executive as New Head of FAA

Federal Express executive Allan McArtor will be nominated by President Reagan to replace Donald D. Engen as head of the Federal Aviation Administration, aviation sources said Tuesday night.

McArtor, 44, is a senior vice president of telecommunications with Federal Express, which is based in Memphis, Tenn.

McArtor said Tuesday night in a telephone conversation from his Memphis home that “I am a candidate for this position to succeed Don Engen.”

FAA officials declined comment.

McArtor, a Vietnam veteran and holder of the Silver Star, is a former member of the Thunderbirds, a group of Air Force precision fliers. He said he joined Federal Express in September, 1979, in system operations.

“We’re of course in the preliminary stages of the approval process,” he said, noting that he expects to receive final word some time before Engen’s resignation becomes effective at the beginning of July.