Indian Rocks Beach resident Duane Woerth, a former president of the Air Line Pilots Association, has emerged as a contender to head the Federal Aviation Administration.

Woerth, a former Northwest Airlines pilot who headed the pilots union from 1999 to 2006, has discussed the possibility with key congressional leaders, including Rep. Jim Oberstar, the Minnesota Democrat who chairs the House transportation committee. Woerth, who was defeated when he ran for a third term as ALPA president, has been working as an aviation consultant. He is supported by labor unions and some aviation industry groups.

Woerth did not return a phone call Monday.

One hint that he’s on the short list: He has been seen in Washington with Jane Garvey, a former FAA administrator who is advising the Obama transition team on transportation. Garvey has also been mentioned as a possible nominee for transportation secretary.

But Woerth does not have a lock on the job. Other names being mentioned include Robert Herbert, an aide to Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, and Clay Foushee, a senior aide to Oberstar who has also worked as a vice president for Northwest Airlines and as a human factors expert for the FAA.

It could be weeks before Obama nominates an FAA chief. Obama is expected to first name his choice for transportation secretary.

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