The Federal Aviation Act of 1958

 

The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 was instrumental in shaping the aviation industry over the years. After two aircraft that belonged to Trans World Airlines and United Air Lines collided in 1956, it became apparent that aviation safety was an issue, leading President Eisenhower to sign the Federal Aviation Act into law (Timeline, n.d.). Civil aviation safety, which was previously controlled by the Civil Aeronautics Authority, was now under the control of the new and independent Federal Aviation Agency (A, n.d.). The birth of the Federal Aviation Agency gave rise to many new safety implementations, including the rule that pilots couldn’t fly over the age of 60 on certificated route air carrier operations or on large aircraft engaged in supplemental air carrier operations (Timeline, n.d.). They also implemented new standards and technology to be used in air traffic control operations, which were lacking in a time where the aviation industry was steadily increasing.

The Federal Aviation Agency later became what we have now as the Federal Aviation Administration, where we can see some of the same regulations that were implemented 60 years ago. The “age-60 rule” is still in place for pilots of commercial aircraft and smaller propellor aircraft carrying ten or more passengers to guarantee that people who have reached a cognitive and performance decline are not flying outside the acceptable risk to public safety (FAA’S, 2005). The Federal Aviation Act was what gave birth to the FAA that we know now. It was becoming apparent that safety was a large concern and due to this act, the FAA has mitigated many safety concerns and has transformed the aviation industry into a safe and reliable system.

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References

A Brief History of the FAA. (n.d.). Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved August 14,                                                                                                                                                                  2022, from https://www.faa.gov/about/history/brief_history

FAA’S Age 60 Commercial Pilot Rule. (2005, July 19). US Department of Transportation.

Retrieved August 12, 2022, from

https://www.transportation.gov/testimony/faa%E2%80%99s-age-60-commercial-

pilot-rule

Timeline of FAA and Aerospace History. (n.d.). Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved

August 12, 2022, from https://www.faa.gov/about/history/timeline