Although America was home to the first successful flight of an airplane, it soon began to lag behind other countries in the years that followed. The onset of WWI made this deficiency apparent as the United States did not have any fighter-type aircraft and only a handful of pilots to lend to France and Britain. However, during the war hundreds of pilots were trained and following its completion, they returned to the U.S. and brought with them their aircraft. As barnstormers, stunt pilots, and instruction flights filled the unregulated skies, it become apparent that aviation had the potential to be incredibly dangerous. Taking note of this, individual states began passing laws pertaining to certification of airmen and aircraft registration. However, because of the ability of aircraft to cover multiple states in a relatively short amount of time, it became clear that federal law was needed to provide uniform regulation throughout the nation.
In 1926, Congress passed the Air Commerce Act marking the beginning of federal regulation of aviation. This Act gave the Department of Commerce regulatory authority over commercial aviation and the responsibility to promote the newborn industry. However, the Act did little to diminish the number of aircraft accidents and the need to promote the industry was cited as the cause. In 1934, the Air Commerce Act was amended to mandate that public reports be issued after investigating aircraft accidents. In essence, this placed safety ahead of protecting the image of aviation and laid the foundation for all aviation laws to follow. As the aviation industry continued to grow and adapt, so did the agencies that govern their safety. Eventually in 1966 the Federal Aviation Administration was formed and has been providing safety oriented regulations since. Although the airline industry was freed from excessive economic regulation by deregulation in 1978, safety regulations still remain alive and abundant in the industry today. To an extent, these regulations are the reason why air transportation is one of the safest forms of pubic transportation available to this day.
Wells, Alexander, & Rodrigues, Clarence. (2003). Commercial aviation safety. McGraw-Hill Professional.
In 1926, Congress passed the Air Commerce Act marking the beginning of federal regulation of aviation. This Act gave the Department of Commerce regulatory authority over commercial aviation and the responsibility to promote the newborn industry. However, the Act did little to diminish the number of aircraft accidents and the need to promote the industry was cited as the cause. In 1934, the Air Commerce Act was amended to mandate that public reports be issued after investigating aircraft accidents. In essence, this placed safety ahead of protecting the image of aviation and laid the foundation for all aviation laws to follow. As the aviation industry continued to grow and adapt, so did the agencies that govern their safety. Eventually in 1966 the Federal Aviation Administration was formed and has been providing safety oriented regulations since. Although the airline industry was freed from excessive economic regulation by deregulation in 1978, safety regulations still remain alive and abundant in the industry today. To an extent, these regulations are the reason why air transportation is one of the safest forms of pubic transportation available to this day.
Wells, Alexander, & Rodrigues, Clarence. (2003). Commercial aviation safety. McGraw-Hill Professional.
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