The early years of 20th century aviation in America was not regulated. There were many accidents, especially during the barnstorming decade of the 1920’s. Many aviation leaders of the time believed that federal regulation was necessary to give the public confidence in the safety of air transportation. President Calvin Coolidge appointed a board to investigate the issue. The board's report favored federal safety regulation.
The Air Commerce Act became law on May 20, 1926. The Act created an Aeronautic Branch assigned to the United States Department of Commerce, and vested that entity with the fundamental regulatory powers needed to ensure civil air safety. Among these functions were: testing and licensing pilots, issuing certificates to guarantee the airworthiness of aircraft, making and enforcing safety rules, certificating aircraft, establishing airways, operating and maintaining aids to air navigation, and investigating accidents and incidents in aviation.
The Air Commerce Act was not entirely effective for aviation safety, but it was a good foundation for future aviation laws. Over the next 30 years, aviation agencies were created, revamped, and renamed. In 1958, Congress passed the Federal Aviation Act, which established the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA). In 1967 it became a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation and was renamed the Federal Aviation Administration. It is responsible for regulating and overseeing all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S.
The Federal Aviation Administration's major roles include:
- Regulating U.S. commercial space transportation
- Regulating air navigation facilities' geometry and Flight inspection standards
- Encouraging and developing civil aeronautics, including new aviation technology
- Issuing, suspending, or revoking pilot certificates
- Regulating civil aviation to promote safety, especially through local offices called Flight Standards District Offices
- Developing and operating a system of air traffic control and navigation for both civil and military aircraft
- Researching and developing the National Airspace System and civil aeronautics
- Developing and carrying out programs to control aircraft noise and other environmental effects of civil aviation
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