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A Brief History of the Federal Aviation Administration

The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, is responsible, today, for the advancement, safety, and regulation of civil aviation.

The foundation of the Federal government’s regulation of civil aviation rests on the Air Commerce Act of May 1926. This piece of regulation was passed with the blessing of the fledgling aviation industry. The leaders believed that the airplane, a relatively new concept, wouldn’t be able to reach its full potential without Federal action to improve and to maintain safety standards.

Later, in 1938, Congress passed its second aviation act with the Civil Aeronautics Act. This act transferred the federal civil aviation responsibilities from the Commerce Department to the new, independent Civil Aeronautics Authority. It also expanded the Federal government’s power by granting the government the authority to regulate airline fares and determine the routes carriers could serve.

Following the introduction of new jet airliners and a number of midair collisions, the government passed the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. This created the Federal Aviation Agency which was given the jobs of creating rules for safety as well as the responsibility of creating and maintaining a common civil-military system of air navigation and air traffic control.

The Federal Aviation Agency became the Federal Aviation Administration during the 1960s with the creation of the Department of Transportation. It retains its old jobs in addition to filling new roles as the situation has changed. For example, the FAA doesn’t technically have power to govern safety regulations but, with the increase of hijackings in the 1960s, the FAA stepped into its new role. The FAA is one of several modal organizations within the department.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a civil aircraft, please contact the Madison, WI personal injury lawyers of Habush, Habush, & Rottier at 1-800-822-1690 to discuss your case and to determine your legal options.