History of Civil Aviation and Role of Civil Aeronautics Administration - Essay Example

Name Professor Course Date History of civil aviation Introduction Civil aviation entails the use of air transport by civilians as opposed to the military. It involves both private and commercial flights and airlines. Civil aviation branches into two contents, general aviation and scheduled air transport. General aviation represents civil flights that are unscheduled, they occur spontaneously, for example flight training, air ambulance, parachuting or aerial photography. Air transport on the other hand represents scheduled flights that have definite routes they are meant to use. It includes routine flights by either private or public airline to different destinations (Mackenzie, 2010). Civil aviation worldwide is governed by an international body that ensures peaceful and orderly coexistence of all airlines. Civil aviation has come a long way since the establishment of aircrafts. Many changes and improvements have been enforced on the sector to make it as orderly and efficient as it is today. Since 1783, the government has directed it s efforts towards modeling the air transport sector. Samuel p Langley, received grants and military support in 1789 as he attempted to make aircrafts. The arms race occurred in 1914 and robbed America of its leadership position in the air transport sector. Consequently, America established national advisory committee air operations to recuperate their aviation industry. In 1917, there was expansion of the aviation manufacturing industry. This also saw the establishment of commercial air operations by founding a postal program. The post office created intercity airmail routes. This programs success was marked by the development of transcontinental route. Airway lighting also developed at this time. The United States declined to be part of the aerial navigation act in 1919 when twenty six countries agreed to offer access to each other’s air space. Never the less, afterwards America approached specific nations and made pacts with them regarding each other’s air ways. The generosity of the agreements went both ways and America was; offered an opportunity to refuel, board and onboard passengers in those countries (Weber, Ludwig, and Pablo M. Leon, 2007). However, America was not the only one making agreements, Juan Trippe, the pan American airways founder also negotiated with some Caribbean and south American countries. His airlines were allowed to stop in these countries. In return his airline had to construct airport boards and navigation aids. Meanwhile other countries founded the international air traffic association, this contributed to the standardization of documents and passenger tickets. Technical improvements were also promoted because airlines shared procedures. The organization created laws that favored passengers by compensating any losses caused by airlines. The U.S senate ratified the Havana convention on civil aviation in 1931. It involved 21 countries agreeing to passage of aircrafts. They set regulations on the international air navigation, in terms of identification of aircrafts, pilots’ standards and landing facilities. A limit of 8300 dollars was imposed on the amount of passenger compensation in 1929 at the war saw convention. United States continually negotiated the landing of its aircrafts in various individual countries until 1944. At this time the international civil aviation conference convened. This led to the adoption of the Chicago convention whose provisions contained a number of freedoms. The first provision allowed aircrafts to pass through different countries without landing. The other provision allowed a stop for fuel or repair, however, boarding and unloading passengers was forbidden. The United States however declined a proposition to allow planes to commute between two points of a country. A provisional international civil aviation organization was provided for the governments from this convention. The organization later became international air transport association. However PICAO was replaced permanently by ICAO in 1947 due to recognition by the UN (Mackenzie, 2010). The decisions and regulations previously set were vague and easily misinterpreted the ICAO met several times later to standardize the laws. In 1945, a voluntary organization was founded. Its function was to regulate airlines by preventing unethical methods of setting rates and schedules. The organization, international air transport association (IATA) replaced the international air traffic association (IATA) which existed since 1919.1946 witnessed another break through as the United States and Great Britain convened and agreed on policies that advanced civil aviation further. These were: Airlines could carry passengers and cargo from their country and drop them off in another country. Collection of passengers and goods from an outside location to another further destination was legal. IATA was elected as the undisputable organization that would set the fares. In an attempt to lower airfares United States and Britain signed an agreement in 1977. The agreement lowered the availability of seats on flights aiming to increase the number of airlines and air routes. The assumption being that competition would increase leading to minimized fares. In 1980 the review of airfares by IATA became voluntary. This was after American claims that IATA fixed airfares illegally and prevented the involvement of America in its agreement. To date IATA convenes to regulate airfares hence eases passenger and cargo transit. For the air transportation to gain confidence in the public, aviation leaders believed in the involvement of federal regulation. Despite opposition from people who distrusted the government, an investigative board confirmed the need for federal regulation. In 1926 the air commerce act was enacted (Harrison, John, 18), It required the commerce department to oversee the air safety for civil transportation. Its tasks Involved: to certify the safety and airworthiness of aircrafts, pilot testing and licensing, creation and enforcement of safety rules and investigation of air accidents. They were also in charge of the progress of civil aviation. The department embraced its duties by establishing an aeronautics branch. William McCracken, jr. was its first leader. The enlargement and improvement of the aeronautical industry was his chief challenge. The branch acquired the task of making airway light beacons from the post office. A break through arrived in 1928 when they created a low frequency radio range which assisted in navigation. In an effort to reduce the challenge of harsh weather and broaden the use of the aeronautical radio the branch established additional communication stations. In the same year NACA improved the aircraft by producing an engine cowling making the aircraft aerodynamic. The aeronautics branch changed to the bureau of air commerce during Franklin Roosevelt’s time. However a crisis occurred during that period. This caused many accidents and deaths among army fliers. This was due to a mistake that had happened in strengthening the routes of air transportation by the post master. Later the airlines with encouragement from the bureau of air commerce established three centers of air control (Harrison, John, 13). This aimed to reduce the risk of air collision due to increase in civil aviation. 1936 saw the bureau take control of the centers and attempt to expand them. The responsibility of civil aeronautics was transferred to the civil aeronautics authority. This was an independent agency created under the civil aeronautics act. Regulation of airfares and determination of air routes became its work. 1940 brought another twist where Roosevelt divided the agency into two again. The first agency was the civil aeronautics administration (CAA) which was in charge of: Traffic control Programs regarding safety And development of airways The other half was the civil aeronautics board, its duties were: Making safety rules Investigating accidents Regulating business of airlines The CAA established a pilot training program for civilians to provide more pilots for the country after the Second World War in Europe. It also took control of operating airport control towers which later became a permanent role. After the war, the use of radar in air traffic control ensured the airports were at par due to postwar boom in air transportation. A program seeking to improve civil airports in America was administered by the CAA in 1946.the federal aviation act of 1958, was caused by recurrent mid air collisions and the ushering in of the jet travel era. The new independent body of federal aviation act took over the functions of the CAA. The act striped CAB of it safety rulemaking duty, which transferred to the FAA. A system of civil-military air navigation and traffic controlled was created and placed under FAA (Mackenzie, 2010). 1967 saw the creation of federal aviation administration due to the merging of air and surface transport responsibilities. A new safety board, national transportation safety board also replaced CAB. In 1960s hijackings put the agency in the section of civil aviation security. It also increased its involvement in the environment issues of aviation. It was granted power to regulate aircraft noise in 1968. In 1970, the legislation assigned management responsibilities of a new airport to the agency. Semi automation of air control by radar and computer technology was possible in the mid 1970s (Harrison, 2009). Enhancement and improvement was urgent for this system due to growth in air traffic. This became urgent especially due to the 1978 act that rendered CAB useless. The air traffic controllers union went on strike in 1981 forcing temporary flight restrictions. The agency created an automation traffic system in 1982; however, its implementation was slow. The FAA undertook a step by step system in 1994, providing controllers with advanced equipment. Conclusion FAA embraced satellite technology to improve communication and navigation in the management of airspace. The agency resumed its responsibility to oversee safety in civil or commercial aviation I 1995. As the new century approached the challenges facing the FAA were fewer. However civil transportation was challenged by terrorism in 2001. This led to the latest legislation by the government which created a branch in the department of transport. The Transportation Security Administration poses tremendous power to protect all modes of transport especially the air travel. Civil aviation I America has come a long way. Its development is visible in terms of technology, legislation and economy. To date the airlines are among the best in the world. Despite the major terrorist set back, there is confidence in the government to implement the correct action and legislation. Civil aviation is bound to develop better in every aspect possible. Work cited Weber, Ludwig, and Pablo M. Leon. International Civil Aviation Organization: An Introduction. Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands: Kluwer Law International, 2007. Print. The United States Government Manual. Washington, D.C: G.P.O, 1935. Print. Far/ Aim 2009: Federal Aviation Regulations/aeronautical Information Manual. New York: Sky horse Publishing, 2008. Print. Mackenzie, David. Icao: A History of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2010. Print. Harrison, John. International Aviation and Terrorism: Evolving Threat, Evolving Security. New York: Routledge, 2009. Print. Read More