The Federal Aviation Act of 1958

The Federal Aviation Act of 1958

Cody Arnold

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

The Federal Aviation Act of 1958:

Since man first discovered to fly, aviation has undergone constant changes. Aviation has not always been as structured as it is today in the United States. When the Wright Brothers began test flying their homebuilt aircraft Kitty Hawk in 1902, there was not any federal aviation regulations (Reuther n.d.). At that time, aviation was a new experience and was a great risk for those who experimented with it. As time and technology advanced, man began to use aircraft for many different reasons. Though advancements where made in technology and pilot skill, the United States of America lacked a solid set on regulations until the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Prior to that time period, multiple trials were placed to help ensure safer skies.

Things really began to advance when the United States began to deliver mail via air travel. On May 15, 1918 the first scheduled airmail route was introduced by the U.S. Government (Avstop, 1994). This time proved to be dangerous to pilots and crew. The accidents involved during the early air mail days grabbed the attention of the Post Office. During the next few years the post office began to make some of the first aviation regulations. This regulations set quite a few standards into place. Pilots were now required to pass both knowledge and physical health exams. In addition, pilots were also required to possess at least 500 hours total of flight time. The Post Office implemented measures that included preventive maintenance and inspections. This provided pilots with better suited planes and overall increased safety for the carriers.

Fast forward a few years and the aviation community was still lacking proper structure. In 1921 the U.S. military began using rotating beacons in a line that expanded from Dayton and Columbus Ohio. The total distance between the cities is 80 miles. The beacons allowed pilots to...