Chapter five of the textbook addresses the origin of regulatory and administrative agencies (both state and federal), specific to the aviation industry in the United States, and the roles of those agencies. It also addresses how the agencies deal with a complaint or problem, and the litigation process when such predicaments arise.
Three main agencies involved in the aviation industry are the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The DOT was created and made law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. Its purpose was to ensure safe and secure transportation of commerce and economic growth within the country (Speciale 122). The FAA has a bit longer history. In short, it was formed from earlier agencies such as the Civil Aeronautics Board, and the Civil Aeronautics Agency. When the DOT was formed a new agency, the Federal Aviation Agency, was born. Its name was later changed to the Federal Aviation Administration. The role of this agency is to oversee certification of pilots, air traffic control, and aircraft certification (Speciale 122). The NTSB’s role is to investigate all civil aviation accidents in the U.S. (Speciale 123).
Should a case be brought against a pilot (for example), there are several steps in the litigation process. The FAA is responsible for enforcing emergency and non-emergency actions. The airman has the right to appeal his or her case to the NTSB. The case would then be heard by an Administrative Law Judge. The ruling by that judge may be appealed to the entire NTSB board, and may ultimately be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals (Speciale 134-5).
Works Cited
Speciale, Raymond C. Fundamentals of Aviation Law. New York: McGraw Hill, 2006. Print.
