The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for ensuring that aircraft in the United States transport passengers safely and efficiently. Every day, thousands of commercial and private flights take off and land at the country’s many airports. These aircraft range in size, passenger capacity, and travel as fast as 600 miles per hour. Without proper oversight and supervision, air flight accidents can occur, which have the potential to cause the loss of numerous lives and render numerous persons severely and permanently injured.
The federal government created the FAA to ensure that private and commercial flights that pass through air space over the United States meet certain safety standards. The agency is responsible for ensuring that commercial and private companies repair and maintain aircraft manufacture aircraft that are free from design defects. The FAA is also responsible for ensuring that commercial pilots possess the necessary certifications and training, and that air traffic controllers and service workers on commercial flights are properly qualified to carry out their positions.
FAA Regulations Govern Conduct of Airlines Operating in United States AirspaceThe FAA is responsible for the safety of millions of airplane and helicopter passengers in the United States. The agency must also protect the United States against national security threats to commercial flights. The FAA uses extensive regulations and policy handbooks to regulate all of the different areas of commercial aviation. Specifically, the FAA is responsible for regulating all of the following:
Airline personnel—in particular pilots—must adhere to numerous safety and industry rules and guidelines in the conduct of their business. The FAA seeks to prevent airline and helicopter crashes that can result in mass casualties and devastating, catastrophic injuries to any crash survivors. Many commercial flights carry as many as three-hundred passengers, all of whose lives are at risk in an accident.
FAA Regulations Apply to Pilots and Other Aviation EmployeesAll commercial pilots must receive official certification by the FAA. Pilot training programs must meet the stringent standards imposed by FAA regulation. Pilots must maintain licenses, take frequent tests, and in some cases they are subjected to random drug testing. In addition, pilots must undergo medical physical examinations to ensure that they do not have any medical conditions that could cause them to become incapacitated while flying a commercial airplane.
All aviation industry workers must receive training. For example, mechanics hired to work on the Boeing 747 must complete specific training that demonstrates an aptitude for repairing these vehicles. Various safety regulations have been imposed upon the industry to ensure that persons employed to design, manufacture, and repair aircraft are properly trained and qualified. A minor error in the design, manufacture, or repair of an aircraft can lead to devastating consequences for passengers, flight crew, people in an aircraft’s path on the ground, and their loved ones.
Flight Attendants Must Adhere to FAA RegulationsFlight attendants on commercial flights must complete appropriate training consistent with FAA regulations. Attendants must undergo training in safety procedures and protocols related to crises and emergencies. These strict regulations ensure that only highly qualified personnel are employed on commercial aircraft in the United States. The agency seeks through its regulations to minimize the chances that maintenance crews, pilots or other flight crew will make critical errors due to lack of proper training that could lead to serious injuries or deaths.
The FAA Investigates Airplane Accidents to Determine Causes of IncidentsIn addition to regulating aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, and personnel, the FAA is responsible for investigating aircraft accidents. Whenever an airplane or helicopter accident occurs, the FAA dispatches investigators to determine whether the accident was caused by pilot error, maintenance errors, a design defect, the failure to follow safety regulations and protocols, or some other cause. Workers who have taken shortcuts and violated applicable safety protocols can be charged with violating federal laws. In addition, the commercial airplane or helicopter companies that employ workers can be held liable by victims for injuries resulting from their negligence.
Contact an Experienced Aviation Lawyer Today for Help With ClaimsIf you or a loved one has suffered injury in an airplane or helicopter accident, you may be entitled to damages. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today to schedule a free initial consultation.