FAA History Lesson -- July 4 (08)

From the FAA Historical Chronology, 1926-1996...

”Jul 4, 1982: Following a ten-month interagency review, President Reagan issued a decision directive stating that expansion of U.S. private sector involvement in civil space activities was a national goal. As the government phased out certain expendable launch vehicles (ELVs), private interest in commercial operation of these systems was rising. On Nov 16, 1983, the President chose DOT as the lead organization for ELV commercialization. On Feb 24, 1984, Executive Order 12465 formally designated DOT as the lead agency for encouraging, facilitating, and licensing commercial ELV activities. DOT entrusted these duties to a new Office of Commercial Space Transportation that it had begun to organize during 1983 (see Aug 7, 1995). Congress affirmed and expanded these actions through the Commercial Space Launch Act, enacted on Oct 30, 1984. This legislation made DOT responsible for enumerated activities to encourage and regulate U.S. commercial space launches. “

(Emphasis added)

Does that sounds somewhat familiar ?

From the FAA Historical Chronology, 1926-1996...

” Aug 23, 1958: President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (P.L. 85-726) into law.

Section 103 of the act concisely stated the Administrator's major powers and responsibilities as follows:

"(a) The regulation of air commerce in such manner as to best promote its development and safety and fulfill the requirements of national defense;

"(b) The promotion, encouragement, and development of civil aeronautics; “

From the FAA Historical Chronology, 1926-1996...

”Jun 23, 1938: President Roosevelt signed the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 into law.

The Administrator's functions under the law were the encouragement of civil aeronautics and commerce, establishment of civil airways, provision and technical improvement of air navigation facilities, and the protection and regulation of air traffic along the airways. “

(Edited and Emphasis added)

Just something to think about on your holiday. Enjoy.

Don Brown
July 4, 2008