I. SUMMARY
The aviation industry grew at a rapid pace following World War II. Between 1948 and 1952, airline passenger traffic doubled. There have been concerns that ATC traffic congestion has escalated the risk of a mid-air accident. Lawrence et al., 2015. At the time, the Civil Aeronautics Authority was in charge of enacting regulations and ensuring airways safety. Their inefficiency in enforcing regulations was causing many aviation accidents. As a result, the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 was enacted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s signature. The Federal Aviation Administration was given the authority to create long-term plans and implement them without intervention from other government agencies (Lawrence, 2015).
II. Obstacle
Radar, which had been very recently established during WWII, was only slowly adopted by Air Traffic Control as a tool for making instrument approaches or avoiding risky weather circumstances (Lawrence, 2015). The pilots were put in a difficult situation due to a lack of suitable equipment to constantly monitor the aircraft. Because they are unable to alert pilots of other oncoming planes in their vicinity, they are at a disadvantage. As a result of the unexpected growth in commerce, aviation traffic has become more difficult to manage. Every airplane in the sky is being tracked. Furthermore, due to the CAA’s failure to establish the same requirements, many accidents have occurred in the United States as a result of commercial and military aircraft. Allowing pilots to get away with their offset flightpath in the course of flight gives them a margin of safety.
III. The obstacle’s significance
As the aviation sector grows, more and more accidents are occurring on the airways. This began with higher political figures after inquiries failed to produce a clear solution to the catastrophes that occurred. These occurrences just served as a catalyst for blaming at various entities claiming that they were not following the needed rules. As a result of the blame game between objects, an insecure safety message is sent to the passengers who took use of their services.
IV. Alternate Courses of Action
Execution of long-range radio locators to manage air traffic movement as an alternative action 1.
Advantage. Providing a long-range radar can assist the Air Traffic Controller in maintaining control. Keep track of every aircraft to ensure there are no blind spots. This assignment can also be broken down into portions for easier completion. Pilots will have improved safety management. As a result, there is a better overall view of all the planes currently broadcasting.
Disadvantage. The proper operation of frequencies that may be affected by meteorological conditions. Following that, necessary maintenance should be performed at all times to ensure proper functioning inspections. Furthermore, the whole system’s implementation will take an inordinate amount of time. To guarantee that every aircraft is capable of incorporating this new technology into their network.
Alternative action 2. Implementation of stringent departure guidelines to account for planes operating the same routes.
Advantage. A better movement in the airways will result from ensuring that every flight departs on time. To add a more secure monitoring system for flights without needing to keep in touch with Air Traffic Control on a regular basis.
Disadvantage. Different weather conditions will always have a different impact in the timelines of the airplane. Which pilots would have to change their flight path in order to ascertain that the safety of the passengers is not jeopardized. Not to mention the potential for mechanical problems when it comes to departure.
V. Recommendation
The introduction of a more stringent management system would reduce concerns about plane crashes. Additionally, ensuring that pilots are in frequent contact with ATC would help provide contingency measures for making swift corrections if the passengers’ safety is at risk. It is never advocated to presume that pilots can see other planes in their vicinity. Their spectacle eyesight is insufficient to allow them to see all of the varied angles in the sky. As a result, the only way to succeed in this industry is to communicate clearly. For instance, the FAA should apply the same guidelines to military and civilian aircraft. Defining clear and concise regulations so that all entities are familiar with the same measures and standards. Creating a stable, well-structured system in which safety is always a priority before a new blunder arises.
Reference
Gjerset, J. E. Crippling United States airlines: archaic interpretations of the federal aviation act’s restriction on foreign capital investments.” American University International Law Review 7, no. 1 (1991): 173-196. Grand Canyon collision the greatest commercial air tragedy of its day (2014, August 14). Retrieved from http://www.doney.net/aroundaz/grandcanyoncrash.htm
Lawrence, H. (2015). Aviation & the role of government. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt. The federal aviation act of 1958. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9, 2018, from http://avstop.com/history/needregulations/act1958.htm
Vascik, P. D., Oye, K. A., & McCray, L. E. (2014, December). A case study of planned Adaptation in aviation: the national transportation safety board. Retrieved from https://poet.mit.edu/sites/default/files/images/NTSB Planned Adaptation in Aviation Draft Website.pdf