The aviation industry makes safety its main priority. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States Department of Transportation is the main controlling body for ensuring safe aviation operations. Issued by the FAA, the Code of Federal Regulations Ch. 14, referred to as the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), constitutes the rules and procedures for all elements of air transportation. Additionally, an independent federal agency, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), investigates accidents and incidents, issues safety recommendations, and conducts special studies of transportation safety issues (see Reference 1).
The FARs contain several sections divided by purpose and use. Each section is further subdivided and numbered into "Parts." FAR Part 91 governs all air travel within the United States. It dictates that only airworthy civil aircraft are eligible to fly. This stipulation lessens the chance for equipment-related safety problems. Part 91 also requires passenger safety briefings regarding the use of safety belts and door operations in case of emergency (see Reference 4).
Commercial airlines operate under Part 121 or 135 in addition to Part 91. These safety regulations add aircraft dispatchers, communication facilities and navigational equipment to ensure safe flights (see Reference 3).
Airmen, or aircraft pilots, are certified by the stipulations in Part 61. This part requires pilots to demonstrate safe operating procedures and pass examinations before obtaining the privilege to fly a certain aircraft (such as a multi-engine plane) or in certain conditions, such as nighttime (see Reference 4)
Aviation industry employees often say that the FARs are "written in blood." This adage demonstrates how FARs receive major updates --- after an accident occurred. The NTSB investigates every civil aviation accident. Since 1967, the agency has studied more than 124,000 aviation accidents (see Reference 2). The NTSB issues recommendations based on these studies to improve safety in the FARs.
The FAA implemented a procedure called the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) to encourage self-disclosure by airline employees of safety-related violations. The reports are withheld from the public and regulation violators who self-disclosure may receive reduced fines or sanctions. The ASAPs cannot be used as evidence against a party when determining potential safety violations. The main purpose of the ASAPs is to provide the FAA with information needed to improve safety functions (see References 1).
A similar system exists for all non-commercial pilots and operations. The Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) compiles self-disclosed safety issues from pilots or other crew members into a database analyzed and administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (see References 1)
Additionally, the FAA requires any commercial air carrier to have a department headed by a Director of Safety. The safety of all areas of operations, from the office to flight operations, is continually monitored by this department at all airlines.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) centers have the primary duty of aircraft separation. Air traffic controllers use radar and satellite technologies to view and communicate with aircraft. ATC ensures safe operations by planning air traffic routes throughout the country and operations into and out of most airports (see Reference 1).
According to the FAA, the United States has the safest air operations in the world. Thousands of people, from individual pilots to airline managers, work hard to ensure that FARs are followed and that safety is never compromised. The future of safety programs includes the implementation of Safety Management System (SMS) programs for all airports and airlines. In 2008, the FAA stated its goal to cut the rate of fatalities per 100 million persons on board in half by 2025 (see Reference 1).
