Report about the Federal Aviation Administration - Essay Example

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is an independent federal agency responsible for regulating civil air traffic and all non-military air travel in the USA. Its mission is “to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world” (Federal Aviation Administration, n.d.). The mission remains the same from the day since FAA was formed, in 1958, originally as an agency and later instated as administration, in 1966. However, the nature and scope of the responsibilities of FAA have changed with the advancement in technology and rise of new challenges.

For instance, the tragedy that befell the nation on 11th September, 2001 asked for new and stringent approach to aviation safety. Airport, in-flight and passenger security became all the more important. The Aviation and Transport Security Act passed in November of the same year created Transportation Security Administration solely for aviation security. However, FAA remains “responsible for the certification, production approval, and continued airworthiness of aircraft; and certification of pilots, mechanics, and others in safety-related positions” (Federal Aviation Authority, n.d.).

FAA regulates civil air space and provides air navigation services using Air Traffic Organization (ATO), its operations wing. With the latest technology and more than 30000 specialist personnel such as technicians and controllers, ATO ensures safe navigation in the USA skies. FAA reports that last decade has been the safest periods in aviation history. The system is proactive and using advanced technology collects, analyses, reports and identifies trouble spots, weather threats and other risks and acts accordingly.

FAA’s Airports Organization inspects and regulates airports, their design, standards, safety, rates and charges as well as allocation of grants towards infrastructure development. The most recent initiative in improving travel experience is the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) that ropes in satellite and advanced digital communication. This improves safety, efficiency and minimizes environmental issues, such as emissions. FAA also has an academy exclusively dedicated to training its personnel as well as inducting new workforce into its culture of safety and efficiency.

FAA carries out extensive research on all its areas of operation and continues to become more effective in its mission. ReferenceFederal Aviation Authority (n.d). About FAA. Retrieved February 10, 2015 from http://www.faa.gov/about/