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28 U. Kan. City L. Rev. 35 (1959-1960)
The Federal Aviation Act of 1958

handle is hein.journals/umkc28 and id is 41 raw text is: The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 SHERMAN 0. MORRIS* The progress of United States aviation reached a new mile- stone on August 23, 1958, when the Congress adopted sweeping new legislation entitled The Federal Aviation Act of 195 8.' The principal purposes of the Act were to create an inde- pendent Federal Aviation Agency, giving it the authority to (1) establish, maintain and operate air navigation facilities, and pro- vide for the consolidation of research and development of such facilities, (2) develop and operate a common system of air traf- fic control and navigation for the safe and efficient use of the airspace by both civil and military aircraft, (3) promulgate, ad- minister and enforce safety regulations for the manufacture, op- eration and flight of aircraft, and (4) provide for the promotion, encouragement and development of civil aeronautics, both in the United States and abroad. The Act retains the Civil Aeronautics Board to regulate the economic aspects of the aviation industry and investigate aircraft accidents. A description of significant provisions of the 1958 Act con- cerning purposes, major statutory changes providing for the or- ganization and functions, and a statement of the program objec- tives under this Act is set forth hereafter. BASIC PURPOSES AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES One of the fundamental purposes of creating the Federal Aviation Agency was to substantially reduce the diffusion of Federal governmental authority in the field of United States avia- tion, and thereby strengthen and unify control of the national airspace,' and to regulate and administer matters relating to safety in flight. Such control, regulation and administration are now vested in the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency. Another purpose of the 1958 Act was to assure the maxi- mum practicable correlation of needs and objectives common to civil and military aviation. This is effected through the transfer of the functions under the Airways Modernization Act of 1957, which provides for the consolidation of research and develop- ment of air navigation facilities.' *Attorney, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Aviation Agency, Washington, D. C., Member of Wisconsin and Virginia Bars. '72 STAT. 731 (1958), 49 U.S.C.A. § 1301 et seq. 272 STAT. 749 (1958), 49 U.S.C.A. § 1348. 372 STAT. 749 (1958), 49 U.S.C.A. § 1345.