Why Should The Us Government Have To Be Responsible For Research In Aviation
Question 1
An agency of the U.S. government is conducting research and experimentation on methods for detecting airframe ice and conveying the information to the flight crew in a useful format. What agency would be responsible for such experimentation? If that research and experimentation leads to a new technology, what agency of the U.S. government would establish the airworthiness standards for incorporating that technology into U.S. civil aircraft?
Question 1 Answer According to Hamilton (2011), “The FAA does no basic research on aircraft and flight system technologies, these being within NASA’s area of research responsibility” (p. 16). When one hears the name NASA, they only think about their involvement in space exploration, but NASA is also doing research and development in aerodynamics and aviation technology which led to better flight control and deicing systems (Hamilton, 2011, pp. 17-18). Although NASA is responsible for these technological advances, they have to report all findings to the FAA to get the changes incorporated in the field. If the findings are deemed an issue that could affect flight safety, the FAA will then issue an Airworthiness Directive (AD). According to Hamilton (2011), “An AD is usually issued when operating and maintenance experience reveals the need to change some element of the design or fabrication of a particular type of aircraft or component to improve flight safety” (p. 9). …show more content…
If a similar conference were held today, do you think the international community would take the same position?
An agency of the U.S. government is conducting research and experimentation on methods for detecting airframe ice and conveying the information to the flight crew in a useful format. What agency would be responsible for such experimentation? If that research and experimentation leads to a new technology, what agency of the U.S. government would establish the airworthiness standards for incorporating that technology into U.S. civil aircraft?
Question 1 Answer According to Hamilton (2011), “The FAA does no basic research on aircraft and flight system technologies, these being within NASA’s area of research responsibility” (p. 16). When one hears the name NASA, they only think about their involvement in space exploration, but NASA is also doing research and development in aerodynamics and aviation technology which led to better flight control and deicing systems (Hamilton, 2011, pp. 17-18). Although NASA is responsible for these technological advances, they have to report all findings to the FAA to get the changes incorporated in the field. If the findings are deemed an issue that could affect flight safety, the FAA will then issue an Airworthiness Directive (AD). According to Hamilton (2011), “An AD is usually issued when operating and maintenance experience reveals the need to change some element of the design or fabrication of a particular type of aircraft or component to improve flight safety” (p. 9). …show more content…
If a similar conference were held today, do you think the international community would take the same position?