This analysis is very close to the point of accuracy. I remember in the 1960's and 1970's when personnel working in the FAA were of the opinion that they were there to help the aviation community and make it easier and more safe to fly. When a pilot applied for a license, he was given a test by an FAA flight examiner and there would be no cost to take the test. When a mechanic needed help he could call the FAA inspector and the inspector was more than willing to provide help with his problem. It was affectionately known as the "Friendly Aviation Administration". After the 1970's the FAA took a 180 degree turn (from the top down) and decided that they would do absolutely nothing to help anyone but chose instead to become a police force and see how miserable they could be to airplane manufacturers, pilots, and mechanics by just enforcing regulations. More regulations were created which started it to make it more difficult build and to fly airplanes within a reasonable budget. The FAA started hiring new college graduates who had never seen an airplane before and made them inspectors who could only read and interpret the regulations to justify their jobs. They decided that if they were to do nothing they would develop a designee system so they could sit in their cubicle all day and not embarrass themselves. If you have any problems today, you have to go and pay a designee for help. This costs a lot of money and is part of the reason it has made the cost of being involved in aviation so expensive. I live in a metropolitan area of a major city and can remember when it was impossible to look up in the sky during the day and not see at least one small airplane flying within my vision at all times. Now, it could be an hour or more before an airplane comes into sight. With so few hours being flown, and with all work being done by designees, I wonder what justifies the need for FAA inspectors.

I wonder if it is really necessary to have all the new regulations created since the 1970's. Has flying become more safe? With so few airplanes flying any more I would think that we could go back to the 1960's regulations and see which regulations created since are actually necessary and if not, eliminate them. I also believe that the FAA personnel should come up through the ranks of the aviation industry with a requirement that they have actual years experience working in the field before they can become inspectors just like pilots who must have so many hours prior experience before they can obtain an advanced license and mechanics have so many years experience before they can become Authorized Inspectors. I would respect an FAA inspector more if he actually worked in the industry before becoming an inspector than one who just has a college education and never touched an airplane before. These kind of inspectors would more likely be able to use common sense in their decisions and actually be helpful again. We need intelligent inspectors and not policemen.

I know these things will never happen but we can dream.

When the cockpit voice recorder and area microphone was installed in airline cockpits, there were two inviolate "laws" before ALPA would allow them in our cockpits. 1. The information on the cockpit voice recorder would never be made public, and 2 the information on the voice recorder would never be used to violate a pilot. The FAA VIOLATED both of those "law" within months.
After years of the media making public what was on the voice recorders and the FAA punishing pilots, I had a scheme which caught on with others. I recommend today's airline pilot adopt this method.
In the event of an incident and in order to prevent the FAA from publishing my cockpit's voice recorder tapes (for the benefit of ambulance chasing lawyers), on approach, at 1000 feet above touchdown, I spoke the required speed and rate of descent announcement for the voice recorder. I always added the phrase, "The FAA is an incompetent, bureaucratic waste of the taxpayer's money." I never had an incident in my 3 decades of airline flying. But had there ever been an incident, I am quite sure that the FAA would NOT have published what was on my voice recorder tape.

Well said, and the same in Australia with CASA,

It is just a bloated police force with most of the Flight Examiners being either has-beens out of GA with minimal recent experience in the vast majority of light single and twins yet happily expound on the failings of usually experienced pilots under licence renewals with far better skills than the CASA examiner himself.

Red tape is horrific and it is an absolute nightmare for GA operators to meet the ridiculously high expectations imposed on them by CASA.

Before our infamous Dick Smith took over the reins with "affordable safety", the industry was gutted when Smith shut down many, many essential FSU's (flight service units) across the country and see and be seen was now the safety criteria. Smith himself had a reputation of being a cowboy with many transgressions of controlled airspace and other misdemeanours!

CASA is now joke in Australia and those of us who were round in the good old days when safety and policing was a priority would love to go back there!

CASA and FAA sound very similar!

The FAA is just another gumnt bureaucracy. Like most they start out with a valid purpose, do a decent job, but over time become only interested in increasing their size, income and authority. There should be a 20 year rule (The Sunset Law) "Any organization in existence for 20 years shall be disbanded". - This would work well for congress.

If you think the FAA is bad, you ain't seen nothin yet until you experiment with general aviation in Europe!

The FAA - The only thing standing between us, safety and progress.

NOTHING they are legislating is doing anything to create better pilots or a safer flight! It seems to me that they have taken the 'fun' out of flying and are pushing those kids who have always dreamed about flying away. When I was young, I learned most of what I know about flying from wandering around the airport talking to the 'old guys' (hanger flying), and hearing about some of the stupid things that they and got away with AND some of the great techniques they had each developed for doing various approaches...try and do that today and your likely to get shot. Sad, very sad indeed. I am glad that I am near the end of my professional career because of all this nonsense.

There are many components to your piece, but essentially the general theme is absolutely correct. This bureaucracy has followed Parkinson's Laws, the basic tenant being that work expands to fill the time allotted (permitted). The corollary that says bureaucracies expand geometrically, not arithmetically is applicable to almost the entire federal government, enhanced by baseline budgeting and a lot of pork.

The answer is the same as it is for all federal agencies. Separate functions into essential and non-essential (ATC and safety for the former and almost all the rest for the latter). Then "Sunset" all regulations requiring reauthorization every two to five years to be submitted with their budget (we haven't had one for five years) to contain cost-benefit for each program and outcome. Then whole programs can be axed without touching the basic "raison d'etre" of the original agency. Mix this with tort reform and we will have an agency with a purpose other than sustaining itself.

I would not hold my breath.

Aaaaaaameeeeeeennnnnnnnn!!!!!!!

Time to scale back all gov agencies, toooooo much gov. is never a good thing. Millions already know this and history is a great teacher.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!

This hit the nail on the head. I have seen FAA inspectors that knew absolutely nothing about helicopters come out to and investigate a helicopter accident. They didn't know what to ask the pilot, didn't know what to look for, then published results based on questions that were never asked, but rather assumptions made by those who knew nothing.

I think that your proposal is fantastic. I am an aircraft manufacturer and went through the entire certification process which in my case was more than 28 million dollars. To get a return on investment the price is driven very high when you add the expensive bill of materials that is in turn driven up by certification cost. Its an upward spiral with the certification demands of the FAA. The lawyers deserve their slap also. Tort reform should be a major action for all states and on the Fed level for aircraft. The 18 year moratorium helped (from infinity) but more should be done. Keep up the good work.

The ever increasing cost of 100LL is inversely proportional to the decline of GA.

While the FAA certainly bears much of the responsibility as this Op Ed points out, the cost to operate the aircraft has become obscene.

The one place where I wholeheartedly agree with this opinion is the 60 year old technology being flown around thanks to a burdensome certification process.

But without the numbers to support new manufacturing, there is insufficient demand for new advances in GA.

it certainly does seem like the FAA will do anything to keep us on the ground. the faa regulates the cr@p out of aviation, not in the name of safety, but in the face of common sense. apparently they don't trust us to have any common sense.

Well said, but it will never happen.

In the context of this blog 'FAA:Go away !' - is the following a welcome development or no ? Part closure of FAA ? Howsoever temporarily and short lived ?

FAA Prepares To Ground One-Third Of Staff Should U.S. Government Shutdown
By Sean Broderick
Source: Aviation Daily

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/avd_10_01_2013_p01-02-622141.xml

The FAA stands to lose about one-third of its 46,000 employees under a shutdown that at press time was scheduled to start today. Of the FAA’s 30,500 remaining employees, 24,200 will be in the Air Traffic Organization.

Aircraft companies make safe planes, and pilots fly them safely for the same reason honest people do most things well. It’s partially because of the FAA, but mostly because we understand that we are personal responsible for our safety and actions. When I’m flying by myself, and especially with others, I want to know my aircraft and equipment are will maintained and I am current and capable of flying in the prevailing conditions. I, not the FAA, am responsible for this. The FAA has never helped to maintain my aircraft or teach me how to fly. When I drive on the ramp, I stay 25 feet away from airplanes not because of my annual test to be an AOA driver, but because I don't want to drive into aircraft. Most of the FAA can go away and the good plane manufacturers, mechanics, flight instructors and pilots will remain just as good.

I can see both sides if this... Some are just out there to make problems and get enjoyment out of it and are totally clueless. There are a lot of them out there that truly want to help and make things better, and I have meet with some of them, and even joked with them. Be straight up and honest and they will usually treat you the same way.

NOTHING they are legislating is doing anything to create better pilots or a safer flight! It seems to me that they have taken the 'fun' out of flying and are pushing those kids who have always dreamed about flying away. When I was young, I learned most of what I know about flying from wandering around the airport talking to the 'old guys' (hanger flying), and hearing about some of the stupid things that they and got away with AND some of the great techniques they had each developed for doing various approaches...try and do that today and your likely to get shot. Sad, very sad indeed. I am glad that I am near the end of my professional career because of all this nonsense.

Well my American friends your are in heaven in Venezuela the scenario is really bad and only the millonaries can afford a plane even the most modest.Happy landing.

I never knew being a pilot should be considered a right? Where did that idea come from? If it’s a so called “right” to be a pilot, why didn’t the government pay for my flight training? Clearly, Mr. Wright has no clue how Federal Laws that govern the aviation industry are created. It’s comical to me that people call them just “rules” as if they apply to everyone but them. I’ve seen peoples careers ruined because of these “rules”.

Zero evidence for ADs huh, where was Mr. Wright during the 787 battery problem? Where was Mr. Wright during the A380 cracking problem? Just to name a few. Haven’t made significant advances in GA?! Wait, what???? Has Mr. Wright never heard of Gulfstream 650, EVS, RNP, RNAV, EFB cert., HUD, CAT II, CAT III, very light jets, just to name a few. I guess that’s not significant. I won’t even comment on the second to last paragraph. I would think someone who has an ATP would know the differences of driving a car, and flying an airplane. Just when I think I’ve heard it all.

I’m all for less government in our daily lives, but good god; to do away with with ADs, and aircraft certification. Wow!

Death throes of the Tea Party ? ? ?

While I agree with most of your post I believe the FAA has a purpose. I've of the opinion that the biggest roadblock to general aviation is our legal system. Constant lawsuits are a big driver behind the rise in cost of aircraft and is killing general aviation. Hell, it's the reason I don't own an airplane and rent instead.

Amen to this. The medical cert in general violates hippa.. First or third class.. A drivers license should suffice.

Eliminate ALL certification and maintenance requirements for aircraft below FL180? I cannot agree with that. Bare in mind it's not just the pilot and any passengers on board who's safety is at risk.. It's also the people on the ground who may not appreciate an ill-maintained aircraft landing on their heads.

Beechcraft= stuck in the past and it's killing them.

The FAA is there to create order and a process. I was on the ramp at my local airport the other day with a few other people and it was brought to our attention that there was an inspector on our ramp. We were scared, but for what reason? He/She was inspecting our aircraft like we were running a drug operation out of our airport.

The FAA has turned into an organization that is scaring not so much helpful.Honestly, as many of you will agree it is there for the general traveling public. The FAA is there to make them feel "safer", but from a general aviation perspective it can be a pain. We have much to be thankful for the FAA, but there needs to be a "red line" drawn haha

The legal system and sue happy families of people who crash is what has caused the cost to go up. Just about every regulation you hate is in response to the possible threat of some lawsuit.

You proposal is way to extreme. Eliminate all regulations and turn the sky into our roads?........really?

You want cost to come down? Then you need to find some way to protect manufacturers from lawyers but still allowing them to be punished if they were truly at fault. I think the current system is just the way it is going to be.

Your idea is basically how it use to be.....and look where that got us.

It was the early aircraft builders and airline operators that sought federal regulation of aviation in the first place. Without certification and maintenance requirements for aircraft and medical exams for pilots, liability insurance for aircraft and pilots would go through the roof, making it impossible for anyone to design and build aircraft or fly them. I don't want uncertificated aircraft and unlicensed pilots operating in the airspace over my head and the places I live and work.

I've been making regular monthly visits to the FAA in Oklahoma City to do research for a book. I've never encountered an unfriendly or unprofessional FAA employee who wasn't interested in and working for aviation progress AND safety.

Right on!!

My AME tells me that back when the CAA was created the common belief was that only the most healthy athletic type could possibly be fit to operate something as complicated as a flying machine.
Some of that thinking still exists even though much of the nonsense has been lightened up.
But it does seem funny that a person can drive a huge motorhome 75 MPH on a 2 lane hwy but not capable of operating a Cessna 140?
C'mon!

Remember the LAST AIRWORTHY CV-990A...Did AD ordered its destruction?

I thought the unofficial slogan was " We've upped our standards, so up yours." I understand where this article is coming from but do not fully agree. Some "driving rules" may be unnecessary as well but the fact is is that the CFRs are put in place for the safety of the flying public. Many of the regs written by the FAA are written in blood. Everyone needs to realize that the U.S. has the most efficient and safest system in the world. I don't like some of it either but if it keeps me and my family safe then I can live with it.

It'd ridiculous when you compare the price of your run of the mill GA airplane manufactured when Mickey Mantle was still playing to virtually an decent new car on the market these days... then look at the technology.

Right On!

I must say that all my eetings with the FAA I've got execlent service and great answers. I founnd nice people that doing a lot to help. Lior

Not to forget the introduction of many new aircraft since late 90s or early 2000s (Diamond, Airbus 380)...yes not US built but still certified via FAA. Or how about Boeing 777, 787?

What about the introduction of the sport pilot certification which has spawned all kinds of new aircraft designs (including home-builts). Sure they are not cabin class or corporate luxury and certainly the are not cheap but ingenuity is still alive and well.

As of 12:01 am today, they have (partially) gone away...

Dear friend Theodore Wright, the opening para reminds me of a management revolution that occurred at the dawn of 20th century in the 1910's ! When the concept of Scientific Management emerged and thus was born a new creed of Efficiency Experts in the area of Industrial Management.
There have many anecdotes associated with it but my favourite has been this.
A woman was asked what husband did and her reply was, " If we women do that, it will be called nagging !".
Auditors are similar.
Coming down to legislation, it is well established that excessive legislation helps no body except the legislators !
Need has always been for the fair and prompt implementation. Be it USA or UK or India or China or Somalia .
And that's the hardest thing to achieve.
When will they ever learn ? - lines of the famous song

We should privatise ATC. I am no longer paying dues to AOPA, because they are fighting it.

You should have an AM radio show. Wouldn't it be nice if the world were so simple? Just do whatever we want without regard for other people... Fly around above people's heads in questionably designed and maintained aircraft with a beer in one hand and heart pills in the other... I'm sure the FAA will get right on that. Take it to the general public. They'll love it too.

By the way, you really 'like' apostrophes, eh?

Bureaucracy is a bitch everywhere. But the outcome might be not so bad in this case. Burning flight fuel is so bad for the environment in the big picture, that every flight less gives our kids and grand kids a better change for a planet, they still can live on. The more complicated and expensive flying gets, the better.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........

There are some facts I wish for you guys to consider. Now this might upset some and one post I made has already been removed from this thread. Seems some of you are so far up your own jacksies that you believe that free expression is only for the few. So many of us died fighting for free expression and we are not about to give that right up. I would remind all of you that the USA is the leader of the free world. The C in C of the military protection of that free world is Pres. Obama and right now he is doing a very good job keeping peace.

The FAA is part of the Fed Govmnt. They get lobbied by politicians. The staff are good people trying hard in difficult circumstances. The accident rate amnogst all classes of aviation has fallen to the lowest level since the industry began. One only has to look at the accident rates of previous decades to determine this fact.

Much of the work of the FAA goes unreported. Those of you who are operating into or out of Hong Kong will be aware of the tough regulations now in force preventing flammablke goods, including lithium batteries, in both hand and cargo hold goods. This did not come about by magic. This was liased internationally by the FAA.

It is all very well wanting this that and the other freedom to fly your machines as and when you please without restrictions, but please, accept the responsibility of due care. The traffic levels of aviation grow increasingly every year. To complain about the FAA seeking to enforce rules is insane. If you have a gripe seek out your Senator and complain. They are the people who apply pressure to the FAA.

99.9% of FAA staff are good honest people. They get lent on by politicians. A lot of good work goes unreported. International pressure and diplomacy goes on all the time with the help of the FAA. Example: Hong Kong has introduced new legislation banning lithium batteries in hold and hand luggage. Unless the FAA had pushed for this through diplomatic staff this regulation would not have been mandated.