Changing Regulations in the Aviation Industry

Changing Regulations in the Aviation Industry

Introduction

The aviation industry is one of the most competitive industries in the global economy. Even so, it is faced with a lot of challenges that affect its operation and management. Two of the biggest challenges are security and aircraft maintenance. Security is paramount in aviation since public and private airlines are potential targets for terrorists and related security issues (Abbott, 2017). Therefore, security plays a critical role in aviation not only for safety but also to avoid smuggling of illegal products and contraband goods. Thus, the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as all other relevant aviation regulatory bodies, plays a critical role in coming up with organizational measures.

Security Regulations

Several aviation regulations are related to security. The top priority when it comes to security is safety. Are the aircraft/airplanes safe to transport passengers from one point to another destination safe for travel? The primary regulation is to go through a checklist of prioritized areas to confirm whether they are functional or in good shape before takeoff (Abbott, 2017). This kind of regulatory measure has been useful for many years since it was proposed as a safety measure. The primary approach to the safety measures in the aviation industry involves a comprehensive action plan that involves collective responsibility for all civil aviation in all ICAO. This kind of approach was reached after the occurrence of 9/11; new security measures were undertaken in 2002 to establish better safety precautions in the civil aviation industry.

The current aviation regulatory system has responded to the advancement in technology by adopting sophisticated security search technologies. It is secure but still slower than expected. It is a normal thing to get a crowd of passengers at security checks in airports. Therefore, having a maximum size and weight of luggage, specifically for security supported with technology will speed up the process (Lee, 2018). In addition to that, it is important to establish a 24/7 surveillance mechanism with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) that would do accurate facial recognition in airports and thus enhancing proactive measures against terrorism and other civil aviation security issues.

Maintenance Regulations

The other regulatory policy that is currently in place is aircraft parts repair and maintenance policies. There are certain degrees of damage to aircraft parts that require replacement instead of repair. In most cases, the maintenance programs are usually managed by the engineers. In the case of commercial aircraft, maintenance interval is shorter, and thus the plane has to undergo frequent check-up and maintenance (Abbott, 2017). Aeronautical engineers work under tight regulatory policies that advocate for scheduled maintenance and checklist to work with during the maintenance process. This kind of approach ensures that there is a standard procedure in the maintenance of aircraft to enhance safety.

The challenge that comes with having a pre-determined maintenance approach is that aeronautical engineers and the task force involved in the maintenance program get used to the procedures. Over time, they may tend to make assumptions based on experience, and sometimes they do without the guidelines or checklist (Forsyth, 2016). Besides, perpetrators may also maneuver their way through the standard security protocol and cause unexpected damage and loss of life. In such cases, the probability of missing out of a critical item increases. Therefore, the existing security protocols and procedures rely on a reactive response to the sustainability of safety in civil aviation.

Therefore, it is important to adopt a maintenance protocol that integrates all approaches, both reactive and proactive, to ensure the sustainability of safety in the aviation industry. The aviation industry needs to adopt Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) as a regulatory requirement (Abbott, 2017). It is an approach that applies an integrated maintenance approach, which is more reliable. For instance, it involves reactive maintenance – maintenance and repairs as soon as damages occur; proactive maintenance – a preplanned maintenance procedure; condition-based maintenance – maintenance and replacement based on the condition of the aircraft, and interval maintenance – scheduled repairs.

Aviation Safety Today & Regulation Concerns in the Future

Based on the contemporary civil aviation industry, both maintenance and security checklist are more advanced. They contain more details to enhance aviation safety, and yet fatal airplane accidents are still witnessed. For instance, at the beginning of 2019, Boeing’ 737 branded Ethiopian airline crashed minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa to Nairobi.  It was just five months after another Boeing 737 crashed in Malaysia, killing everyone on board in both cases.  It is a clear indication that more needs to be done to increase the level of precautions taken by the ICAO (ICAO, n.d.).

Technological advancement is occurring very fast, and there are major changes in the aviation industry in the near future. Electronic engine systems that are currently being utilized in e-cars are on the verge of being adopted in smart aircraft that are believed to be more effective and safe. According to a TED talk (n.d) by Rodin Lyasoff on autonomous flying taxis, creativity and innovation are already in place, and so is technology. The only critical concern is whether ICAO and other aviation regulatory bodies will set up regulations for such new technology that would change aviation as we know it.

References

Abbott, K. (2017). 7 An Overview of Flight Deck Human Factors in the US Aviation Regulatory System. Handbook of Human Factors in Air Transportation Systems, 137.

Forsyth, P. (2016). Tourism and aviation policy: exploring the links. In Aviation and Tourism (pp. 103-112). Routledge.

ICAO (n.d.): Milestones in International Civil Aviation. Accessed on Jan 23, 2020, from https://www.icao.int/about-icao/History/Pages/Milestones-in-International-Civil-Aviation.aspx

Lee, J. W. (2018). Other Areas of International Law-A Level Playing Field for “Open Skies”: The Need for Consistent Aviation Regulation by Peter Paul FITZGERALD. The Hague: Eleven International Publishing, 2016. xx+ 350 pp. Hardcover:€ 80. Asian Journal of International Law, 8(1), 300-300.

TED Talk (n.d.): How autonomous flying taxis could change the way, you travel. Accessed on Jan 23, 2020, from https://www.ted.com/talks/rodin_lyasoff_how_autonomous_flying_taxis_could_change_the_way_you_travel