Aircraft Regulatory Environment

Abstract

Civil aviation safety regulation has a century of history. Hard won knowledge has been built up from decades of experience of accidents and incidents. This chapter describes some of the essential features of the international, regional, and national aviation regulatory environment. The parts of this chapter are generic so as to avoid describing the system of regulation in one state or another. Among many other aspects, the aviation regulatory environment covers safety, aerodrome and air traffic standards, operations, and airworthiness. This chapter addresses the key elements of regulation and their implications for aircraft design, certification, operation, and maintenance, with particular emphasis on safety issues. Those involved in safety-related roles in flying or servicing aircraft work in a regulated setting. A description of how and why personnel are licensed is given. Since a major effort is being given to its implementation, the concept of Safety Management System (SMS) is briefly addressed. Finally, a paragraph deals with the “green” issues of growing interest in environmental regulation with respect to aircraft noise and emissions. So, the chapter takes a broad overview of the regulatory environment within which civil aviation delivers safe, efficient, and reliable transport services day after day and year after year. Keywords: Civil Aviation Safety Regulation; International Civil Aviation Organization; standards; certification; safety recommendations; rulemaking; Safety Management Systems; type certificate