The Role of Research and Development on Safety Regulation

Abstract

Abstract : A review of regulatory actions taken by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over approximately the past thirty years was made to identify which of these actions were preceded by, or triggered by research and development (R&D) programs. The focus of this analysis was limited to those actions and R&D that pertained to aircraft safety. Research was frequently requested to be performed by the industry elements themselves, namely the engine and aircraft manufacturers, independent research organizations, or by academia. As the FAA experience with the operational fleets grew, some research was accomplished by the internal FAA and governmental organizations, such as the Civil Aeromedical Institute or the Technical Center, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The review revealed that the rulemaking actions were supported quite frequently by research. While it is true that major accidents brought the attention to technology unknowns, and the subsequent rulemaking to prevent the problem appeared to be moving too slowly to provide solutions to the need, the review showed many risks have been reduced, (cabin fires, inadvertent collision with terrain, faster evacuation, to name a few) through the performance of research.