Timeline
1925
Air Mail Act of 1925
Also known as the Kelly Act, the Air Mail Act of 1925 authorized the Postmaster General to contact with private companies to carry the mail through aviation.
1926
Air Commerce Act of 1926
The beginning of federal involvement in civil aviation. Created the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce.
1934
Air Mail Act of 1934
As a result of the Air Mail Scandal, Congress passed the Air Mail Act.
1938
Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938
Created the Civil Aviation Authority, an independent agency to oversee all civil aviation.
1940
The Civil Aeronautics Administration is split to form the CAA and CAB
The CAA oversaw civil aviation operations, ATC, certification, and safety. The CAB was responsible for safety rulemaking, investigations, and economic regulation of airlines
1946
Federal Aid to Airports Program (FAAP)
Provided funds for certain projects to airports that were part of the National Airport Plan (NAP) in 1946.
1958
Federal Aviation Act of 1958
Created the Federal Aviation Agency that later became the Federal Aviation Administration. Transferred civil aviation to the newly formed Department of Transportation.
Federal Aviation Act of 1958
Repealed the Air Commerce Act of 1934 and created the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA).
1967
Department of Transportation is Created
The creation of the new Department of Transportation also changed the Federal Aviation Agency’s name to the Federal Aviation Administration still in use today. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is created to act as an independent investigation authority for aviation, assuming the role from the CAB.
1970
Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970
Created to providing funding mechanisms to airports. Created the Airport Development Aid Program (ADAP) and Planning Grant Program (PGP). The ADAP was established to fund infrastructure projects while PGP was used for master planning.
Airport and Airway Revenue Act of 1970
Created the Airport and Airway Trust Fund by placing an 8% tax on passenger airfares, a $3 surcharge on passenger tickets, a seven cents per gallon tax on aviation fuel, a five percent tax on air freight, and an annual aircraft registration fee.
1978
Airline Deregulation Act of 1978
Ended the regulation of airlines, routes, and fares that was overseen by the CAB.
1982
Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982
Created the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to fund airport projects. The National Airport Plan (NAP) became the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) and placed commercial airports into classifications of large hub, medium hub, small hub, and non hub airports.
1985
Civil Aeronautics Board dissolved
As a result of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, the final role of the CAB was eliminated.
2001
September 11 Attacks
Transportation Security Administration created
2002
Department of Homeland Security created
2003
