Spirit of Eastern Michigan Aviation

Between the 1960s and 1980s, U.S. companies manufactured and produced various launch vehicles and satellites to be under NASA contracts to launch their payloads. According to the FAA, in the late 80’s the need for launches grew to the point where NASA could no longer handle the demand and manufactures expressed interest in commercial launch services. In 1982, Space Services successfully launched the first private American launch testing its prototype Conestoga rocket. This flight also proved how the approval process takes an extraordinary long time. Shortly after the first test launch, Charles D. Walker from McDonnell Douglas became the first non-government astronaut to fly in 1984. This manned flight led to a huge spark in the future of space tourism. Various companies started designing and engineering cabins that could hold individuals and payloads. NASA allowed its first citizen to fly during the shuttle program, Christa McAuliffe. NASA predicted that after this flight two to three

Recently in the past couple of years, civilian UAV use in the United States has been on the rise. Companies that produce these products have created UAVs that any ordinary individual can purchase at a relatively low cost, and made it fairly easy to use for someone who may not have any prior experience with one. We mostly see civilians using drones for leisure activities such as aerial photography, and just having fun with it.  According to the FAA UAS getting started website, they give you two options. You can either fly under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (section 336) or fly under the FAA’s Small UAS Rule (Part 107). Section 336 states this is flying for hobby or recreation. You must register your model aircraft, follow community based safety guidelines, the UAV must weigh less than 55 lbs, must be within the visual line of sight, and never fly near other aircraft or notify ATC prior to flying within 5 miles of a controlled airport. These rules would apply to the civilian use.

In the proceeding months and years after the 2009 Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash and various others, the FAA came to conclusion that something in the regulatory process must be changed. Previously, pilots were landing jobs with a little over the minimum of 250 hours and no ATP due to it not being required. This meant flight crews were severely under-experienced. The FAA instituted the 1500 requirement for the ATP, unless you came from a 141 school, where you are eligible to get the restricted ATP with 1000. With proper military experience, this can be possible with even less. Not only was flight time changed, but rest requirements were too. According to The Balance and FAA, Under the old rules, rest requirements were based on operations such as domestic and international flights. Now there is no difference as all rules apply. Flight hours were limited per day and per year with the old rules and now it are based of week, month, and year. Under old operating rules, the word “fit for duty”