Remember those executive orders President Donald Trump issued early this year aimed at simplifying and cutting costs in government? My favorite was the one requiring agencies to repeal two existing regulations before creating a new one. Close on the heels of that came “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,” which directed agencies to evaluate existing regulations and make recommendations for their repeal, replacement or modification.
Unusual Attitudes: Is the FAA Pulling a FAST One?
Key Takeaways:
- The FAASTeam, a bureaucratic evolution of the FAA's safety program, is deemed cumbersome, unpopular, and ineffective, with only 5-8% of active pilots participating in its primary "Wings" proficiency program.
- Despite its low participation and questionable impact on overall safety, the program maintains an extensive and costly administrative structure across national, regional, and local levels.
- The article estimates administrative salaries alone cost over $17 million annually (with a total budget likely around $30 million), for a program where paid staff primarily manage and rely on volunteers for actual outreach, leading to a call for the FAA to divest from this "wings-and-awards business" and leave recurrent training to private industry.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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