The FAA Flies High for 50 Years

• The FAA begins air traffic operations with a new, more capable generation of controller display systems for en route centers and terminal area facilities.

• The FAA’s Terminal Doppler Weather Radar system improves wind shear detection at airports where thunderstorms frequently occur.

• The FAA completes a massive effort to modify its computer systems for compatibility with the “Y2K” date issue.

2000-Present

• The FAA commissions the Wide Area Augmentation System to improve the accuracy of the Global Positioning System signal for civil aviation.

• The FAA stops all air traffic nationwide and safely brings down thousands of airborne planes after the 9/11 terror attacks.

• FAA engineers and scientists address the flammability of fuel tanks by developing a practical inerting system, eventually resulting in a regulation that mandates flammability reduction systems.

• The FAA implements enhanced navigation procedures that let commercial aircraft fly more precise routes, resulting in multi-million-dollar fuel savings for airlines.

• The FAA creates the Air Traffic Organization as a performance-based line of business.

• The FAA announces plans for transitioning to a next-generation air traffic system that will take advantage of the latest satellite-based technologies, allowing the agency to handle more aircraft, maintain high levels of safety, reduce flight delays, and cut noise near airports.

Facts & Figures: Then and Now

In 1958, the FAA had 26,805 employees.

In 2008 there are 46,338 employees, the vast majority providing air traffic services and maintaining the airspace system.

In 1958, about 49 million passengers boarded airplanes.

In 2008, 776 million are expected.

In 1958, there were 354,365 active pilots.

In 2008 there are 590,349 active pilots.

In 1958, 66,000 general aviation aircraft flew a combined total of 11 million hours.

In 2008, approximately 228,000 aircraft are expected to fly a combined total of 28 million hours.

In 1958 FAA’s appropriation was $406.1 million.

In 2008, the appropriation is $14.9 billion.

In 1958, there were 107,072 active aviation mechanics.

In 2008, that number has grown to 322,852.

In 1958, there were 25,903 active FAA-certified flight instructors.

In 2008, there are 92,175 certified flight instructors.

In 1958, flight data recorders used tinfoil to record five parameters (airspeed, pitch, roll, yaw, and altitude) for about 30 minutes.

In 2008, digital recorders chart several hundred parameters, each recorded several times per second, for up to 25 hours.

In 1958, number of all-jet airliners in U.S. service (On August 23): 0.

In 2008, estimated number of jet airliners in the U.S. fleet: 4,032.

In 1958, U.S domestic passenger and cargo planes used 1.3 billion gallons of fuel.

In 2008, the domestic passenger and cargo fleet is expected to use 13.7 billion gallons.

In 1958, FAA air traffic control towers handled 26.6 million takeoffs and landings.

In 2008, FAA and contract towers will handle approximately 44.2 million operations.

In 1959, FAA grant funding for airports was $63.6 million.

In 2007, the total was $3.3 billion, an increase of $3.2 billion.

In 1959, 358 airports received FAA airport development grants.

In 2007, 2,022 airports received grants, an increase of 1,664.

In 1959, airports reported capital funding needs of $1.3 billion over a five-year period.

In 2008, airports reported five-year capital funding needs totaling $41.2 billion.

In 1959, FAA grant funding for airports was $63.6 million.

In 2007, the total was $3.3 billion.

In 1959, 358 airports received FAA airport development grants.

In 2007, 2,022 airports received grants.