Page 39 - Planning and Design of Airports

The Natur e of Civil Aviation and Airports 17

Contrary to the ownership structures in the United States, airports
worldwide have traditionally been owned and operated by their
respective federal governments through their ministries of transport,
however many are increasingly becoming privatized to operate as for-
profit business entities.

Historical Review of the Legislative Role in Aviation
Both in the United States and internationally, legislative actions taken
by federal and state governments have had a profound impact on the
growth of civil aviation and the planning and design of its airports.
As early as 1911, the Post Office Department showed an interest
in civil aviation, particularly the transportation of mail by air, and
from then on the department did much to encourage civil aviation.
Attempts to obtain federal appropriations for air-mail began in 1912
but met with little success until 1916, when an appropriation for
experimental purposes was made. In 1918, the first air-mail route in
the United States was established between Washington, D.C. and
New York City. At the start of this service the flying operations were
conducted by the War Department but later that year the Post Office
Department took over the entire operation with its own equipment
and pilots. Service was inaugurated between New York City and
Chicago in 1919 and was extended to San Francisco in 1920.
The Post Office Department, having demonstrated the practical-
ity of moving mail by air, desired to turn over the operation to private
enterprise. By 1925, the development work of the government had
reached a stage where private operation seemed feasible. Accord-
ingly, legislation permitting the Post Office Department to contract
with private operators for the carriage of mail by air was provided by
the Air Mail Act of 1925 (Kelly Act). However, it was not until 1926
that a number of contract routes were opened. Some of the early con-
tractors were the Ford Motor Company, Boeing Air Transport (pred-
ecessor of United Airlines), and National Air Transport.
Air Commerce Act of 1926
The first year of the carriage of mail also saw the passage of the first
federal law dealing with air commerce, the Air Commerce Act of 1926
(Public Law 64-254). Although this law provided regulatory meas-
ures, it did more to aid and encourage civil aviation than to regulate.
The principal provisions of this act were as follows:
1. All aircraft owned by United States citizens operating in
common-carrier service or in connection with any business
must be registered.
2. All aircraft must be certificated and operated by certified
airmen.