Federal_Aviation_Administration

context: In 2007, two FAA whistleblowers, inspectors Charalambe "Bobby" Boutris and Douglas E. Peters, alleged that Boutris said he attempted to ground Southwest after finding cracks in the fuselage, but was prevented by supervisors he said were friendly with the airline. This was validated by a report by the Department of Transportation which found FAA managers had allowed Southwest Airlines to fly 46 airplanes in 2006 and 2007 that were overdue for safety inspections, ignoring concerns raised by inspectors. Audits of other airlines resulted in two airlines grounding hundreds of planes, causing thousands of flight cancellations. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held hearings in April 2008. Jim Oberstar, former chairman of the committee said its investigation uncovered a pattern of regulatory abuse and widespread regulatory lapses, allowing 117 aircraft to be operated commercially although not in compliance with FAA safety rules. Oberstar said there was a "culture of coziness" between senior FAA officials and the airlines and "a systematic breakdown" in the FAA's culture that resulted in "malfeasance, bordering on corruption." In 2008 the FAA proposed to fine Southwest $10.2 million for failing to inspect older planes for cracks, and in 2009 Southwest and the FAA agreed that Southwest would pay a $7.5 million penalty and would adopt new safety procedures, with the fine doubling if Southwest failed to follow through.
qas: answers: text: 2007
question: When did two whisleblowers allege that Boutris  attempted to ground Southwest Airlines?

answers: text: 46
question: How many planes did the FAA managers allow to fly in 2006 and 2007 that were overdue for safety inspections?

answers: text: $10.2 million
question: How much did the FAA propose to fine Southwest for failing to inspect older planes?

answers: text: Jim Oberstar
question: What former chairman of the committee said it's investigation uncovered a pattern of regulatory abuse?

answers: text: 117
question: How many planes were allowed to be operated commercially although not in compliance with FAA safety regulations?

context: On July 22, 2008, in the aftermath of the Southwest Airlines inspection scandal, a bill was unanimously approved in the House to tighten regulations concerning airplane maintenance procedures, including the establishment of a whistleblower office and a two-year "cooling off" period that FAA inspectors or supervisors of inspectors must wait before they can work for those they regulated. The bill also required rotation of principal maintenance inspectors and stipulated that the word "customer" properly applies to the flying public, not those entities regulated by the FAA. The bill died in a Senate committee that year.
qas: answers: text: July 22, 2008
question: When did the aftermath of the Southwest Airlines inspection scandal happen?

answers: text: House
question: who approved a mesaure to tigheten regulations concerning airplane maintenance prodecures?

answers: text: the flying public
question: What does the word 'customer' properly apply to?

answers: text: two-year
question: how long was the "cooling off" period that the FAA inspectors or supervisers of inspectors must wait before they can work for those they regulate?

context: The FAA gradually assumed additional functions. The hijacking epidemic of the 1960s had already brought the agency into the field of civil aviation security. In response to the hijackings on September 11, 2001, this responsibility is now primarily taken by the Department of Homeland Security. The FAA became more involved with the environmental aspects of aviation in 1968 when it received the power to set aircraft noise standards. Legislation in 1970 gave the agency management of a new airport aid program and certain added responsibilities for airport safety. During the 1960s and 1970s, the FAA also started to regulate high altitude (over 500 feet) kite and balloon flying.
qas: answers: text: hijacking
question: What epidemic did the FAA have to handle in the 1960s?

answers: text: Department of Homeland Security
question: Who now takes responsibility for aviation security?

answers: text: 1968
question: When did the FAA become more involved with the environmental aspects of aviation?

answers: text: 500 feet
question: What is the altitude which the FAA regulates over?

answers: text: 1970
question: When was legislation passed that gave the agency management of a new airport aide program?

context: On the eve of America's entry into World War II, CAA began to extend its ATC responsibilities to takeoff and landing operations at airports. This expanded role eventually became permanent after the war. The application of radar to ATC helped controllers in their drive to keep abreast of the postwar boom in commercial air transportation. In 1946, meanwhile, Congress gave CAA the added task of administering the federal-aid airport program, the first peacetime program of financial assistance aimed exclusively at promoting development of the nation's civil airports.
qas: answers: text: World War II
question: When did the CAA begin to exptend it's ATC responsibilities?

answers: text: radar
question: What helped ATC controllers in their drive ot keep ahead of the postwar boom in commercial air transportation?

answers: text: 1946
question: When did Congress give the CAA the task of administering the federal-air airport program?

answers: text: civil airports
question: What did the federal-aid airport program aim to help develop?

context: By the mid-1970s, the agency had achieved a semi-automated air traffic control system using both radar and computer technology. This system required enhancement to keep pace with air traffic growth, however, especially after the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 phased out the CAB's economic regulation of the airlines. A nationwide strike by the air traffic controllers union in 1981 forced temporary flight restrictions but failed to shut down the airspace system. During the following year, the agency unveiled a new plan for further automating its air traffic control facilities, but progress proved disappointing. In 1994, the FAA shifted to a more step-by-step approach that has provided controllers with advanced equipment.
qas: answers: text: mid-1970s
question: When did the agency acheive a semi-automated air traffic control system?

answers: text: 1978
question: When was the Airline Deregulation act?

answers: text: 1981
question: When did the nationwide strike by air traffic controlers union happen?

answers: text: 1994
question: when did the FAA shift to a more step-by-step approach to providing air traffic controllers with more advanced equipment?

answers: text: computer technology
question: What helped operate radar in the new air-traffic control system?

context: The Air Commerce Act of May 20, 1926, is the cornerstone of the federal government's regulation of civil aviation. This landmark legislation was passed at the urging of the aviation industry, whose leaders believed the airplane could not reach its full commercial potential without federal action to improve and maintain safety standards. The Act charged the Secretary of Commerce with fostering air commerce, issuing and enforcing air traffic rules, licensing pilots, certifying aircraft, establishing airways, and operating and maintaining aids to air navigation. The newly created Aeronautics Branch, operating under the Department of Commerce assumed primary responsibility for aviation oversight.
qas: answers: text: May 20, 1926
question: When was the Air Commerce Act passed?

answers: text: Secretary of Commerce
question: Who was charged with fostering air commerce?

answers: text: Aeronautics Branch
question: What new branch was created and operates under the Department of Commerce?

answers: text: Aeronautics Branch
question: Who assumed primary responsibility for aviation oversight?

answers: text: Secretary of Commerce
question: Who was responsible for operating and maintaining aids to air navigation?

context: The approaching era of jet travel, and a series of midair collisions (most notable was the 1956 Grand Canyon mid-air collision), prompted passage of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. This legislation gave the CAA's functions to a new independent body, the Federal Aviation Agency. The act transferred air safety regulation from the CAB to the new FAA, and also gave the FAA sole responsibility for a common civil-military system of air navigation and air traffic control. The FAA's first administrator, Elwood R. Quesada, was a former Air Force general and adviser to President Eisenhower.
qas: answers: text: 1956
question: When did the Grand-Canyon mid-air collision happen?

answers: text: 1958
question: when was the Federal Aviation Act passed?

answers: text: Federal Aviation Agency
question: What agency would now act like the CAA?

answers: text: CAB
question: Who did the Federal Aviation Act transfer air safety regulation from?

answers: text: Elwood R. Quesada
question: Who was the FAA's first administrator?

context: On October 31, 2013, after outcry from media outlets, including heavy criticism  from Nick Bilton of The New York Times, the FAA announced it will allow airlines to expand the passengers use of portable electronic devices during all phases of flight, but mobile phone calls will still be prohibited. Implementation will vary among airlines. The FAA expects many carriers to show that their planes allow passengers to safely use their devices in airplane mode, gate-to-gate, by the end of 2013. Devices must be held or put in the seat-back pocket during the actual takeoff and landing. Mobile phones must be in airplane mode or with mobile service disabled, with no signal bars displayed, and cannot be used for voice communications due to Federal Communications Commission regulations that prohibit any airborne calls using mobile phones. If an air carrier provides Wi-Fi service during flight, passengers may use it. Short-range Bluetooth accessories, like wireless keyboards, can also be used.
qas: answers: text: October 31, 2013
question: When did the FAA decide to expand passengers use of portable elctronic devices during all phases of flight?

answers: text: airplane mode
question: What mode must mobile phones be put into?

answers: text: all phases
question: What phases of flight will passengers be able to use electronic devices?

answers: text: seat-back pocket
question: Where must devices be put during actual takeoff and landing?

answers: text: can also be used.
question: Are short-range bluetooth accessories able to be used?

context: In 1967, a new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) combined major federal responsibilities for air and surface transport. The Federal Aviation Agency's name changed to the Federal Aviation Administration as it became one of several agencies (e.g., Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, the Coast Guard, and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Commission) within DOT (albeit the largest). The FAA administrator would no longer report directly to the president but would instead report to the Secretary of Transportation. New programs and budget requests would have to be approved by DOT, which would then include these requests in the overall budget and submit it to the president.
qas: answers: text: 1967
question: When did the US DOT combine major federal responsibilities for air and surface transport?

answers: text: Federal Aviation Administration
question: What did the Federal Aviation Agency change it's name to?

answers: text: Secretary of Transportation
question: Who would the FAA administrator report to?

answers: text: DOT
question: Who approves new programs and budget requests?

answers: text: president
question: Who is the final person to approve the budget that is submitted?

context: The Aeronautics Branch was renamed the Bureau of Air Commerce in 1934 to reflect its enhanced status within the Department. As commercial flying increased, the Bureau encouraged a group of airlines to establish the first three centers for providing air traffic control (ATC) along the airways. In 1936, the Bureau itself took over the centers and began to expand the ATC system. The pioneer air traffic controllers used maps, blackboards, and mental calculations to ensure the safe separation of aircraft traveling along designated routes between cities.
qas: answers: text: Bureau of Air Commerce
question: What was the Areonautics Branch renamed to?

answers: text: 1934
question: When was the Aeronautics Branch renamed?

answers: text: 1936
question: When did the Buerau take over and begin to expant the ATC system?

answers: text: air traffic controllers
question: What were the people who used maps, blackboards, and mental calculation to ensure the safe separation of aircraft traveling between cities called?

context: In 2014, the FAA changed a long-standing approach to air traffic control candidates that eliminated preferences based on training and experience at flight schools in favor of a personality test open to anyone irrespective of experience. The move was made to increase flight traffic controller racial diversity. Before the change, candidates who had completed coursework at participating colleges and universities could be "fast-tracked" for consideration. The agency eliminated that program and instead switched to an open system to the general public, with no need for any experience or even a college degree. Instead, applicants could take "a biographical questionnaire" that many applicants found baffling.
qas: answers: text: 2014
question: When did the FAA change it's long-standing approach to air traffic control candidates?

answers: text: personality test
question: What was now favored instead of training and experince at flight schools?

answers: text: anyone
question: Who could be an air traffic controller irrespective of experience now because of the rule change?

answers: text: biographical questionnaire
question: What did applicants now take that many of them found baffling?

context: The FAA has been cited as an example of regulatory capture, "in which the airline industry openly dictates to its regulators its governing rules, arranging for not only beneficial regulation, but placing key people to head these regulators." Retired NASA Office of Inspector General Senior Special Agent Joseph Gutheinz, who used to be a Special Agent with the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Transportation and with FAA Security, is one of the most outspoken critics of FAA. Rather than commend the agency for proposing a $10.2 million fine against Southwest Airlines for its failure to conduct mandatory inspections in 2008, he was quoted as saying the following in an Associated Press story: "Penalties against airlines that violate FAA directives should be stiffer. At $25,000 per violation, Gutheinz said, airlines can justify rolling the dice and taking the chance on getting caught. He also said the FAA is often too quick to bend to pressure from airlines and pilots." Other experts have been critical of the constraints and expectations under which the FAA is expected to operate. The dual role of encouraging aerospace travel and regulating aerospace travel are contradictory. For example, to levy a heavy penalty upon an airline for violating an FAA regulation which would impact their ability to continue operating would not be considered encouraging aerospace travel.
qas: answers: text: Joseph Gutheinz
question: What retired NASA Office of inspector general is outspoken about the FAA?

answers: text: $25,000
question: How much do penalties against airlines cost per violation?

answers: text: impact their ability to continue operating
question: A heavy penalty for violating FAA reulations could said to be do what?

answers: text: $10.2 million
question: What did the agency propose to find Southwest Airlines?