FAA “Captured?” Is the Federal Aviation Administration Subject to “Capture” by the Aviation Industry?

Abstract

Among the missions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are the following: regulating civil aviation to promote safety and fulfill the requirements of national defense; and encouraging and developing civil aeronautics, including new aviation technology (FAA 2002). The conflict between missions has led to questions regarding potential “capture†of the FAA by the industry that it regulates and a possible compromise of its critical aviation safety role. This article examines the concept of “capture†as related to both private industry and government agencies and further explores both sides of the issue pertaining to possible “capture†of the FAA.