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3 unusual facts about Federal Aviation Act of 1958


Edward Peck Curtis

In 1956-1957, he served as Special Assistant to the U. S. President for Aviation Facilities Planning and was instrumental in planning for the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Aviation Act of 1958.

Federal Aviation Act of 1958

Two subsequent mid-air collisions between military aircraft and commercial airliners, one near Las Vegas, Nevada (United Airlines Flight 736) on April 21, 1958, where 49 died, and one involving Capital Airlines over Brunswick, Maryland a month later on May 20 that cost 11 lives, showed further imperfections in the regulation of air traffic, particularly the need for unified control of airspace for civil and military flights.

Robert B. Pirie

While serving as Deputy Chief of Navy Operation (Air) 1958-1962 and was credited with maintaining the Navy’s air traffic controller program, following the enactment of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958.



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