There has been a lot said about the survey that
was conducted by a NASA contractor to determine pilot perceptions of
airline safety. But if you have not heard, NASA is refusing to
release the results of the survey. Their refusals to release the
results are not based on any flaw in the survey or it not being
complete. NASA's chief, Michael Griffin, is refusing to release the
results of the survey in fear that travelers will become fearful and
not fly, resulting in a hit to the airline profits.
As a frequently flyer this is very disturbing.
Since we travel in an airline industry where the consumer is
expected to make informed decisions, how is suppressing publicly
funded research enabling the consumer? Especially in light of the
deregulation that the industry has evolved to, performance data is
critical for a consumer-driven economic model to effectively
operate. The Feds can't have it both ways. If the industry is to be
deregulated, then the industry and consumers must have access to all
relevant data.
This might also be a case of too many foxes in the
hen house. NASA's role in civil aviation is to conduct research and
to perform as an enabler to the industry and the FAA. The FAA's
role is to foster a safe industry and to ensure compliance and enact
enforcement when required. The Department of Transportation, of
which the FAA is a part, has its own structure of oversight upon the
FAA. The NTSB is charged with the investigation of accidents and to
provide conclusions and recommendations for prevention of future
accidents. The TSA is responsible for security at airports and
other civilian transportation hubs. Then there is the Office of
Inspector General within the General Accounting Office (GAO) which
is charged with periodic reviews of all agencies to ensure they are
compliant with government policies and procedures. I am sure I am
missing an agency or two, but these are the major players within the
civil aviation regulatory scheme within the US.
In light of the numerous government agencies, does
anyone know what the other is doing? More importantly, who owns the
process for civilian air transportation safety? The answer is
clearly not NASA! A review of 49 United States Code (U.S.C.)
clearly describes the authority of the FAA Administrator and the
associated responsibilities for civil air safety.
Reviewing the National Aeronautics and Space Act,
the NASA Administrator is charged with contributing materially in
various research activities, which include safety areas in non-space
aviation. The Act further requires the NASA Administrator to
"provide for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of
information concerning its activities and the results thereof."
Nowhere in the "Space Act" is there authorization provided to the
NASA Administrator to protect airlines from potential loss of
profits.
Readers, this editorial may have the tone of a
rant. However, the fact of the matter is that the AS&D professional
community as well as the consumers of air transportation must insist
on an industry that is open for free trade and economic growth based
on capability and performance. If the civilian aviation industry is
to perform within a system of checks and balances, then the system
must operate as designed. That includes government agencies.
In the case of the withheld report, it could be
suggested that NASA is in violation of U.S. law. The report might
not be the answer the Feds were looking for. But, if you can't
stand the answer then don't ask the question. Though media may not
be kind, we as consumers have the right to information. Hey NASA,
release the damn report!