How Do We Compete?

Topic Choice: Improve Safety Standards at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

Safety will forever be a major concern when it comes to aviation. Here in the United States, safety is always a priority. The U.S really does set a high standard on safety and its promotion of its procedures are everywhere. These sources are primarily led by organizations such as Air Safety and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). The problem that the United States faces is that it is not on the same page when it comes to comparing other governments’ aviation structures. This is where that lethal “gray-area” becomes a large void between other nations’ infrastructures. 

I feel that the bar must be raised across the world. This means that everyone must operate to the same standards that are meant to be goals, rather than “minimum acceptable standards.” When there is an accident, the families of the victims will never look at these world airlines for operating to the minimums when their family’s lives are a risk. I think that the ICAO should enforce strict rulings that are even no matter which airline is operating over any and every country. The goal is to be able to coordinate and ordinate these rulings throughout the world. According to the linked source, standardization, monitoring, analysis, and implementation are the keys to providing this new change to ICAO.

I do feel that this solution would be feasible. The problem that would be most apparent would be finding the financials to be able to support this type of change throughout the different operating nations. Many struggle through the down turn of the world economy and aviation is unfortunately an industry where safety is hindered when the money stops coming. I think that the solution is within our reach but all nations would have to devise a plan to be able to support it financially. 

This change will create jobs. The aviation safety sector of the industry has been growing consistently and this solution will allow the creation of jobs throughout the world, allowing many nations to promote the idea of spending money in a positive image. The aviation industry will always be in need of safety supervisors and leaders to be able to promote positive change through out the world’s airlines.