Full Definition of Aviation and Aerospace Law

The legal realm of aviation and aerospace is defined by the body of Aviation Law. The scope of aviation law governs the operation and use of aircraft as well as the maintenance and management of aviation facilities. Both the federal and state government have passed law and statutes, and established agencies to oversee the administrative functions and regulations of air traffic and related aerospace activities.

States are prohibited from regulating rates, routes or services of any air carrier authorized under the Federal Aviation Act to provide interstate air transportation. States are not prohibited, however, from enacting consistent laws, or from altering existing remedies under state law.

The Federal Aviation Act was passed in 1958 establishing the Federal Aviation Agency. There have been several subsequent acts passed by the federal government regulating aviation such as the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 and the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.