The Federal Aviation Administration was formed on August 23, 1958, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aviation Act.
The measure transferred the Civil Aeronautics Authority’s functions to a new independent Federal Aviation Agency responsible for civil aviation safety.
On May 21, 1958, U.S. Sen. A.S. “Mike” Monroney, D-Oklahoma, introduced a bill to create an independent Federal Aviation Agency to provide for national airspace’s safe and efficient use.
Although the Federal Aviation Agency technically existed with the act’s passage, it assumed its functions in stages. Under the act, the Federal Aviation Agency would begin operations 60 days after an administrator was appointed.
Retired Air Force General Elwood “Pete” Quesada took on the first Federal Aviation Agency Administrator role on November 1, 1958. The Federal Aviation Agency began operations on December 31, 1958.
