European civil aviation safety regulation-an update of the Joint Aviation Authorities

The paper reviews airline safety in recent years and argues the case for a need to ensure a continuing improving trend. The role of the European loint Aviation Authorities V A A) is described and the need for the JAA and the United States agency, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to harmonize their safety regulations is explained. The approach to new technology and the case for the application of some of the latest requirements to derivative ’ aircraft are discussed. Some recent controversial issues related to new technology are described and general conclusions drawn