Rare FAA rules change means Blue Origin crew may not get official 'wings'

[turbinetree]

U.S. NEWS JULY 23, 2021 / 8:27 AM

By Kyle Barnett

uly 23 (UPI) -- Federal aviation regulators have made a rare change to the requirements for its Commercial Astronaut Wings Program, meaning Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos may not officially be recognized for his spaceflight this week.

The Federal Aviation Administration changed rules for the program on the same day Bezos, his brother and two others made their historic first commercial spaceflight on Tuesday.

For the first time in 17 years, the FAA updated its Commercial Astronaut Wings Program. Before the change, all that was required to be recognized was to fly to at least an altitude of 50 miles.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/07/23/faa-rules-wings-spaceflight/4631627040412/

[Hugin]

1. Others here probably differ with my opinion, but, I think this is a dumb and petty move by the FAA.

I'm sure there are plenty of other countries who will be more than happy to declare someone a Cosmonaut, Space Buckaroo, or whatever. If simply to draw money.

This will only diminish the fledgling industry here in the US.

[hlthe2b]

2. I agree that it was petty. I'm still strictly conflicted about these Billionaire Vanity flights, but

fair is fair.

[Hugin]

5. You and I agree and yes I'm conflicted, too.

I had to step way way back and look at it through the lens of what the FAA (then the CAA) was originally chartered to do. Which was to encourage civil aviation by demonstrating and regulating it's safety and utility to the public.

Then, factoring in that these specific flights wouldn't have happened if not for the financial contributions of the wealthy individuals who were participating. Then, yeah, they made a significant contribution to the flights, if not piloting or dying celery stalks while in flight.

Those contributions should never over shadow the vast investments of public dollars expended to make those flights even feasible, however. Here we are.

[Worried2020]

6. FAA is behaving just like a spoiled child

.

I really don't think The World gives a hoot what the FAA thinks.

Like them, or hate them - don't matter,

these billionaires made HISTORY!

Get over it.



W

[Lancero]

3. Thought we'd be free of petty games like this with TFG being out.

Guess not.

[COL Mustard]

4. At Least Bezos Actually HAS His Billions

Unlike TFG.

I might not like Bezos or Musk or Branson or any of those other guys....but damn, if I had that kind of money, I'd build a rocket too!

[a kennedy]

7. I just don't want either one of the billionaires to get the status of astronaut.

THEY ARE NOT ASTRONAUTS. They were in “space” for less then 15 minutes.

[EX500rider]

8. Seems like they are:

Astronaut | Definition of Astronaut by Merriam-Webster
Astronaut definition is - a person who travels beyond the earth's atmosphere; also : a trainee for spaceflight

[a kennedy]

9. Damn. 🤬 🤬 🤬

[Sgent]

10. I'm OK with this in general

you can't earn flight time as a passenger, nor can you earn time accrued to merchant marine ranks as a passenger on a cruise ship.

That said, for those who flew before the rule change, the old rules should apply. I say this mostly for Wally Funk.