The Federal Aviation Administration was established by an act of Congress in 1935. But, in creating the FAA, Congress gave this regulatory agency an impossible dual mandate: Enact and enforce aviation safety… and promote the business of aviation.

Therein lies the problem that has defined the FAA for over 90 years. 

How can you regulate an industry and promote it at the same time? This is a screaming conflict of interest.

In the decades since 1935, the FAA, which is historically understaffed and underfunded, began to look at manufacturers and airlines as both their partners and clients.