The Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal framework covers the six external factors that impact the airline industry. The framework provides a broad perspective on opportunities and threats that surround the industry. The factors can’t be controlled by the industry. In addition to them, the airline industry is widely impacted by regulations and restrictions related to international trade, tax policy, and competition. It’s also impacted by issues like war, terrorism, and the outbreak of diseases. The aviation industry also happens to be one of the most regulated industry along with finance, insurance and health care.
After more than 30 years in aviation as commercial and military pilot, I suddenly wanted to know more about national regulatory body of aviation, airport and civil aviation security; various laws, acts, rules and regulations which govern the life of a pilot in particular. As I embarked on the new journey, I realised no matter how rules are created, they all have one feature in common: they establish rights, duties and privileges that are consistent with the values and beliefs of the society. The law consists of enforceable rules governing relationship among individuals and between individuals and society. Law impacts on every human activity undertaken within society.
Even though the law touches many aspects of our lives, its concepts and institutions often remain mysterious and highly contentious. So why bother doing a two year degree course, when you could do a MBA in aviation in the same time. Here, in this article I wish to share my experience of studying Aviation Law and Air Transport Management at NALSAR university.
- Sharpen your mind. Studying law helped my understanding and deepen my experience across the full range of aviation operation rather just flying the aircraft. I learnt how to think carefully, imaginatively and sensibly.
- Studying law is closest you can come to getting a course in persuading someone to adopt a particular point of view by speaking and writing effectively, what is called as ‘rhetoric’.
- It helped me formulate my own ideas, views and position on the laws and contribute to shaping the future of aviation. Well I did something like that as a test pilot, but I was still working with in the confines of rules of certification. Here, I could propose and formulate changes for better future.
- Studying the law equipped me to be a better and safer pilot. With the breadth of knowledge, I was able to think laterally around a problem, and the ability to do that is often related to breadth of legal knowledge.
- The law reaches into every aspect of human life and a two-year degree offers much greater opportunity to sample the rich variety of problems and possibilities with which the law engages.
- Engaging with new legal language, studying 12 different subjects and equal number of research paper was not easy. But it was made manageable by mixing theoretical concepts, practical applications and with the combined experience of all the faculty and students.
To sum up I would say the experience is intellectually challenging, and rewarding.
