Before pausing wing issuance, what dual requirement did the FAA historically apply for awarding wings to commercial flyers?
Answer
Flying above 50 miles and being essential to the flight operation.
Historically, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) utilized a specific set of criteria when deciding who among commercial spaceflight participants should receive astronaut wings. This criteria involved two key components that had to be satisfied simultaneously. First, the individual needed to fly aboard a U.S. commercial launch vehicle to an altitude exceeding 50 miles, which was the FAA's benchmark. Second, and critically important in the context of current debates, the individual had to be deemed 'essential to the operation of the flight,' implying a functional, mission-critical role rather than simply being a fare-paying passenger.
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