This Day in FAA History: August 30th

Full FAA Chronology at this link.
19560830: The Air Coordinating Committee approved a study panel’s recommendation that VOR and TACAN, the separate civil and military air navigation systems, be combined. VORTAC (an acronym used to describe a short-range navigation system, using the VOR directional component and the distance component of TACAN) would become a key element of the civil-military common system of air navigation and air traffic control. (See January 14, 1955, and September 16, 1985.)
In addition, the Office of Aviation Information was abolished and its duties were divided between the Office of General Services and a Press and Publications Officer reporting to the Deputy Administrator. The reorganization extended to the regional offices, where counterparts to Washington program offices were to be established wherever there was a clear cut program that required field execution.
19650830: CAB assumed responsibility for a factfinding investigation of nonfatal aircraft accidents involving air-taxi operators and other commercial operators of small aircraft. By this action, CAB withdrew a delegation of this function made to FAA on December 31, 1958. FAA continued to conduct under a CAB delegation of authority factfinding investigations of nonfatal accidents involving noncommercial fixed-wing aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less.
19710830: Effective this date, FAA required the fastening of safety belts by each occupant on U.S.- registered civil aircraft during takeoff and landing. The rule excepted occupants of airships and also children under two years if held by an adult. Previously, the only passengers that FAA had required to fasten their belts during takeoff and landing were those transported by scheduled air carriers and commercial operators of large aircraft. The new rule required the pilot in command to ensure that all persons aboard had been notified to fasten their safety belts prior to takeoff or landing.
19820830: FAA established an Advanced Automation Program Office, which reported directly to the Administrator. The office had responsibility for the Advanced Automation Program, that element of National Airspace System modernization concerned with developing a replacement for NAS En Route Stage A and ARTS air traffic control systems. (See January 28, 1982 and July 25, 1983.)
19940830: Lockheed and Martin Marietta announced plans for a merger that was accomplished during 1995, creating Lockheed Martin. Lockheed had been formed in 1926, while Martin Marietta had been created in 1961 by a merger of the American-Marietta Company with the aircraft manufacturing firm founded by Glenn Martin in 1917.
20070830: FAA selected ITT Corporation as the prime contractor for the Automatic Dependent Surveillance — Broadcast (ADS-B) system. Under the terms of the approximately $1.8 billion contract, ITT would build the ADS-B ground stations and would own and operate the equipment. FAA would pay subscription charges to ITT for the transmission of ADS-B broadcasts to suitably equipped aircraft and air traffic control facilities. Along with air traffic displays, ADS-B would provide pilots graphical weather information, terrain maps, and flight information that would include temporary flight restrictions and notices to airmen. The system would alert controllers and pilots alike to the precise location of aircraft, enabling them to negotiate more direct flight routes that would enhance airspace efficiency, reduce delays, and – most importantly – improve safety. (See July 1, 2002; October 2, 2007.)
20170830: The final rule overhauling airworthiness standards for general aviation airplanes published in December 2016 went into effect. The new part 23 revised standards for airplanes weighing 19,000 pounds or less and with 19 or fewer passenger seats by replacing prescriptive requirements with performance-based standards coupled with consensus-based compliance methods for specific designs and technologies. The rule also added new certification standards to address GA loss of control accidents and in-flight icing conditions. (See December 16, 2016.)
20170830: FAA issued a notice of final policy announcing it would reduce the number of radio frequencies used by flight service stations to communicate with aircraft in flight. Remote communications outlets (RCOs) in 641 locations would be decommissioned beginning in late fiscal year 2017. FAA planned to issue notices to airmen (NOTAMs) as it decommissioned each frequency. According to the notice of final policy, the current RCO network was “designed at a time when FSS personnel were handling over 10,000 radio calls per day . . . Today, they handle less than 1,000 calls per day.” In addition to lower usage, the RCO infrastructure also included “duplicate, overlapping and seldom used frequencies.” Frequencies in Alaska and those designated for emergency or military were not included.