To Space Without Wings

For John, BLUF:  In a move that seems petty and woke and bureaucratic, the Federal Aviation Administration has changed the rules for issuing "Wings" to those who soar to 50 miles above the earth.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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

From United Press International, by Mr Kyle Barnett, 23 July 2021, 8:27 AM.

Here is the lede plus two:

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.

Give me a break!

On the other hand, Mr Bezos has done something none of those FAA Weenies have done—gone into space.

It isn't the "wings", ...

... it is the adventure.

Here is the take from Law Professor Glenn Reynolds.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff