FAA – Federal Aviation Administration

What is the FAA?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the chief U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation, certification, and oversight of all civil aviation activities within the United States and its territories. Operating under the Department of Transportation, the FAA’s mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world, balancing innovation in aviation and aerospace with public safety and national interests.

Established by the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, the FAA unified all civil aviation oversight and safety functions previously spread across multiple agencies. The agency’s broad regulatory mandate covers the certification of aircraft and personnel, airspace management, air traffic control, airport safety, and environmental regulation. The FAA also plays a vital role in the integration of new aviation technologies such as drones (UAS) and commercial space vehicles.

The FAA’s core responsibilities include:

• Regulating Civil Aviation: Setting and enforcing safety standards for aircraft design, production, maintenance, and operation.
• Certification: Licensing pilots, mechanics, air carriers, and airports.
• Airspace Management: Overseeing the National Airspace System (NAS) and operating a nationwide air traffic control system.
• Commercial Space Oversight: Licensing and regulating commercial space launches and reentries.
• International Representation: Participating in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and shaping global aviation standards.

The agency’s regulatory framework is codified in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), known as the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), and it is continually updated to address new technologies and operational challenges.

Regulatory Authority and Structure

The FAA’s statutory authority is rooted in the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 and the Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 106). The Administrator, appointed by the President, leads the agency and reports to the Secretary of Transportation.

The FAA is structured into specialized domains:

• Aviation Safety (AVS): Oversees aircraft and airmen certification, airworthiness standards, and continued operational safety.
• Air Traffic Organization (ATO): Manages air traffic control, navigation, and surveillance infrastructure.
• Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST): Regulates commercial space launches, reentries, and spaceports.
• Other Support Offices: Focused on policy, rulemaking, environmental analysis, and international coordination.

Regulations are developed through a formal rulemaking process, incorporating technical expertise, public comment, and stakeholder input. The FAA also issues enforceable directives (e.g., Airworthiness Directives) and can grant exemptions or special conditions for novel technologies.

A nationwide system of regional and field offices supports consistent interpretation, certification, and enforcement of FAA regulations.

Key Regulatory Terms and Definitions

Airworthiness

Airworthiness denotes an aircraft’s compliance with its certified design and its condition for safe operation. The FAA issues two main types of airworthiness certificates:

• Standard Airworthiness Certificate: For aircraft meeting normal, utility, transport, or commuter category standards.
• Special Airworthiness Certificate: For experimental, restricted, or other non-standard category aircraft.

Maintaining airworthiness involves ongoing inspections, maintenance per 14 CFR Parts 43 and 91, and compliance with all applicable Airworthiness Directives. Internationally, airworthiness is harmonized through ICAO and bilateral agreements with other countries’ aviation authorities.

Advisory Circular (AC)

An Advisory Circular (AC) is a non-binding guidance document from the FAA, providing recommendations, best practices, and acceptable methods for complying with regulations. ACs clarify regulatory intent, interpret requirements, and offer practical compliance pathways. While not legally required, following AC guidance is often recognized as satisfactory compliance during certification and oversight.

Air Carrier

An Air Carrier is any person or entity engaged in commercial transport of passengers or cargo by aircraft for compensation or hire. Air carriers are certified under:

• 14 CFR Part 121: Scheduled airlines.
• 14 CFR Part 135: Commuter and on-demand operations.
• 14 CFR Part 125: Large aircraft in other operations.

Certification involves rigorous documentation, safety systems, training, and ongoing FAA surveillance.

Airmen Certification

Airmen Certification is the process of licensing individuals for aviation roles such as pilots, mechanics, flight engineers, and air traffic controllers. Governed by 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, 65, and medical standards in Part 67, certification includes written and practical testing, background checks, and recurrent proficiency requirements.

Air Traffic Control (ATC)

Air Traffic Control (ATC) is the FAA-operated ground-based system that manages the safe, orderly, and efficient movement of aircraft within controlled airspace and at airports. Services are provided from:

• ARTCCs: En route, high-altitude traffic.
• TRACONs: Terminal area approach/departure.
• Control Towers: Airport surface and immediate airspace.

ATC integrates advanced surveillance and communications, adapting to new entrants like drones and commercial space vehicles.

Airworthiness Directive (AD)

An Airworthiness Directive (AD) is a legally binding FAA order requiring corrective action for identified unsafe conditions in aircraft, engines, or components. ADs specify affected products, required actions, and compliance deadlines. Compliance is mandatory for continued airworthiness and operation.

Certificate

A Certificate is an official FAA document attesting to regulatory compliance—for airworthiness, airmen qualifications, operator authorization, or airport operating status. Certificates require demonstration and ongoing maintenance of standards, with the FAA empowered to amend, suspend, or revoke certificates as needed.

Commercial Space Transportation

Commercial Space Transportation is regulated by the FAA’s AST office and covers licensing of commercial space launches, reentries, and spaceports. Applicants must demonstrate technical, operational, and environmental safety, integrating space operations with national airspace and security requirements.

Compliance

Compliance is the adherence to all applicable FAA statutes, regulations, directives, and standards. The FAA employs a philosophy that encourages proactive identification and correction of safety issues, using audits, inspections, and enforcement where necessary. Certificate holders must maintain documentation, participate in Safety Management Systems (where applicable), and promptly address non-compliance.

The FAA’s Role in Global Aviation

The FAA is a leading voice in international aviation, representing the U.S. in ICAO, shaping global standards, and maintaining bilateral safety agreements. Its regulations and certifications are widely recognized, ensuring U.S. operators can engage in international aviation markets.

Evolving with Innovation

As aviation evolves—with the proliferation of drones, urban air mobility, autonomous systems, and commercial spaceflight—the FAA adapts its regulatory framework to safely integrate these technologies while supporting innovation and economic growth.

Summary

The FAA is the cornerstone of aviation safety and regulation in the United States, setting global benchmarks for airspace management, certification, and compliance in a rapidly changing aerospace environment.

For more FAA resources, visit the official FAA website .