Federal Aviation Administration
FAASection 01: Organizations & Authorities
Definition
The civil aviation authority of the United States, operating under the Department of Transportation. The FAA is responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation within the United States, including aircraft certification, airman certification, air traffic management, and airport safety. The FAA's regulatory authority derives from Title 49 of the United States Code, and its aviation safety regulations are codified in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR).
Where This Shows Up
The FAA is one of the largest and most influential aviation authorities globally. Its certification standards and processes are widely referenced, and the FAA maintains bilateral agreements with numerous foreign authorities to facilitate the validation of FAA-approved products abroad.
Primary Sources
The statutory basis for FAA's authority over civil aviation in the United States.
Artifacts Produced
The codified federal aviation regulations, also known as the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).
Non-binding guidance documents that describe acceptable means of compliance with 14 CFR requirements.
Internal directives that prescribe policies, procedures, and standards for FAA employees, including designees.
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