Federal Aviation Administration in the United States

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), formerly the Federal Aviation
Agency, was established by the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (72 Stat. 731).
The agency became a component of the Department of Transportation in
1967 pursuant to the Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 106). The
mission of the FAA is to regulate civil aviation and U.S. commercial space
transportation, maintain and operate air traf?c control and navigation systems
for both civil and military aircraft, and develop and administer programs relating
to aviation safety and the National Airspace System.

Activities
Air Navigation Facilities

The agency is responsible for the location, construction or installation, maintenance, operation, and quality assurance of Federal visual and electronic aids to air navigation. The agency operates and maintains voice/data communications equipment, radar facilities, computer systems, and visual display equipment at ?ight service stations, airport traf?c control towers, and air route traf?c control centers.

Airport ProgramsT

he agency maintains a national plan of airport requirements,
administers a grant program for development of public use airports to
assure and improve safety and to meet current and future airport capacity needs,
evaluates the environmental impacts of airport development, and administers
an airport noise compatibility program with the goal of reducing noncompatible
uses around airports. It also develops standards and technical guidance on
airport planning, design, safety, and operations and provides grants to assist
public agencies in airport system and master planning and airport development
and improvement.

Airspace and Air Traf?c Management

The safe and ef?cient utilization of the navigable airspace is a primary objective
of the agency. To meet this objective, it operates a network of airport traf?c
control towers, air route traf?c control centers, and ?ight service stations. It
develops air traf?c rules and regulations and allocates the use of the airspace.
It also provides for the security control of air traf?c to meet national defense
requirements.

Civil Aviation Abroad

Under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 and the International Aviation Facilities Act (49
U.S.C. app. 1151), the agency encourages aviation safety and civil aviation abroad
by exchanging aeronautical information with foreign aviation authorities;
certifying foreign repair stations, airmen, and mechanics; negotiating bilateral
airworthiness agreements to facilitate the import and export of aircraft and
components; and providing technical assistance and training in all areas
of the agency’s expertise. It provides technical representation at international conferences, including participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization and other international organizations.

Commercial Space Transportation

The agency regulates and encourages the U.S. commercial space transportation industry.
It licenses the private sector launching of space payloads on expendable
launch vehicles and commercial space launch facilities. It also sets insurance
requirements for the protection of persons and property and ensures that space
transportation activities comply with U.S. domestic and foreign policy.

Registration

The agency provides a system for registering aircraft and
recording documents affecting title or interest in the aircraft, aircraft engines,
propellers, appliances, and spare parts.

Research, Engineering, and Development

The research, engineering, and development activities of the agency are
directed toward providing the systems, procedures, facilities, and devices needed
for a safe and ef?cient system of air navigation and air traf?c control to meet
the needs of civil aviation and the air defense system. The agency also performs
an aeromedical research function to apply knowledge gained from its research
program and the work of others to the safety and promotion of civil aviation
and the health, safety, and ef?ciency of agency employees. The agency also
supports development and testing of improved aircraft, engines, propellers,
and appliances.

Safety Regulation

The Administration issues and enforces rules, regulations, and minimum standards relating to the manufacture, operation, and maintenance of aircraft, as well as
the rating and certi?cation (including medical) of airmen and the certi?cation
of airports serving air carriers. It performs ?ight inspection of air navigation facilities
in the United States and, as required, abroad.

Test and Evaluation

The agency conducts tests and evaluations of speci?ed items such as aviation systems,
subsystems, equipment, devices, materials, concepts, or procedures at any phase in the cycle of their development from conception to acceptance and
implementation, as well as assigned independent testing at key decision
points.

Other Programs

The agency administers the aviation insurance program under the defense materials
system with respect to priorities and allocation for civil aircraft and civil
aviation operations. The agency develops speci?cations for the preparation of
aeronautical charts. It publishes current information on airways and airport
service and issues technical publications for the improvement of safety in ?ight,
airport planning and design, and other aeronautical activities. It serves as the
executive administration for the operation and maintenance of the Department of
Transportation automated payroll and personnel systems.

For a complete list of Federal Aviation Administration ?eld of?ces, go to www. faa.gov.

For further information, contact the Office of Communications, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591. Phone, 202–267–3883. Fax, 202–267–5039.

Introduction to Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation established as the Federal Aviation Agency by the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. When the Federal Aviation Agency became part of the Department of Transportation on April 1, 1967, the word agency in its title was changed to administration.

The primary responsibilities of the FAA are to regulate air commerce in order to promote its development and safety and fulfill the requirements of national defense; promote and develop civil aviation and a national system of airports; manage navigable airspace within the United States and regulate air traffic in the interests of safety and efficiency; consolidate research and development and the installation and operation of air navigation facilities; and develop and operate air traffic control and navigation systems for both civil and military aircraft.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Federal Aviation Administration in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Federal Aviation Administration

About U.S. Federal Departments

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Federal Aviation Administration in State Statute Topics

Introduction to Federal Aviation Administration (State statute topic)

The purpose of Federal Aviation Administration is to provide a broad appreciation of the Federal Aviation Administration legal topic. Select from the list of U.S. legal topics for information (other than Federal Aviation Administration).

Resources

Further Reading

• Information about Federal Aviation Administration in the Gale Encyclopedia of American Law.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the International Business Landscape

Definition of Federal Aviation Administration (faa) in the context of U.S. international business and public trade policy: A federal administration housed within the Department of Transportation whose primary mission is to regulate air commerce in ways that best promote its development and safety.