FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a United States government agency responsible for civil aviation safety, certification, and oversight. It develops safety standards for aircraft and airmen, certifies aircraft and aviation products, and regulates air navigation services and the operation of the national airspace system. The FAA also oversees drone operations, commercial space transportation, and safety requirements for aviation facilities, including airports, and it provides air traffic control and navigation services through the Air Traffic Organization.

The FAA was created by the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, consolidating and replacing functions of earlier agencies such as the Civil Aeronautics Administration and the Civil Aeronautics Board. In 1967, the agency became part of the Department of Transportation. The FAA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with regional and field offices across the United States. Its mission is to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation through rulemaking, inspections, and modernization of the airspace system.

Key activities include issuing aircraft airworthiness certificates, certifying pilots and maintenance technicians, inspecting operators for safety, and enforcing aviation safety regulations. The FAA manages the national airspace system and directs modernization programs such as NextGen, which uses satellite navigation and data communication to improve efficiency and safety. It also regulates commercial space launches and reentries through the Office of Commercial Space Transportation, in cooperation with international bodies.

The agency operates under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations and collaborates with the International Civil Aviation Organization to promote global aviation safety and interoperability.