Legal Definitions - Federal Aviation Administration

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a United States government agency tasked with overseeing and regulating all aspects of civil aviation within the nation. Its core responsibilities include managing the national airspace, operating the air traffic control system, promoting the development of civil aeronautics and a national system of airports, and establishing regulations related to the environmental impact of civil aviation.

Here are some examples of how the FAA's responsibilities apply:

• Imagine a new commercial airline wants to launch flights connecting two major cities. The FAA is responsible for approving the specific flight paths, integrating them into the existing complex network of air traffic, and ensuring that air traffic controllers are properly trained and equipped to guide these aircraft safely through the national airspace. This demonstrates the FAA's role in managing efficient and safe use of navigable airspace and operating the air traffic control system.

• A technology company develops an innovative new drone designed to deliver packages across urban areas. Before this drone can operate commercially, the FAA must establish and enforce regulations governing its safe operation, certify the drone's airworthiness, and create licensing requirements for the drone pilots. This illustrates the FAA's function in regulating air commerce and developing new programs and regulations for evolving aviation technologies.

• A smaller regional airport plans to extend its main runway and upgrade its navigation systems to accommodate larger aircraft and improve safety. The FAA provides technical standards, design guidelines, and often financial assistance for such airport development projects, ensuring that the upgrades meet federal safety requirements and contribute to a robust national system of airports. This highlights the FAA's role in promoting a national system of airports and ensuring their operational integrity.