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Flying
Handbook Menu > Introduction
to Flight Training > Role of the FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is
empowered by the U.S. Congress to promote aviation safety by
prescribing safety standards for civil aviation. This is accomplished
through the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) formerly referred
to as Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations
(14 CFR) part 61 pertains to the certification of pilots, flight
instructors, and ground instructors. 14 CFR part 61 prescribes
the eligibility, aeronautical knowledge, flight proficiency,
and training and testing requirements for each type of pilot
certificate issued.
14 CFR part 67 prescribes the medical standards
and certification procedures for issuing medical certificates
for airmen and for remaining eligible for a medical certificate.
14 CFR part 91 contains general operating and
flight rules. The section is broad in scope and provides general
guidance in the areas of general flight rules, visual flight
rules (VFR), instrument flight rules (IFR), aircraft maintenance,
and preventive maintenance and alterations.
Within the FAA, the Flight Standards Service
sets the aviation standards for airmen and aircraft operations
in the United States and for American airmen and aircraft around
the world. The FAAFlight Standards Service is headquartered
in Washington, D.C., and is broadly organized into divisions
based on work function (Air Transportation, Aircraft Maintenance,
Technical Programs, a Regulatory Support Division based in Oklahoma
City, OK, and a General Aviation and Commercial Division). Regional
Flight Standards division managers, one at each of the FAA’s
nine regional
offices, coordinate Flight Standards activities within their
respective regions.
The interface between the FAA Flight Standards
Service and the aviation community/general public is the local
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). [figure1-1] The approximately
90 FSDOs are strategically located across the United States,
each office having jurisdiction over a specific geographic area.
The individual FSDO is responsible for all air activity occurring
within its geographic boundaries. In addition to accident investigation
and the enforcement of aviation regulations, the individual
FSDO is responsible for the certification and surveillance of
air carriers, air operators, flight schools/training centers,
and airmen including pilots and flight instructors.
Each FSDO is staffed by aviation safety inspectors
whose specialties include operations, maintenance, and avionics.
General aviation operations inspectors are highly qualified
and experienced aviators. Once accepted for the position, an
inspector must satisfactorily complete a course of indoctrination
training conducted at the FAA Academy, which includes airman
evaluation and pilot testing techniques and procedures. Thereafter,
the inspector must complete recurrent training on a regular
basis. Among other duties, the FSDO inspector is responsible
for administering FAA practical tests for pilot and flight
figure1-1. FAA FSDO.
instructor certificates and associated ratings.
All questions concerning pilot certification (and/or requests
for other aviation information or services) should be directed
to the FSDO having jurisdiction in the particular geographic
area. FSDO telephone numbers are listed in the blue pages of
the telephone directory under United States Government offices,
Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration.
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