Federal Aviation Administration
The
FAA is responsible for the safety of civil
aviation. The Federal Aviation Act of
1958 created the agency under the name
Federal Aviation Agency. This later became
the Federal Aviation Administration in
1967 when they became a part of the Department
of Transportation. The FAA's major roles
include:
- Regulating
civil aviation to promote safety
- Encouraging
and developing civil aeronautics, including
new aviation technology
- Developing
and operating a system of air traffic
control and navigation for both civil
and military aircraft
- Researching
and developing the National Airspace
System and civil aeronautics
- Developing
and carrying out programs to control
aircraft noise and other environmental
effects of civil aviation -
- Regulating
U.S. commercial space transportation
FAA
Activities
-
Safety
Regulation
We issue and enforce regulations and
minimum standards covering manufacturing,
operating, and maintaining aircraft.
We certify airmen and airports that
serve air carriers.
-
Airspace
and Air Traffic Management
The safe and efficient use of navigable
airspace is one of our primary objectives.
We operate a network of airport towers,
air route traffic control centers,
and flight service stations. We develop
air traffic rules, assign the use
of airspace, and control air traffic.
-
Air
Navigation Facilities
We build or install visual and electronic
aids to air navigation. We maintain,
operate, and assure the quality of
these facilities. We also sustain
other systems to support air navigation
and air traffic control, including
voice and data communications equipment,
radar facilities, computer systems,
and visual display equipment at flight
service stations.
-
Civil
Aviation Abroad
We promote aviation safety and encourage
civil aviation abroad. We exchange
aeronautical information with foreign
authorities; certify foreign repair
shops, airmen, and mechanics; provide
technical aid and training; negotiate
bilateral airworthiness agreements
with other countries; and take part
in international conferences.
-
Commercial
Space Transportation
We regulate and encourage the U.S.
commercial space transportation industry.
We license commercial space launch
facilities and private launches of
space payloads on expendable launch
vehicles.
-
Research,
Engineering, and Development
We do research on and develop the
systems and procedures we need for
a safe and efficient system of air
navigation and air traffic control.
We help develop better aircraft, engines,
and equipment and test or evaluate
aviation systems, devices, materials,
and procedures. We also do aeromedical
research.
For
more information on the FAA and their
services please visit www.faa.gov.
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