Airport and Aircraft Safety
Critical Research for Aviation's Future
The FAA is committed to enhancing safety and increasing capacity in the national aviation system. This commitment is evident in the Agency's R&D program, which is developing new technologies, tools, and procedures to meet both near- and long-term aviation goals and objectives.
The Airport and Aircraft Safety Research and Development Division manages and coordinates the Airport and Aircraft Safety and Continued Airworthiness Research and Development programs. This work includes research to support regulatory and certification requirements associated with the individual program areas
Our Mission:
To provide a safe global air transportation system by developing technology, technical information, tools, standards, and practices to promote the safe operation of the civil aircraft fleet.
Research Programs:
Fire Safety Branch
- The program supports FAA’s aviation safety goal by developing technologies, procedures, test methods, and fire performance criteria that can prevent accidents caused by hidden in-flight fires and fuel tank explosions and improve survivability during a post-crash fire
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Propulsion and Fuel Safety Team
- The program supports FAA’s aviation safety goal by developing technologies, procedures, test methods, and criteria to enhance the airworthiness, reliability, and performance of civil turbine and piston engines, propellers, fuels, and fuel management systems.
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Flight Safety Team
- The program supports FAA’s aviation safety goal by developing and testing technologies that detect frozen contamination, predict anti-icing fluid failure, and ensure safe operations both during and after flight in atmospheric icing conditions.
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Airworthiness Assurance Team
- The program supports FAA’s aviation safety goal by developing technologies, procedures, technical data, and performance models to prevent accidents and mitigate accident severity related to civil aircraft failures as a function of their continued operation and usage.
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