Advisory Circulars

We, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), wrote this advisory circular (AC) to describe how to comply with the requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.20, 21.97 and 21.303(a)(5). 
 This AC is not mandatory and is not a regulation.  This AC describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, to comply with the requirements 14 CFR 21.20, 21.97 and 21.303(a)(5).  However, if you use the means described in this AC, you must follow it entirely

This Advisory Circular (AC) provides guidance for the submission and approval of  special instrument flight procedures that are developed by non-government proponents and submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for review and approval. Special instrument procedures are those procedures developed for specific users and are not processed under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), Part 97. Occasionally, the word “must” or similar language is used within this AC where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by 14 CFR.

Contains the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards for retroreflective markers for airport runways and taxiways. Version D changes Paragraph 3.4.2.2, Cylindrical Markers, to increase the marker diameter and surface area, and Paragraph 3.4.3.1, Mounting System, to clarify Type II marker mounting and tethering requirements.

Effective six months after the issue date of this AC, only equipment qualified per these specifications will be listed in AC 150/5345-53, Airport Lighting Equipment Certification Program.

This advisory circular (AC) provides information to organizations providing training in aircraft that contain a training requirement in the limitations section of the Airplane Flight Manual (Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM), Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), etc.).

This advisory circular (AC) provides you with information and guidance on how you can protect aircraft electrical and electronic systems from the effects of lightning. This AC describes a means, but not the only means, for you to show compliance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 23.1306, 25.1316, 27.1316, and 29.1316, Electrical and electronic system lightning protection, as they pertain to the type or supplemental type certification of your aircraft.

This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. However, if you use the means described in this AC to comply with 14 CFR 23.1306, 25 .1316, 27.1316, and 29.131 6, you must follow it in its entirety.

The term "must" is used to indicate mandatory requirements when following the guidance in this AC in its entirety. The terms "should" and "recommend" are used when following the guidance is recommended but not required to comply with this AC.

Provides guidelines for the development of State standards for and the use of State highway specifications for pavement construction at nonprimary public-use airports as provided for in title 49 United States Code (USC), Sections 47105(c) and 47114(d)(5), respectively.

Provides guidance for using the standardized International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) method, called the Aircraft Classification Number – Pavement Classification Number (ACN-PCN) method, to report airport runway, taxiway, and apron pavement strength. Includes instructions for using the COMFAA program to calculate ACN values to determine PCN.

Also provides guidance for reporting changes to airport data that is generally published on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Form 5010, Airport Master Record, particularly those data elements associated with Gross Weight (Data Elements 35 through 38) and Pavement Classification Number (Data Element 39).

Access COMFAA and related Support Spreadsheet on our Airport Design Software page.

a.This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance on developing and implementing a Fatigue Management Program (FMP) to address in-service issues for metallic fatigue critical structure.  An applicant may develop an FMP as one method to address an unsafe condition when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determines an airplane type design has a demonstrated risk of catastrophic failure due to fatigue.  In such cases, the FMP should incorporate damage-tolerance based inspections or a part replacement/modification program to mitigate the demonstrated risk.  The FMP should also incorporate other fatigue critical structure inspections to address the broader risk posed by potential cracking of these structures in the airplane.  The FAA will mandate the FMP by Airworthiness Directive (AD).  The FAA may also approve the FMP as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to an AD.

b.This AC includes guidance relevant to developing FMPs for other purposes such as life extensions, type certification requirements, or non-mandatory maintenance programs.  This guidance supplements other ACs that contain guidance for developing damage-tolerance based inspection programs to look proactively for potential cracks.  Such guidance includes AC 91?56B, Continuing Structural Integrity Program for Airplanes, AC 25.571?1D, Damage Tolerance and Fatigue Evaluation of Structure, and AC 23?13A, Fatigue, Fail-Safe, and Damage-Tolerance Evaluation of Metallic Structure for Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Airplanes.  Applicants should use product specific guidance in conjunction with this AC.

c.   This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation.  It describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, for maintaining the continued operational safety for airplane type designs that have a demonstrated risk.  In this AC, the FAA uses terms such as “must” or “require” only in the sense of ensuring applicability of a particular method of compliance when using a specific acceptable method of compliance described herein.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance on airworthiness approval for designers, manufacturers, and installers of satellite voice equipment supportingair traffic service (ATS).  In this AC, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends one way to gain airworthiness approval for satellite voice equipment.  This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation.  This AC describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, to gain airworthiness approval for your satellite voice equipment.  However, if you use the means described in this AC, you must follow it in its entirety.

This advisory circular (AC) describes an acceptable means for showing compliance with the requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 121.321, Operations in Icing.  Part 121 contains the aircraft operating requirements applicable to domestic, flag, and supplemental operations.  This AC provides guidance for:

a.   Using visible moisture and temperature as a means for the flightcrew to know when the airframe ice protection system (IPS) must be activated.

b.   Developing acceptable procedures for activating and deactivating the airframe IPS.

c.    Installing a primary or advisory ice detection system.

This document is intended as a guideline for organizations to develop a formal training program for qualification of composite technicians. This advisory circular (AC) contains recommendations for the experience, training, qualification, and examination of persons performing maintenance and repair of aircraft composite structures or other aviation composite components. It recommends criteria for the qualification of personnel to be able to understand the technical principles involved in the maintenance and repair of aircraft composites. This document applies to those individuals directly responsible for providing training, supervision, or oversight of composite maintenance personnel. Organizations may use the information contained in this AC to develop a written program describing the guidelines used to train and qualify personnel.This AC provides a means, but not the only means, of developing a composite maintenance training program.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance applicable to adding fuels and oils as engine, aircraft, or auxiliary power unit (APU) operating limitations.  It also provides acceptable methods, but not the only methods, that may be used to approve aircraft, engines, or APUs to operate with specified propulsion fuels and lubricating oils.

Contains the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) specifications for series to series isolation transformers for use in airport lighting systems.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance and acceptable methods, but not the only methods, for demonstrating compliance with the rotor strength (overspeed) requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 33.27.

Provides airport sponsors with guidance on filing FAA Form 5100-126, Financial Governmental Payment Report, and FAA Form 5100-127, Operating and Financial Summary. Announces changes to the FAA's financial reporting program and to Form 5100-127.

See also Airport Financial Reporting Program.

a. This advisory circular (AC) identifies RTCA Document No. (RTCA/DO)-160 versions D, E, F, and G, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment, dated July 27, 1997, December 20, 2005, December 6, 2007, and December 8, 2010, respectively, as containing acceptable environmental qualifications to show compliance with certain airworthiness requirements. The FAA strongly encourages the use of RTCA/DO-160G for new articles.

b. Appendix 1 of this AC provides a summary of the changes from RTCA/DO-160C to RTCA/DO-160D, version D to E, version E to F, and F to G. The information in the table will assist you in determining if a particular version of RTCA/DO-160 is acceptable.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance material for third party Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) developers, hereafter referred to as 'Service Providers,' who use software based tools to develop Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 97 Standard Instrument Procedures, to have these software tools validated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance material for third party Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) developers, hereafter referred to as 'IFP Service Providers,' to become authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 97 Required Navigation Performance (RNP) IFPs with Authorization Required (AR). Hereafter, these IFPs will be referred as 'RNP AR.'

Provides an interactive specification that airports can use in procuring Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles. It describes the selection process, vehicle requirements, and how to produce formal specifications.

This advisory circular (AC) provides all aircraft operators with information and guidance for assistance in compliance to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39, Airworthiness Directives. The recommendations contained in this AC are one means, but not the only means, of complying with part 39 requirements pertaining to Airworthiness Directives (AD). However, individual operations and needs should determine an operator’s AD management process. When developing an AD management process, operators should consider their size, capabilities, resources, and equipment.

Change 1 dated 12/13/11

This advisory circular (AC) provides suggestions to improve sport parachuting safety and disseminates information to assist all parties associated with sport parachuting in compliance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 105. It also contains information for jumpers and riggers on parachuting equipment, on-airport parachuting operations, jump pilot training, aircraft maintenance programs, parachute rigging, and procedures for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization for flight operations with a door removed or modified.

This advisory circular (AC) contains the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) standard for the non-Federal AWOS. This AC applies to anyone proposing to design, procure, construct, install, activate or maintain an AWOS.

This advisory circular (AC) provides information relating to the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) and accompanying Maintenance Implementation Procedures (MIP) between the United States and Canada. This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. This AC presents recommendations for an acceptable means, but not the only means, to comply with the current revision of the MIP.

This advisory circular (AC) provides information and guidance to owners and pilots of experimental airplanes and to flight instructors who teach in these airplanes. This information and guidance contains recommendations for training experience for pilots of experimental airplanes in a variety of groupings based on performance and handling characteristics. This AC does not address the testing of newly built experimental airplanes. The current edition of AC 90-89, Amateur-Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook, provides information on such testing. However, if a pilot is planning on participating in a flight-test program in an unfamiliar experimental airplane, this AC should be used to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to safely accomplish the test program using AC 90-89. This AC may also be useful in planning the transition to any unfamiliar fixed-wing airplanes, including type-certificated (TC) airplanes.

Establishes minimum performance requirements for the design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of heated pavement systems for use in the Aircraft Operations Area (AOA).