Advisory Circulars

This advisory circular (AC) shows you how to obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness approval for the development, verification, and integration of an integrated modular avionics (IMA) system for installation into an aircraft or engine.  We cite RTCA, Inc. document RTCA/DO-297, Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) Development Guidance and Certification Considerations, dated November 8, 2005 and supplement it with this text.  This AC also provides guidance on how to show compliance with Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C153, Integrated Modular Avionics Hardware Elements.

This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation.  In it, we describe an acceptable means, though it is not the only means, to obtain FAA approval of IMA systems.    

This AC uses the terminology “should” when discussing compliance to the AC itself, as the AC represents one, but not the only, method of complying with the regulations.   This AC uses the term “must” when discussing compliance to the regulations, as compliance to a regulation is not optional.  In these cases, the AC text supplies, in square brackets, a reference to the specific rule(s) being discussed.

Provides FAA standards and recommendations for the training of airport firefighting and rescue personnel in the proper operation and tactical use of Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles and ARFF vehicles equipped with High Reach Extendable Turret (HRETs). This guidance includes the development of department Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) and the development of department proficiency evaluation standards.

Provides guidance for developing and managing an airport foreign object debris (FOD) program.  In addition, this AC provides specifications for the equipment used in FOD removal operations.

The described program addresses prevention, detection, removal, and evaluation as well as strategies and practices that can help reduce FOD at airports. The guidelines presented in this AC are advisory and can be implemented at the discretion of the airport operator in accordance with the airport operator’s approved Airport Certification Manual.

This AC cancels AC 150/5380-5B, Debris Hazards at Civil Airports, dated July 5, 1996.

Provides guidance on the design, construction, and operation of aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) training facilities.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for the certification of commercial derivative aircraft (CDA).  CDA are aircraft that have been modified with specialized equipment to perform military and other non-civil missions.  CDA are operated-by, or under the operational control of, governmental entities.  With certain limited exceptions, they are operated as public aircraft.  This advisory circular (AC) sets forth acceptable means, but not the only means, to show compliance to the provisions of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 23, 25, 27, and 29 regarding type certification requirements for commercial derivative aircraft (CDA).  This AC is presented as companion material to the procedures outlined in Order 8110.101, Type Certification Procedures for Military Commercial Derivative Aircraft.”  The guidance provided in this AC is for use on certification projects for Military CDA.  Certain provisions of this AC may also be applicable to certification projects for non-military CDA e.g., aircraft operated by state or local governments under public-use or aircraft owned by a foreign government.

This advisory circular (AC) explains the technical standard order (TSO) process outlined in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), part 21, Subpart O, for manufacturers producing articles and appliances under a TSO authorization (TSOA) or letter of TSO design approval (LODA).

Announces the availability of the Guide for Private Flyers published by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Guide lists all U.S. international airports, designated airports, landing rights airports, and user fee airports. It also defines the term InternationalAirport and clarifies the use of the word International in an airport name. Any airport may use the word International in its name. However, only airports listed in the CBP guide are considered international airports for CBP purposes.

This AC replaces AC 150/5000-5C, Designated U.S. International Airports.

Provides guidance to assist airport operators in preparing for water rescue operations.

Provides the specified manufacturing requirements for panels used for remote control of airport lighting and auxiliary systems.

Contains a specification for constant current regulators (CCR) and a monitor for use with airport lighting circuits.

See also Engineering Brief 67, Light Sources Other than Incandescent and Xenon for Airport and Obstruction Lighting Fixtures.

Contains the FAA specifications for unlighted and lighted signs to be used on taxiways and runways. See also Engineering Brief 67: Light Sources Other than Incandescent and Xenon for Airport and Obstruction Lighting Fixtures.

This advisory circular (AC) explains how you can use the new provision in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) §§ 21.1(a)(3), 21.8, 21.9(a)(4), and 21.50(c) for commercial parts.

This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation.  In it, we describe an acceptable means, though it is not the only means, to comply with 14 CFR §§ 21.8, 21.9(a)(4), and 21.50(c) for commercial parts.  However, if you use the means described in this AC, you must follow it entirely.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for creating a complete data package when data is submitted to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), aircraft certification office (ACO) or to FAA designees, to support a major repair or major alteration.

Contains equipment specifications for light beacons that are used to locate and identify civil airports, military airports, seaplane bases, and heliports.

Provides guidelines on providing airport data to the FAA  using FAA Forms 5010-3 and 5010-5.

See also Form 5010-3 and Form 5010-5.

This AC will help you to:

(1) Obtain a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that acknowledges compliance with this AC regarding aeronautical data processing.

(2) Evaluate whether data processes comply with the requirements of RTCA, Inc. document DO-200A, Standards for Processing Aeronautical Data.

(3) Define the data quality requirements (DQRs) for aeronautical data when obtaining airworthiness approval of new equipment or installations where the function of the equipment is dependent on an updateable database.

(4) Understand how an organization adheres to the data preparation and data transmission criteria applicable to the functions performed by that aeronautical data chain link or participant.

This advisory circular (AC) provides information and practices regarding the use of child restraint systems (CRS) on aircraft. We intend for operators to use this as a resource during the development, implementation, and revision of an air carrier’s standard operating procedures (SOP) and training programs regarding the use of CRSs. This AC is one of several Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiatives designed to address safety concerns of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). In addition, it is a part of the FAA’s ongoing commitment to educate and inform aircraft operators, crewmembers, and airline passengers regarding the use of CRSs on aircraft in order to encourage and increase the use of approved CRSs. For more information, see the following FAA Web site: http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/.

This advisory circular (AC) provides definitions and guidance regarding compliance with the strength requirements for pressurized engine static parts in § 33.64 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 33).  Section 33.64 establishes strength requirements for pressurized static engine parts that operate at significant pressure levels.

Contains the specifications for discharge-type flashing light equipment to be used for runway end identification lights (REIL) and for an omni-directional approach lighting system (ODALS).

See also Notice to Manufacturers of Airport Lighting and Navigation Aid Equipment about AIP Buy American Requirement (12/19/2011). The FAA is requesting information to determine if waivers to this requirement are needed.

This advisory circular (AC) provides information for developing and implementing a Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System (CASS). This AC applies to you if you are a Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 119 certificate holder conducting operations under 14 CFR part 121 or 135. For part 135 operations, this AC applies if you conduct your maintenance operations under part 135, § 135.411(a)(2). This AC also applies to each person employed or used by you as a part 119 certificate holder for any maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration of your aircraft. Title 14 CFR part 1, § 1.1 defines “person” as “an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint-stock association, or governmental entity. It includes a trustee, receiver, assignee, or similar representative of any of them.”

Contains the FAA standards for markings used on airport runways, taxiways, and aprons. This AC cancels the Signs and Marking Supplement (SAMS).

This document is consolidated to include Change 1, dated November 17, 2010.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wrote this advisory circular (AC) to provide guidance for establishing the certification basis for changed aeronautical products in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) § 21.101 and to help identify if it will be necessary to apply for a new type certificate (TC) under 14 CFR § 21.19.  The guidance describes the process for establishing the certification basis for amended TCs, supplemental type certificates (STC) and amended STCs, detailing evaluations, classifications, and decisions made throughout the process.

This advisory circular (AC) presents various methods for operators of different data link systems to meet international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the regional airspace authorities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notes that there is presently no requirement in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) to have data link communications when operating in the National Airspace System (NAS). Instead, the regulations in 14 CFR govern radio communication systems, and nothing in this AC relieves an operator from the requirement to have and use a voice communication system when operating in international airspace or the NAS. However, operators that choose to operate in a reduced separation standard that requires the use of a data link system (in addition to the required voice communication system) must obtain FAA design approval and a revision to their 14 CFR part 121, 125, 125M, or 135 operation specifications (OpSpecs), part 91 subpart K (part 91K) management specifications (MSpecs) or part 91 letter of authorization (LOA), as applicable. The original AC 120-70 was applicable to Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN), very high frequency (VHF) data link (VDL) Mode 2 communication systems. The Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A system used in oceanic and remote airspace is an analog system which communicates over Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS). Guidance is needed for the operation of all systems and therefore the first revision AC 120-70A, was created.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance on compliance with the applicable Regulations for the airworthiness and operational approval for digital flight data recorder systems (DFDRS).