Advisory Circulars

This specification sets forth the FAA requirements for obstruction lighting equipment used to increase conspicuity of structures to permit early obstruction recognition by pilots.

This AC describes the Airport Lighting Equipment Certification Program (ALECP). It provides information on how an organization can get Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acceptance as a third-party certification body (third-party certifier) and how manufacturers may get equipment qualified under the program. It includes a list of the equipments that are certified under the program. This AC does not impose requirements or mandate participation in the ALECP by any party. This revision clarifies the criteria that FAA will use to determine whether a certification body qualifies for participation and how equipment may be qualified.

Provides guidance and recommendations on the installation of airport visual aids.

See also--

• The Design, Installation, and Maintenance of In-Pavement Airport Lighting (PDF) by Arthur S. Schai

This advisory circular (AC) describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, of compliance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 117 conducting augmented flightcrew member operations. Prior to utilizing onboard crewmember rest facilities, all 14 CFR part 121 certificate holders operating under part 117 must obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval and qualification for the classification of onboard rest facilities used. Part 117 identifies onboard sleeping facilities as "Rest Facilities."

 This advisory circular (AC) provides information concerning acceptable methods of testing altimeters, static systems, altitude encoders, and air traffic control (ATC) transponder systems (ATCTS). This guidance also applies to the above articles, but does not include all requirements for testing the article, when part of 1090 megahertz (MHz) Extended Squitter (ES) or Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) systems. Like all advisory material, this AC is not in itself mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. It provides a means, but not the only means, of testing at the time of original installation, after performing repairs, or during scheduled recertification. Where indicated, this AC ensures compliance with regulatory requirements. Operators may elect to follow an alternative method that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found acceptable.

 On November 8, 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published the Enhanced Airworthiness Program for Airplane Systems/Fuel Tank Safety (EAPAS/FTS) final rule. The intent of the rule is to help ensure the continued safety of commercial airplanes by improving the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical wiring systems. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 121, § 121.1111, and part 129, § 129.111 include requirements for operators to revise their maintenance programs to include instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA), which include inspections and procedures for the electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS). This advisory circular (AC) only addresses the EWIS requirements and provides guidance accordingly. The current edition of AC 120-97, Incorporation of Fuel Tank System Instructions for Continued Airworthiness into Operator Maintenance or Inspection Programs, provides guidance for operators to comply with the fuel tank safety (FTS) requirements in the EAPAS/FTS rule.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance and information needed to prepare and submit Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Form 8130-6, Application for U.S. Airworthiness Certificate. This application is required to obtain an airworthiness certificate or to amend a current certificate. In some cases, an application may be required for the issuance of a replacement airworthiness certificate. This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. It describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, to comply with requirements. However, if you use the means described in the AC, you must follow it in all respects.

This AC explains to public airport sponsors and other interested parties the Federal Surplus Personal Property Program for Public Airports.  It contains the procedures for applying for screener credentials and to request authorized surplus personal property through the GSAXcess system administered by the General Services Administration (GSA) for disposition of federal surplus personal property.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidelines that industry may use to develop and revise the minimum scheduled tasking/interval requirements for derivative or newly type-certificated (TC) aircraft and powerplants for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval. This AC refers to these minimum scheduled tasking/interval requirements as the Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR), the Maintenance Type Board Report (MTBR), or the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)/type-certificate holder’s (TCH) Recommended Maintenance Procedures.  After FAA approval, the requirements become a basis upon which operators develop their own individual maintenance programs. The report will become a dynamic report for each TCH.

Use this AC to standardize the development, implementation, and update of FAA-approved minimum scheduled maintenance/inspection requirements.

The information contained in this advisory circular (AC) was developed based on a review of recommended practices developed by major airplane manufacturers, labor organizations, air carriers, training organizations, simulator manufacturers, and industry representative organizations. This AC does not provide guidance for full aerodynamic stall training, which industry and government stakeholders are now developing. Once developed, this AC will be revised to include that guidance.

The goal of this AC is to provide best practices and guidance for training, testing, and checking for pilots, within existing regulations, to ensure correct and consistent responses to unexpected stall warnings and stick pusher activations. This AC emphasizes reducing the angle of attack (AOA) at the first indication of a stall as the primary means of approach-to-stall or stall recovery. Additionally, this AC provides guidance for operators and training centers in the development of stall and stick pusher event training.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidelines for the development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP) for conducting safe aircraft operations during taxiing to avoid causing a runway incursion. In accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 7050.1, Runway Safety Program, the definition of a runway incursion is any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and takeoff of aircraft. It is intended for use by persons operating aircraft with two or more pilots on the flight deck under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 91, 121, 125, and 135. The FAA recommends that these guidelines become an integral part of all SOPs, flight operations manuals (FOM), and formal flightcrew member training programs. The use of flightcrew SOPs should be emphasized and employed during all phases of flight, including ground operations. Appendices 1 and 2 of this AC contain examples of SOPs that are identical or similar to some SOPs currently in use. These appendices are not directive or prescriptive in nature and do not represent a rigid FAA view of Best Practices. SOPs may vary among fleets and among certificate holders and may change over time. Operators may integrate the information contained in Appendices 1 and 2 into their fleet-specific, route-specific, and equipment-specific operations and checklists. They are shown to denote how the SOPs and Best Practices can be integrated into the context of specific flight operations.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidelines for the development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP) for conducting safe aircraft operations during taxiing to avoid causing a runway incursion. In accordance with the current edition of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 7050.1, Runway Safety Program, the definition of a runway incursion is, any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and takeoff of aircraft. This AC is intended for use by persons operating aircraft single pilot under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 91 and 135, and flight schools. The FAA recommends that these guidelines become an integral part of all SOPs, Flight Operations Manuals (FOM), and formal flight training programs.

Contains the FAA's performance standards, specifications, and recommendations for the design, manufacture, testing and maintenance of equipment used in the boarding of airline passengers. The physical area covered in this AC is that which is bounded by the door of the passenger terminal area, on one end, to the door of the aircraft, on the other end. Although this AC refers only to aircraft boarding (enplaning), all references apply equally to disembarking (deplaning) with the described procedures occurring in reverse order.

The previous version of this AC discussed only the passenger lift scenario and associated equipment. This document updates that effort and addresses the other methods and equipment used to board an aircraft, including passenger boarding bridges, ramps, lifts, and aircraft boarding chairs.

This advisory circular (AC) provides information and describes an acceptable means of compliance (AMC) with the Reduction of Fuel Tank Flammability in Transport Category Airplanes, final rule. It is commonly called the Fuel Tank Flammability Reduction (FTFR) rule. This AC describes acceptable means, but not the only means, for demonstrating compliance with the applicable regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will consider other methods of demonstrating compliance that an applicant may elect to present. While these guidelines are not mandatory, they are derived from extensive FAA and industry experience in determining compliance with the relevant regulations. If the FAA becomes aware of circumstances that convince us that following this AC would not result in compliance with the applicable regulations, the FAA may require additional substantiation or design changes as a basis for finding compliance. This material does not change or create any additional regulatory requirements, nor does it authorize changes in or permit deviations from existing regulatory requirements.

This advisory circular (AC) describes acceptable methods to test aircraft cabin interior materials when new finishes are used on existing aircraft cabin interior panels, typically performed on supplemental type certificates (STC) or major alterations. This AC applies to materials for self-extinguishing flammability only. This AC does not apply to materials that must meet heat release or smoke emissions,standards established by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 25, Amendment 25-61, and 14 CFR part 121, Amendment 121-289. We, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have written this AC for applicants, offering several methods for demonstrating compliance that may be more cost-effective and less time-consuming than current methods.

This joint Flight Standards Service (AFS) and Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) advisory circular (AC) contains guidance on the operational use of Electronic Flight Bags (EFB). It is intended for all operators conducting flight operations under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 121, 125, 135, or 91 subpart F (part 91F) and part 91 subpart K (part 91K) who want to replace required paper information with an EFB. This AC sets forth an acceptable means, but not the only means, to obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)authorization for the operational use of EFBs. Part 91 operators can find additional EFB information in the current edition of AC 91-78, Use of Class 1 or Class 2 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). For guidance on the installation of EFB components, refer to the current edition of AC 20-173, Installation of Electronic Flight Bag Components.

The Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 (PRIA), as amended, was enacted to ensure that air carriers and air operators adequately investigate a pilot’s background before allowing that pilot to conduct commercial air carrier flights. Under PRIA, a hiring employer cannot place a pilot into service until he or she obtains and reviews the last 5 years of the pilot’s background and other safety-related records as specified in PRIA.

This advisory circular (AC) is supplemented by the current edition of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 8000.88, PRIA Guidance for FAA Inspectors, and numerous other documents found on the PRIA Web site at http://www.faa.gov/pilots/lic_cert/pria. These sources of detailed information related to PRIA provide invaluable assistance to the certificate holder or others concerning the PRIA request process as well as other compliance issues.

The FAA has greatly expanded this AC from the previous version to address operational situations that the hiring employer may encounter that could affect his or her records request process through PRIA.

The Flight Standards Service (AFS) is committed to a stakeholder-driven system of operation that will deliver FAA records and assistance to all parties subject to PRIA, when necessary.

On May 7, 2001, the Transport Airplane Fuel Tank System Design Review, Flammability Reduction and Maintenance and Inspection Requirements final rule was published in the Federal Register (FR). It has since been referred to as the 2001 Fuel Tank Safety (FTS) rule. It adopted amendments to part 25, Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 88 and operating requirements related to SFAR 88. The operating requirements included requirements to implement instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) that design approval holders (DAH) developed in compliance with SFAR 88. On November 8, 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published the Enhanced Airworthiness Program for Airplane Systems (EAPAS)/FTS final rule. The purpose of the rule is to help ensure the continued safety of transport category airplanes by improving the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical wiring systems. The EAPAS/FTS rule amended the operating requirements to implement FTS actions developed in accordance with SFAR 88. Integrating the incorporation of the fuel tank system and electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) requirements helps to ensure compatibility and to eliminate duplication. Additionally, the EAPAS/FTS rule redesignates (replaces) Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91, § 91.410(b); part 121, § 121.370(b); part 125, § 125.248(b); and part 129, § 129.32(b) of the FTS rule. The new sections are §§ 91.1507, 121.1113, 125.507 and 129.113. These new rules also clarify language with reference to the approval process of the operator’s program. This advisory circular (AC) only addresses the fuel tank system safety requirements and describes acceptable means of compliance (AMC) accordingly. The current edition of AC 120-102, Incorporation of Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems Instructions for Continued Airworthiness into an Operator’s Maintenance Program, addresses EWIS requirements in the EAPAS/FTS rule.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance material for the airworthiness approval of installed positioning and navigation equipment. This revision corrects minor errors, clarifies guidance, adds a frequently asked question section, and updates technical standard order (TSO) information. Major changes in this AC reflect TSO-C129a cancellation; updated guidance related to TSO-C115c; clarifying information in paragraphs 14-6.8 and 14-8.13 for the ground proximity warning system/terrain awareness and warning system (GPWS/TAWS) glideslope alerting function, and adding additional testing procedures in Appendix 4 for global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) that support automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B).

This advisory circular (AC) provides information for certificated pilots and flight instructors to use in complying with the flight review required by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61, § 61.56 and the recent flight experience requirements of § 61.57. This AC is particularly directed to General Aviation (GA) pilots holding sport or higher grades of pilot certificates who wish to maintain currency and to certificated flight instructors (CFI) who give flight instruction to support such activities. This AC does not apply to training programs or proficiency checks conducted pursuant to 14 CFR part 121 or 135, nor to curriculums approved pursuant to 14 CFR part 142.

Provides standards for the design of heliports serving helicopters with single rotors. Basic concepts can also be applied to facilities serving helicopters with tandem (front and rear) or dual (side by side) rotors; although many standards will not apply to these facilities.

This version adds guidance for pavement or structure larger than the touchdown and liftoff area (TLOF), but less than the size of the final approach and take off (FATO); turbulence effects; clearance between parking areas and taxi routes and within parking areas; minimum dimensions of curved approach/departure airspace; Touchdown/Positioning Circle (TDPC) Marking; Flight Path Alignment Guidance markings and lights; Emergency Helicopter Landing Facility Requirements (EHLF); FATO to FATO separation distance for simultaneous operations; revised standards for size of “H” for general aviation heliports; increased TLOF size when the FATO of a hospital heliport is not load bearing; and Heliport Protection Zone (HPZ) for hospital heliports. See "Principal Changes" for a complete list.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for the initial and follow-on installations of Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) In systems supporting ground and airborne traffic applications. These applications are defined in TSO-C195a, Avionics Supporting Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) Aircraft Surveillance Applications (ASA). The applications discussed in this AC are designed to support basic situational awareness as well as the In-Trail Procedure. As more advanced applications mature, this AC will be updated to reflect those added to TSO-C195a.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance on means, but not the only means, of compliance with Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 25 concerning:  (1) conduct of full?scale emergency evacuation demonstrations, and (2) use of analysis and tests in lieu of conducting an actual demonstration.  Throughout this AC, any reference to a full-scale demonstration, unless further qualified, means an evacuation demonstration in which a full complement of passengers and the requisite number of crewmembers evacuate an airplane using assist means, if installed, under the conditions specified in part 25, appendix J.  References to “appendix J” means 14 CFR part 25, appendix J.  Additionally, any reference to an analysis, which is to be used to satisfy the emergency evacuation requirements of part 25, means a formal analysis document supported by data from tests or demonstrations.  Terms such as “shall” and “must” are used only in the sense of ensuring applicability of this particular means of compliance when the acceptable means of compliance described herein is used.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance and information to owners and operators of aircraft concerning their responsibility for complying with Airworthiness Directives (AD) and recording AD compliance in the appropriate maintenance records.

A.  In this advisory circular (AC), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends one way to gain airworthiness approval for an Airborne System for Non-Required Telecommunication (ASNRT) service equipment in the cockpit.  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 ASNRT equipment.  However, if you use the means described in this AC, you must follow it in its entirety.

 B.  ASNRT equipment is intended to provide flight crews with voice and data communication service over non aeronautical frequency bands.  ASNRT consists of electronic onboard equipment which is not required for any phase of operation nor intended for Minimum Equipment List (MEL) dispatch relief. 

 C.  The guidelines contained in this AC are not intended to support airborne systems used for safety of flight communication such as Air Traffic Services (ATS), Airline Operational Control (AOC), or communication systems used to fulfill an operating requirement for a communication system.  In addition, this AC provides guidance for aircraft equipment capable of subscribing to the FAA System Wide Information Management (SWIM) infrastructure.