Advisory Circulars

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for towbar and towbarless movement of aircraft.

Provides guidance on whether particular government aircraft operations are public aircraft or civil aircraft operations under the new statutory definition of “public aircraft.” This AC contains FAA’s intended application of key terms in the new statutory definition. For operations that have lost public aircraft status under the new law, information is provided on bringing those operations into compliance with FAA safety regulations for civil aircraft and provides information on applying for an exemption.

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) 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) presents guidelines for developing and implementing a Fatigue Education and Awareness Training Program. These guidelines apply to those certificate holders conducting operations under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 117. This AC presents an acceptable means, but not necessarily the only way, that certificate holders may comply with Fatigue Education and Awareness Training Program requirements prescribed in part 117, § 117.9. Each 14 CFR part 121 certificate holder conducting operations under part 117 must have an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved Fatigue Education and Awareness Training Program as prescribed in § 117.9. The training program must be designed to increase awareness and understanding of fatigue, the effects of fatigue on pilots and fatigue countermeasures. This AC may also provide valuable information to certificate holders conducting operations other than under part 117 to educate their employees on the effects of fatigue on the safety of flight.

This advisory circular (AC) was developed to demonstrate acceptable methods of compliance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 117, § 117.5, Fitness for Duty. While the methods outlined in this AC are not the only means of compliance, the guidance contained herein provides concepts for developing appropriate processes and procedures to comply with § 117.5 and instituting appropriate operator-specific fatigue countermeasures. The guidance also provides a means to educate flightcrew members in the potential of fatigue induced by commuting.

This advisory circular (AC) explains what the term "maintenance program" means. Our explanation describes the scope and content of air carrier aircraft maintenance programs. This is important as there is a significant difference between an air carrier maintenance program and an inspection program used in non-air carrier maintenance operations. We explain the background of these programs as well as the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) regulatory requirements. We also describe and explain each of the 10 elements of air carrier maintenance programs. When we use "must" or "will" in this AC, we are referencing actual regulatory requirements. When we use "we," "us," or "our" in this AC, we mean the FAA. When we use "you," "your," or "yours," we mean you, the air carrier. When we use the term "person," it has the same meaning as that in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 1, § 1.1.

Advisory Circular 120-26K defines the criteria and procedures for obtaining an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) three-letter identifier and/or telephony designator assignment and for obtaining an FAA Special or Local telephony/call sign.