Advisory Circulars

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 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.

Contains standards for the planning, design, installation, and maintenance of Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) in runway safety areas (RSAs).

This AC contains minimum performance specifications for systems and equipment airports use to provide a warning to drivers on an airfield about a potential runway incursion. This AC discusses two types of detection systems: a preconfigured, commercial off the shelf (COTS) system; and a system with custom hardware and software.

Contains specifications and guidance for the storage, handling, and dispensing of aviation fuel on airports. Additionally, this AC provides standards and guidance for the training of personnel who conduct these activities.

Please see the associated Addendum for a list of companies offering courses of instruction in line service training as well as supervisory training that are acceptable to the Administrator. We will update the Addendum on a quarterly basis.

Contains the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) standards and recommendations for the geometric layout and engineering design of runways, taxiways, aprons, and other facilities at civil airports.This substantial revision fully incorporates all previous changes to AC 150/5300-13 as well as new standards and technical requirements.

See also Interim Guidance on Land Uses Within a Runway Protection Zone.

This advisory circular (AC) transmits an updated schedule of charges for services of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards Service (AFS) aviation safety inspectors (ASI) outside the United States. Rulemaking action to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 187, Docket No. 27809 and Notice 94-24, Fees for Certification Services and Approvals Performed Outside the United States, established the methodology for determining these charges. The rulemaking established that the FAA would publish these fees in an AC.

 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) provides guidance for the flight test evaluation of transport category airplanes. This AC includes flight test methods and procedures to show compliance with the regulations contained in subpart B of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 25, which address airplane performance and handling characteristics. This revision, AC 25-7C, is a complete revision to reduce the number of differences from the European Aviation Safety Agency’s Flight Test Guide, provide acceptable means of compliance for the regulatory changes associated with amendments 107, 109, 113, 115, 119, and 123 to part 25, respond to National Transportation Safety Board recommendations, and to provide a general update to reflect current FAA and industry practices and policies.

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.

 This Advisory Circular (AC) provides guidance for the installation and airworthiness approval of Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) Out systems in aircraft.

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.

This AC describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, to comply with the requirements for identifying S-LSA and E-LSA with identification (ID) plates, displaying nationality and registration marks, and displaying placards. This AC also provides marking guidance for instruments necessary for the safety of flight.

This advisory circular (AC) provides information and guidance regarding a repair station located in the United States obtaining, renewing, or amending a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part-145 approval and an Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) located within the European Union (EU) obtaining, renewing, or amending a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) repair station certificate under the provisions of the U.S./EU aviation safety agreement (the Agreement).

This AC contains the specifications for airport light bases, transformer housings, junction boxes, and accessories. This AC is not intended to be a compilation of currently available product designs. It provides the basic standard requirements for critical dimensions and performance requirements to which all manufacturers must demonstrate compliance.

This advisory circular (AC) provides the public with information regarding the certification of repairmen (light-sport aircraft (LSA)) with maintenance and inspection ratings, the acceptability of training courses, and the continued airworthiness of LSA. The guidance contained in this AC is based on the Final Rule, Certification of Aircraft and Airmen for the Operation of Light-Sport Aircraft, which was published in the Federal Register (FR) on July 27,2004. The rule became effective September 1,2004.

a. This Advisory Circular (AC) provides information to the aviation community, particularly aircrews operating within the National Airspace System (NAS) on measures taken by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address incidents of unauthorized illumination of aircraft by lasers. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, passed into public law on February 14, 2012, established a prohibition against aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.

b. In addition, this AC provides guidance to aircrews and reflects current guidance for air traffic control (ATC) on the formal reporting of laser illumination incidents. Reporting laser incidents assists law enforcement and provides support for recommended mitigation actions to be taken to ensure continued safe and orderly flight operations.

c. This AC is issued in serious response to the significant increase of unauthorized laser illumination of aircraft incidents, as well as the proliferation and increased sophistication of laser devices available to the general public and other parties. FAA and other governmental studies show the exposure of aircrews to laser illumination may cause hazardous effects (e.g., distraction, glare, afterimage, flash blindness, and, in extreme circumstances, persistent or permanent visual impairment), which could compromise safety by adversely interfering with the ability of aircrews to carry out their responsibilities. ATC regards a laser illumination incident as an in-flight emergency, and will treat them as such, until the aircrew states otherwise.

d. The FAA, in coordination with local law enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other governmental agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is taking immediate action to safeguard flights against these unauthorized illuminations and expeditiously locate the source of unauthorized laser transmissions.

This advisory circular (AC) describes the hazards of thunderstorms to aviation and offers guidance to help prevent accidents caused by thunderstorms.

This advisory circular (AC) alerts pilots transitioning from aircraft with less performance capability to complex, high-performance aircraft that are capable of operating at high altitudes and high airspeeds. In particular, this AC stresses special physiological, equipment, and aerodynamic considerations involved in these kinds of operations. It also provides information to aid pilots in becoming familiar with the basic phenomena associated with high-altitude and high-speed flight.

Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61 prescribes the knowledge and skill requirements for the various airman certificates and ratings, including category, class, and type ratings authorized to be placed thereon. The civil aircraft fleet consists of numerous aircraft capable of high-altitude flight. Certain knowledge elements of high-altitude flight are essential for the pilots of these aircraft. As required by 14 CFR § 61.31, pilots who fly at altitudes at or above FL250 in a pressurized aircraft must receive training in the critical factors relating to safe flight operations under those circumstances. These critical elements include knowledge of the special physiological and/or aerodynamic considerations that should be given to highperformance aircraft operating in the high-altitude environment. High-altitude flight has different effects on the human body than those experienced during lower altitude flight. An aircraft's aerodynamic characteristics displayed in high altitude flight may differ significantly from those experienced when penetrating at a lower altitude. Knowledge of and skill in operating high-performance aircraft will enhance the pilot's ability to easily transition into aircraft capable of high speed, high altitude flight.

This advisory circular (AC) provides information and guidance concerning an acceptable means, but not the only means, of demonstrating compliance with the requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 43, 91, 121, 125, (U.S.-registered airplanes), 135, 137, and 145 regarding procedures and facilities for repairs and alterations of structure consisting of adhesively bonded (including metal bond) and fiber-reinforced materials (e.g., carbon, aramid, and glass-reinforced polymeric materials mentioned in the current edition of AC 20-107, Composite Aircraft Structure). The information in this AC is applicable to repairs and alterations of bonded and composite structure, whether it is a damaged part that can be removed from the airplane for repairs, or repairs and alterations on the aircraft itself. Examples include repair patches, on-wing bonded repairs, and fabrication and bonding of replacement parts. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will consider any other method of compliance that the applicant elects to present. This AC uses mandatory terms such as "must" only in the sense of ensuring the applicability of these particular methods of compliance when using the acceptable means of compliance (AMC) described herein. This AC does not change regulatory requirements and does not authorize changes in, or deviations from, regulatory requirements.

This advisory circular (AC) is for the development of inspection program requirements for the certification of former military aircraft in the experimental category for the purpose(s) of exhibition and air racing that operate in the United States in accordance with Title 14 of the Federal Code of Regulations (14 CFR) part 21, § 21.191(d) and (e). This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. This AC describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, for developing inspection program requirements for former military aircraft.

This advisory circular (AC) establishes guidelines for U.S. operators to use when reviewing Foreign Terminal Instrument Procedures (FTIP). Occasionally, the author uses the word "must" or similar language when he deems the desired actions critical. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not intend for the use of such language to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR).