All visits to the BHM FSDO are by appointment only. Appointments with Airworthiness Inspectors may be scheduled for the following:

• MECHANIC CERTIFICATES   
  • Testing authorization for an added Airframe or Powerplant Rating (Mechanic Application)
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant
  • Airframe & Powerplant – Mechanics General Handbook
  • Testing Authorization for Initial Issuance
  • 44709 Re-Examinations       

NOTE:  Evaluations of practical experience for mechanic testing authorization based on practical experience may take up to 90 days.

Application Process for Obtaining A Mechanic Certificate based on practical experience.

INSPECTION AUTHORIZATIONS 

• Applications for Testing Authorization  and Initial Issuance 
• IA Renewals – Please apply through IACRA (https://iacra.faa.gov)
• 44709 Re-Examinations

REPAIRMAN CERTIFICATES

• Initial Issuance of Experimental Aircraft Builder Repairman Certificates (Repairman Application)
• Initial Issuance or change of authorizations for Light-Sport Repairman Certificates

PARACHUTE RIGGER CERTIFICATES

• Initial Issuance – Military Competency only

CHANGE OF PERSONAL DATA

• Change of name, Change of nationality, Change of Gender and Change in date of birth for any mechanic, repairman or parachute rigger certificate
   
• Become a Mechanic
• Mechanic Questions and Answers (PDF)
• Designated Mechanic Examiners
• Aviation Safety Reporting System – FAA/NASA

Office Contact at (205) 876-1300 or you may send an electronic message to 7-ASO-BHM-FSDO@faa.gov

All visits to the BHM FSDO are by appointment only. Change of address and replacement certificates can be done online at Airmen On-Line Services  To locate a DPE, an airman can visit the FAA Designee Locator

The BHM FSDO is not the appropriate office for addressing aircraft noise concerns.

See below for more information. 

Aircraft operating near an airport for takeoff and landing may be in compliance with FAA Regulation 91.119.

Aircraft Noise Complaints & Inquiries should be submitted to the Regional FAA Aviation Noise Ombudsman. Please contact the FAA Noise Ombudsman (202-267-8507) for Aircraft Noise Complaints within the BHM FSDO jurisdiction or email 9-aso-noise@faa.gov .

Safety related aircraft concerns are the responsibility of the BHM FSDO and should be submitted via the FAA Hotline Web Form or by contacting the FSDO directly.

Please reference the Low-Flying Aircraft pamphlet for a checklist of information needed to submit a complaint. Additional information is also included to explain instances where aircraft may be operating within the regulatory requirements for certain operations.

The FAA does not have the authority to regulate the operations of military aircraft. If you live near a military installation, you should try contacting their noise office or community relations department for more information on their operations in your community.

National Contact information
Federal Aviation Administration,
Aviation Noise Ombudsman, AEE-2
800 Independence Ave. S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20591
Email: 9-awa-noiseombudsman@faa.gov

Contact the Aircraft Registration Branch

Office Hours:

Monday through Friday
7:30 am. to 4:00 pm. Central Time

By Telephone:

NOTICE: Effective May 1, 2024, phone lines will be open Monday - Friday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Central Time

Part 47 (forms based) Aircraft Registration / N-Number Information and Assistance
Toll Free Long Distance(866) 762-9434
International & Local Oklahoma City Area(405) 954-3116

By Fax:
(405) 954-3548
(405) 954-8068

By E-Mail:

Aircraft Registration Branch – for part 47 Registration and N-number Questions

By U.S. Postal Service, Regular and Priority Mail:

FAA Aircraft Registration Branch
P.O. Box 25504
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504

By Commercial Delivery Services:

FAA Aircraft Registration Branch
Registry Building Room 118
6425 South Denning
Oklahoma City, OK 73169-6937

In Person for Aircraft Records Research:

Aircraft registration records may be reviewed in the Registry's Public Documents Room, at the FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For information about scheduling a visit, see the "How do I schedule a visit to the Public Documents Room for aircraft records research?" in the Aircraft Registration FAQs.

Unmanned Aircraft Registration:

• Learn more about how to register an Unmanned Aircraft (UA)
• Register an Unmanned Aircraft (UA) online at FAADroneZone (must weigh less than 55 pounds)

Applications for Airworthiness Certificates must be made by the registered owner of the aircraft, or an agent of the owner designated for that purpose.

Replacement Airworthiness Certificates

A Replacement Airworthiness certificate may be issued when- 

  (a)the aircraft registration number has changed.

  (b)the previously issued certificate has been, lost mutilated or is no longer legible.

  (c)contains inaccurate and/or erroneous information.

Amended Airworthiness Certificates

An airworthiness certificate may be amended when there is -

  (a) A change in the aircraft model specified on an airworthiness certificate.

  (b) An alteration to the aircraft, such as one that has been approved by a supplemental type certificate (STC) or amended TC, that changes the category of the aircraft specified in block 4 of the standard airworthiness certificate.

  (c) A change in the operating limitations for an aircraft with a special   airworthiness certificate.

  Applications for replacement airworthiness certificates may be submitted.

New Airworthiness Certificates

A new Special Airworthiness Certificate may be issued for Experimental – Amateur Built Aircraft (EAB) or Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if –

  (a)The aircraft is currently registered.

  (b)An airworthiness certificate has not been previously issued for that aircraft.

Applications for airworthiness certificates may be submitted online via the

Airworthiness Certification (AWC) Portal

AWC – Airworthiness Certification online application overview and quick start guide (PDF) (USE For initial Registration)

On-Line Application, AWC Applicant Portal Process Walkthrough (PDF)

Please contact a FSDO Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR)

To locate an authorized Designated Airworthiness representative (DAR) in the Alabama / Northwest Florida FSDO District, please use the Designee Locator Search

• Noise complaints – Contact the local airport noise abatement office, airport manager, or city noise office, and to the FAA noise abatement office at 9-AWA-NoiseOmbudsman@faa.gov  or https://www.faa.gov/noise/inquiries 
• Safety Complaints - Report Issues Related to Aviation Safety to FAA Hotlines
• Agricultural chemicals spraying complaints – contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) local extension office or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office when no aviation safety issues are involved at http://npic.orst.edu/pest/countyext.htm.
• Consumer complaints concerning air operators (e.g., ticketing, baggage, or flight delays). - contact the operator or the DOT Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint.
• Flight procedures complaints – contact FAA Flight Procedures and Airspace Group here.
• Faulty Navigational Aids (NAVAID) complaints – contact the controlling air traffic control (ATC) facility by radio or phone, or to Flight Service. Flight Service can be reached at 1-800-992-7433 (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or https://www.1800wxbrief.com.
• Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) complaints – contact here.
• Obstruction warning light outages – contact the FAA Obstruction Evaluation Group at https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/content/lightOutageReporting.jsp.
• Air traffic procedures – contact the appropriate air traffic facility manager.
• Hazardous airport conditions – contact the Office of the Associate Administrator for Airports (ARP), whose contact information is available here.
• Complaints about airport and passenger security – contact TSA at https://www.tsa.gov/contact-center/form/security-issue.
• Complaints about military airports or military personnel - contact the appropriate military base.
• Complaints about criminal activity – contact the Office of Security and Hazardous Materials Safety (ASH), or local law enforcement agency
• Bird or wildlife strikes - Refer to https://wildlife.faa.gov/home
• Condensation trails in the sky - Refer here.
• Pets or service animals on passenger flights - Refer to www.faa.gov/travelers/fly_pets/cabin_pets

Aviation Safety Reporting System – FAA/NASA

The ASRS collects, analyzes, and responds to voluntarily submitted aviation safety incident reports in order to lessen the likelihood of aviation accidents.

ASRS data are used to:

• Identify deficiencies and discrepancies in the National Aviation System (NAS) so that these can be remedied by appropriate authorities.
• Support policy formulation and planning for, and improvements to, the NAS.
• Strengthen the foundation of aviation human factors safety research. This is particularly important since it is generally conceded that over two-thirds of all aviation accidents and incidents have their roots in human performance errors.

https://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/index.html

Airshows

• FAA Form 7711-2 Certification of Waiver or Authorization Application
• DD Form 2535 (PDF)
• Aviation Event Emergency Response Plan Review Checklist (PDF)
• Aviation Event Risk Tool (MS Excel)
• Participant Safety Briefing Signature Page for Aviation Events (PDF)
• Aviation Event Participant Safety Briefing Guide (PDF)
• List of Waived Regulations Part 91 (PDF)
• Aviation Event Team Meeting and Required Equipment (PDF)
• 60 Safety Tips (PDF)
• Aviation Event Risk Tool (PDF)

Military Flyover’s

• DD Form 2535 (PDF)

 Parachute

• Volume 3, Chapter 6, Section 1 (PDF), Issue a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization for an Aviation Event
• AC 105-2E - Sport Parachuting
• Parachute Teams
  • Airborne Heritage Platoon LOA (PDF)
  • Liberty Jump Team LOA (PDF)
  • Phantom Airborne Brigade LOA (PDF)
  • Round Canopy Parachute Team LOA (PDF)
  • USSOCOM Parachute Team LOA (PDF)
  • WWII Airborne Demonstration Team LOA (PDF)
  • USASOC "Black Daggers LOA" (PDF)
• Certificate of Waiver Process (PDF)
• FAA Form 7711-2 Certification of Waiver or Authorization Application
• Parachute Demonstration 7711-2 Attachment Form (PDF)
• Aviation Event Risk Tool (MS Excel)
• DD Form 2535 (PDF)

Operations related requests, please make the application in IACRA and contact a DPE (Please note the type of DPE needed in parenthesis following the type of request):

• All Practical Tests for Issuance of Pilot Certificates/Ratings
• Remote Pilot (UAS/Drone) (DPE-RPE)
• Foreign Pilots (DPE-FPE)
• Military Competencies (DPE-MCE)
• Special Medical Flight Test (DPE-SMFT)
• CFI Renewals based on activity or Flight Instructor Refresher Course (DPE-FIRE)
• NVG Endorsements (DPE-BAE)
• SIC type rating (DPE-BAE)
• SOE restriction removals (DPE-BAE)
• Restricted ATP limitation removal (Company APD)
• Ground Instructor applications (Basic, Advanced and Instrument) (DPE-GIE)

To locate a DPE, an airman can visit the FAA Designee Locator

Billy Hattaway – Operations      
205-876-1380 or email to 7-ASO-BHM-FSDO@faa.gov

Richard Henry – Airworthiness   
205-876-1304 or email to 7-ASO-BHM-FSDO@faa.gov

• Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award Recipients
• Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award Recipients
• FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam)

To learn more about FAA Awards Programs, please visit https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/awards

FAA Approved Inspection Authorization  Renewal Training

FAA Safety.gov

Accredited Recurrent Training Webinars and Courses

24/7 Accredited Recurrent Training Courses are also on FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam).

IA Renewal Forms and Information

• 2025 BHM FSDO IA Renewal Letter (PDF)
• FAA Form 8610-1, Mechanics Application for Inspection Authorization
• IA Activity Record (PDF)
•    Online IA Renewal – Integrated Airman Certification and Rating (IACRA)
• IACRA Online Application and Training Guide (PDF)

Resources - Library Contents - FAA - FAASTeam - FAASafety.gov

Prior to submitting a low-flying aircraft complaint, please review the following information to insure you have all of the necessary required information:

FAA Guide to Low-Flying Aircraft

• Reporting Low Flying Aircraft (PDF)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the government agency responsible for aviation safety. We welcome information from citizens that will enable us to take corrective measures including legal enforcement action against individuals violating Federal Aviation Regulations (CFR). It is FAA policy to investigate citizen complaints of low-flying aircraft operated in violation of the CFR that might endanger persons or property.

Remember that the FAA is a safety organization with legal enforcement responsibilities. We will need facts before we conduct an investigation. To save time, please have this information ready if you witness another low-flying aircraft. Please keep your notes: we may request a written statement. Here is the type of information we need:

• Identification – Can you identify the aircraft? Was it military or civil? Was it a high or low wing aircraft? What was the color? Did you record the registration number which appears on the fuselage or tail? (On U.S. registered aircraft, that number will be preceded with a capital "N".)
• Time and Place – Exactly when did the incident(s) occur? Where did this happen? What direction was the aircraft flying?
• Altitude – How high or low was the aircraft flying? On what do you base your estimate? Was the aircraft level with or below the elevation of a prominent object such as a tower or building?

Once we have the appropriate facts, personnel from the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) will attempt to identify the offending aircraft operator. We can do this in several ways. For example, we can check aircraft flight records with our air traffic control information and/or sightings from other observers, such as local law enforcement officers. We may need to trace and contact the registered aircraft owner, since the owner and operator may be two different people.

Following is Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 91.119 of the General Operating and Flight Rules, which specifically prohibits low flying aircraft.

91.119 Minimum safe altitudes; general

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

a.Anywhere – An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

b.Over congested areas – Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open-air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft

c.Over other than congested areas – An altitude of 500 feet above the surface except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In that case, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

d.Helicopters – Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed In paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.

Helicopter operations may be conducted below the minimum altitudes set for fixed-wing aircraft. The reason: they have unique operating characteristics, the most important of which is their ability to execute pinpoint emergency landings during power-out emergencies. Furthermore, the helicopter's increased use by law enforcement and emergency medical service agencies requires added flexibility.

• Get a Medical Certificate (MedXPress)
• How to obtain a Medical Certificate
• Request a Copy of Your Medical Certificate
• Locate an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)
• Basic Med (AC 68-1A)
• Locate a HIMS (Human Intervention Motivation Study) AME: MS Word, PDF

Certificates

• Change Your Pilot Certificate/License
• Request Verification of Certification Privileges
• Integrated Airmen Certification and/or Rating Application (IACRA)

Request Copies

• Replace Your Pilot Certificate/License
• Get Copies of Airman Certification Records
• Replace a Knowledge Test Report
• Request Temporary Authority to Exercise Certificate Privileges

More Airmen Information

• Sport Pilot's Certificate/License
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Contact the Airmen Certification Branch
• Search Airmen Certification Information
• Download the Airmen Certification Database
• Verify the Authenticity of a Foreign License, Rating, or Medical Certification
• English Proficiency Endorsement
• Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA)
• Add or Delete your Mailing Address from Public View
• Pilot Age 65 Retirement Law (PDF)
• Wright Brothers Award Information and Recipients

61.75 Private Pilot certificate issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license.

Foreign applicants who require a visit to the Alabama / Northwest Florida Flight Standards District Office or are applying for issuance or replacement of an airman certificate in accordance with 14 CFR 61.75 must contact our Office at (205) 876-1300 or you may send an electronic message to 7-ASO-BHM-FSDO@faa.gov  upon receipt of the Verification of Authenticity to schedule an appointment with an Inspector. Due to enhanced security procedures, do not anticipate an appointment earlier than two weeks after this initial contact.

Documents required at the FSDO level for the issuance of a US Based on Foreign License:

• Original Verification of Authenticity Letter
• Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (FAA Form 8710-1)
• Current and valid Foreign Pilot license at the private pilot level or higher with current ratings
• Current Third Class Medical issued under Part 67 or a medical license issued by the country that issued the applicants foreign pilot license
• English Proficiency on Foreign License (with at least a level 4 proficiency/ability to read, speak, write and understand the English language)
• Official current PASSPORT (with complete legal name)

FAA certificate issued on the basis of your foreign license may be submitted by a DPE-FPE.
Verification of Authenticity of a Foreign License/Medical (FAA Letter of Authenticity)

• Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)
• Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
• General Operating and Flight Rules (14 CFR Part 91)
• Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors (14 CFR Part 61)
• Pilot Schools (14 CFR Part 141)
• Recently Published Rulemaking Documents

Data

• Accident & Incident Data
• Regional Active Airmen Totals

Pilot Forms

• 8060-55 (PDF), Change of Address
• 8060-56 (PDF), Replacement of Certificate
• 8710-1, Airmen Certification for Pilots
• 7233-1, Flight Plan
• 7233-4, International Flight Plan
• 8130-6, Application for U.S. Airworthiness Certificate
• More Airmen Certification Forms
• All FAA Forms

Publications

• Aeromedical Safety Brochures
• FAA Safety Briefing
• Pilot Risk Management Brochures

Handbooks & Manuals

• 8900.1, Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS)
• 8083-27a, Student Pilot Guide (PDF)
• Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
• 8083-3A, Airplane Flying Handbook
• 8083-25 (PDF), Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
• 8083-15, Instrument Flying Handbook (PDF)
• 8261-1, Instrument Procedures Handbook

A Special Flight Permit-SFP (commonly referred to as a Ferry Permit) may be issued to any U.S. registered aircraft that may not currently meet applicable Airworthiness Requirements but is capable of safe flight. The SFP will be issued by the FSDO geographically responsible for the area in which the flight is to originate.

Note:

1. A Special Flight Permit is not an authorization to deviate from the requirements of 14 CFR Part 91.
2. Special Flight Permits will be issued by the FSDO/IFO having jurisdiction over the geographical area in which the flight is to originate, this does not apply to 121 or 135 certificate holders.
3. If an AD requires compliance before further flight and does not have a provision for issuance of a Special Flight Permits, the operation of the aircraft to which it applies would not be appropriate, and a Special Flight Permit will not be issued.

The following is not all inclusive (refer to 14 CFR Part 21.197) but lists the most common request for Special Flight Permits.

• Flying the aircraft to a base where repairs, alterations, or maintenance are to be performed, or to a point of storage.
• Flying an aircraft whose annual inspection has expired to a base where an annual inspection can be accomplished.
• Flying an amateur built aircraft whose condition inspection has expired to a base where the condition inspection can be accomplished.
• Delivering or exporting the aircraft.
• Production flight testing of new production aircraft.
• Evacuating aircraft from areas of impending danger.
• Conducting customer demonstration flights in a new production aircraft that have satisfactory completed production flight tests.
• To authorize the operation of an aircraft at a weight in excess of its maximum certificated takeoff weight.
• Please apply through AWC for the following:
  • Ferry Permit
  • Renewal/Replacement/Modification of Airworthiness Certificate

Applications for a Special Flight Permit (Ferry Permit) can be submitted as follows:

• Online via the Airworthiness Certification (AWC) portal
  • AWC – Airworthiness Certification online application overview and quick start guide (PDF) (USE For initial Registration)
  • On-Line Application, AWC Applicant Portal Process Walkthrough (PDF)

• FAA UAS — Everything you need to operate your UAS in the National Airspace System
• Commercial Operator Regulations — 14 C.F.R Part 107 — Small UAS Rule Regulations
• Recreational Hobbyist Laws — 49 U.S.C. §44809 — Exception for limited recreational operations of Unmanned aircraft
• Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) — Automated system for attaining airspace authorizations at LAANC-capable airports. Partners with several smart phone apps (Airmap, Kittyhawk, etc.) to allow operators to attain instantaneous authorization to operate in controlled airspace.
• UAS Facility Maps — Depict the maximum altitudes that a UAS may be operated (with authorization from ATC in controlled airspace) LAANC-capable airports are depicted in green, non LAANC-capable airports are depicted in red
• FAA DroneZone — Register your UAS, attain a waiver from Part 107 regulations, or attain an airspace authorization for non-LAANC capable airspace.
• Here are the FAA rules that must be followed while flying a drone within the National Airspace System:
• Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations
• Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators

Part 137 Aerial Applicator UAS Operations

1. Make application for an Exemption:  https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/certification/section_44807
2. Complete Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certification Application FAA Form 8710-3 https://www.faa.gov/forms/
3. Forward completed application and exemption to:   UAS137Certificates@faa.gov

Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.

• Airline Operators
• All Airmen
• Designees & Delegations
• Mechanics
• Pilots

• Amateur-Built Aircraft
• Light Sport
  • Light-Sport Aircraft
  • Sport Pilot
• Accident & Incident Data
• Airworthiness Certification
• Field Approvals
• Registration
• Safety Alerts (AD, SAIB, SDR, & More)
• Technical Information (TCDS, TSO, STC, PMA, MMEL)

• Find Designees & Delegations
• Find Field Offices
• FAA Regulations & Policies (FAR, AC & Orders)
• Handbooks & Manuals
• Airmen Practical Test Standards (PTS)
• Reexamination of A&P Certificate Holders from St. George Aviation