ACCEPTING APPOINTMENTS for any of the below listed AIRMAN certification activities.

For any item NOT listed below for airman certification, please visit our Designee Services Tab to contact a Designee.

Change of address and replacement certificates can be done online at Airmen On-Line Services.

• Administrative Changes to FAA Certificates:
  • Gender Change
  • Place of Birth / Date of Birth Correction
  • Name Change / Correction
  • Nationality / Citizenship Change
• Testing Authorizations for Mechanic Certificates with Airframe and/or Powerplant ratings, Inspection Authorization, Parachute Rigger applicants.
• Senior Parachute Rigger applicants based on Military Competency (Original Issuance)
• Inspection Authorization (Original Issuance and Renewals)
• Repairman (14 CFR Part 65, Experimental Aircraft Builder under 14 CFR Part 65.104, and Repairman for Light Sport Aircraft)
• English Language Limitation Removal
• Gold Seal to Flight Instructor Certificate
• 44709 Re-Examinations
• Medical Flight Tests
• Signal Light Tests

Contact a Richmond FSDO Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) for the following services

Private Pilot Certificate Based on Foreign Certificate: Verification of Authenticity of a Foreign License/Medical Certificate (FAA Letter of Authenticity)

• Military Competency
• Student pilot certificates
• Ground Instructor applications (Basic, Advanced and Instrument)
• Remote Pilot Certificates (See Unmanned Aerial Systems below)
• CFI Renewals: Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) and Wings Program Courses
• Practical Tests requiring Oral and or flight for Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Instructor, and additional Aircraft Ratings

Note: The Integrated Airmen Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) must be utilized for the above services. A help manual is provided on the IACRA website.

Contact a Richmond FSDO Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) for the following services

• Special Flight Permits
• Issuance and replacement of Airworthiness Certificates to include Experimental Airworthiness Certificates
• Unmanned Aerial Systems

Note: The Richmond FSDO is NOT accepting appointments at this time for Remote Pilot Certificates. The new Small UAS Rule (Part 107), including all pilot and operating rules, is in effect as of 12:01 a.m. EDT on August 29, 2016.

Designee Information

• List of all FAA Designated Pilot Examiners, Designated Mechanic Examiners, and Designated Airworthiness Representatives can be found at the Designee Locator Search.
• Richmond FSDO DPEs
• Richmond FSDO DMEs, DPREs, DARs

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

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 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 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 as we may request a written statement. Here is the type of information we need:

• Identification — Registration number (located on the side of the aircraft usually beginning with "N") is a vital piece of information for the investigation; Aircraft type (make and model if known); Any identifying characteristics such as color, markings, high/low wing, number of engines, military or civilian, etc.;
• Time and Place — Date, Time, and precise location.
• Altitude — An estimate to the best of your knowledge by providing reference to an object or landmark.
• Provide photo and video of the event if possible. Without this piece of evidence we are very limited in our investigation.
• Witness statements of the event.

The more detailed information you can provide from the event will greatly help in our investigation. If unable to provide adequate details, we will be limited in our ability to identify the aircraft and potential Federal Aviation Regulation violations.

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 in certain situations.

91.119 Minimum safe altitudes; general

Helicopter Operations

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.

Agricultural Operations (Crop Duster)

Many times low fly aircraft complaints are actually Agricultural Aircraft (crop dusters). Much like helicopters, agricultural aircraft have their own set of regulations (14 CFR Part 137). These operations may be conducted below the minimum altitudes set for other fixed-wing aircraft. Due to the proximity to the ground, agricultural operations require flight maneuvers that are more abrupt than may be expected. While we will not rule out an investigation, this is likely normal operating practices.

Normally agricultural operators are hired by the land owner/farmer. You may want to contact the landowner/farmer directly if you prefer to be notified in advance of these operations. These type of operations occur more frequently in the spring and fall. It is not always possible to see what is being dispensed.

Aviation Noise Ombudsman - The FAA's Aviation Noise Ombudsman serves as a public liaison for issues about aircraft noise questions or complaints.

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

Local Contact information

Federal Aviation Administration,
Aviation Noise Ombudsman
1200 District Avenue
Burlington, MA
Email: 9-ane-noise@faa.gov

• 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.

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.

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)

The FAA may issue an applicant an airworthiness certificate when:

• Registered owner or operator/agent registers aircraft,
• Applicant submits application to the local FAA servicing office, and
• FAA determines the aircraft is eligible and in a condition for safe operation

Applications for an airworthiness certificate, replacement airworthiness certificate, Aircraft N Number changes, 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)

*Note – All replacements certificates are processed through the AWC portal.

Part 91 Letter of Authorization (LOA) Application Process and Information

Richmond FSDO Part 91 LOA Application Process Checklist (MS Word)

General Reference Information

• All Advisory Circulars (AC), Orders, Notices and Airworthiness Directives can be accessed at Federal Aviation Administration
• FAA Flight Planning Information.
• Flight Technologies and Procedures Division Site

  Authorization	Description	Specific References (Located in the Regulations and Guideline section)
  A056 Data Link CPDLC	Conduct data link communications	AC 90-117 Notice 8900.455 Notice 8900.446 Flight Operations Group Data Communications (DataComm) Site
  A115 LODA	Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) Deviation Authority for Conducting Flight Training in Experimental Category Aircraft (14 CFR §91.319 (h))	e-CFR Site 91.319(h) National Policy 8900.15 Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS) 8900.1, Volume 3, Chapter 11, § 1 Use of Aircraft Issued Experimental Certificates in Flight Training for Compensation or Hire
  B034 B-RNAV/P-RNAV	Conduct operations within airspace designated as terminal or en route European Area Navigation airspace with specific aircraft	AC 90-96A
  B036 RNP-4 / RNP-10	Conduct Oceanic and Remote Continental Navigation Using Multiple Long- Range Navigation Systems (M-LRNS)
  B039 NAT/MNPS	Conduct operations in North Atlantic High Level Airspace (NAT HLA)	Flight Technologies and Procedures Division information
  B046 RVSM	Conduct operations within RVSM Airspace	14 CFR, Part 91 91.706 91.180 91 Appendix G RVSM AGHME Monitoring Status Results Site RVSM Documentation Site
  C063 RNAV & RNP Terminal Operations	Conduct IFR area navigation (RNAV1) Instrument Departure Procedures (DPs) and Standard Terminal Arrival routes (STARs) published in accordance with 14 CFR Part 97, and/or tailored arrivals (TA)
  D095 MMEL as MEL	Operate aircraft using MMEL as an MEL
  D098 Short Term	Operate specific aircraft in Special Areas of Operation for short term operations	Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS) 8900.1, Volume 4, Chapter 1, Section 5, Safety Assurance System: Special Navigation Areas of Operation
  D195 FAA Approved MEL	Use a Minimum Equipment List for specific aircraft under the provisions of 14 CFR Section 91.213 (a)(2)	Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS) 8900.1, Volume 4, Chapter 4 Section 1. Configuration Deviation List Section 2. MEL Requirements for 14 CFR Parts 91, 137, 142 Operations

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