The Operations Group develops policies and regulations for general aviation (GA), covering amateur-built, recreational, personal aircraft, aerobatic practice areas, and aviation events such as airshows and air races. The group also establishes operational policy for specialized sectors including surplus military aircraft, ultralights, parachuting, rotorcraft external loads, agricultural operations, and public aircraft. Additionally, it drives GA External Safety Promotion under ICAO Annex 19, coordinating safety initiatives with the National FAA Safety Team, the General Aviation Joint Safety Committee (GAJSC), the United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST), the Drone Safety Team (DST), and Airshow Safety Teams. 

The Operations Group:

• Initiates corrective actions based on reviews of GA accidents, incidents, and violations, and analyzes NTSB and FAA Safety Recommendations. 
• Develops rules, guidance, and policies for national air shows, aviation events, and aerobatic practice areas. 
• Drafts and reviews chapters of Order 8900.1 related to parts 91 (including subpart K), 103, 105, 133, and 137, excluding air traffic and aircraft maintenance. 
• Coordinates with relevant offices/agencies, including Air Traffic Control Organization, TSA, and DOJ, on risk mitigation and security issues. 
• Provides guidance on vintage, amateur-built, and experimental aircraft, and manages related policies, including MOSAIC operational rules. 
• Manages Minimum Equipment Requirements for GA Operations and develops training for GA Operations Inspectors. 
• Implements policies for rotorcraft, aerial work operations, and United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement guidance, as well as night vision imaging systems and night vision goggle operations for GA. 
• Liaises with industry and other FAA offices on standardization issues and develops GA External Safety Promotion policies to reduce accident rates. 

Programs

• National Aviation Events Program
• National Performance Plan