• Community Engagement
• National Airspace System Roles and Responsibilities
• Aviation Noise
• Understanding Environmental Policy
• FAA Leadership
• Regional Administrators and Ombudsman

Community Engagement

What is Community Engagement?

Community Engagement is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiative to inform and involve the public, engage with communities, and meaningfully consider community concerns and views as the FAA makes aviation decisions. Please visit the Community Engagement page to learn more.

What is a community roundtable?

A “roundtable” in the aviation context is generally a term for an organization designed to address community concerns over a sustained period of time regarding aircraft operations often associated with a nearby airport. Roundtables are typically made of representatives from communities around an airport that may be affected by aircraft operations, the airline industry, and other stakeholders. These representatives often serve in an advisory role or on technical committees and working groups and can offer additional perspectives and expertise.

A roundtable brings together airport, community, and airline industry representatives to collaboratively identify and discuss issues of concern and possible resolutions at the same time. Representatives may elect to make recommendations, including possible changes in operations, to address community noise or other concerns. Ideally, applicable recommendations are first coordinated through the airport, which will forward them to the appropriate entity (e.g., the FAA, airlines, or zoning authority). Please view the FAA’s Community Roundtable Information Sheet (PDF) to learn more.

How do I find out if my local airport has a roundtable or community meeting?

There are a variety of circumstances that could result in a community meeting, including airspaces changes, airport projects, and other situational changes that require the FAA to meet with local communities to discuss issues surrounding an airport. 

For more information on Community Engagement events in your area, please visit the National Engagement and Regional Administration page and click on the Region that corresponds with your city. You can also visit the FAA's Community Engagement page. Visit the Regional Ombudsman page to contact your Regional Ombudsman. You can also follow the FAA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and look for announcements in the press.

What is the role of a Community Engagement Officer?

A Community Engagement Officer (CEO) holds a position on the Regional Administrative Team and acts as the primary point of contact between local communities and the FAA. A CEO fulfills the designation of Regional Ombudsman for his or her area. CEOs inform and involve the public, engage with communities, and ensure the FAA meaningfully considers community concerns when making aviation decisions that affect the public. CEOs assist in carrying out public involvement activities for environmental activities, such as impacts from noise, safety, and pollution.

What is the difference between a Community Engagement Officer and a Regional Ombudsman?

A Community Engagement Officer (CEO) holds a position on the Regional Administrative Team and acts as the primary point of contact between local communities and the FAA. A CEO fulfills the designation of Regional Ombudsman for his or her area. The “FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018” requires each Regional Administrator to designate an individual to be the Regional Ombudsman.

The difference between the two titles is that one is a position (CEO) and the other is a designation (Regional Ombudsman). The FAA could have designated another member of the Regional Administrator's team, but the agency determined that the CEO was the most appropriate individual, as the CEO has the closest connection to the discussions and meetings that involve the airports and the communities. As a member of a national and matrix team, the CEO has the unique ability to have vision into regional issues and concerns as well as national trends and projects. The CEO has the appropriate line of sight and access to the Regional Administrator to ensure awareness, coordination, and communication.

What is the role of the Regional Office in Community Engagement?

The role of the Regional Office in Community Engagement is to facilitate communication and collaboration between the FAA and local communities. This includes acting as the primary point of contact between local communities and the FAA, filling the designation of Regional Ombudsman for their area, and informing and involving the public. The Regional Office participates in Community Engagement activities and initiatives across the nation to address community concerns and propose solutions to alleviate them. The Regional Office plays a critical role in ensuring that the FAA's decisions and actions are informed by and reflect the views and needs of the communities they serve. Through Community Engagement, the Regional Office ensures that the FAA meaningfully considers community concerns when making aviation decisions that affect the public.

What is the role of the Regional Administrator in Community Engagement?

The FAA Regional Administrator plays a crucial role in Community Engagement by ensuring that the FAA is providing consistent stakeholder support and engagement. They work with airports and community leadership through roundtables, ad hoc committees, and task forces to address and mitigate issues related to noise and other airspace changes. The Regional Administrator also engages the public through Community Engagement initiatives like the Noise Complaint Initiative (NCI) to understand specific challenges and propose solutions to alleviate concerns. They are the primary point of contact between local communities and the FAA, ensuring that community concerns are meaningfully considered when making aviation decisions that affect the public

National Airspace System Roles and Responsibilities

What is the National Airspace System (NAS)?

The National Airspace System (NAS) consists of the airspace, airports, technologies, and procedures that enable aircraft to fly anywhere in the country safely and efficiently.

Who is responsible for managing air traffic?

The FAA has the sole authority to direct and control aircraft while in flight and to establish the regulations that govern the aviation industry. FAA Air Traffic Controllers interact with aircraft flying in controlled airspace, issuing instructions to pilots to keep their aircraft safely separated from other aircraft flying near them. Controllers also carefully manage the use of airspace and airport runways to ensure that air traffic flows safely and efficiently.

The FAA performs many other responsibilities that are essential to the operation of the NAS in addition to air traffic control. These responsibilities include monitoring and enforcing safety regulations, developing and improving navigation procedures, and promoting technological advancements.

What are the responsibilities of airports?

While the FAA controls aircraft in flight, local airports are responsible for managing and maintaining facilities on the ground that aircraft use to take off and land. Ground facilities include the runways, taxiways, aprons, and gates. Airports are usually owned and operated by local political jurisdictions, though the management structure varies. Many are operated by city governments, while others are governed by regional airport authorities or port authorities. Airport administrators are responsible for constructing and operating airport facilities in compliance with FAA regulations, to ensure the safety of aircraft while they are on the ground.

Airport administrations, especially at busier airports, often include dedicated Noise Offices. These offices are responsible for communicating with surrounding communities regarding public noise concerns, analyzing aircraft operations related to noise complaints, and working with airlines, the FAA, and local communities to reduce aircraft noise to the greatest practical extent.

What are the responsibilities of aircraft operators?

While the FAA and airports work hard to provide a safe and efficient airspace system, pilots are responsible for operating the aircraft flying through it. There are many types of aircraft operators, from individual private pilots to corporations who operate business aircraft, to commercial airlines. Regardless of the type of operation, pilots are responsible for flying their aircraft in a manner that complies with all federal rules and regulations and must follow instructions issued by air traffic controllers.

Aircraft operators are empowered to make certain decisions such as whether it is safe, practical and/or feasible to fly a voluntary noise abatement procedure at any given time. They also provide important input into the design, operation, and improvement of air traffic procedures. This helps ensure that the national airspace system continues to effectively accommodate the endless variety of aircraft types that use it.

Who is responsible for responding to questions and concerns about aircraft noise?

Everyone involved in managing or using the National Airspace System (NAS), or who is affected by its operation, plays an important role in reducing the noise produced by aircraft. This includes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airports, aircraft operators, commercial airlines, airports, local communities and elected officials, and the public.

What is the role of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in responding to questions and concerns about aircraft noise?

The FAA sets noise emission standards for aircraft, provides support for approved airport noise compatibility programs, and promotes research and development of new noise-reducing aircraft designs. It manages environmental analyses of new or modified air traffic procedures, and provides a wide array of resources, including online portals for submitting noise complaints and for researching proposed changes to procedures. The FAA even provides an interactive, artificial intelligence driven chatbot that can answer a variety of questions regarding air operations and the noise produced by them.

What is the role of airports in responding to questions and concerns about aircraft noise?

Airports work to reduce the effects of aircraft noise in a number of ways. While specific methods may vary from airport to airport, they include conducting FAA-sanctioned noise studies to identify non-compatible land uses and develop plans to mitigate noise in those locations; building physical barriers (berms, runup pads, etc.) to reduce the noise from aircraft on the ground; sound insulation programs, to better insulate building interiors from external noise due to aircraft; and encouraging the development and use of arrival or departure routes that minimize noise exposure in surrounding communities. Airports also often staff airport Noise Offices, tasked with promoting a variety of noise mitigation methods as well as acting as a liaison between the airport and community on noise issues.

What is the role of aircraft operators in responding to questions and concerns about aircraft noise?

Aircraft operators, especially commercial airlines, endeavor to minimize noise by upgrading to newer, quieter types of aircraft, by operating their aircraft in a manner that avoids generating noise unnecessarily, and by suggesting changes to operating procedures or route design that could reduce noise.

What is the role of general aviation (GA) pilots and flight schools in responding to questions and concerns about aircraft noise?

General aviation pilots and flight schools play a crucial role in minimizing aircraft noise by actively participating in noise abatement efforts, communicating with airports to understand and follow any airport or aircraft specific noise restrictions, and through community engagement. General aviation pilots make efforts to minimize aircraft noise disturbances by adhering to established noise abatement procedures at the airports they use. This includes utilizing preferential runways, observing restrictions on engine run-ups, and adhering to curfews, as specified by the airport. Pilots should contact airports for information on local noise policies and procedures.

Flight schools incorporate noise abatement procedures and best practices into their training programs, instructing student pilots on techniques like using preferential runways and approach/departure paths and avoiding noise-sensitive areas. Flight schools often proactively engage with the community to address concerns and educate residents about flight operations and efforts to mitigate noise.

What is the role of the local communities and elected officials in responding to questions and concerns about aircraft noise?

Local communities near airports, while not directly involved in operating the airspace or the aircraft within it, play a vital role as well in minimizing noise. Local jurisdictions can implement noise-compatible zoning, to ensure that land uses that are incompatible with expected aircraft noise levels are not constructed in those areas. Likewise, they can mandate construction standards sufficient to ensure that interior noise levels do not exceed desired limits. Communities provide important feedback to the FAA and airports regarding the effectiveness of existing noise mitigation measures, in addition to helping guide future efforts.

Aviation Noise

How do I file a noise complaint?

Airports have the primary responsibility for monitoring aircraft noise from their operations. Contact the airport directly for a noise disturbance from aircraft operating at a specific airport. For concerns or inquiries about noise standards, environmental impacts, flight procedures, or air traffic management, visit the How to File a Noise Complaint page for more information.

What is a noise abatement procedure?

A noise abatement procedure is a procedure used by aircraft at an airport to minimize the impact of noise on the communities surrounding an airport. Visit the Airport Noise page to learn more.

What is the Day Night Average Sound Level (DNL or Ldn), and why does the FAA use it?

The Day Night Average Sound Level (DNL or Ldn) noise metric is used to reflect a person's cumulative exposure to sound over a 24-hour period. DNL takes into account both the amount of noise from each aircraft operation as well as the total number of operations flying throughout the day and applies an additional 10dB weighting for nighttime flights between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

DNL is the FAA's required noise metric for the assessment of aircraft noise and was adopted through 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 150 as required to meet the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979. It should be made clear that DNL is an agency metric, not just used for specific lines of business. Part 150 applies broadly across the agency for this purpose not just for the airport specific provisions. Visit the Fundamentals of Noise and Sound page to learn more.

What is a noise model?

Noise models are computer models used to predict the levels of aircraft noise exposure produced over a geographic area. Noise models are used to efficiently and accurately evaluate aircraft noise, including assessing the potential noise impacts resulting from changes in aircraft operations.

The Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) is the FAA's required noise and environmental modeling application for all U.S. domestic regulatory analyses requiring FAA review. AEDT replaces several legacy environmental modeling tools, including the Integrated Noise Model (INM), the Noise Integrated Routing System (NIRS) and the Emissions Dispersion Modeling System (EDMS).

Why does the FAA use noise modeling versus noise monitoring?

Due to the need to generate detailed noise results over large areas, noise modeling is the only practical way to accurately and reliably determine geospatial noise effects in the surrounding community when analyzing proposals related to aviation noise.

The many challenges and limitations to using noise measurements for evaluating airport vicinity noise are summarized below:

• Non-aircraft sound can have a large influence on noise monitoring data, which can be difficult to separate from aircraft noise during data post-processing.
• Long-term (e.g., year-long) noise monitoring requires regular maintenance and calibration of the individual noise monitors on a continuous, year-round basis, which has considerable costs.
• To ensure the same accuracy and fidelity of data generated by noise models, an extremely large number of noise monitoring locations is required. (e.g. tens of thousands of noise monitors, collecting year-round data in the vicinity of an airport would be needed to match the fidelity and accuracy of noise modeling).
• Noise monitoring data is not capable of analyzing either "what if" scenarios or proposed future action airport and air space scenarios.

How does the FAA regulate aircraft noise?

The FAA regulates the maximum noise level that an individual civilian aircraft can emit by requiring aircraft to meet noise certification standards. For transport category aircraft and helicopters, these standards designate changes in maximum noise level requirements by "stage" designation. The U.S. noise standards are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 14 Part 36 - Noise Standards: Aircraft Type and Airworthiness Certification (14 CFR Part 36). Please visit the Aircraft Noise Levels & Stages page to learn more.

What is noise?

Noise is sound that is unwanted and, when measured for its effect on people, considers the response of the human ear. The human ear hears sound pressures over a wide range but also perceives how loud a sound is differently depending on the pitch or frequency of the sound.

The loudness of a noise is most often described in decibels, which are measured on a logarithmic scale, corresponding to the way our ears interpret sound pressures. When considering the noise exposure levels for people, the A-weighted frequency scale is most often used, which most closely approximates how the human ear responds to different sound frequencies. Different noise metrics such as the Day-Night Level (DNL) or Sound Exposure Level (SEL) can then be created to take into account different ways of looking at noise.

How does the FAA model noise?

The FAA uses sophisticated computer models to predict the levels of aircraft noise exposure produced over a geographic area. Noise models are used to efficiently and accurately evaluate aircraft noise, including assessing the potential noise impacts resulting from changes in aircraft operations.

The Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) is the FAA's required noise and environmental modeling application for all U.S. domestic regulatory analyses requiring FAA review. AEDT incorporates an extensive aircraft performance database as well as detailed aircraft noise and emissions information to accurately conduct environmental analysis around airports and the surrounding airspace.

Understanding Environmental Policy

How does the FAA conduct an Environmental Review?

The FAA's primary mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance and other environmental responsibilities are integral components of that mission. The FAA is responsible for complying with the procedures and policies of NEPA and other environmental laws, regulations, and orders applicable to FAA actions.

Under NEPA, federal agencies are required to disclose to decision-makers and the interested public a clear and accurate description of the potential environmental impacts that could arise from proposed federal actions. In the agency’s decision-making process, the FAA must consider and disclose the potential impacts of a proposed action and its alternatives on the quality of the human environment.

In meeting its NEPA obligations, the FAA should seek to achieve the policy objectives of 40 CFR § 1500.2 to the fullest extent possible. Once the FAA determines that NEPA applies to a proposed action, it needs to decide on the appropriate level of review. The three levels of NEPA review are Categorical Exclusion (CATEX), Environmental Assessment (EA), and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Specifically, each level of NEPA review considers the potential effects of the proposed action on the environmental resource categories identified in FAA Order 1050.1F. The FAA uses the corresponding thresholds that serve as specific indicators of significant impact for some environmental impact categories.

Environmental Study Process

Consideration of a Proposed Action under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
NEPA requires that the FAA evaluate the environmental and related social and economic effects of a proposed action.
Preliminary Technical Review
FAA conducts an internal technical review before deciding to consider moving forward with an environmental review.
Preliminary Environmental Review
FAA conducts an internal environmental review to evaluate any potential environmental concerns.
Internal Review and choice of appropriate level of NEPA review
Internal analysis such as the noise screening reports as well as input from the public are used to assist the FAA in determining the appropriate level of NEPA review to conduct.
Extraordinary Circumstances
Paragraph 5-2 of FAA Order 1050.1F identifies the range of factors that define Extraordinary Circumstances.
Significant Impacts
The FAA uses thresholds that serve as specific indicators of significant impact for some environmental impact categories. FAA proposed actions that would result in impacts at or above these thresholds require the preparation of an EIS, unless impacts can be reduced below threshold levels.

What is the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)?

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires analysis of potential impacts to the environment and when there are, considering alternatives and mitigation before approving federal actions. It was enacted in response to federal decision-making that did not adequately consider environmental impacts. Visit the Airport (NEPA) Environmental Review Process page to learn more.

What is the FAA doing around environmental protection?

The FAA follows the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when making changes to the airspace. The FAA has established programs for air quality, airport noise, wildlife hazard mitigation, environmental reviews, and compatible land use. Learn more by visiting the Airport Environmental Programs page.

What is an Environmental Review?

An environmental review is the process of reviewing a project and its potential environmental impacts to determine whether it complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related laws and authorities.

Environmental reviews are a critical element in FAA's efforts to manage airspace capacity and change aircraft routing while ensuring that environmental impacts, enhancements, and protection considerations are fully and properly analyzed. We provide environmental reviews for all of FAA's airspace redesign and procedure development projects concerning air space use and air traffic. Visit the Environmental Reviews page to learn more.

What are the levels of Environmental Review that the FAA considers as it follows NEPA?

Once the FAA determines that NEPA applies to a proposed action, it needs to decide on the appropriate level of review. The three levels of NEPA review are Categorical Exclusion (CATEX), Environmental Assessment (EA), and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

A Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) level of NEPA review is applicable for an established list of actions that do not, individually or cumulatively, have a significant impact on the environment. Additionally, the CATEX analyzes for the potential for extraordinary circumstances that could require more detailed NEPA review.

An Environmental Assessment (EA) is a concise public document that provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The purpose of an EA level of review is to determine whether a proposed action has the potential to significantly affect the human environment. If none of the potential impacts assessed in the EA are determined to be significant, the responsible FAA official prepares a FONSI, which briefly presents, in writing, the reasons why an action, not otherwise categorically excluded, would not have a significant impact on the human environment.

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a detailed written statement required under NEPA when one or more environmental impacts would be significant and mitigation measures cannot reduce the impact(s) below significant levels. Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts must be considered when determining significance. Where an EIS is prepared, the FAA will prepare a Record of Decision to document the FAA's decision on the proposed action, state whether all practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm from the selected alternatives have been adopted, and if not, why; and identify and discuss all factors, including any essential considerations of national policy, that were balanced by the agency in making its decision and state how those considerations entered into the decision.

What is a Categorical Exclusion (CATEX)?

A Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) level of NEPA review is applicable for an established list of actions that do not, individually or cumulatively, have a significant impact on the environment. Additionally, the CATEX analyzes for the potential for extraordinary circumstances that could require more detailed NEPA review. To find out more about FAA NEPA procedures, visit the Airport Environmental Review Process page.

What is an Environmental Assessment (EA)?

An Environmental Assessment (EA) is a concise public document that provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The purpose of an EA level of review is to determine whether a proposed action has the potential to significantly affect the human environment. If none of the potential impacts assessed in the EA are determined to be significant, the responsible FAA official prepares a FONSI, which briefly presents, in writing, the reasons why an action, not otherwise categorically excluded, would not have a significant impact on the human environment.

What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a clear, concise, and appropriately detailed document that provides the agency decision makers and the public with a full and fair discussion of the significant environmental impacts of the Proposed Action and reasonable alternatives.

An EIS is a detailed written statement required under NEPA when one or more environmental impacts would be significant and mitigation measures cannot reduce the impact(s) below significant levels. Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts must be considered when determining significance. Visit the Best Practices for Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Management page to learn more.

Why doesn't the FAA do more Environmental Reviews?

Proposed actions and decisions by FAA officials are subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The FAA is responsible for complying with the procedures and policies of NEPA and other environmental laws, regulations, and orders applicable to FAA actions. The FAA decision-making process must consider and disclose the potential impacts of a proposed action and its alternatives on the quality of the human environment. In meeting its NEPA obligations, the FAA should seek to achieve the policy objectives of 40 CFR § 1500.2 to the fullest extent possible. The FAA must integrate NEPA and other environmental reviews and consultations into agency planning processes as early as possible.

Environmental issues should be identified and considered early in a proposed action's planning process to ensure efficient, timely, and effective environmental review. Initiating the appropriate level of environmental review at the earliest possible time facilitates the NEPA process. Specific FAA actions subject to NEPA review can include, but are not limited to, grants, loans, contracts, leases, construction and installation actions, procedural actions, research activities, rulemaking and regulatory actions, certifications, licensing, permits, plans submitted to the FAA that require the FAA's approval, and legislation proposed by the FAA.

How do I get my house sound insulated?

The process for sound insulation begins with your local airport conducting a Part 150 Study (also referred to as Airport Noise Compatibility Planning). This Part 150 Study then generates a noise contour map that identifies the homes that fall within the 65 or greater DNL (Day-Night Average Sound Level). These homes are the ones that will be considered for sound insulation. Please contact your local airport to find out the status of a Part 150 Report for you community. To search for airports around your specific location, use the FAA Airport Mapping Application, or visit the FAA's Office of Airports page.

FAA Leadership

Who is the FAA Administrator?

Bryan Bedford is the current FAA Administrator. Please visit the FAA’s Key Officials page to learn more about key officials at the FAA.

Who is the FAA Deputy Administrator?

Chris Rocheleau is the current FAA Deputy Administrator. Please visit the FAA’s Key Officials page to learn more about key officials at the FAA.

Who is the U.S. Secretary of Transportation?

Sean Duffy is the current U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Please visit the FAA’s Key Officials page to learn more about key officials at the FAA.

What is the structure of FAA leadership?

Please visit the FAA's Key Officials page to view a list of key officials with links to their bios. Visit the FAA's Offices page to view an organizational chart.

Regional Administrators and Ombudsman

What is the FAA’s National Engagement and Regional Administration (ARA) Organization?

The FAA’s National Engagement and Regional Administration (ARA) organization is responsible for outreach initiatives, emergency transportation preparedness and response, and daily oversight and implementation of FAA programs and initiatives. The nationwide organization, based in Washington, D.C., facilitates coordination among nine Regional Offices strategically located across the country and provides leadership and horizontal integration on issues and programs involving multiple FAA organizations. Visit the National Engagement and Regional Administration page to learn more.

What is the role of an FAA Regional Administrator?

FAA Regional Administrators are the senior officials in each of the FAA’s nine geographic areas in the U.S. They ensure that FAA is providing consistent stakeholder support and engagement while collaborating with federal, state, and local governments, and others to promote aviation safety and STEM education across the Region. Please visit the National Engagement and Regional Administration page to learn more.

Who are the FAA Regional Administrators?

Visit the National Engagement & Regional Administration’s Key Officials page for a list of Regional Administrators by area.

What is the role of an FAA Regional Ombudsman?

Regional Ombudsman is a designated role that works with the Regional Administrator to ensure public inquiries related to aviation noise, pollution, and safety are properly addressed. Each Community Engagement Officer (CEO) serves as the designated Regional Ombudsman for their specific region, as the role is concurrent with the CEO’s community outreach responsibilities.

The Regional Ombudsman serves as a regional liaison with the public, including community groups, on issues regarding aircraft noise, pollution and safety; makes recommendations to the Regional Administrator for the region to address concerns raised by the public and improve the consideration of public comments in decision-making processes; and is consulted on proposed changes in aircraft operations affecting the region, including arrival and departure routes, in order to minimize environmental impacts, including noise. Visit the Regional Ombudsman page to find the contact information for your local ombudsman.

How do I contact the Regional Ombudsman for my area?

Visit the Regional Ombudsman page to locate a complete list of all Regional Ombudsman and their contact information.

How do I report a safety concern?

Visit the Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) page to contact an FSDO for safety concerns, low-flying aircraft, and accident reporting; air carrier certification; aircraft maintenance; aircraft operational issues; aircraft permits; airmen certification (licensing) for pilots, mechanics, repairmen, dispatchers, and parachute riggers; certification and modification issues; enforcement of airmen and aircraft regulations; and illegal air charters. Click on the interactive FSDO map to find your local office.

Aircraft safety is governed by Federal Aviation Regulations, including minimum safe altitudes. Please note, noise from low-flying aircraft is not considered a safety issue and should not be reported to the FSDO. If you would like to submit a noise inquiry or complaint, please visit the FAA Aviation Noise Complaint and Inquiry Response page.