Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your FAA questions.
You can find information about age requirements to get your medical certificate on our website.
The Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) is a formal standing advisory committee made up of representatives from aviation associations, aviation industry, public interest groups, advocacy groups, and interested members of the public.
The FAA tasks ARAC to provide advice and recommendations concerning a full range of aviation-related issues.
The purpose of the UPP is to demonstrate the integration of a prototype enterprise service into the FAA framework to support initial UAS traffic management (UTM) operations. This enterprise service will be used for sharing of intent and situational awareness information between the FAA and UTM operators.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
The FAA does not regulate unaccompanied minors. Please contact the airline you are flying on for specific requirements.
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.
FAA Regional Administrators are the Senior FAA officials in each of the Agency's nine geographic areas in the U.S. These administrators ensure that FAA is providing consistent stakeholder support and engagement while partnering with Federal, state and local governments and others to promote Aviation Safety and STEM Education across the region.
To learn more about the Offices of the Regional Administrator, visit: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ara/
The Regional Ombudsman is a designated role that works with the Regional Administrator to ensure public inquires related to aviation noise, pollution, and safety are properly addressed.
Each Community Engagement Officer serves as the Regional Ombudsman for their specific region, as the role is concurrent with the community outreach responsibilities of the CEO.
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.
- Is consulted on proposed changes in aircraft operations affecting the region, including arrival and departure routes, in order to minimize environmental impacts, including noise.
To contact the FAA Regional Ombudsman for your area, visit: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/noise_emissions/airport_aircraft_noise_issues/noise_ombudsman/.
The South-Central Florida Metroplex project was an initiative to improve the operational safety and efficiency of airspace in the South-Central Florida Metroplex area by using accurate, repeatable Performance Based Navigation to optimize aircraft arrival and departure procedures to and from the 21 airports in the Metroplex study as.
To learn more about the South-Central Florida Metroplex Project, visit:
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/community_engagement/florida/.
Please visit the FAA’s Key Officials page to view an organizational chart of all officials.
TRUST is an aeronautical knowledge and safety test developed by the FAA for recreational drone flyers. All recreational drone flyers flying under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft must take and pass TRUST at their earliest opportunity and carry proof of passage when flying.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
The Transportation Security Administration regulates what can and cannot be carried on board an airliner. You can find a list of permitted/prohibited items on their website.
Federal agencies are public agencies and as such operate under the same rules of those of a city, county, state or tribal agency.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
The following conditions are listed in the regulations as disqualifying medical conditions; however, in many cases when the condition is adequately controlled, the FAA will issue medical certification contingent on periodic reports.
- Angina pectoris
- Bipolar disease
- Cardiac valve replacement
- Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant
- Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications
- Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory explanation of cause
- Epilepsy
- Heart replacement
- Myocardial infarction
- Permanent cardiac pacemaker
- Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts
- Psychosis
- Substance abuse
- Substance dependence
- Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory explanation of cause.
Other conditions not specifically listed in the regulations are also disqualifying. For further information refer to the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.
You can find information about disqualifying medical conditions on our website.
The following conditions are listed in the regulations as disqualifying medical conditions; however, in many cases when the condition is adequately controlled, the FAA will issue medical certification contingent on periodic reports.
- Angina pectoris
- Bipolar disease
- Cardiac valve replacement
- Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant
- Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications
- Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory explanation of cause
- Epilepsy
- Heart replacement
- Myocardial infarction
- Permanent cardiac pacemaker
- Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts
- Psychosis
- Substance abuse
- Substance dependence
- Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory explanation of cause.
Other conditions not specifically listed in the regulations are also disqualifying. For further information refer to the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.
The medical standards for each class of medical certificate are set forth in 14 CFR Part 67.
If the UAS or drone you are operating weighs less than 55 pounds, you may apply for a Part 107 waiver to conduct your operation. If your operation involves a UAS or drone that weighs 55 pounds or more, you may apply for an exemption under the Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Systems (U.S.C. 44807).
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
Generally, the FAA's first course of action is to educate operators when they are willing and able to comply. To date, there have been no local entities that are unwilling to come into compliance.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
The FAA does not have procedures for building a private-use facility, but you may follow the design standards for public-use airports as a general guideline. You can find these standards in Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5300-13, Airport Design or Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5390-2, Heliport Design. You can also find additional ACs that may be useful on our website.
You must notify us if you establish a new private use facility. Private-use facilities must comply with 14 CFR Part 157, Notice of Construction, Alteration, Activation, and Deactivation. Part 157 applies if you are proposing to construct, alter, activate, or deactivate a civil or joint use (civil/military) facility or alter the status or use of the facility. To notify the FAA, please use the Digital 7480-1 module found on the Airport Data and Information Portal website to submit the proposal. For help with using the Airport Data and Information Portal website, please use the Digital 7480-1 User Guide for assistance.
IMPORTANT: Even if you file a notice with the FAA, you must separately notify your state aviation agency and also comply with any local law, ordinance, or state and federal regulations.
Public education institutions that provide training on the use of unmanned aircraft must operate under 14 CFR Part 107. ALso, if the operating location or mission are not authorized under the 14 CFR part 107 rule, they must request a waiver or authorization from the FAA.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
You must have the validity of the foreign license and medical certificate or endorsement you hold verified by the Civil Aviation Authority that issued those certificates.
The FAA has devised a form entitled Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating, and Medical Certification (PDF). You must submit this information, along with a copy of the license you wish to have verified, to:
Airmen Certification Branch
AFS-760
PO Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082
For more detailed information you should review the information available at the following links: