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United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

AC 171-1 - Establish, Operate, and Maintain Non-federal Systems

Document Information

Number
171-1
Title
Establish, Operate, and Maintain Non-federal Systems
Status
Active
Date issued
2024-07-02
Office of Primary Responsibility
AJW-121, Advanced Systems Design Service Team
Description

This advisory circular (AC) provides a high-level overview of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Non-federal Program policy for establishing, owning, operating, and maintaining a non-federal system/service in the National Airspace System (NAS). (This document will use the term “system” to represent “system/service.”) It will familiarize the system owner (referred to as the “sponsor” or “you” from this point forward) with Non-federal Program policies and procedures. Additionally, it addresses your responsibilities and expected expenses. After reading this AC you will understand why it is important to work closely with the Advanced Systems Design Service (ASDS) Team’s Non-federal Program.


This AC does not pertain to stand-alone lighting systems covered in the latest edition of AC 150/5345-53, Airport Lighting Equipment Certification Program. The guidance in this AC does not apply to systems used specifically for Uncrewed Aircraft System Traffic Management, Urban Air Mobility, or Advanced Air Mobility Traffic Management, at this time. In addition, this order does not pertain to non-federal airport traffic control towers, or control towers in the FAA Contract Tower Program, although certain systems within these towers may be subject to oversight by the Non-federal Program

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