Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS)

	In our continuing effort to improve EFVS operational policy and the quality of service, the Flight Operations Group encourages EFVS stakeholders to provide feedback directly to our EFVS Operational Policy Team. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
	Please send us feedback on your EFVS operations here, or through your tablet. The data you provide helps us evaluate sensor performance and informs future operational credit policy.
	EFVS User Feedback Summary. The information from the EFVS User Feedback web form is used to inform improvements to EFVS operational policy and increase awareness of EFVS sensor performance in the EFVS operator community.
	Operators without a “radio altimeter tolerant airplane” are prohibited from conducting EFVS operations to touchdown and rollout under § 91.176(a) at airports in the 48 contiguous U.S. Operators should consult their aircraft OEM for information regarding their aircraft’s “radio altimeter tolerant” status. More information can be found in Airworthiness Directive 2023-10-02.
	As the supply of incandescent lamps used in approach lighting systems dwindles, the FAA has begun using Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps to keep the approach lighting up and running. This page includes information regarding the dissemination of information of LED installation locations.

The following materials are available for your reference:

Regulations

Applicable FAA regulations for EFVS operations and pilot requirements.

Advisory Circulars (AC)

Applicable FAA Advisory Circulars for EFVS operations and EFVS airworthiness approval.

FAA Internal Guidance

Applicable inspector guidance material on the FAA Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS).

Application Guides

The application guides may not work properly if viewed or manipulated using a web browser (Chrome, Edge, etc.). Please use Adobe to view, complete, and save the appropriate application guide.

Date	Title	Revision
10/23/2024	Part 91 – Application Guide	8
10/03/2022	Part 91K – Application Guide	2
10/19/2022	Part 121 – Application Guide	3
10/03/2022	Part 129 – Application Guide	2
11/18/2024	Part 135 – Application Guide	6

Informational Documents

Information to clearly, and simply, explain certain EFVS topics. The informational documents may be viewed on either your web browser (Chrome, Edge, etc.) or you can use Adobe.

EFVS Newsletters

Contact the Flight Operations Group’s EFVS focal point (listed below) for assistance with EFVS operational policy.

EFVS Focal Point: Scott McLellan
Email: 9-AVS-AFS-EFVS@faa.gov

Aviation Safety (AVS)

Flight Technologies and Procedures Division

Organizational Effectiveness

Mission

Organizational Effectiveness ensures consistency, interdependence, critical thinking, and agility across the Division through implementation of SMS, SAS, QMS, workforce development, and communications.

Responsibilities

• Ensures the maintenance and implementation of the QMS and quality processes are applied across the division.
• Manages workforce development effort for division employees and maintains the efforts for the Flight Standards Services OJT program.
• Conducts strategic planning for the division through tools including the One Division Plan and the Annual Performance Plan.
• Analyzes and evaluates field execution of special training programs related to flight technologies and PBN and assists the agency in the conduct of approved programs.

Projects and Programs

• Business planning for the division
• One Division Plan
• Communications for the division
• Change management

• Employee development (including division workshops, OJT)
• QMS and division processes
• Records management (filing, document control, correspondence)
• Safety Programs (SAS, SMS)

Address:
Federal Aviation Administration
Flight Technologies and Procedures Division
Organizational Effectiveness
6500 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Building 26, Suite 217
Oklahoma City, OK 73169

Email:9-awa-avs-afs405@faa.gov

Performance Based Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee (PARC)

The PARC provides a forum for the United States (U.S.) aviation community to discuss, prioritize, and resolve issues, provide direction for U.S. flight operations criteria and produce U.S. consensus positions for global harmonization. PARC input was invaluable in the drafting of the Roadmap for Performance-Based Navigation as well as the PBN NAS Navigation Strategy, and they have helped update numerous FAA regulatory documents. They continue to provide guidance and recommendations to help the FAA transition to a performance-based National Airspace System.

Brief History of the PARC

• Sponsored by AVS, the TAOARC was formed as a forum for the Aviation Industry to have their voices heard, November 2001
• Membership reduced and transitioned to the PARC with FAA Order 1110.139, February 2004
• The PARC charter was renewed in March 2006 and 2008, June 2010, 2014, 2018, and most recently in May 2022 for four years

Chair: Ronald Renk, United Airlines
FAA Co-Chair: Chris Hope, Manager, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division

PARC Charter(PDF)

PARC Products

Questions about the PARC, email Heather Mehler.

Office of Foundational Business

Executive Leadership:

• Victor L. Goodell (A)
  Director, Office of Foundational Business
• William J. McGowan (A) (AFB-2)
  Acting Deputy Director, Office of Foundational Business

The Office of Foundational Business provides resource and business management services to the entire Flight Standards Service and manages aircraft and airmen registration services for the public.

The Office of Foundational Business is responsible for the following:

1. Provides human resource management, administrative, staffing, budget and logistical services to the entire Service.
2. Manages and directs all matters associated with the planning, programming, and implementation of the Aircraft Registration and Airmen Certification Programs.
3. Represents the quality control and assurance arm of the Service’s Safety Management System (SMS) responsible for the application of safety management and quality management within the Service, and for identifying risks that transcend individual regulated entities, straddle multiple sectors of the industry, and/or rise to the level at which they require national or governmental attention.
4. Recruits and hires high-quality individuals for the Service and ensures their development is tailored to the individual and aligned to the needs of the Service.

The Office of Foundational Business is comprised of the following six divisions:

• Civil Aviation Registry Division
• Mission Services Division
• Safety Risk Management Division
• Strategic Planning and Financial Services Division
• Workforce Development Division
• Workforce Services Division

Flight Standards Service Key Officials

Larry Fields
Executive Director, Flight Standards Service, AFX-1 

Vacant
Deputy Executive Director, Flight Standards Service, AFX-2A

Hugh Thomas (Acting)
Deputy Executive Director, Flight Standards Service, AFX-2B

Dennis J. Hill (Acting)
Director, Office of Air Carrier Safety Assurance, AFC-1

Vacant
Deputy Director, Office of Air Carrier Safety Assurance, AFC-2A

Thomas A. Baird, Jr. (Acting)
Deputy Director, Office of Air Carrier Safety Assurance, AFC-2B

Hardie H. DeGuzman
Director, Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance, AFG-1

Calvin Tillman 
Deputy Director, Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance, AFG-2A

Thomas A. Winston
Deputy Director, Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance, AFG-2B

Timothy R. Adams (Acting)
Director, Office of Safety Standards, AFS-1

Robert Reckert (Acting)
Deputy Director, Office of Safety Standards, AFS-2A

Vacant
Deputy Director, Office of Safety Standards, AFS-2B

Victor L. Goodell (A)
Director, Office of Foundational Business, AFB-1

Vacant
Deputy Director, Office of Foundational Business, AFB-2A

Vacant
Deputy Director, Office of Foundational Business, AFB-2B  

Office of Air Carrier Safety Assurance

Executive Leadership:

• J. Dennis Hill
  Acting Director, Office of Air Carrier Safety Assurance

• Thomas L. Baird, Jr.
  Acting Deputy Director, Office of Air Carrier Safety Assurance

The Office of Air Carrier Safety Assurance is comprised of divisions, which share responsibilities and balance the level of work identified below:

1. Provides all certification and oversight activities for aviation entities conducting operations under, or integrally related to, 14 CFR Part 121.
2. Ensures consistency and standardization in application of oversight activities, applies Risk-Based Decision Making (RBDM) for enhanced and focused utilization of certification and surveillance resources, and works across the Service to ensure stakeholder and public needs are proactively and expeditiously met.
3. Investigates accidents, incidents, and possible violations of 14 CFR and ensures compliance of operators’ flight procedures, operating methods, airmen qualifications and proficiency, and aircraft maintenance conducted under, or integrally related to, 14 CFR Part 121.

Air Carrier Safety Assurance Leadership

• James Brannon, Acting Division Manager
• Thomas F. Malone, Division Manager
• Andrew Ayers, Acting Division Manager
• Michael McNerny, Acting Division Manager
• Kirk F. Baldin, Acting Division Manager
• Michael Drew, Division Manager

ACSA Division Oversight

Flight Standards Service Office:

• Certificate Management Offices

Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance (GASA)

Executive Leadership:

• Hardie H. DeGuzman
  Director, Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance
• Calvin D. Tillman
  Deputy Director, Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance
• Thomas A. Winston
  Deputy Director, Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance

The Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance represents one of two offices that constitute the safety assurance component of the FAA Flight Standards Service Safety Management System (SMS).

The office is comprised of 75 Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs), the Part 142 Certificate Management Office, and seven support offices which are functionally aligned under nine Divisions. The FSDO’s are primarily responsible for the certification, surveillance, and certificate management of all air carriers, air operators, airmen, and air agencies in the following Federal Regulations: 14 CFR Parts 43, 61, 65, 91, 125,133, 135, 137, 141,142, 145, 147, 183, and other areas. The FSDOs are not involved in Part 121 air carriers.

This office is responsible for effectively utilizing risk-based decision making (RBDM) processes to ensure consistent outcomes for internal and external stakeholders. These outcomes are rooted in federal regulations, FAA policies, and organizational standards to attain the highest levels of aviation safety.

Contact the local FSDO for:

• Low-flying aircraft
• Accident Reporting
• Air carrier certification and operations
• 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 & Aircraft Regulations
• Illegal Charters

Contact GASA

GASA Organizational Chart(PDF)

Find your nearest Flight Standards District Office?

General Aviation Safety Assurance Division

• Aaron Robinson, Acting Division Manager
• Eric Manchon, Acting Division Manager
• Augusto Casado, Division Manager
• Leisha Bell, Division Manager
• Jeffery Phipps, Division Manager
• Bobby M. Hedlund, Division Manager
• Jonathan Moss, Acting Division Manager
• Jennifer Anderson, Acting Division Manager
• Gerald Boots, Division Manager

Aviation Safety (AVS)

Use the following links to provide feedback on our business and technical processes.

Select a Service or Office

• Aviation Safety (AVS)
  • Accident Investigation and Prevention (AVP)
  • Aerospace Medicine (AAM)
  • Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service (AOV)
  • Aircraft Certification Service (AIR)
  • Flight Standards Service
  • Organization Designation Authorization Office (ODA)
  • Office of Business Integration (ABI)
  • Rulemaking (ARM)
  • UAS Integration Office (AUS)

For all other feedback, please visit the Contact FAA page.

Decision Considerations Disease Protocols

• OSA Status Report - Initial(PDF)
• OSA Status Report - Recertification(PDF)
• OSA Treated with PAP and Use of Two Machines(PDF)
• Quick-Start for the AME(PDF)
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Reference Materials

Sleep apnea has significant safety implications due to cognitive impairment secondary to the lack of restorative sleep and is disqualifying for airman medical certification. The condition is part of a group of sleep disorders with varied etiologies. Specifically, sleep apneas are characterized by abnormal respiration during sleep. The etiology may be obstructive, central or complex in nature. However, no matter the cause, the manifestations of this disordered breathing present safety risks that include, but are not limited to, excessive daytime sleepiness (daytime hypersomnolence), cardiac dysrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, personality disturbances, refractory hypertension and, as mentioned above, cognitive impairment. Certification may be considered once effective treatment is shown.

This protocol is designed to evaluate airmen who may be presently at risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and to outline the certification requirements for airmen diagnosed with OSA. While this protocol focuses on OSA, the AME must also be mindful of other sleep-related disorders such as insomnia, parasomnias, sleep-related movement disorders (e.g. restless leg syndrome and periodic leg movement), central sleep apnea and other hypersomnias, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, etc., that may also interfere with restorative sleep. All sleep disorders are also potentially medically disqualifying if left untreated. If one of these other sleep-related disorders is initially identified during the examination, the AME must contact their RFS or AMCD for guidance.

Risk Information

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has established the risk criteria(PDF) (utilizing Tables 2 and 3) for OSA. When applying Table 2 and 3, the AME is expected to employ their clinical judgment. Educational information for airmen can be found in the FAA Pilot Safety Brochure on Obstructive Sleep Apnea(PDF).

Persons with physical findings such as a retrograde mandible, large tongue or tonsils, neuromuscular disorders, or connective tissue anomalies are at risk of OSA requiring treatment despite a normal or low BMI. OSA is also associated with conditions such as refractory hypertension requiring more than two medications for control, diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation. Over 90% of individuals with a BMI of 40 or greater have OSA requiring treatment. Up to 30% of individuals with OSA have a BMI less than 30.

AME Actions - On every exam, the Examiner must triage the applicant into one of 6 groups:

• If the applicant is on a Special Issuance Authorization for OSA (Group/Box 1 of OSA flow chart(PDF)), select Group 1 on the AME Action Tab:
  • Follow AASI/SI for OSA(PDF)
  • Notate in Block 60; and
  • Issue, if otherwise qualified
• If the applicant has had a prior sleep assessment (Group/Box 2 of OSA flow chart(PDF)), select Group 2 on the AME Action Tab:
  • If the airman is under treatment, provide the requirements of the AASI and advise the airman they must get the Authorization of Special Issuance;
  • Give the applicant Specification Sheet A(PDF) and advise that a letter will be sent from the Federal Air Surgeon requesting more information. The letter will state that the applicant has 90 days to provide the information to the FAA/AME;
  • Notate in Box 60;
  • Issue, if otherwise qualified
• If the applicant does not have an AASI/SI or has not had a previous assessment, the AME must:
  • Calculate BMI(PDF); and
  • Consider AASM risk criteria Table 2 & 3(PDF)
  • If the AME determines the applicant is not currently at risk for OSA (Group/Box 3 of OSA flow chart(PDF)), select Group 3 on the AME Action Tab:
    • Notate in Block 60; and
    • Issue, if otherwise qualified
  • If the applicant is at risk for OSA but in the opinion of the AME the applicant is at low risk for OSA, the AME must (Group/Box 4 of OSA flow chart(PDF)), select Group 4 on the AME Action Tab:
    • Discuss OSA risks with applicant;
    • Provide resource and educational information, as appropriate;
    • Issue, if otherwise qualified; and
    • Notate in Block 60
• If the applicant is at high risk for OSA, the AME must (Group/Box 5 of OSA flow chart(PDF)), select Group 5 on the AME Action Tab:
  • Give the applicant Specification Sheet B(PDF) and advise that a letter will be sent from the Federal Air Surgeon requesting more information. The letter will state that the applicant has 90 days to provide the information to the FAA/AME;
  • Notate in Block 60; and
  • Issue, if otherwise qualified
• If the AME observes or the applicant reports symptoms which are severe enough to represent an immediate risk to aviation safety of the national airspace (Group/Box 6 of OSA flow chart(PDF)), select Group 6 on the AME Action Tab.
  • Notate in Block 60
  • THE AME MUST DEFER

AASM Tables 2 and 3(PDF)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Flow Chart(PDF)

Specification Sheet A - Information Request(PDF)

Specification Sheet B - Assessment Request(PDF)