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 (GASA) is one of two offices comprising the Safety Assurance component within the FAA Flight Standards Service's Safety Management System (SMS). GASA manages a network organized into nine functional divisions, comprised of Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs), the Part 142 Certificate Management Office, and several support offices.  

Responsibilities
The FSDOs under GASA are responsible for the certification, oversight, and management of airmen, air carriers, air operators, and air agencies governed by the following federal aviation regulations:

• 14 CFR Parts: 43, 61, 65, 91,107,133, 135, 137, 141, 142, 145, 147, 183, and others as applicable.

The office applies Risk-Based Decision Making (RBDM) to drive consistent and regulatory-aligned outcomes for both internal and external stakeholders. This data-driven approach supports GASA’s mission to maintain and elevate aviation safety standards across the general aviation sector.

Contact Your Local FSDO For Assistance With:

•    Reports of low-flying aircraft
•    Aviation accident reporting
•    Air carrier certification and operational oversight
•    Aircraft maintenance and operational concerns
•    Issuance of aircraft permits
•    Airmen certification (pilots, mechanics, repairmen, dispatchers, parachute riggers)
•    Certification and modification inquiries
•    Regulatory enforcement related to airmen and aircraft
•    Suspected cases of illegal charter operations

Contact GASA

GASA Organizational Chart(PDF)

Find your nearest Flight Standards District Office?

General Aviation Safety Assurance Division

• Elbert M. Bush, 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

• 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)

Policy

Legal Interpretations

• Foreign National Flight Attendants – World Airways (2002)(PDF)
• Pre-Employment – McElroy (2005)(PDF)
• Fabrication as Maintenance – Pratt and Whitney (2006)(PDF)
• Holders of Multiple Certificates – Dworkin (2008)(PDF)
• Flight Release – Jackson (2010)(PDF)
• Refusal and Permanent Disqualification – ARSA (2010)(PDF)
• Subcontractor Fabrication – Piedmont Propulsion System (2012)(PDF)
• Air Tour Operation – Mason (2012)(PDF)
• OST and FAA-Alcohol Test Result Records – Jobe (2012)(PDF)
• Notification During Performing – Kalitta Air (2013)(PDF)
• Notification During Performing – Pasternack (2013)(PDF)
• Long-call Reserve Status – Ameristar Air Cargo (2014)(PDF)
• Pre-Employment – Schaff-DynamicAirways (2014)(PDF)
• Flight Duty Time – Bonner (2015)(PDF)
• Air Tour Operations – Ragland-Double Eagle Aviation (2015)(PDF)
• Part 135 Emergency Maintenance – Gucwa (2016)(PDF)
• Reasonable Suspicion – Reidhead (2016)(PDF)
• Reasonable Cause – Rose Aircraft Services (2016)(PDF)
• Non-Certificated Maintenance Providers – Sirr-Metal Innovations (2016)(PDF)
• Parts Receiving - Filler-ARSA (2017) (PDF)
• Drug and Alcohol Reporting - Hetz - Frigid Air (2024) (PDF)

Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) Office

ODA Office Updates

The FAA established the ODA office in 2019, which was required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 and is part of the FAA's ODA program.

The FAA realigned the ODA office in April 2021 to report directly to the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety. This reporting structure reflects the FAA's priority to oversee, standardize, and ensure consistency in the ODA office's activities.

In response to the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act, Pub. L. 116‐260, Div. V, Section 103, the FAA appointed a panel of experts in January 2023 to review Boeing’s safety management processes and how they relate to Boeing’s safety culture. The Expert Review Panel included individuals from NASA, the FAA, labor unions, air carriers, manufacturers with delegated authority, legal experts, independent engineering experts, and others. The Expert Review Panel published its report on February 26, 2024.

Contact Us

Delegation Program Feedback

or email: 9-AVS-ODA-Office@faa.gov

Informational Links

49 U.S. Code § 44736 ‐ Organization Designation Authorizations
Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (ACSAA)
Designees and Delegations
Designee Management System (DMS)
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
ODA Office Organizational Structure
ODA for Transport Airplanes Expert Review Panel

Air Carrier and General Aviation Safety Assurance Offices

Certification and Evaluation Branches

This office is responsible for providing Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) and Certificate Holding District Offices (CHDO) with staff support, expert technical guidance, and training in the certification process using the Certification Process Document (CPD) for part 121, 125, 135 and 145 applicants, and major changes to an existing certificate holders' Operations Specifications using the Major Change Process Document (MCPD). These branches develop and provide input to air carrier inspector handbooks and serve as the focal point for application of agency guidance regarding certification, certificate management, and surveillance for air carriers.

The branches are also responsible for managing the National Certificate Holder Evaluation Program (CHEP). A National CHEP evaluates part 121 air carriers, part 145 repair stations, and part 135 certificate holders for regulatory compliance on a five-year schedule. The office also provides Post-Accident Assistance Teams to CHDOs.

Stakeholder Feedback Form

General Aviation Safety Assurance 

John Riggs, Branch Manager
Federal Aviation Administration 
13873 Park Center Road
Suite 160 Herndon, VA 20171

Email

Air Carrier Safety Assurance 

David L. Lusk, Branch Manager
Federal Aviation Administration 
1701 Columbia Avenue, Office 465E
College Park, GA 30337

Email

Safety Analysis & Promotion Division

Field Support Program Office

The Field Support Program Office (FSPO) serves as the link between knowledge and practical application for the Flight Standards workforce through outreach, training, and tailored technical assistance to continuously improve system safety.

Field Support provides all Safety Assurance Offices and other specific Flight Standards Offices with technical guidance in a continuing effort to promote the standardized application of Safety Assurance System (SAS) business processes, system safety concepts, and associated automation.

Field Support develops and provides on-site and virtual support in the form of effective and efficient briefings, live interactive webinars, and educational support materials to internal and external stakeholders.  Additionally, Field Support assists in training development and provides formal FAA training to the Flight Standards workforce.

Field Support contacts SAS Users that have submitted information into the SAS Feedback system and incorporates their input into educational products and assists in analyzing the information for the continuous improvement of SAS policy and automation.

Field Support provides assistance for Initial Certification, Certification Services Oversight Process (CSOP), and External Portal through the SAS Certification Helpdesk.  This includes the development of supporting materials, such as Checklists and Q Cards, which are readily available on the SAS Resource Guide (SRG) for internal stakeholders and the External Portal Information Guide for external stakeholders.

Contact:
Suzette Rash, Manager
Federal Aviation Administration
13873 Park Center Road, Suite 160
Herndon, VA 20171

Phone:  703-776-0677

Email

Flight Procedures and Airspace Group

Special Instrument Flight Procedures

Special Procedures information (active and pending) is provided below in two formats: An interactive dashboard and a downloadable spreadsheet. Distribution of procedure documentation is restricted to authorized users in accordance with FAA Order 8260.60. All inquiries from authorized users should be directed to the appropriate responsible office as listed in FAA Order 8260.60.

Dashboard users can select views by Aircraft Type or Service Provider at right. Hover over the icons and map to select from a variety of search, navigation and other options.

• Special Procedures spreadsheet

Archive

For questions or comments regarding this list of Special procedures (both active and pending), contact Flight Procedures and Airspace Group.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B)

Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS–B) is an advanced surveillance technology that combines an aircraft’s positioning source, aircraft avionics, and a ground infrastructure to create an accurate surveillance interface between aircraft and ATC. ADS–B is a performance–based surveillance technology that is more precise than radar and consists of two different services: ADS–B Out and ADS–B In.

ADS-B Out works by broadcasting information about an aircraft's GPS location, altitude, ground speed and other data to ground stations and other aircraft, once per second. ADS-B Out airspace and equipment requirements are contained in 14 CFR § 91.225 and the equipment performance requirements are contained in §91.227. ADS-B In provides operators of properly equipped aircraft with weather and traffic position information delivered directly to the cockpit.

Here you can find links to ADS-B regulations and guidance, as well as detailed information on the airspace and equipment requirements and capabilities.

Note: The FAA does not require an authorization to conduct ADS-B Out operations in the airspace specified in § 91.225 (U.S. airspace). Additionally, there is no authorization required to use ADS-B In for basic traffic situational awareness. However, an authorization is required to conduct the more advanced operations using ADS-B In, such as CDTI Assisted Visual Separation (CAVS), and In-Trail Procedure. You will find information and links to guidance material here.

OpSpec A354 – To conduct ADS-B In-Trail Procedure, the Operator must request and be issued OpSpec A354.

OpSpec A355 – To conduct CDTI Assisted Visual Separation (CAVS) using ADS-B IN, the Operator must request and be issued OpSpec A355. To expedite the process, the A355 Operator Application Checklist (CAVS) should be used.

For more information, please visit NextGen Equip ADS-B.

General Aviation & Commercial Division

Safety Outreach Group

The Safety Outreach Group oversees the National FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam). The FAASTeam is responsible for developing program requirements, technical guidance and policies for use by the FAASTeam Program Managers (FPMs) to support the FAASTeam National Performance Plan (NPP).

The FAASTeam fulfills its mission by managing and supporting the Safety Liaison Team (SLT) Leads and field personnel holding the position of FAASTeam Program Managers (FPMs). The FAASTeam develops and provides national safety promotion initiatives as well as national policy and guidance. Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) utilize assigned FPMs to accomplish the FAASTeam NPP to achieve the FAASTeam safety program goals.

Our mission is to “Lower the Nation’s aviation accident rate by conveying safety principles and practices through training, outreach, and education; while establishing partnerships and encouraging the continual growth of a positive safety culture within the aviation community.”

The FAASTeam advises the AFS-800 Division, and other officials on the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to the FAASTeam Mission. The FAASTeam is responsible for the development of the FAASafety.gov website and programs associated with it and responsible for the FAA Safety Briefing magazine.

FAASTeam Process for Planning to Reduce Accidents

The FAASTeam develops standardized safety interventions primarily for General Aviation (GA), and may also support other safety initiatives such as: NextGen, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Compliance Program, Safety Management System (SMS) and the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) Safety Enhancements, United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) Safety Enhancements, etc. In addition, there is flexibility built into the program that affords the divisions, offices, and field staff adequate flexibility to innovate locally and respond to localized safety issues through:

• Accident/Incident reports involving airmen from the area
• Hazards identified by FAA Inspectors at local Flight Standards District Offices
• Information from the local aviation community

The FAASTeam is based on a safety risk management approach, using system safety principles, risk prioritization, and new technology concepts. These FAASTeam system safety techniques are used to shift the safety culture towards the reduction of accidents and incidents, to include runway surface incidents.

Phone: (202) 267-1100