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United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

avs

General Aviation & Commercial Division

Monday, April 14, 2025

Training & Certification Group

The Certification and Training Group strives to continually improve general aviation safety through certification and training of airmen (pilots, ground instructors, flight instructors, and remote pilots) and pilot schools under 14 CFR parts 61, 107, and 141. Specifically, the Group:

  • Develops and implements standards, policies, and procedures related to airmen training and certification.
  • Develops airmen training and certification requirements for operation of novel aircraft designs and unmanned aircraft. 
  • Develops Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) policies and manages all aspects of the program.
  • Develops policy and standards for the approval of Aviation Training Devices (ATD) used to satisfy airmen experience and training requirements for pilot certification.
  • Analyzes and takes appropriate action in response to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and internal FAA safety recommendations.
  • Drafts and maintains sections in FAA Order 8900.1, Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS), in the Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) related to airmen training and certification.
  • Defines instructions, standards, and procedures in FAA Order 8900.1 for evaluators performing Title 14 CFR part 61 certification of pilots and flight instructors.
  • Coordinates with the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and other agencies on security issues related to pilot certification.
  • Participates in the International Helicopter Safety Foundation (IHSF).
  • Manages all aspects including approval of Institutions of Higher Education’s authority to certify graduates for restricted privilege Airline Transport Pilot certificates.
  • Coordinates with Flight Standards offices for review, approval, and policy for Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (CTP) under 14 CFR part 141.
  • Assists international offices with development and implementation of airmen certification bilateral agreements. Develops certification policy and procedures upon implementation.

Regulatory Areas of Responsibility

  • Part 61 Certification
  • Part 141 Certification

Programs

 

Phone: (202) 267-1100

Designee Standardization Branch

The Designee Standardization Branch develops and conducts a variety of Initial and Recurrent standardization seminars both domestically and internationally that are used by designees.

Designations

  • Designated Airworthiness Representative - Manufacturing (DAR-F, DAR-T)
  • Designated Manufacturing Inspection Representative (DMIR)
  • Initial Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
  • Organization Designation Authorization Administrator (ODA-ADM)
  • ODA Manufacturing Unit Member (ODA-MUM)
  • ODA Repair and Alteration Unit Member (ODA-RAUM)
  • Technical Personnel Examiner (Designated Mechanic Examiners/Parachute Riggers [DME/DPRE])

Designee Standardization Feedback/Questions

Helpful Links

Contact Information

For questions on Operations Designee Training: (405) 954-4753
For questions on Maintenance or Manufacturing Designee Training: (405) 954-4220
Branch Fax Line: (405) 954-0189

Hans Larsen
Branch Manager
(405) 954-6495

Aircraft Maintenance Division

The Aircraft Maintenance Division ensures the airworthiness of civil aircraft. We develop and standardize regulations, national directives, policy procedures, and advisory material governing the certification, inspection, and surveillance of maintenance aspects for General Aviation (GA); air carrier and commercial operators; airmen (i.e., mechanics, repairmen, and parachute riggers); avionics; and air agencies (i.e., Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools (AMTS) and repair stations). The Aircraft Maintenance Division:

  • Provides technical assistance and support for special programs, such as rulemaking projects, damage-tolerance (DT), Repair Assessment Programs (RAP), and nondestructive inspection (NDI).
  • Is the focal point for the aviation outreach education program.
  • Coordinates and tracks regulatory activities for the Flight Standards Service (AFS) with the Office of Rulemaking (ARM), the Office of the Chief Council (AGC), and other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) elements.
  • Supports the development and implementation of the Safety Assurance System (SAS) component of Safety Management Systems (SMS).
  • Is the focal point for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) functions concerning regulatory aspects of maintenance, repair, and alterations.
  • Serves as the focal point for all airworthiness FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) program initiatives, work programs, and procedures in collaboration with the General Aviation and Commercial Division.
  • Focal point for Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance.

Aircraft Maintenance Division is comprised of three Groups:

Aircraft Maintenance Division Job Aids

Resources

Address

Federal Aviation Administration Headquarters
Aircraft Maintenance Division
AFS-300, 8th Floor
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591

Phone: (202) 267-1675
Fax: (202) 267-1812

Email: when submitting an email, please include contact information such as name, organization, and phone number.

Aircraft Maintenance Division

Thursday, July 18, 2024

General Aviation Group

Avionics Section (AFS-340AV):

Responsible for developing and standardizing national guidance and rulemaking related to avionics system maintenance.

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for aircraft maintenance policy related to avionics systems and articles.
  • Actively supports industry working groups developing standards that are referenced as acceptable means of compliance for avionics systems and articles. 
  • Creates, reviews, and revises avionics inspector training provided by the FAA as well as negotiates external training for unique subjects related to avionics systems.
  • Provides airworthiness support for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) operations in the National Airspace System (NAS), coordinates with Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) and Air Traffic Organization (ATO) for system performance issues.
  • Provides airworthiness support for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum operations in the National Airspace System (NAS), coordinates with Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) and Air Traffic Organization (ATO) for system performance issues.
  • Supports safety oversight offices with reviews of operator Aircraft Network Security Programs (ANSP).
  • Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for maintenance of investigative technologies that include Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), Underwater Locator Device (ULD), Underwater Locator Beacons (ULB), Timely Recovery of Flight Data, Global Aeronautical Distress & Safety System (GADSS), and related systems.

General Aviation Section (AFS-340GA):

Responsible for developing and standardizing national guidance and rulemaking related to general aviation aircraft maintenance.

Responsibilities

  • Supporting industry and industry working groups on national policy and guidance for general aviation aircraft, helicopters, light sport aircraft, ultralight aircraft, and balloons.
  • Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 23, 27, 29, 43, 91 and 137 regulation and policy related to general aviation aircraft.
  • Supports Safety Assurance Offices for general aviation related issues.
  • Provides direction, review and revision for General Aviation Safety Inspector training related to general aviation aircraft maintenance.
  • Office of primary responsibility for Military Commercial Derivative Aircraft (MCDA) maintenance requirements.
  • Provide technical assistance and support for Military Commercial Derivative Aircraft (MCDA). 
  • Provide technical assistance and support for Public Aircraft

Repair Station Section (AFS-340RS):

Responsible for the development of regulations, national directives, policy and advisory material governing the certification, inspection, and surveillance of FAA-certificated part 145 repair stations; implement and oversee the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) Maintenance Implementation Procedure (MIP) agreements with foreign Aviation Authorities; coordinate with International Program Division.

Responsibilities

  • Develop, evaluate, and implement all standards and program policies regarding FAA-certificated repair stations.
  • Implement and oversee the BASA and MIP agreements with foreign Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) and prioritize Aviation Authorities requesting consideration.
  • Serve as the contact office between the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for issues with FAA-certificated repair stations outside the United States.
  • Coordinate division policy that impacts FAA-certificated repair station surveillance and data gathering with the Flight Standards National Field Office.
  • Provide technical assistance and guidance concerning FAA-certificated repair stations to other elements of the FAA, other government agencies, and national and international industry organizations.
  • Evaluate and recommend grant or denial of petitions for exemption to 14 CFR part 145.
  • Initiate rulemaking for part 145 and participate in other rulemaking that may impact FAA-certificated repair stations.
  • Sponsor FAA technical training related to repair stations and coordinates with the Workforce Development Division to ensure course currency.
  • Coordinate division policy concerning FAA-certificated repair stations outside the United States with International Program Division.

Address:
Federal Aviation Administration Headquarters
Aircraft Maintenance Division 
AFS-300, 8th floor
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591

AFS-300 Correspondence email: 9-AWA-AFS-300-Maintenance@faa.gov

For questions about the MIPs or the MAGs: 9-AWA-AFS-INTL-Coordinator@faa.gov 

When submitting an email, please include contact information such as name, organization, and phone number.

Aircraft Maintenance Division

Friday, March 21, 2025

Commercial Aviation Group

Focal point for the development of regulations and standardizing national guidance for maintenance under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 91 subpart K (91K), 119, 121, 125, 135 and 136.

Responsibilities

  • Sponsor and provide oversight of safety and educational programs related to its area of specialization for aging aircraft regulations.
  • Evaluate and respond to airworthiness petitions for exemption and rulemaking for parts 91K, 119, 121, 125, 135 and 136, as related to group/section functions.
  • Provide technical assistance to other FAA elements, other government agencies, industry, and Foreign Aviation Authorities on operational and technical facets of air carrier maintenance.
  • Sponsor and provide oversight of safety and educational programs related to its area of specialization for air carrier aircraft, including determining the criteria for maintenance training for Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI).
  • Represent Aircraft Maintenance Division in the development of airworthiness international Standards and Recommended Practices (SARP) for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
  • Responsible for policy relating to the Service Difficulty Reporting (SDR) and Mechanical Interruption Summary (MIS) reporting, as related to parts 119, 121, 125, and 135 carriers.
  • Development of maintenance standards for certification and surveillance of Advance Air Mobility (AAM), Urban Air Mobility (UAM). 
  • Provide technical assistance and support for 14 CFR Parts 43, 91, 91K, 119, 121, 125, 135, and 136.
  • Aircraft Maintenance Division focal for:
    • Operations Specifications Working Groups (OSWG).
    • Coordinating Agency for Supplier Evaluation (C.A.S.E.).
    •  Air Carrier Maintenance Voluntary Safety Reporting Programs (ASAP/VSRP) 
    • Joint Implementation Measurement and Data Analysis Team (JIMDAT).
    • Airworthiness Extended Operations (ETOPS).
    • Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP).
    • Aging Aircraft Inspection Program.
    • Service Difficulty Reporting (SDR) policy.
    • Flight Standards’ MyBoeingFleet.com accounts
    • Nondestructive testing (NDT)/Nondestructive Inspection (NDI)
    • Aircraft Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) Industry Group (IG)

Address:
Federal Aviation Administration Headquarters
Aircraft Maintenance Division 
AFS-300, 8th floor
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591

AFS-300 Correspondence email: 9-AWA-AFS-300-Maintenance@faa.gov

For questions about the MIPs or the MAGs: 9-AWA-AFS-INTL-Coordinator@faa.gov 

When submitting an email, please include contact information such as name, organization, and phone number.
 

 

Aircraft Maintenance Division

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Airmen & Special Projects Group

The Airmen and Special Projects Group is responsible for the development of regulations, national directives, policy, and advisory material governing the certification, inspection, and surveillance of aircraft maintenance activities.

Responsibilities

  • Provide technical support and guidance in the development of regulations and national guidance involving aircraft mechanic, inspection authorization (IA), repairman, parachute rigger, designated mechanic examiner (DME), designated parachute rigger examiner (DPRE), and §147 aircraft maintenance technician school (AMTS) certification.
  • Focal point for the Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC).
  • Evaluate and respond to airworthiness petitions for exemption and rulemaking.
  • Provide technical assistance to other FAA elements, industry, other government agencies, and Foreign Civil Aviation Authorities on operational and technical facets of aircraft maintenance.
  • Provide technical assistance to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on aircraft airworthiness policies and personnel licensing (airmen certificates).
  • Focal point for incoming FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) safety recommendations.
  • Technical liaison to the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) and Aircraft Evaluation Division (AED).
  • Focal point and research sponsor for Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance.
  • Flight Standards focal point for the Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUP) Program.
  • Flight Standards focal point for additive manufacturing.
  • Supports the Airworthiness Certification (AWC) tool and the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA).
  • Flight Standards focal point for Advisory Circular 00-56 - Voluntary Industry Distributor Accreditation Program.
  • Human Factors in aviation maintenance. 

Address:
Federal Aviation Administration Headquarters
Airmen & Special Projects Group
AFS-320, 8th Floor
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591

Phone: (202) 267-1675
Fax: (202) 267-1812

Email: when submitting an email, please include contact information such as name, organization, and phone number.

International Program Division

Tuesday, February 04, 2025

International Operations Branch

International Operations Branch is responsible for:

  • International operational policies, authorizations (i.e. operations specifications, letters of authorizations, Civil Aviation Authority oversight letters, safety evaluation in support of US Department of Transportation International economic authority) and guidance relating to:
    • Foreign operator operations under 14 CFR parts 129 and 375
    • Code share and interchange arrangements, lease and 83 bis agreements
  • Provides international technical expertise within and outside the International Programs Division
  • Interfaces with foreign authorities, foreign operators and FAA offices to ensure safety oversight in the U.S. National Airspace System

Resources

Contact Us

CAA Agreement Letters for Dry-Leasing of US Registered Aircraft for Aerial Work

The International Operations Branch processes requests for letters of agreement or no-objection to foreign CAAs or operators for dry-leasing of US Registered aircraft for firefighting and other aerial work. Please contact the International Operations Branch for more information.

Foreign CAA Coordination

The International Operations Branch is responsible for coordinating with foreign CAAs regarding US certificate holders operating within, into, or out of foreign States for the purpose of commercial air transportation. Please contact the International Operations Branch for more information.

Note: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and United Kingdom (UK) refer to non-European, non-UK aircraft operators conducting commercial air transport flights into the European Union or UK as Third Country Operators (TCOs). 

Foreign State, Diplomatic, Emergency Charters, or Repatriation Flights

The International Operations Branch provides coordination with other US Government agencies for foreign state or diplomatic flights, emergency charters, and repatriation flights requesting to transit or land in US territorial airspace. Please contact the International Operations Branch for more information.
 

Address
FAA National Headquarters
800 Independence Ave SW
Orville Wright Bldg (FOB10A)
Washington, DC 20591

Email
Employee Directory

Pilot Deviations (PDs)

The Federal Aviation Administration's Portal for International Pilot Deviations (PIPD) is a partnership between the FAA Offices of Flight Standards Service (AFS) and Chief Counsel and International Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs). This portal is for the electronic transfer of all electronic Mandatory Occurrence Reports (MORs) and Enforcement Investigative Reports (eEIRs) between the FAA and appropriate CAAs. The FAA is engaged in this two-way data exchange via PIPD with the following foreign CAAs: Brazil, Canada, France, Panama, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and Others via Department of State (DOS). Other foreign air navigation service providers and/or CAAs may report or follow up on alleged PDs involving US operators or US registered aircraft either via PIPD or via the email contact below.

InternationalOpsPilotDeviations@faa.gov

Please contact the FAA's International Program Division for questions on the Portal for International Pilot Deviations.

Industry Drug and Alcohol Testing Program

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Program News

How to Start a Drug and Alcohol Testing Program

Tuesday, April 29, 2025
 
If you are …You must …
A part 119 certificate holder with authority to operate under parts 121 or 135Obtain an Antidrug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program Operations Specification (A449) by contacting your FAA Principal Operations Inspector.

Review Drug Abatement’s Advisory Circular 120-126A: Guidelines to Establish, Implement, and Maintain a DOT/FAA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program for more information.

An operator as defined in 14 CFR part 91, § 91.147Obtain a Letter of Authorization (LOA) by contacting your local Flight Standards District Office nearest to your principal place of business.

Review Drug Abatement’s Advisory Circular 120-126A: Guidelines to Establish, Implement, and Maintain a DOT/FAA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program for more information.

A part 119 certificate holder with authority to operate under parts 121 or 135 and an operator as defined in 14 CFR part 91, § 91.147Complete both requirements described above in this chart and advise the Flight Standards District Office and the Drug Abatement Division that
the § 91.147 operation will be included under the part 119 testing program.

Review Drug Abatement’s Advisory Circular 120-126A: Guidelines to Establish, Implement, and Maintain a DOT/FAA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program for more information.

An air traffic control facility not operated by the FAA or by or under contract to the U.S. MilitaryRegister(PDF) with FAA's Drug Abatement Division.

Review Drug Abatement’s Advisory Circular 120-126A: Guidelines to Establish, Implement, and Maintain a DOT/FAA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program for more information.

A part 145 certificate holder who has opted to conduct its own drug and alcohol testing programObtain an Antidrug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program Operations Specification (A449) by contacting your Principal Maintenance Inspector or register(PDF) with FAA's Drug Abatement Division.

Review Drug Abatement’s Advisory Circular 120-126A: Guidelines to Establish, Implement, and Maintain a DOT/FAA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program for more information.

A contractor who has opted to conduct its own drug and alcohol testing programRegister(PDF) with FAA's Drug Abatement Division.

Review Drug Abatement’s Advisory Circular 120-126A: Guidelines to Establish, Implement, and Maintain a DOT/FAA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program for more information.

Flight Technologies and Procedures Division

Wednesday, December 04, 2024

Flight Operations Group

Mission

The Flight Operations Group is responsible for developing safe CNS and air traffic management operations using existing and emerging technologies and innovative operational concepts.

Responsibilities(PDF)

Projects and Programs

  • Airborne Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS / ACAS)
  • Airport operations, including continuity of service, simultaneous approach operations, special approach procedures, and aviation lighting
  • Aviation weather
  • Category II/III approach procedure facilities and operator approvals
  • CSPO
  • Data communications
  • Data link and display of aeronautical information
  • Existing and emerging aircraft technologies (i.e., ADS-B, Electronic Flight Bag)
  • Flight Standards Handbooks (responsibility for sections relating to Division’s mission)
  • GNSS interference/disruption
  • ICAO flight operations
  • LAHSO
  • Landing navigation aids and lighting systems
  • Long-range navigation and navigation systems
  • New Entrants
  • Oceanic and remote continental operations
  • Performance based communication, navigation, and surveillance
  • RNAV, RNP, RNP-RNAV
  • Special areas of operation and special-use airspace
  • Streamlined Part 91 Operational Approval
  • Vision systems, including EFVS, CVS, and SVS
  • Wake turbulence avoidance and wake separation standards
  • Wake turbulence research program office support
     

    Useful Links

    Handbook

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

    Email:9-AWA-AVS-AFS410@faa.gov