Flight Operations Group

Satellite Based Navigation (SatNav)

Note: If using Internet Explorer (I.E.), download pdf files by right clicking on the link and selecting: "Save target as..." . Some pdf files on this page may cause I.E. to hang and/or crash

The FAA plans to transition the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) navigation infrastructure to enable performance-based navigation (PBN) as part of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The FAA plans to transition from defining airways, routes and procedures using VHF Omni-directional Range (VOR) and other legacy navigation aids towards a NAS based on Area Navigation (RNAV) everywhere and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) where ben-eficial. Such capabilities will be enabled largely by the Global Positioning System (GPS) and its augmentations such as the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and Ground Based Aug-mentation System (GBAS). As a result of this transition, the need for ground-based navigation services will diminish, and the number of federally provided ground-based facilities will be re-duced accordingly, but with sufficient time for users to equip with SATNAV avionics.

Navigation Programs – Satellite Navigation

Flight Technologies and Procedures Division

Useful Links

FAA Guidance and Record

• Civil Aviation Registry
• Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS)
• Inspectors Handbook
• Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)
• Strategic Lateral Offset Procedure (SLOP)
• Technical Standards Orders

Joint FAA / Industry organizations

• Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) (Limited Access)
• Equip 2020 (Limited Access)
• Performance Based Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee (PARC)

Flight Procedures and Airspace activities

• Aeronautical Charting Meeting – Instrument Procedures Group (ACM-IPG)
• Air Traffic Command Center
• Air Traffic Plans and Publications
• FAA Satellite Navigation Programs
• Jeppesen
• National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO)
• National Geodetic Survey (NGS) Aeronautical Survey Program

International Aviation Organizations

• European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• ICAO Regional Offices
• Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA)

Aircraft Registration Branch Responsibilities

The Aircraft Registration Branch issues approximately 126,000 aircraft registration certificates and processes approximately 184,000 documents affecting title to or interest in aircraft, engines, propellers, and air carrier spare part locations annually. The Registry reserves and assigns all U.S. identification marks (N-Numbers) to U.S. civil aircraft.

We maintain the permanent records of over 290,000 active civil aircraft and provide electronic access to those records for review to users of the Public Documents Room located in the Registry Building at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

We are responsible for the review, evaluation, and development of any new or amended regulations pertaining to aircraft registration and the recordation of documents contained in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 47 and 49, and petitions for exemptions thereof.

Civil Aviation Registry-Airmen Certification Branch

Responsibilities

The Airmen Certification Branch has final authority for the issuance of permanent airman certificates, maintenance of certification records, and issues over 350,000 certificates each year. Of the more than 6 million airmen records, approximately 1.1 million are considered to be active pilots. Certificates are issued for:

• Pilots
• Flight Engineers
• Flight and Ground Instructors
• Aircraft Dispatchers
• Mechanics
• Repairmen
• Parachute Riggers
• Control Tower Operators
• Flight Navigators
• Flight Attendants

Disease Protocols

This Protocol establishes the authority for the Examiner to issue an airman medical certificate to binocular applicants using multifocal or accommodating ophthalmic devices.

Devices acceptable for aviation-related duties must be FDA approved and include:

• Intraocular Lenses (multifocal or accommodating intraocular lens implants)
• Bifocal/Multifocal contact lenses

Examiners may issue as outlined below:

• Adaptation period before certification:
  • Surgical lens implantation - minimum of 3 months post-operative
  • Contact lenses (bifocal or multifocal) - minimum of one month of use
• Must provide a report to include the FAAForm 8500-7, Report of Eye Evaluation, from the operating surgeon or the treating eye specialist. This report must attest to stable visual acuity and refractive error, absence of significant side effects/complications, need of medications, and freedom from any glare, flares or other visual phenomena that could affect visual performance and impact aviation safety
• Visual Acuity Standards
  • As listed below or better;
  • Each eye separately;
  • Snellen equivalent; and
  • With or without correction. If correction is used, it should be noted and the correct limitation applied.

Note: The above does not change the current certification policy on the use of monofocal non-accommodating intraocular lenses.

Office of Aerospace Medicine - Key Officials

Susan A. Northrup, M.D., MPH
Federal Air Surgeon

Brett A. Wyrick, D.O., MPH, FACOS
Deputy Federal Air Surgeon

Melchor J. Antuñano, M.D.
Director, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Aviation Safety (AVS)

Aviation Safety is an organization responsible for the certification, production approval, and continued airworthiness of aircraft; and certification of pilots, mechanics, and others in safety-related positions.

Aviation Safety is also responsible for:

• Certification of all operational and maintenance enterprises in domestic civil aviation
• Certification and safety oversight of approximately 7,300 U.S. commercial airlines and air operators
• Civil flight operations
• Developing regulations

AVS Stakeholder Feedback

• Go to Stakeholder Feedback Form

Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS)

The The Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) is a comprehensive knowledge center that includes all regulatory guidance material from the Office of Aviation Safety.

DRS combines more than 65 document types from a dozen repositories into a single searchable application. It also includes all information previously found in the now retired Flight Standards Information System (FSIMS) and Regulatory Guidance System (RGL). You can browse or search the more than 2 million regulatory guidance documents. A complex search engine serves as the backbone of DRS and allows for basic or very advanced searches, while applying a variety of filters. The system includes pending, current and historical versions of all documents along with their revision history. DRS is updated daily and mobile-friendly.

Search DRS now. 

Management Information Systems

Annual Management Information System (MIS) Reporting

The FAA's drug and alcohol testing regulation, 14 CFR part 120, requires employers to submit an annual report of testing statistics. The specific requirement is described in 14 CFR §§ 120.119(a) and 120.219(b).

Do I need to submit an MIS Report?

The following employers must submit an MIS report to the FAA:

• All part 121 certificate holders;
• All other employers conducting drug and alcohol testing with 50 or more safety-sensitive employees; and
• Any other employers conducting drug and alcohol testing and notified in writing by the FAA of the requirement to submit a report.

If you believe that your company must submit a MIS report and you were not notified, please contact the FAA's Drug Abatement Division at (202) 304-2971 or via email at MIS-drugabatement@faa.gov.

When is my MIS Report due?

The annual testing data being submitted for a specific calendar year is submitted by March 15th of the following calendar year. For example, to report the data for calendar year 2020, you must submit your report by March 15, 2021.

How do I submit my MIS Report?

All reports should be submitted electronically via the Department of Transportation's (DOT’s) Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (DAMIS) to ensure a timely and accurate submission.

On October 26, 2023, the DOT announced via a List Serve notice the new requirement for DOT-regulated employers to access the DOT’s Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (DAMIS) using  Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). The MFA Login requirements will begin with the 2023 Management Information System (MIIS) reporting that is due in calendar year 2024.  MFA will be implemented for DAMIS by using Login.gov; a secure sign-in service used by the public to sign into participating government agency web applications.  

A person’s email address is the “key field” for the Login.gov account. For DAMIS access, only one email address per employer or entity may be used.  

For more information about the new login procedure, please visit the Login.gov website or call 844-875-6446.

Who can I contact with questions?

If you have questions about submitting your MIS report, please contact the FAA's Drug Abatement Division at (202) 304-2971 or MIS-drugabatement@faa.gov.

For Login.gov questions, please visit the Login.gov website or call 844-875-6446. 

Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service

In May 2004, the FAA formally established the Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service (AOV) to provide independent oversight of the Air Traffic Organization (ATO). Similar to AVS's oversight of the aviation industry, this oversight bolsters public trust and demonstrates the FAA's strong commitment to safety.

At the time AOV was established, the existing state of the National Airspace System (NAS) was accepted as a baseline. This means the written processes, procedures, specifications, and other conditions of the system were accepted as the starting point for oversight of safety in the NAS.

Situated within the Aviation Safety (AVS) organization, the Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service establishes safety standards and provides independent oversight of the Air Traffic Organization – the provider of air traffic services in the United States. We accomplish this safety oversight in a variety of ways including:

• Validating the Air Traffic Organization safety related processes used for introduction of new separation standards, and modification of existing separation standards;
• Approving new standards, waivers, extension and modification of existing waivers;
• Analyzing and authorizing controls used by the Air Traffic Organization to mitigate hazards; and,
• Participating in operational review and analysis of information pertaining to the Air Traffic Organization employees, operations and programs.
• Developing and amending regulations and guidance for regulatory oversight and credentialing functions;
• Participating in the development and harmonization of air traffic control international standards;
• Providing regulatory oversight of the Air Traffic Organization Safety Management System;

Many of these tasks are carried out through:

• Auditing;
• Surveillance;
• Investigations;
• Inspections; and
• Cooperation with other FAA safety services

Telephone: (202) 267-5205

Public Feedback and Concerns: The FAA values your feedback and provides a dedicated phone service for messages, as well as a collection of answers to frequently asked questions. Please click on the "Contact FAA" link in the footer below to ensure your comments are routed to the right office.

FAA and DOT Employee/Stakeholder Feedback: We welcome comments on your interactions with AOV processes and personnel. Please click on the "Feedback Form" link below. This input form was designed to capture your feedback and ensure it flows into our continuous improvement process.

Thank you for taking the time to help us serve you better.

Feedback Form