Flight Standards Service

The Flight Standards Service promotes safe air transportation by setting the standards for certification and oversight of airmen, air operators, air agencies, and designees. We also promote safety of flight of civil aircraft and air commerce by:

• Accomplishing certification, inspection, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement
• Setting regulations and standards
• Managing the system for registration of civil aircraft and certification of airmen

The Service reorganized from a regionally (geographically) based organization to a functionally based organization and employs the Safety Management System (SMS) principles of safety assurance, safety standards, Safety Risk Management (SRM), and safety promotion.

Air Transportation Division

Operations Group

The Air Carrier Operations Group manages the regulations and policies concerning 14 CFR Part 121 and Part 135 operations.

• 121 Flight Operations Section
• 135 Flight Operations Section
• Air Carrier Special Operation Programs Section

Address:
Federal Aviation Administration
Operations Group
Room # 831
800 Independence Avenue, S.W.,
Washington, DC 20591

Phone: (202) 267-8166
Fax: (202) 267-5229
Email:9-AFS-200-Correspondence@faa.gov

Flight Procedures and Airspace Group

Special Restrictions for Foreign Terminal Instrument Procedures (FTIP)

NOTE: Only the approaches listed in the below file have been reviewed by FAA for compliance with criteria. The absence of an approach on this spreadsheet does not guarantee that the approach complies with criteria or is safe to fly.

U.S. certificate holder/operators still have the responsibility to review each FTIP for aircraft compatibility and compliance with established safety standards.

Special Restrictions for Foreign Terminal Instrument Procedures (FTIP)

Aircraft Certification Service (AIR)

The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) is part of the Office of Aviation Safety (AVS) and includes more than 1400 engineers, scientists, inspectors, test pilots and other experts responsible for oversight of design, production, airworthiness certification, and continued airworthiness programs for all U.S. civil aviation products and foreign import products.

AIR collaborates with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other Civil Aviation Authorities (CAA) to maintain and further the safety of the global air transportation system. Accountable to the American public and our stakeholders, AIR strives to reach the next level of safety, efficiency, environmental responsibility, and global leadership. To learn more, see FAA Order 8100.5, Aircraft Certification Service – Organizational Structure and Functions.

Aircraft Certification Service 2023 Reorganization

Since 2017, when AIR launched its Transformation to attain a more agile, coordinated, and efficient organization, AIR divisions have been working to reorganize and fine-tune AIR's structure. The 2023 AIR Reorganization is the final phase of our efforts to fully align AIR's people, work, and management chains with specific functions.

Resources

• AIR Staff and Divisions
• Aircraft Certification main page
• Aircraft Certification Service Consistency and Standardization Initiative Guide
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Reading Room
• Aircraft Certification Technical Training Program
• Designees & Delegations
• Request for Information on Current Type Certificate (TC) Holders Prior to Declaring TC Abandoned

Safety Management, Analytics & System Integration Division

Safety Analysis Branch

The Safety Analysis Branch, is responsible for providing analytic support to Flight Standards Offices of Air Carrier and General Aviation Safety Assurance, Safety Standards, and Foundational Business in support of their Risk-based Decision Making processes and standardizes analysis techniques, processes, training, and interfaces. The office also provides:

• A myriad of analyses and data science techniques in support of several functions with in FS which includes but is not limited to Safety Assurance, Policy Development, Personnel and Staffing, and other special projects.
• Special analyses supporting AVS metrics and the AVS dashboard.
• Develops and maintains the Consolidated Analytics products in support of the Safety Assurance System.
• This office works in collaboration with other analytical assets distributed within the Flight Standards Service Office.
• Analyses from Safety Assurance System (SAS) and other oversight data sources and safety assurance data.

Contact

Joseph S. Hall
Manager, Safety Analysis Branch,
Federal Aviation Administration
13873 Park Center Road, Suite 160
Herndon, VA 20171

Phone: (703) 362-1779

Leo D. Hollis Master Aircraft Dispatcher Award

The Leo D. Hollis Master Aircraft Dispatcher Award is the most prestigious award the FAA issues to aircraft dispatchers certificated under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 65, Subpart C. This award is named after the Leo D. Hollis, who is the first recipient of this award (posthumously), to recognize individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 40 years while performing the duties of an aircraft dispatcher.

Q&As for Safety-Sensitive Employees

My employer told me that I refused to test. But I didn't. I just walked outside the collection site to smoke a cigarette and make a call. Did I refuse?
Yes. According to the regulations [49 CFR § 40.191(a)(2)], failure to remain at the testing site until the testing process is completed is a refusal to test. It is important that you do not leave the collection site, for any reason, until you have provided a specimen and the collection process has concluded.

International Program Division

International Program Division (AFS-50) is responsible for the management of Flight Standards international activities related to the oversight of foreign air carriers, oversight of U.S. repair stations abroad, providing technical assistance and training, and conduct assessments of the safety oversight systems of foreign civil aviation authorities (CAAs) through the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program. The International Program Division is also the lead for maintaining Model Civil Aviation Regulations (MCARs). 

Four branches carry out the work of the International Program Division as follows:

• International Affairs (AFS-51): Serves as the primary point of contact with foreign CAAs, coordinates Flight Standards engagement with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and develops policy for Flight Standards international engagement and technical agreements.
• International Operations (AFS-52): Is responsible for managing, developing, implementing, and evaluating operational policies and guidance for foreign air carrier operations for 14 CFR part 129 and 375, including operations specifications (OpSpecs), rulemaking related to part 129, and part 91 Letters of Authorization for US-registered aircraft outside of the United States. Provides policy support and expertise for the International Field Offices.
• International Technical Support (AFS-53): Is responsible for the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Program, providing aviation safety technical expertise to foreign Civil Aviation Authorities, and managing international training.
• International Field Management (AFS-54): Provides leadership and oversight of International Field Office (IFO) activities and technical programs for investigation, inspection, surveillance, regulatory compliance and enforcement, certification and certificate management of foreign airmen, air carriers, repair stations, and other entities holding US certificates.
• International Field Offices (IFOs): The four IFOs ensure the implementation of International Policies and Procedures developed by International Program Division within their assigned geographic areas. 
  • Dallas/Ft. Worth International Field Office
  • New York International Field Office
  • Miami International Field Office
  • Los Angeles International Field Office
     

Resources

• Office of Safety Standards (AFS) Services and Contacts

Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention Key Officials

Kimberly R. Pyle
Executive Director
Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention

Brittany B. Richardson
Deputy Executive Director
Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention

Aircraft Certification Service (AIR)

Office of the Executive Director

The Office of the Executive Director manages the Aircraft Certification Service.

Address:
Federal Aviation Administration
Aircraft Certification Service
Office of the Executive Director (AIR-1)
800 Independence Ave SW, Suite 800 East
Washington, DC 20591

Phone: 202-267-8235
Fax: 202-267-5364

Executives

• Caitlin Locke, Executive Director (AIR-1)
• Mallory Naill, Acting Deputy Executive Director (AIR-2)