Certification Authorities for Transport Airplanes (CATA) - Frequently Asked Questions

Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC)

On July 24, 2025, the FAA published a final rule in the Federal Register known as MOSAIC to amend rules for the design, manufacture, airworthiness certification, operation, maintenance, and alteration of light-sport category aircraft. 

Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise (CLEEN) Program

Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 47511, the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program is an FAA effort to evaluate innovative aircraft technologies with improved performance and safety. Through the CLEEN Program, the FAA partners with aerospace manufacturers via a cost-sharing approach to support the development and integration of these advanced technologies into current and future aircraft. 

Prioritizing Safety-Critical Information in the National Airspace System: A Four-Phased Human Factors Methodology and Its Future Applications

FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM- 26/07

Title and Subtitle: A Targeted Review of Safety Culture Interventions: Tools and Insights for Aviation Regulators

Report Date: March 2026

Authors: C. S. Sanders

Abstract:
This report describes a methodology for sorting and prioritizing safety-critical aeronautical information, developed in response to a National Transportation Safety Board recommendation. The methodology integrates human factors and risk assessment principles to identify systemic vulnerabilities in information management and to align information delivery with operational, cognitive, and contextual demands. The approach applies the bow-tie risk model to represent human factors constructs as threats that weaken preventive barriers. Information characteristics, including volume, relevance, timeliness, and modality, are modeled as drivers of these threats and are explicitly linked to preventive and mitigative controls. The resulting framework supports operationally realistic filtering, sequencing, and delivery strategies. The methodology is executed in phased activities, including expert knowledge elicitation, scenario-based simulation, and development and validation of a decision support tool. Certified professional controllers and other operational roles complete realistic scenarios varying in complexity, traffic load, and environmental conditions. Data include event-linked performance metrics, post-scenario interviews, and standardized measures of workload, Situation Awareness, and trust. Integrated quantitative and qualitative analyses identify patterns in information use, decision making, and operational outcomes. Outputs include evidence-based recommendations for training, interface design, and policy and procedural improvements to reduce operational risk and support resilient operations. The scope is limited to the contiguous United States, with future research recommended for non-contiguous regions.

Key Words: Safety-critical Information, Contextual Demands, Standardized Measures

No. of Pages: 122

FAA DiSCVR Tool

Information resources supporting law enforcement response to drone-related incidents.

2026 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grants

The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) airport grant program funds airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings. The grants strengthen our nation's aviation infrastructure.

Airports are entitled to a certain amount of AIP funding each year, based on passenger volume. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, then the FAA can...

Certification Management Team Secretariat Task Specific Team (CMTS TST)

The Certification Management Team Secretariat (CMTS) establishes Task Specific Teams (TSTs) to address specific issues that require more specialized knowledge and experience and/or demand significant effort. In addition, the CMTS may propose a TST for issues not covered by the scope of any Certification Authority Groups, or which require a direct CMTS follow-up.

March/April 2026 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine

The March/April 2026 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine focuses on the realm of rotorcraft operations. Articles in this issue focus on the real-world risks helicopters face, along with insights on the FAA's strategy to improve safety in this dynamic operating...

Become an FAA-Certificated Repairman

FAA Repairman Certificates provide a unique way to work hands-on in aviation maintenance without earning a FAA mechanic (A&P) certificate. Depending on your background and interests, becoming a repairman can offer:

Download Service Difficulty Reports (SDR) by Year

Service Difficulty Reports (SDR) are available for download by year. Select a year to download a CSV file of all reports for that year. Each file includes data reported by calendar year and includes information submitted to the FAA by operators and repair stations regarding malfunctions, failures, or defects found in aircraft. These reports are critical for identifying safety trends, maintaining airworthiness, and informing safety programs.