Legal Definitions - Federal Aviation Administration

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a government agencyresponsible for regulating air commerce, promoting civil aviation and a national system of airports, achieving efficient use of navigable airspace, developing and operating a common system of air-traffic control and air navigation, and developing and implementing programs and regulations relating to environmental effects of civil aviation.

The FAA was established in 1958 as the Federal Aviation Agency and was renamed when it became a part of the Department of Transportation in 1967. Its primary goal is to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel in the United States.

For example, the FAA sets and enforces safety standards for aircraft, pilots, and air traffic controllers. It also manages the air traffic control system, which helps to ensure that planes are safely separated from each other while in flight. Additionally, the FAA is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of environmental regulations related to aviation.