Definition
The Federal Aviation Administrator, or any person to whom the Administrator has delegated authority in the matter concerned. In aviation regulations and the Aeronautical Information Manual, references to 'the Administrator' mean the head of the FAA acting through their delegated representatives.
Plain English
When FAA documents say 'the Administrator,' they mean the person in charge of the FAA — or any FAA official acting on that person's behalf.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA rules, AIM glossary entries, approvals, notices, and other places where an action or requirement comes from official FAA authority.
Derivation
From Latin 'administrare,' meaning to manage or carry out duties for someone. In this context, the Administrator is the official who manages and oversees the FAA on behalf of the federal government.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots need to recognize when a rule or requirement comes directly from the highest FAA authority or a properly delegated representative.
Intuition Check
Do not read Administrator as just any office manager or school administrator. In this aviation context, it means the FAA Administrator or someone officially acting with that FAA authority.
Example Sentence 1
The flight test was conducted by an examiner acting under authority delegated by the Administrator.
Example Sentence 2
A pilot requested an exemption, and the Administrator granted it after reviewing the safety case.