Definition
The agency of the United States Department of Transportation responsible for regulating civil aviation, operating the national airspace system, certifying pilots and aircraft, and overseeing aviation safety.
Plain English
The U.S. government body that runs the rules of flying. It writes the regulations, licenses pilots, certifies aircraft, manages air traffic control, and sets safety standards.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter FAA rules, approvals, publications, charts, notices, and certificates throughout training and normal flight operations in the United States.
Derivation
Federal indicates it is a national-level U.S. government body. Aviation refers to flying. Administration means an organization that manages or oversees something. Together: the national organization that oversees flying.
Why Pilots Care
FAA rules determine what is legal to fly, what equipment is required, and what standards must be met for safety and certification.
Example Sentence 1
The student passed her FAA written exam and scheduled her checkride for the following week.
Example Sentence 2
A pilot applies to the FAA for a new certificate rating after completing the required training.