What does the FAA regulate?

The Federal Aviation Administration regulates civil aviation safety in the United States: aircraft certification (airworthiness), pilot certification, air carrier certification, repair station certification, drone operations, drug and alcohol testing for safety-sensitive employees, navigation services, and airspace management. Operational rules are in 14 CFR (Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations), with each Part covering different operation types.

What's the difference between Part 91, 121, and 135?

Part 91 is the general operating and flight rules — applies by default to most non-commercial operations. Part 121 covers commercial airline operations (10+ passenger seats or large all-cargo). Part 135 covers commuter and on-demand operations including charter, air taxi, and HEMS. Operating Part determines training, maintenance, recordkeeping, and operational requirements — Part 121 is the most rigorous, Part 91 the least.

What are FAA penalty amounts?

Maximum FAA civil penalties under 2026 inflation-adjusted amounts: $59,300 per violation for most aviation safety violations; up to $44,539 per violation for hazmat transportation violations on aircraft; $13,775 per violation for individuals; up to $300,000 per violation for some commercial activities. Criminal violations carry imprisonment in addition to civil penalties. Each instance of a continuing violation typically counts as a separate violation.

What is a Part 145 repair station?

An FAA-certificated maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility authorized to work on civil aircraft. Repair stations operate under specific ratings (Airframe, Powerplant, Propeller, Radio, Instrument, Accessory) and FAA-approved capability lists. Required documentation: Repair Station Manual (RSM) and Quality Control Manual (QCM), both FAA-approved. Records of maintenance work must be retained at least 2 years.

Do drone pilots need a certificate?

Commercial drone operations require a Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107 — any work for compensation requires the certificate. Recreational operations are governed separately under Section 49 USC 44809 and don't require the certificate but have their own rules. The Remote Pilot Certificate doesn't expire but requires recurrent training every 24 calendar months.

What is an Airworthiness Directive?

An Airworthiness Directive (AD) is an FAA-issued legally binding document under 14 CFR Part 39 requiring inspection, modification, or repair of an aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance to address an unsafe condition. ADs are the FAA's primary mechanism for mandating safety actions across the affected fleet. Compliance is mandatory regardless of cost — late or non-compliance grounds the aircraft.

How long must aviation maintenance records be retained?

Per 14 CFR 91.417 for general aviation: total time in service permanently; current status of life-limited parts permanently; current inspection status retained 1 year after work superseded; AD compliance status retained 1 year after work repeated; major repairs and alterations permanently. Part 121 and Part 135 maintenance records retention follows their respective Parts (typically more rigorous than 91).

What software supports aviation compliance?

Aviation compliance tooling typically includes: maintenance management (CAMP Systems, Flightdocs, Aerotrac, Avitas), AD tracking, training records (CTS, Vistair, Coptering), drug & alcohol program management, and document management with FAA-specific rule packs (FileFlo). Larger air carriers use enterprise platforms; smaller operators often combine specialized tools.

Aviation Compliance: The Complete FAA Operator's Guide

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) compliance is governed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, with operational requirements split across multiple Parts based on the type of operation. Part 91 covers general aviation. Part 121 governs commercial airlines. Part 135 applies to commuter and on-demand charter operations. Part 145 governs FAA-certificated repair stations (MROs). Part 107 covers commercial small unmanned aircraft (drone) operations. Part 120 establishes the drug and alcohol testing program for safety-sensitive aviation employees. Each Part carries specific recordkeeping, training, maintenance, and inspection obligations. Maximum FAA civil penalties reach $59,300 per violation under 2026 inflation-adjusted amounts.

FAA Operating Parts

Part 91 — General aviation, non-commercial (private pilots, corporate flight departments)
Part 121 — Commercial airline (10+ passenger seats or large all-cargo)
Part 135 — Commuter and on-demand commercial (charter, air taxi, HEMS)
Part 145 — Repair stations (MROs)
Part 107 — Commercial small unmanned aircraft (drones <55 lb)
Part 65 — Airmen other than flight crewmembers (A&P mechanics, IAs, dispatchers)
Part 120 — Drug and alcohol testing program

Aviation Compliance Topics

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