Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the national aviation authority of the United States. As an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, it holds sweeping power over all aspects of American civil aviation. Think of it as the ultimate sky sheriff, responsible for everything from certifying new aircraft designs and training mechanics to managing the bustling highways of the sky (air traffic control) and setting the safety rules that keep millions of passengers safe each day. Its primary mission is safety, a