What is the FAA and what is its function?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), establishes and enforces all regulations related to airport operations and safety. The FAA is responsible for the safety of civil aviation and is instrumental in establishing safety standards for airlines. The FAA is also involved in air traffic management, developing and operating a system of air traffic control (ATC) and navigation for both civil and military aircraft. The FAA operates a network of airport towers, air route traffic control centers and flight service stations across the country. The FAA also develops air traffic rules, assigns the use of airspace and controls air traffic. The Canadian equivalent of the FAA is Transport Canada, the governmental department responsible for developing regulations, policies and services for transportation within Canada. Until 1996, Transport Canada was charged with responsibility for both regulation and the operation of air traffic services
