Does the FAA handle aviation security in the United States?

Primarily no. US civil aviation security is led by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The FAA focuses on safety, airspace management and the regulation of aircraft, personnel and operations, though the two coordinate closely.

What kinds of information does the FAA issue for flight planning?

The FAA issues NOTAMs, Temporary Flight Restrictions, airworthiness directives, advisory circulars and the Aeronautical Information Manual, among others, all of which operators use to plan and conduct flights in US airspace.

Regulatory

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)

Also known as: Federal Aviation Administration

The FAA, or Federal Aviation Administration, is the United States national civil aviation authority. It regulates and oversees all aspects of US civil aviation, including the certification of aircraft and personnel, operating rules, and the management of the national airspace system, and it issues the NOTAMs and Temporary Flight Restrictions that govern access to US airspace.

Reviewed by AeroVigil Analysis Desk · 2026-05-31

The FAA is the agency responsible for the safety and regulation of civil aviation in the United States. Its remit includes writing and enforcing the Federal Aviation Regulations, certifying aircraft and airmen, operating air traffic control across the national airspace system, and managing airspace including the establishment of restricted, prohibited and temporary flight restriction areas. Many concepts widely used internationally, such as the modern usage of TFRs, originate in FAA practice.

The FAA also disseminates aeronautical information — NOTAMs, advisories and the Aeronautical Information Manual — that operators rely on for planning. While its rules apply within US jurisdiction, the scale of US aviation and the FAA's influence mean its standards and guidance are widely referenced. Aviation security in the US, by contrast, is led by the Transportation Security Administration, with the FAA focused primarily on safety and airspace.

FAA-issued NOTAMs, TFRs and advisories are authoritative inputs for any operation touching US airspace. AeroVigil ingests official sources of this kind and relates restrictions and notices to the routes and airports they affect.

Frequently asked

Does the FAA handle aviation security in the United States?: Primarily no. US civil aviation security is led by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The FAA focuses on safety, airspace management and the regulation of aircraft, personnel and operations, though the two coordinate closely.
What kinds of information does the FAA issue for flight planning?: The FAA issues NOTAMs, Temporary Flight Restrictions, airworthiness directives, advisory circulars and the Aeronautical Information Manual, among others, all of which operators use to plan and conduct flights in US airspace.

Related terms

Sources

Title 49 United States Code — Transportation
Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (Federal Aviation Regulations)