Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Key Terms

Grasping important FAA-related terminology

By Kim Finn

Every industry flies by its own set of acronyms and jargon, and the Federal Aviation Administration and the rest of the aerospace industry aren't excluded. Whether you work within the industry or as a contractor or subcontractor, you've got to understand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) key terms to get any business done. This guide covers various terms relevant to those working in or with the FAA: N-Numbers, Flight Standards Information Management System, NOTAM, FAA Safety Team, National Airspace System (NAS) and International Civil Aviation Organization.

N-Numbers

An N-Number, another name for an aircraft registration number, consists of a group of ordered alphanumeric characters. The Convention on International Civil Aviation requires registration of all aircraft with a national authority such as the FAA in the United States.
Try: Learn about how to select and change an aircraft N-Number from the FAA.

Flight Standards Information Management System (FAA Order 8900.1)

The Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS) serves as the single-source, online repository of policy and guidance available for all employees of the FAA.
Try: Besides going to the FAA directly, you can find updates and supplements to the FAA Order 8900.1 at Ask Bob.

NOTAM

Of prime importance to pilots, dispatchers and air- traffic controllers, NOTAM stands for Notices to Airmen, and NOTAMs are used to alert pilots to hazardous conditions or information about any aeronautical facility, service or procedure affecting flight operations. The U.S. NOTAM System processes, stores and distributes all NOTAMs.
Try: For a brief explanation of different types of NOTAMs, visit Integrated Publishing.

FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam)

FAASTeam is an organization within the FAA set up to reduce the number of aviation-related accidents in the U.S. via training, outreach and education. All eight FAA Flight Standards regions have their own Regional FAASTeam Offices.
Try: Learn all about awards, events, programs and training opportunities from the FAASTeam.

National Airspace System (NAS)

An airspace network comprised of thousands of people, procedures, services, airports and other landing areas, aeronautical charts, air navigation facilities and equipment, the U.S. NAS represents one of the most complex aviation systems in the world. It's organized to permit and promote safe and expedient air travel in the U.S. and over large portions of surrounding oceans.
Try: Read the summary or click on the PDF document to read the Department of Transportation Inspector General audit of the NAS in 2008 to learn more about different components of the NAS and how they function.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

A United Nations agency, the ICAO codifies the principles and techniques of international civil air navigation and fosters uniformity in regulations, standards, procedures and organization to promote the safety and growth of international air navigation. The ICAO is divided into seven regions, with the U.S. falling into the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACC) Region. Each region is permitted to conduct activities as long as they don't conflict with worldwide ICAO activities.
Try: Explore the ICAO to learn more about the organization, its history and the latest news and information available.