Advisory Circular

Advisory Circulars are non-regulatory guidance published by the Federal Aviation Administration on a wide array of topics.

Advisory Circular

Introduction to Advisory Circular

  • Advisory Circulars (ACs) provide a single, uniform, agency-wide system that the FAA uses to deliver advisory (non-regulatory) material to the aviation community
  • Can be found on the FAA's website at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/
  • ACs can be ordered through the Department of Transportation (DOT)
Advisory Circular

Advisory Circular Key Highlights

  • Advisory Circulars (ACs) are FAA publications that provide guidance, information, and recommended practices for aviation operations and compliance.
  • Advisory Circulars explain acceptable methods of compliance with regulations but are generally not regulatory requirements themselves.
  • ACs cover a wide range of aviation topics including pilot training, aircraft maintenance, operations, safety procedures, and certification standards.
  • Pilots, mechanics, operators, and aviation organizations use Advisory Circulars to improve regulatory understanding and operational safety.
  • FAA Advisory Circular numbering systems categorize publications by aviation subject area and applicable regulations.
  • Many FAA knowledge tests, practical tests, and training programs reference information contained within Advisory Circulars.
  • Advisory Circulars are periodically updated to reflect regulatory changes, technological advancements, and evolving aviation safety practices.
  • Pilots should verify they are using the current version of an Advisory Circular when referencing FAA guidance materials.
  • Advisory Circulars supplement other FAA publications such as the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
  • Understanding Advisory Circulars improves regulatory knowledge, operational proficiency, and overall flight safety.
Advisory Circular

Advisory Circular Purpose

  • Provide an acceptable, clearly understood method for complying with a regulation
  • Standardize implementation of a regulation or harmonize implementation for the international aviation community
  • Resolve a general misunderstanding of a regulation
  • Respond to a request from some government entity, such as General Accounting Office, NTSB, or the Office of the Inspector General
  • Help the industry and FAA effectively implement a regulation
  • Explain requirements and limits of an FAA grant program
  • Expand on standards needed to promote aviation safety, including the safe operation of airports
Advisory Circular

Heading Information

  • Advisory Circular Header
    Advisory Circular Header
  • Advisory Circular
    Advisory Circular 00-65

  • Subject:

    • Simply the title of the advisory circular

  • Date:

    • Date of that advisory circular release

  • Advisory Circular Number:

    • There are three parts to an AC number

    • Part 1 - Subject Matter Area:

      • The first part of the number identifies the subject matter area of the AC and corresponds to the appropriate 14 CFR part
      • For example, an AC on "Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors" is numbered as AC 61-65E

    • Part 2 - Sequence:

      • Since ACs are numbered sequentially within each subject area, the second part of the number beginning with the dash identifies this sequence

    • Part 3 - Revision:

      • The third part of the number is a letter assigned by the originating office and shows the revision sequence if an AC is revised
      • The first version of an AC does not have a revision letter
      • For example, AC 61-65E reflects that this is the fifth revision, as designated by the "E"

  • Initiated by:

    • Lists who issued the advisory circular
    • AFS: Aviation Flight Standards District

  • Changes

Advisory Circular

Body Information

  • Purpose
  • Cancellation
  • Related Reading Material
  • The remaining of the circular will discuss information about the subject matter
Advisory Circular

Use of an Advisory Circular

  • Provide an acceptable, clearly understood method for complying with a regulation
  • Standardize implementation of a regulation or harmonize implementation for the international aviation community
  • Resolve a general misunderstanding of a regulation
  • Respond to a request from some government entity, such as General Accounting Office, NTSB, or the Office of the Inspector General
  • Help the industry and FAA effectively implement a regulation
  • Explain requirements and limits of an FAA grant program
  • Expand on standards needed to promote aviation safety, including the safe operation of airports
Advisory Circular

Advisory Circular Development

  • Advisory Circulars are sometimes first published as drafts, open to public comment
  • You can find these drafts by visiting: https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/afs_ac/
  • You may subscribe to the Flight Standards Service to receive updates
Advisory Circular

Advisory Circulars Conclusion

  • The FAA issues Advisory Circulars (ACs) to inform the aviation public in a systematic way of non-regulatory material
    • Unless incorporated into a regulation by reference, the contents of an advisory circular are not binding on the public
    • Advisory Circulars are issued in a numbered subject system corresponding to the subject areas of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) (Title 14, Chapter 1, FAA)
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Advisory Circular

Advisory Circulars References