What does the FAA regulate?

The Federal Aviation Administration regulates civil aviation safety in the United States: aircraft certification (airworthiness), pilot certification, air carrier certification, repair station certification, drone operations, drug and alcohol testing for safety-sensitive employees, navigation services, and airspace management. Operational rules are in 14 CFR (Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations), with each Part covering different operation types.

What's the difference between Part 91, 121, and 135?

Part 91 is the general operating and flight rules, and applies by default to most non-commercial operations. Part 121 covers commercial airline operations (10+ passenger seats or large all-cargo). Part 135 covers commuter and on-demand operations including charter, air taxi, and HEMS. Operating Part determines training, maintenance, recordkeeping, and operational requirements: Part 121 is the most rigorous, Part 91 the least.

What are FAA penalty amounts?

The maximums are listed by violator class in the table at 14 CFR 13.301, as adjusted for violations occurring on or after December 30, 2024: up to $75,000 per violation for a person other than an individual or small business concern, up to $17,062 per violation for an individual or small business concern, and up to $1,875 per violation for an airman serving as an airman (49 U.S.C. 46301(a)).

What is a Part 145 repair station?

An FAA-certificated maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility authorized to work on civil aircraft. Repair stations operate under specific ratings (Airframe, Powerplant, Propeller, Radio, Instrument, Accessory) and FAA-approved capability lists. Required documentation: Repair Station Manual (RSM) and Quality Control Manual (QCM), both FAA-approved. Records of maintenance work must be retained at least 2 years.

Do drone pilots need a certificate?

Commercial drone operations require a Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107. Any work for compensation requires the certificate. Recreational operations are governed separately under Section 49 USC 44809 and don't require the certificate but have their own rules. The Remote Pilot Certificate doesn't expire but requires recurrent training every 24 calendar months.

What is an Airworthiness Directive?

An Airworthiness Directive (AD) is an FAA-issued legally binding document under 14 CFR Part 39 requiring inspection, modification, or repair of an aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance to address an unsafe condition. ADs are the FAA's primary mechanism for mandating safety actions across the affected fleet. Compliance is mandatory regardless of cost. Late or non-compliance grounds the aircraft.

How long must aviation maintenance records be retained?

Per 14 CFR 91.417 for general aviation: total time in service permanently; current status of life-limited parts permanently; current inspection status retained 1 year after work superseded; AD compliance status retained 1 year after work repeated; major repairs and alterations permanently. Part 121 and Part 135 maintenance records retention follows their respective Parts (typically more rigorous than 91).

Aviation // 14 CFR

Aviation Compliance: The Complete FAA Operator's Guide

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) compliance is governed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, with operational requirements split across multiple Parts based on the type of operation. Part 91 covers general aviation. Part 121 governs commercial airlines. Part 135 applies to commuter and on-demand charter operations. Part 145 governs FAA-certificated repair stations (MROs). Part 107 covers commercial small unmanned aircraft (drone) operations. Part 120 establishes the drug and alcohol testing program for safety-sensitive aviation employees. Each Part carries specific recordkeeping, training, maintenance, and inspection obligations. Maximum FAA civil penalties reach $75,000 per violation for an operator that is not a small business concern, under 49 U.S.C. 46301(a)(1) as adjusted at 14 CFR 13.301 for violations on or after December 30, 2024.

The four clusters of aviation records

Each cluster joins an article on the rule, a worked asset to do the job with, a product example and the offer that fits.

Crew records

The per-crewmember file: what the FAA requires, who holds the original.

ArticleWhat pilot records does the FAA require for Part 135?
Worked assetFAA Compliance Readiness Checklistopen
Product exampleThe FAA readiness score: the record to inspect next
The offerGet the Crew Records Setup, $1,500$1,500 once, 30 days included, then $150 per aircraft per month, if you continue.

Training and recency evidence

Checks, training and currency, each computed from the record and cited to the rule.

ArticlePilot currency and recency of experience under 61.57
Worked assetFAA Form 8410-3: the competency and proficiency check formopen
Product exampleThe FAA readiness score
The offerGet the Crew Records Setup, $1,500$1,500 once, 30 days included, then $150 per aircraft per month, if you continue.

Aircraft records

Maintenance records, inspections and ADs: the rules, read as records.

ArticlePart 135 maintenance recordkeeping: CAMP, AAIP and CASS
Worked assetAircraft records retention requirementsopen
Product exampleThe aviation walkthrough: each aircraft's annual watched and its registry details filled from the FAA aircraft file

Audits and ratings

ARGUS, Wyvern and IS-BAO: the documents asked for, and the enforcement cases read for the missing record.

ArticleARGUS and Wyvern audit document checklist
Worked assetFAA Part 135 enforcement teardown (PDF)open
Product exampleThe FAA readiness score
The offerGet the Crew Records Setup, $1,500$1,500 once, 30 days included, then $150 per aircraft per month, if you continue.

FAA Operating Parts

Part 91: General aviation, non-commercial (private pilots, corporate flight departments)
Part 121: Commercial airline (10+ passenger seats or large all-cargo)
Part 135: Commuter and on-demand commercial (charter, air taxi, HEMS)
Part 145: Repair stations (MROs)
Part 107: Commercial small unmanned aircraft (drones <55 lb)
Part 65: Airmen other than flight crewmembers (A&P mechanics, IAs, dispatchers)
Part 120: Drug and alcohol testing program

Aviation Compliance Topics

Free FAA readiness score

Free. No signup. Unsure is an answer, counted as not established.

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16 or more aircraft, air medical and fractional operations are priced by written quote. FileFlo reports readiness, and your Director of Operations makes the operational decision.

Free: FAA Compliance Readiness Checklist

11 items in four sections: airworthiness and maintenance, operations, airman records, and the Part 120 drug and alcohol program, mapped to 14 CFR.

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