FAA is Part of DOT Since 1967, the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) has been a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation ( DOT ). Formerly known as the Federal Aviation Agency, it became the largest of several agencies within DOT .

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a massive regulatory agency of the United States government, operating under the Department of Transportation (DOT). It is the national authority responsible for the oversight and regulation of all aspects of civil aviation within the U.S. and its surrounding international waters. Its primary mission is to ensure the safety of the flying public. To achieve this, the FAA’s roles are multi-faceted: it issues and enforces air traffic rules, certifies pilots and aircraft, and manages the National Airspace System (NAS). It also oversees the development of airport infrastructure and regulates commercial space transportation. As a government entity, the FAA is not a private corporation or a non-profit; it is funded through federal taxes (largely from aviation fuel and ticket taxes) and is headed by an Administrator who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Its reach is global, as it often sets the safety standards that other international aviation bodies follow. From drone regulations to the maintenance of air traffic control towers, the FAA is the central governing body that keeps the American skies organized and safe.