AV-DATA® Databases
Browse the list of databases contained in the AV-DATA service. Find complete descriptions of the databases and how they relate to the product.
Advisory Circulars (AC)
The FAA publishes Advisory Circulars as a public information resource. Under normal conditions, most ACs are classified as non-regulatory guidance and information. Unless an AC has been incorporated into a FAR, the information contained in the AC is non-binding and thus not mandatory for FAA compliance. Because of their close relationship to the FARs, Acs are arranged in a numbered system which corresponds to the subject areas of the FARs. They are issued and updated irregularly with new revisions designated by letters of the alphabet. For example, AC 121-22A supersedes and cancels AC 121-22.
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Airworthiness Directives (AD)
In accordance with Part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, the FAA issues airworthiness directives in response to deficiencies and/or unsafe conditions found in aircraft, engines, propellers or other aircraft parts. ADs, as they are known in the industry, require that the relevant problem must be corrected on all aircraft or aircraft parts using the same design. Ads are initiated as either proposed, corrective, or final (telegraphic) via the Federal Register. All Ads are "incorporated by reference" into FAR Part 39, and are considered final. Ads must be followed to remain in compliance with the FAA. Once an AD has been issued, a person/company is authorized to use the affected aircraft or part can be used only if it has been corrected in accordance with the AD. The AV-DATA service contains all Ads from 1941 to present.
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Canadian Airworthiness Directives (CAD)
Transport Canada's mission is to develop and administer policies, regulations and services for the best possible transportation system for Canada and Canadians. Its role is to develop up-to-date, relevant transportation policies and legislation, and to maintain the highest level of safety and security possible. The CADs are airworthiness directives that are applicable to Canadian registered or manufactured aeronautical products.
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Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR)
Transport Canada's mission is to develop and administer policies, regulations and services for the best possible transportation system for Canada and Canadians. Its role is to develop up-to-date, relevant transportation policies and legislation, and to maintain the highest level of safety and security possible. The CARs regulations were designed to enhance safety and the competitiveness of the Canadian aviation industry. The rules, enacted under the Aeronautics Act, govern civil aviation in Canada. Replacing the Air Regulations and the Air Navigation Orders, the Cars and their associated standards came into force on October 10, 1996, after a comprehensive consultation process between Transport Canada and the aviation community. This cooperative and partnership approach to rulemaking continues within the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC), which discusses proposed amendments to the Cars and their associated standards.
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Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
The Code of Federal Regulations is a codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The CFR is divided into 50 titles, which represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation. Each title is divided into chapters, which usually bear the name of the issuing agency. Each volume of the CFR is revised once each calendar year and is issued on a quarterly basis. Title 14 is issued on January 1 and Title 49 on October 1.
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Draft Documents
Draft Acs, Policy Memos, Proposed TSOs, and FAA Notices are posted to a separate section of the product. Link directly from the "Draft Docs" tab at the top of the product. They are not accessed through the search or TOC screens.
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European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
The European Aviation Safety Agency is the centerpiece of the European Union's strategy for aviation safety. Their mission is to promote the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation.
AV-DATA provides categories such as regulations, certification, maintenance, rulemaking, agency measures, quality and standarization, EASA networking, and management board and forms.
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FAA Forms (FORMS)
Pertinent interactive FAA Forms are included in PDF format to fill-in, save, and print.
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FAA Orders (FO)
The FAA issues orders and handbooks to promote organized communication about FAA policies, procedures, methods, etc. Orders and handbooks are designed to provide guidance and clarification of existing policies and procedures, as well as to establish new ones. They also contain material that is vital to the operation of the FAA and its many agency programs. FAA Orders are organized by subject and numbering system. These documents govern the FAA, not the aviation industry. Changes are issued with Change Notice number (i.e., FO 8010.20 Change 11). Sometimes, all change orders are incorporated into a complete rewrite (i.e., FO 8010.20A). The AV-DATA service contains over 90 FAA Orders.
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Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR)
The AV-DATA service currently includes selected parts of chapters 1-3 of Title 14 (Aeronautics and Space). Chapter 1 is referred to as the FAR and chapters 2 and 3 are included in the CFR database. Any revision to the CFR or FAR (new sections added, replacing outdated sections, or changes to text of an existing section, etc.) is published through the Federal Register as Final Rules and is updated daily.
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Federal Register (FR)
The Federal Register is the official publication for Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as Executive Orders and other Presidential Documents. The FR provides daily updates to the Code of Federal Regulations and issues relating to international trade, in the form of Rules, Proposed Rules, notices of Proposed Rulemaking and Corrections. Presidential Proclamations regarding international trade sanctions, are published.
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Handbooks and Manuals (HM)
Including the AIM - Aeronautical Information Manual, IFIM - International Flight Information Manual, NAIGAOM - North Atlantic International General Aviation Operations Manual, Aircraft Materials Test Handbook, and Handbook Bulletins (which are grouped into six different categories: FSAT, FSAW, FSGA, HBAT, HBAT, and HBGA).
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International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Includes all the annexes and related information. ICAO establishes international standards and recommends operating practices and procedures covering the technical field of aviation, leveraging its unifying influence in developing a code of international air law for over 180 countries.
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Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA)
The JAA is an associative body of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) representing the civil aviation regulatory authorities of a number of European States who have agreed to cooperate in developing and implementing common safety regulatory standards and procedures. This cooperation is intended to provide high and consistent standards of safety and a "level playing field" for competition in Europe. Much emphasis is also placed on harmonizing the JAA regulations with those of the USA. The databases are broken into four main categories for ease of use in searching from the table of contents: Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR), Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA), Administrative and Guidance Material (AGM), and Orange Papers. The JARs are complete with all of sections 1, 2, and 3.
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Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL)
The MMEL is a list of equipment that the FAA has determined may be inoperative under certain operational conditions and still provide an acceptable level of safety. Just as the MEL, it contains the conditions, limitations, and procedures required for operating the aircraft with these items inoperative. The MMEL is used as a starting point in the development and review of an individual operator's MEL. The MEL is a document derived from the MMEL and is applicable to an individual operator. The operator's MEL takes into consideration the operator's particular aircraft configuration, operational procedures and conditions. It is the specific inoperative equipment document for a particular make and model aircraft by serial and registration numbers, e.g., BE-200, N12345, and its use is authorized by the operator's operations specifications. When approved and authorized for use, the MEL permits operation of the aircraft under specified conditions with inoperative equipment.
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Notices To Airmen (NOTAM)
The Notices to Airmen publication contains the following sections with each "issue" released: Preface: Foreword, Publication Schedule, NOTAM & Weather Contractions. Part 1: Airway NOTAMs; Airport, Facilities, & Procedural NOTAMs; General FDC NOTAMs. Part 2: Part 95 Revisions to Minimum En Route IFR Altitudes and Changeover Points. Part 3: International Notices to Airmen. Part 4: Graphic Notices.
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Notices of Proposed Rules (NPRM)
Rulemaking most frequently involves issuing NPRMs, inviting public comment on the proposed rules, holding public hearings on them, and when a decision has been reached, issuing new rules, directives, and requirements through mandatory FARs. NPRMs are published in the Federal Register as Proposed Rules. All NPRMs are Proposed Rules, but not all Proposed Rules are NPRMs.
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Technical Standard Orders (TSO)
TSOs prescribe minimum performance standards for parts, materials, etc. used on civil aircraft. They are incorporated by reference into FAR part 21, Certification Procedures for Products and Parts. TSOs are mandatory for FAA compliance. While TSOs are revised periodically, a newer revision does not necessarily supersede an older one. Unless a TSO is actually canceled by the FAA, anyone with permission to work under the old TSO can continue to do so even after the new revision has been issued. Anyone beginning to work after the new TSO is issued can work only under the rules established in the new TSO.
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Type Certificate Data Sheets (TCD)
Under Federal law, no civil aircraft registered in the United States can operate without a valid airworthiness certificate. This certificate must be approved and issued by the FAA and it will only be issued if the aircraft and its engines, propellers and appliances are found to be airworthy and meet the requirements of an FAA-approved Type Certificate. The FAA issues a type certificate when a new aircraft, engine, propeller, etc., is found to meet safety standards set forth by the FAA. The TCD lists the specifications, conditions and limitations under which airworthiness requirements were met for the specified product, such as engine make and model, fuel type, engine limits, airspeed limits, maximum weight, minimum crew, etc. TCDs are issued and revised as necessary to accommodate new models or other major changes in the certified product. TCDs are broken out by TCD Holder and Product Type.
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United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UKCAA)
The Civil Aviation Authority plays a leading role in the development of the aviation industry through the safety and economic regulation of British aviation and by providing air traffic services in UK airspace.
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