What is the primary federal agency responsible for civil aviation regulation in the United States?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the primary federal agency responsible for the regulation of civil aviation in the United States. Established in 1958, the FAA's mission encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including ensuring the safety of civil aviation, overseeing the air traffic control system, regulating commercial space transportation, and managing the development of civil aviation. The FAA is also responsible for setting national standards for aviation maintenance, pilot training, and aircraft certification, which are vital for maintaining safety and efficiency in the aviation sector.

While the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) plays a critical role in investigating aviation accidents and making safety recommendations, its functions are more focused on safety investigations rather than regulation. The Department of Transportation (DOT) serves as the umbrella organization for transportation policy and planning, coordinating various modes of transport, but it does not specifically regulate aviation as the FAA does. The mention of the Federal Aviation Agency may cause confusion, as this was the FAA's previous name prior to 1967, but it is no longer in official use. Therefore, the accurate designator for the agency currently tasked with civil aviation regulation is the FAA.