What are Advisory Circulars.

Do you ever find yourself looking for assistance regarding finding the aviation information that you were looking for? Like you wanted to know how to use the VHF frequency 123.45 for air communication or guidance needed on topics such as wake turbulence and icing that may be difficult for you to find in the FAR (Federal Aviation Regulation) or in the AIM (Aeronautical Information Manual).

Here comes the FAA with the advisory circulars that will guide you on aviation regulations and practices. These documents provide insights into the aviation rules, practices, and procedures. Pilots and flight instructors should review these documents to know and understand the rules and increase their knowledge on different aviation topics.

What is an Advisory Circular?

When you look at the aviation product you will see the “FAA compliant” mentioned on it and want to know what it means. The FAA's (Federal Aviation Administration) work is to ensure safety in the aviation field, and its mission is to provide the safest and most efficient airspace system in the world. It’s a big responsibility, with many rules and regulations that those working in aviation must follow. The regulations are comprehensive and long, filled with technical terms that aren’t easy to interpret.

Advisory circulars are publications the FAA offers to systematically inform aviation people about non-regulatory material. Generally speaking, they aren’t regulations in themselves. Furthermore, advisory circulars frequently reference or clarify rules. They can be short when referencing one or more extended and more detailed when providing information on transitioning from one regulation to another. If we accurately describe the advisory circulars, they are published to guide compliance with various aspects of any given regulation.

Why Pilots Use Advisory Circulars?

Telling pilots about Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) can be challenging due to their extensive length and complex legal language, often leading to confusion among aviation experts. The addition of different exceptions and references further complicates FARs. In these situations, advisory circulars become the best resources for providing clarification and guidance quickly and effectively.

Various questions arise when pilots need to determine the log time for currency and training in a simulator or flight training device. In this case, the advisory circular AC 61-136B addresses these queries by offering clarity on issues such as the definition of a simulator, the use of a simulator for landing proficiency, and the logging of instrument time in the absence of an instructor. In advisory circulars, you can find many topics. It includes aircraft, airports, flight schools, pilots, operations, and maintainers.

Advisory circulars clarify and implement regulations while providing guidelines. These guidelines help maintain consistency within the aviation industry, resolve any ambiguity in rules, and offer approaches for operational procedures.

The Federal Aviation Administration issues circulars to ensure safety measures and inform stakeholders about equipment malfunctions or regulation changes. These circulars also communicate updates, such as those regarding fatigue and duty requirements regulations.

Example of Advisory Circular

In the aviation industry, some circulars address different aspects and aim to provide clear guidelines based on standardized practices. These circulars cover various topics, including pilots and airmen, aircraft and airworthiness airspace regulations, general operating rules, air carriers, flight schools, and airports. One notable example of a circular is AC No 61-65H, which guides the Certification of Pilots, Flight, and Ground Instructors.

Final Words

Advisory circulars are essential; they provide all the important information on regulations in a concise and friendly way to pilots and airmen. They are filled with resources on every important subject. You can find and learn about several topics, including safety standards and operational guidelines from the ACs. For experienced pilots, the ACs are tools to quickly understand the regulations and procedures.

Furthermore, ACs clarify and implement essential guidelines. FAA highly recommends the pilots use the advisory circulars for explanations, implementation of guidelines, and for carrying out tasks with the best method. Therefore, by learning and using these circulars, you can ensure maximum safety and efficiency for your aerospace system.