What is the primary responsibility of the FAA?

The primary responsibility of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is to ensure the safety and efficiency of the nation's airspace. This encompasses setting regulations and standards that govern aviation operations, aircraft design and maintenance, pilot training, and airport management. The FAA creates and enforces procedural guidelines that aviation entities must follow to promote safety and compliance within the aviation industry. By establishing these standards, the FAA plays a crucial role in minimizing risks associated with air travel and maintaining a reliable air transportation system.

While investigating transportation-related incidents and ensuring safety is important, the FAA's focus is specifically on aviation; the agency does not cover other transportation modes like roads or trucking. Additionally, routine safety inspections on roads and the regulation of commercial trucking fall under different regulatory bodies, highlighting the FAA's unique role in the realm of aviation safety and standards.