Glossary of Aviation Terms | Flight Standards District Office

Flight Standards District Office | Paramount Business Jets

A FSDO is an FAA field office that serves an assigned geographical area and is staffed with Flight Standards personnel who serve the aviation industry and the general public on matters relating to the certification and operation of air carrier and general aviation aircraft. FSDOs can be thought of as regional offices of the FAA and currently there are about 82 such regional offices nationwide.

Activities carried out by FSDOs include general surveillance of operational safety, certification of airmen and aircraft, accident prevention, investigation, enforcement, etc. FSDOs are also responsible for low-flying aircraft, accident reporting, aircraft maintenance, aircraft operational issues, aircraft permits and certification and modification issues. Flight Standards District Offices particularly concentrate on enforcement of the federal aviation regulations in the United States.