Which organization is responsible for regulating aviation in the United States?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the organization responsible for regulating aviation in the United States. It operates under the Department of Transportation and is tasked with ensuring the safety of civil aviation, managing air traffic control, certifying pilots and aircraft, and enforcing regulations related to aviation operations. The FAA sets policies and regulations that govern all aspects of aviation in the U.S., including commercial airlines, general aviation, and unmanned aircraft systems.

The other organizations mentioned, while related to aviation, do not have the same regulatory authority. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) primarily focuses on aerospace research and space exploration rather than regulating aviation. The Department of Transportation (DOT) oversees various modes of transportation but does not specifically regulate aviation; instead, it encompasses the FAA. The Civil Aeronautics Board, which was dissolved in 1985, previously managed air carrier economic regulation but no longer plays a role in the current aviation regulatory framework. Thus, the FAA is the definitive authority in this regard.