Do you know the difference between the FAR’s and AC’s?

While we are on the topic, the AIM, or Aeronautical Information Manual, is a collection of information, best practices, and explanation of regulatory materials. Though the AIM is ‘not regulatory’, it does provide guidance on how to proceed with a given procedure. And sometimes, the guidance is the rule. 

Then there are the FAA’s Advisory Circulars, or AC’s, for short. AC’s cover a wide range of topics, and are numbered accordingly. AC’s are typically non-regulatory. The FAA states this on its website when referring to a specific AC; “This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. It is issued for guidance purposes and to outline a method of compliance with the rules.”

AC’s cover a wide range of topics, and are numbered from 00 through 211, but are not inclusive. For example;

AC 00 – General

AC 20 – Aircraft

AC 60 – Airmen

AC 70 – Airspace

Each of these has one or more subsections containing more specific guidance as applicable. From another source, “… Advisory Circulars are intended to be informative in nature and  not  regulatory; however, many times they describe actions or advice that the FAA expects to be implemented or followed.”

So, AC’s are typically non-regulatory guidance, and contain advice and methods of complying with FAA Regulations as they are written. They sometimes also provide additional explanatory materials.

I hope this helps to clear up some of the confusion regarding the difference between FAR’s and AC’s.

Fly safely!

John