FAA Letters of Authorization (LOA)

An LOA is the FAA's written authorization for a Part 91 operator to conduct a specific operation or use specific equipment, for example RVSM (B046), North Atlantic High Level Airspace (B039), data link communications (A056) or an operator MEL (D195). Part 135 and Part 125 certificate holders receive the same authorizations as Operations Specifications, and Part 91K program managers as Management Specifications.

The FAA Flight Standards office responsible for you, usually your Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). You, the operator, submit the application. We prepare the application package and the documents behind it; only the FAA approves it and issues the LOA.

It depends on the LOA. Most need the application itself, aircraft eligibility evidence, and the procedures and training the authorization relies on. Several international LOAs (A056, B036, B039 and B046) can use the FAA's streamlined application with Statements of Compliance for the aircraft, training and procedures (ASOC, TSOC and PSOC). Each guide linked above lists what the FSDO looks for.

Each LOA has one published flat fee, shown in the table above and on its catalog page. For example, LOA B039 for the North Atlantic is $775. You see your order total before you pay anything, and packages cost less than their documents bought separately.

No. An LOA is issued to the operator for the aircraft it lists, so a new owner or operator applies for its own. See our article on which FAA authorizations do not transfer when you buy an aircraft.

The FAA sets its own review time, which varies by office and workload, and nobody can promise it. A complete, consistent package avoids the most common reason for delay: a return for missing or inconsistent information.