Which regulatory body is responsible for enforcing aviation regulations in the United States?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the regulatory body responsible for enforcing aviation regulations in the United States. The FAA's primary role includes overseeing the safety and regulation of civil aviation, which encompasses the certification of aircraft and pilots, air traffic control, and the development of regulations that govern aviation operations.

The FAA establishes the standards that the aviation industry must meet to ensure the safety and efficiency of air transportation, which includes everything from the operation of airlines to the manufacturing of aircraft. It also has authority over enforcing compliance with these regulations, making it the principal regulatory agency in U.S. aviation.

Other entities mentioned, while crucial to aviation in various capacities, do not have the same regulatory enforcement authority. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) primarily investigates aviation accidents and issues safety recommendations, but it does not enforce regulations. The Department of Transportation (DOT) oversees transportation sectors, including aviation, but the FAA specifically handles aviation safety and regulation enforcement. Air Traffic Control (ATC) manages the safe and efficient movement of aircraft in the airspace system but is not a regulatory body.