What is the primary purpose of Advisory Circulars?

Advisory Circulars (ACs) primarily serve to explain the intent behind federal regulations. They provide guidance to airports, aviation stakeholders, and industry professionals to understand how to comply with existing regulations. By elucidating the reasoning and intent behind these regulations, ACs help ensure that the standards are met and that stakeholders can implement the regulations effectively.

This function is critical for fostering a consistent understanding across the aviation industry, as it translates complex regulatory language into more accessible guidelines. In this context, ACs do not serve as peer-reviewed research, regulate security standards directly, or act as funding mechanisms. Instead, their focus is firmly on clarifying federal regulations and aiding compliance efforts within the aviation sector.