Who has the authority to grant the inspection authorization?

The authority to grant inspection authorization (IA) lies with the Local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). Each FSDO is responsible for overseeing compliance with federal aviation regulations and has the responsibility to evaluate and issue IAs to qualified individuals based on their training and experience.

This localized approach ensures that inspectors understand the specific operational environment and regulatory requirements pertinent to their geographic area. The FSDOs assess the qualifications of applicants to ensure they meet the standards set forth by the FAA, which provides a layer of oversight tailored to local aviation practices.

In contrast, the National FAA Headquarters focuses on overarching policy and regulations but does not grant IAs directly. Similarly, a State FAA Office does not exist as an entity with the specific authority to issue IAs; this function is reserved for the FSDO. The "Universal Aviation Authority" is not a recognized entity in the context of U.S. aviation regulations and has no bearing on IA issuance. Thus, the FSDO is the entity with the proper jurisdiction and expertise to grant inspection authorization.