Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - formerly called the Federal Aviation Agency. This administration was established in 1958, and made part of the Department of Transportation in 1967. It regulates air commerce to promote safety and national defense; controls the use of American airspace by both civilian and military aircraft to ensure safety and efficiency; supports civil aeronautics; helps coordinate research and development of air navigation facilities; develops and operates an air traffic control system for civil and military aircraft; and create and implement programs and rules to control environmental effects of civil aviation, including aircraft noise and sonic boom.