Certificates of Waiver

AIM ¶ 4-1-22 — Certificates of Waiver

AIM 4-1-22 explains how to request an FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (Form 7711-2), holder responsibilities, and cancellation rules.

In Plain English

AIM 4-1-22 explains how pilots and operators request relief from specific Federal Aviation Regulations using a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (FAA Form 7711-2). This is common for operations like airshows, banner towing, parachute jumps, and other activities that wouldn't otherwise comply with 14 CFR.

Key points:

Where to file: Any FAA facility can accept the request (or renewal) and forward it to the office with waiver authority.
What a waiver does: Grants relief from specific federal regulations only, to the degree and for the time specified in the certificate.
What it does NOT do: It does not waive state law, local ordinances, or the need for permission from local authorities or property owners — resolving those is the applicant's responsibility.
Holder's duty: The waiver holder must comply with all terms and provisions of the waiver.
Cancellation: The Administrator, the issuing official, or a designated monitor can cancel a waiver at any time. The holder receives written notice, or written confirmation of a verbal cancellation.

Understanding this process matters whenever your planned flight activity falls outside standard FAR limits.

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AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 4-1-22

Requests for a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (FAA Form 7711-2), or requests for renewal of a waiver or authorization, may be accepted by any FAA facility and will be forwarded, if necessary, to the appropriate office having waiver authority. The grant of a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization from 14 CFR constitutes relief from specific regulations, to the degree and for the period of time specified in the certificate, and does not waive any state law or local ordinance. Should the proposed operations conflict with any state law or local ordinance, or require permission of local authorities or property owners, it is the applicant's responsibility to resolve the matter. The holder of a waiver is responsible for compliance with the terms of the waiver and its provisions. A waiver may be canceled at any time by the Administrator, the person authorized to grant the waiver, or the representative designated to monitor a specific operation. In such case either written notice of cancellation, or written confirmation of a verbal cancellation will be provided to the holder.

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What FAA form is used to request a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, and where can it be submitted?

Per AIM 4-1-22, requests are made on FAA Form 7711-2 and may be accepted by any FAA facility, which will forward it to the appropriate office having waiver authority.

Q2Does an FAA waiver relieve the holder from state laws or local ordinances?

No. Per AIM 4-1-22, a Certificate of Waiver only grants relief from specific 14 CFR regulations. It does not waive any state law or local ordinance, and the applicant is responsible for resolving any conflicts or obtaining permission from local authorities or property owners.

Q3Who can cancel a waiver, and how is the holder notified?

Per AIM 4-1-22, a waiver may be canceled at any time by the Administrator, the person authorized to grant it, or the representative designated to monitor the specific operation. The holder will receive either written notice of cancellation or written confirmation of a verbal cancellation.

Related Paragraphs in Chapter 4

¶ 4-1-1

Air Route Traffic Control Centers

¶ 4-1-10

CTAF IFR Approach Procedures

¶ 4-1-11

UNICOM/MULTICOM Frequencies