AC 120-78B - Advisory Circular - Electronic Signatures, Electronic Recordkeeping, and Electronic Manuals

Oct 22, 2026

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Advisory Circular AC 120-78B establishes standards and guidance for using electronic signatures, electronic recordkeeping systems, and electronic manual systems in contexts where Title 14 CFR requires those items in digital or electronic formats. It outlines an acceptable means of compliance, while clarifying that the document does not carry the force of law and is intended to inform the public about existing legal or agency requirements. The circular also provides structure and sections covering approval, acceptance, authorization, and administrative guidance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages37

Reading Time1 h 33 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter 1. General Information

1.1 Purpose of This Advisory Circular (AC)

1.2 Audience

1.3 Where You Can Find This AC

1.4 What This AC Cancels

1.5 Applicability

1.6 Scope

1.7 Background

1.8 Definitions

1.9 Approval, Acceptance, and Authorization

Chapter 2. Electronic Signatures

2.1 Electronic Signatures

2.2 Electronic Signature Process

2.3 Electronic Signature Authorization

Chapter 3. Electronic Recordkeeping

3.1 Electronic Records

3.2 Electronic Recordkeeping Systems

3.3 Electronic Recordkeeping Authorization

Chapter 4. Electronic Manual Systems

4.1 Electronic Manuals

4.2 Special Considerations in Displaying Information

4.3 Electronic Manual Systems

4.4 Electronic Manual Authorization

Chapter 5. Voluntary Discontinuance by Certificate Holder

5.1 Voluntary Discontinuance

Chapter 6. Administrative

6.1 Questions About This AC

6.2 AC Feedback Form

6.3 Other Related Regulations, Guidance, And Reading Material (current editions)

Appendix A. Sample Letter of Intent

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular Subject: Electronic Signatures, Electronic Recordkeeping, and Electronic Manuals Date: 12/11/24 Initiated by: AFS-300/ AFS-200 AC No: AC 120-78B Change: This advisory circular (AC) provides standards and guidance for electronic signatures, electronic recordkeeping, and electronic manual systems. The standards and guidance contained in this AC apply to those signatures, records, and manuals required by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) when those items are in a digital or electronic format. This AC describesan acceptable means, but not the only means, for a certificate holder to utilize an electronic signature, electronic recordkeeping, and electronic manual systems. The contents ofthis document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in anyway, and the document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. Timothy R. Adams for Lawrence Fields Executive Director, Flight Standards Service CONTENTS Paragraph Page Chapter 1. General Information ................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Purpose of This Advisory Circular (AC) ...................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Audience ....................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.3 Where You Can Find This AC...................................................................................... 1-1 1.4 What This AC Cancels.................................................................................................. 1-1 1.5 Applicability ................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.6 Scope ............................................................................................................................. 1-2 1.7 Background ................................................................................................................... 1-3 1.8 Definitions..................................................................................................................... 1-4 1.9 Approval, Acceptance, and Authorization .................................................................... 1-5 Chapter 2. Electronic Signatures.................................................................................................. 2-1 2.1 Electronic Signatures .................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Electronic Signature Process......................................................................................... 2-2 2.3 Electronic Signature Authorization............................................................................... 2-5 Chapter 3. Electronic Recordkeeping .......................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Electronic Records ........................................................................................................ 3-1 3.2 Electronic Recordkeeping Systems............................................................................... 3-2 3.3 Electronic Recordkeeping Authorization...................................................................... 3-5 Chapter 4. Electronic Manual Systems ........................................................................................ 4-1 4.1 Electronic Manuals ....................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Special Considerations in Displaying Information ....................................................... 4-1 4.3 Electronic Manual Systems........................................................................

FAQs

What does AC 120-78B cover for electronic systems under 14 CFR?

It provides standards and guidance for electronic signatures, electronic recordkeeping, and electronic manual systems when required by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations in digital or electronic formats.

Is AC 120-78B legally binding?

No. The circular states it does not have the force and effect of law and is intended only to provide information about existing requirements under law or agency policies.

Where does the circular explain who must follow the guidance and when it applies?

Chapter 1 includes sections on audience (1.2), applicability (1.5), and scope (1.6), describing where and for which regulated entities the guidance applies.

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by QWQ