Butterfield explains the role and function of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It maintains a national system of airports, ensures efficient use of United States airspace, promotes and regulates safety conditions, coordinates with the Department of Defense, promotes civil aviation and air commerce nationally and internationally, all of which must be carried out effectively and economically. He intends to "restore faith you may have lost in a dedicated and competent federal regulation agency." To that end, Butterfield enumerates steps that the FAA is taking to ensure aircraft safety, and lists the advances it has made in recent years.