Abstract: The author discusses how the fledgling avionics equipment designer/manufacturer should interact with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He presents a basic primer on Federal Aviation Regulations and guidance associated with avionics and electrical systems. FAA organizations with which an applicant will have contact are considered along with FAA processes and procedures related to FAA design, manufacturing, and installation approvals. Pitfalls frequently encountered by new entrants into the arena of avionics and electrical system certification are also discussed.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>