If state or local law conflicts with federal aviation law, which law prevails?

Federal law prevails in cases where there is a conflict between state or local law and federal aviation law due to the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This clause establishes that federal law takes precedence over state laws whenever there is a direct conflict between the two. Additionally, federal aviation law is specifically designed to govern all aspects of civil aviation in the United States, thereby ensuring a uniform regulatory framework across the country. This uniformity is essential for safety, efficiency, and the management of air traffic and aviation operations.

While state and local laws may regulate certain aspects of aviation, such as local airport rules or zoning, they cannot contradict federal regulations. If a state law is found to interfere with federal aviation regulations, it may be deemed invalid, thereby reinforcing the predominance of federal law in this area. Options involving state or local law are, therefore, limited by this established legal principle, ensuring that aviation regulations remain consistent and enforceable on a national level. International law, while important in certain contexts, does not apply to this specific issue regarding domestic conflicts between state and federal regulations.