Aviation Regulations
57 key aviation regulations explained in plain English. Each regulation includes the official text, a clear explanation, related rules, and which FAA exams test it. Your go-to reference for 14 CFR / FAR study.
14 CFR Part 43
Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration
14 CFR Part 61
Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors
14 CFR 61.3 — Requirement for Certificates, Ratings, and Authorizations
Requires pilots to carry a valid pilot certificate and photo ID, and a valid medical certificate while acting as PIC or required flight crewmember.
14 CFR 61.51 — Pilot Logbooks
Specifies what flight time must be logged and how to log it, including PIC, SIC, instrument, night, and cross-country time.
14 CFR 61.56 — Flight Review
Requires a flight review every 24 calendar months to act as PIC. Must include a minimum of 1 hour ground and 1 hour flight training.
14 CFR 61.57 — Recent Experience: Pilot in Command
Requires 3 takeoffs and landings within 90 days to carry passengers. Night currency requires 3 full-stop landings at night. IFR currency requires 6 approaches, holding, and intercepting/tracking within 6 calendar months.
14 CFR 61.89 — General Limitations: Student Pilots
Student pilots may not carry passengers, fly for compensation or hire, or fly in conditions requiring an instrument rating. Requires instructor endorsements for specific flights.
14 CFR 61.109 — Aeronautical Experience: Private Pilot
Specifies the minimum flight experience required for a private pilot certificate: 40 hours total, including 20 dual and 10 solo.
14 CFR 61.113 — Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations
Private pilots may not fly for compensation or hire, with limited exceptions including sharing expenses with passengers and certain charitable operations.
14 CFR 61.129 — Aeronautical Experience: Commercial Pilot
Requires 250 hours total time for commercial certificate, including 100 hours PIC, 50 hours cross-country, and specific training requirements.
14 CFR 61.195 — Flight Instructor Limitations and Qualifications
Limits flight instructors to 8 hours of instruction per day and sets qualification requirements for various training activities.
14 CFR Part 91
General Operating and Flight Rules
14 CFR 91.17 — Alcohol or Drugs
8-hour bottle-to-throttle rule, 0.04% BAC limit, and prohibition on flying under the influence of any drug that affects safety.
14 CFR 91.117 — Aircraft Speed
250 knots below 10,000 ft MSL, 200 knots below Class B, 200 knots in Class C/D surface areas and within 4 NM of Class C/D primary airports.
14 CFR 91.119 — Minimum Safe Altitudes
1,000 feet above obstacles in congested areas (within 2,000 ft horizontal), 500 feet AGL over uncongested areas, and safe altitude over open water or sparsely populated areas.
14 CFR 91.123 — Compliance with ATC Clearances and Instructions
Pilots must comply with ATC clearances and instructions when operating in controlled airspace, unless an emergency requires deviation.
14 CFR 91.155 — Basic VFR Weather Minimums
Specifies minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements for VFR flight in each class of airspace.
14 CFR 91.159 — VFR Cruising Altitude or Flight Level
VFR cruising altitudes based on magnetic course: eastbound (0-179) = odd thousands +500; westbound (180-359) = even thousands +500.
14 CFR 91.167 — Fuel Requirements for Flight in IFR Conditions
IFR fuel: enough to fly to destination, then to alternate (if required), then 45-minute reserve at normal cruising speed.
14 CFR 91.169 — IFR Flight Plan: Information Required
Specifies IFR flight plan requirements and the conditions under which an alternate airport must be listed.
14 CFR 91.175 — Takeoff and Landing Under IFR
Rules for when a pilot may descend below MDA/DA on an instrument approach, including required flight visibility and visual references.
14 CFR 91.205 — Powered Civil Aircraft with Standard Category Airworthiness Certificates: Instrument and Equipment Requirements
Lists required instruments and equipment for VFR day, VFR night, and IFR flight. Memorized via ATOMATOFLAMES, FLAPS, and GRABCARD.
14 CFR 91.207 — Emergency Locator Transmitters
Requires ELTs on most aircraft, with exceptions for training flights within 50 nm of the departure airport and other specific operations.
14 CFR 91.209 — Aircraft Lights
Position lights are required from sunset to sunrise. Anti-collision lights are required for all operations unless the PIC determines they constitute a safety hazard.
14 CFR 91.211 — Supplemental Oxygen
Crew must use supplemental oxygen above 12,500 ft for over 30 minutes, above 14,000 ft at all times. Passengers must be provided oxygen above 15,000 ft.
14 CFR 91.215 — ATC Transponder and Altitude Reporting Equipment and Use
Transponder with Mode C required in Class A, B, and C airspace, above Class B and C, and above 10,000 MSL (with exceptions).
14 CFR 91.303 — Aerobatic Flight
Prohibits aerobatic flight over congested areas, below 1,500 AGL, with less than 3 SM visibility, near airways, near airports, and when carrying passengers unless they agree.
14 CFR Part 107
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
14 CFR 107.29 — Daylight Operation
Small UAS may only be operated during daylight or civil twilight with anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles.
14 CFR 107.51 — Operating Limitations for Small Unmanned Aircraft
Maximum altitude 400 feet AGL, maximum speed 100 mph (87 knots), maximum weight 55 pounds, minimum visibility 3 statute miles.
14 CFR Part 117
Flight and Duty Limitations and Rest Requirements
14 CFR Part 121
Operating Requirements: Domestic, Flag, and Supplemental Operations
14 CFR Part 135
Commuter and On Demand Operations
14 CFR Part 141
Pilot Schools
Test your regulation knowledge
Regulations make up 25%+ of most FAA written exams. Practice with questions that test your understanding of these rules.