Lesson 4.1

Lesson 4.0 – Federal Aviation Regulations

(Lesson Overview Page)

In the previous units we studied how the airplane flies and how its systems work. Now we turn to the rules that govern aviation in the United States.

Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) exist to promote safety and create a common set of standards for pilots, aircraft, and airspace. Knowing the regulations that apply to private pilots is required for both the knowledge test and the practical test.

Work through these sub-lessons in order. Focus on understanding the rules that affect you as a Private Pilot rather than trying to memorize every detail.

In these sub-lessons you will learn:

4.1 Pilot Certification & Privileges Student, Recreational, and Private Pilot certificates — privileges and limitations
4.2 Medical Certificates & BasicMed Medical requirements and the BasicMed alternative
4.3 Flight Rules (Part 91 highlights) Right-of-way, minimum altitudes, speed limits, and general operating rules
4.4 Required Documents & Aircraft Airworthiness ARROW documents, airworthiness, and inspections
4.5 Airspace Overview & Basic Requirements Brief introduction to airspace classification and what is required to enter each class

Master the regulations that apply to you. They are written to keep you and everyone else safe.

To Act as a Pilot (and for the Checkride)

Once flying or performing the practical test, the student must have these items physically on their person or readily available inside the flight bag: [1]

Pilot Certificate: A Student Pilot Certificate (if soloing) or the temporary/permanent Private Pilot Certificate.
Government Photo ID: Driver's license or passport.
Medical Certificate: A valid 3rd-class FAA medical certificate (or BasicMed compliance).
FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit: Required only if flying the aircraft across international borders (e.g., Canada, Mexico, Bahamas). [1]

📋 Part 2: Comprehensive Core Regulations Summary

The table below breaks down the high-frequency Airman Certification Standards (ACS) regulations that appear heavily on both the 60-question written exam and during the oral portion of the checkride. [1, 2]

Regulation Section

Official Title

What the Pilot Needs to Know / Acronyms

§ 61.3

Certificate Requirements

You must always carry your pilot certificate, photo ID, and medical while flying.

§ 61.23

Medical Certification

Under-40 medicals last 60 calendar months; age 40+ medicals last 24 calendar months for private operations.

§ 61.56

Flight Review

To remain a legal PIC, you must pass a flight review every 24 calendar months.

§ 61.57

Passenger Currency

Requires 3 takeoffs and landings within the last 90 days. Night currency require those 3 landings to be to a full stop.

§ 61.113

Private Pilot Privileges & Limits

You cannot fly for compensation or hire. You can split aircraft operating costs pro-rata (evenly) with passengers.

§ 91.3

Responsibility of the PIC

The pilot has final authority and can break any rule in a declared in-flight emergency.

§ 91.103

Preflight Action

Must review all available data before a flight. (Memory Key: NWKRAFT).

§ 91.105 / .107

Seatbelts and Harnesses

Crew must wear belts during takeoff, landing, and en route. Passengers must be briefed and wear them for movement, takeoff, and landing.

§ 91.113

Right-of-Way Rules

Aircraft in distress have priority. Less maneuverable aircraft overrule others (Gliders > Airships > Airplanes). Converging planes yield to the right.

§ 91.119

Minimum Safe Altitudes

1,000 ft above / 2,000 ft horizontally from obstacles over congested areas; 500 ft from any person/vessel over open areas.

§ 91.151

VFR Fuel Reserves

Must carry enough fuel to reach your destination, plus an extra 30 minutes (day) or 45 minutes (night) at normal cruise speed.

§ 91.155

VFR Weather Minimums

Visual flight rules require distinct flight visibility and cloud clearance margins depending on the specific airspace class (e.g., the standard 3 miles visibility, 500' below, 1000' above, 2000' horizontal rule for Class D/E/G day airspace).

§ 91.203

Required Onboard Documents

The structural paperwork that must always stay in the airplane profile. (Memory Key: ARROW).

§ 91.205

Required Aircraft VFR Instruments

Instruments that must be working to take off. (Memory Keys: ATOMATO FLAMES for Day; FLAPS for Night).

§ 91.213

Inoperative Equipment Flow

If non-essential gear breaks, you must deactivate/remove it and label it "INOPERATIVE" before flight.

§ 91.409

Aircraft Airworthiness Inspections

Planes must complete an Annual inspection every 12 calendar months, plus a 100-hour inspection if flown for hire/instruction.

NTSB Part 830

Accident Reporting

Immediate notification to the NTSB is required for full aircraft accidents or specific serious incidents (such as flight control failure or in-flight fire). A written report is required within 10 days.

Key Federal Aviation Regulations for Private Pilots

Pilot Certification & Privileges

61.3 – Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations
61.56 – Flight review
61.57 – Recent flight experience: Pilot in command
61.113 – Private pilot privileges and limitations

Medical Certificates & BasicMed

61.23 – Medical certificates: Requirement and duration
Part 68 – BasicMed (qualifications, requirements, and limitations)

General Operating & Flight Rules (Part 91)

91.3 – Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command
91.7 – Civil aircraft airworthiness
91.103 – Preflight action
91.113 – Right-of-way rules
91.119 – Minimum safe altitudes
91.126 – 91.131 – Operating rules for different classes of airspace
91.151 – Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions
91.155 – Basic VFR weather minimums
91.203 – Required documents (ARROW)
91.207 – Emergency locator transmitters
91.209 – Aircraft lights
91.213 – Inoperative instruments and equipment
91.215 – ATC transponder and altitude reporting equipment
91.403 – 91.417 – Maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations (general awareness)