Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), titled "Aeronautics and Space," is the foundational legal document governing all aviation and space activities in the United States. It contains the codified federal laws and regulations primarily issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is part of the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), along with rules from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation concerning aviation economic proceedings.
These regulations, often referred to collectively as the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), are designed to promote safety, efficiency, and order in the national airspace system and in space operations.
Title 14 CFR is organized into multiple chapters, each corresponding to a specific agency or area of regulation, and then further subdivided into "Parts" that address particular aspects:
I. Chapter I - Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation (Parts 1-199) This is the largest and most comprehensive chapter, containing the vast majority of regulations relevant to aviation. It is further broken down into subchapters:
Subchapter A—Definitions and General Requirements (Parts 1-5):
Part 1: Definitions and abbreviations. Essential for understanding the terminology used throughout the FARs.
Part 3: General requirements.
Part 5: Safety Management Systems.
Subchapter B—Procedural Rules (Parts 11-17):
Part 11: General rulemaking procedures. How the FAA develops and amends regulations.
Part 13: Investigative and enforcement procedures. How the FAA investigates violations and takes enforcement actions.
Part 16: Rules of practice for federally-assisted airport enforcement proceedings.
Part 17: Procedures for protests and contract disputes.
Subchapter C—Aircraft (Parts 21-59): This subchapter covers the design, production, and airworthiness of aircraft.
Part 21: Certification procedures for products and parts. How aircraft, engines, and propellers are certified.
Parts 23, 25, 27, 29, 31: Airworthiness standards for different categories of aircraft (e.g., normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter airplanes; transport category airplanes; normal and transport category rotorcraft; manned free balloons).
Parts 33, 35: Airworthiness standards for aircraft engines and propellers.
Part 36: Noise standards: Aircraft type and airworthiness certification.
Part 39: Airworthiness directives. Mandatory actions to correct unsafe conditions in aircraft.
Part 43: Maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration. Rules for aircraft upkeep.
Part 45: Identification and registration marking.
Part 47: Aircraft registration.
Part 48: Registration and marking requirements for small unmanned aircraft (Drones).
Part 49: Recording of aircraft titles and security documents.
Subchapter D—Airmen (Parts 60-68): This subchapter covers the certification and medical standards for pilots and other airmen.
Part 61: Certification: Pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors. Requirements for various pilot licenses and ratings.
Part 63: Certification: Flight crewmembers other than pilots.
Part 65: Certification: Airmen other than flight crewmembers. (e.g., air traffic controllers, aircraft dispatchers, mechanics).
Part 67: Medical standards and certification. Requirements for aviation medical certificates.
Subchapter E—Airspace (Parts 71-77):
Part 71: Designation of airspace areas; airways; routes; and reporting points.
Part 73: Special use airspace.
Part 77: Objects affecting navigable airspace. (e.g., height limits for structures).
Subchapter F—Air Traffic and General Operating Rules (Parts 89-109):
Part 91: General operating and flight rules. These are the most commonly referenced rules for pilots, covering everything from preflight actions to speed limits and instrument flight rules (IFR) requirements.
Part 93: Special air traffic rules.
Part 95: IFR altitudes.
Part 97: Standard instrument approach procedures.
Part 101: Moored balloons, kites, unmanned rockets, and unmanned free balloons.
Part 103: Ultralight vehicles.
Part 105: Parachute Operations.
Part 107: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS, Drones for commercial use).
Subchapter G—Air Carriers and Operators for Compensation or Hire: Certification and Operations (Parts 110-139):
Part 119: Certification: Air carriers and commercial operators.
Part 121: Operating requirements: Domestic, flag, and supplemental operations. (for major airlines).
Part 125: Certification and operations: Airplanes having a seating capacity of 20 or more passengers or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more.
Part 135: Operating requirements: Commuter and on-demand operations. (for smaller commercial operations, charter flights).
Part 139: Certification of Airports.
Subchapter H—Schools and Other Certificated Agencies (Parts 140-147):
Part 141: Pilot schools.
Part 142: Training centers.
Subchapter I—Airports (Parts 150-169):
Part 150: Airport noise compatibility planning.
Part 157: Notice of construction, alteration, activation, and deactivation of airports.
Part 158: Passenger facility charges (PFCs).
Subchapter K—Administrative Regulations (Parts 183-199):
Part 183: Representatives of the Administrator.
Part 187: Fees.
II. Chapter II - Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation (Aviation Proceedings) (Parts 200-399) This chapter contains economic regulations related to aviation that are overseen by the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, rather than the FAA. This includes rules related to:
Air carrier fitness.
Reporting requirements for air carriers.
Consumer protection rules for airline passengers (e.g., tarmac delays, denied boarding compensation).
Foreign air carrier permits.
Essential Air Service (EAS) program.
III. Chapter III - Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation (Parts 400-460) This chapter, specifically managed by the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST), regulates commercial space launch and reentry operations.
Part 401: Organization and definitions.
Part 415: Launch license.
Part 417: Launch safety.
Part 420: License to operate a launch site.
Part 431: Launch and reentry of reusable launch vehicles (RLV).
Part 440: Financial responsibility.
IV. Chapter V - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 1200-1299) This chapter contains regulations specific to NASA's operations, including:
Part 1203: Disclosure of records and information. (Freedom of Information Act).
Part 1204: Administrative authority and policy.
Part 1214: Space Flight.
Part 1216: Environmental quality regulations.
Part 1245: Patents and other intellectual property rights.
Part 1261: Processing of monetary claims (Federal Tort Claims Act).
Title 14 CFR is continuously updated, with changes published in the Federal Register. It is the bedrock for all aviation professionals (pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers), airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airport operators, and commercial space entities in the United States.
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