Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Worksheet

The purpose of this is for you to get familiar with navigating the Federal Aviation Regulations, known as the “FARs”. Answering these questions will help you understand the rules we are bound to as pilots. FARs can be found online at ecfr.gov in Title 14. Part 61 (certification), Part 91 (general operating and flight rules)

Student and Private Pilot Certification

1. What kind of medical certificate do you have? How long is it valid for private pilot privileges? What minimum class of medical certificate do you need as a private pilot? 61.23 (specifically the table at the bottom)

2. If you have a non-progressing disability (like an amputation), is there a way I can fly with someone from the FAA and prove I am able to fly without endangering public safety and get a medical? 67.401(b)

3. What documents must any required crewmember (such as a solo student pilot!) have in their possession? Read 61.3(a) through 61.3(e), 61.3(j), and 61.3(l). Note that one item from each list suffices the requirement.

4. What else is required for student pilots on solo cross-country flights? 61.51(i)(2)

5. You will need to take a written test prior to first solo, known as the pre-solo knowledge test. This test is not written by the FAA but rather by the instructor (or in our case, the aero club). What must this test cover? What are the instructor’s responsibilities? 61.87(b)

6. What in-flight maneuvers must be practiced before a student can solo? 61.87(d)

7. What are the limitations of a student pilot certificate? 61.89(a) and 61.89(b)

8. What are the aeronautical knowledge requirements for a private pilot applicant? (You can paraphrase) 61.105

9. What are the flight proficiency requirements for a private pilot applicant? 61.107(a) and 61.107(b)(1)

10. What are the flight time and cross country requirements for a private pilot? 61.109(a)

11. What are the privileges and limitations of a private pilot? What does “pro rata share” mean in the regulation? 61.113

12. Read the following sections: 61.51(a) through 61.51(e), 61.51(h) through 61.51(i). When can a student pilot log pilot in command (PIC) time?

13. When can a pilot log night time? 1.1 (This is one of three ways the FAA defines night! - other definitions coming up!)

14. After you get your certificate, there are ongoing training and flight time requirements, known as “currency”. What is a flight review and how often do you need a flight review? 61.56 Another ongoing requirement is imposed if you wish to carry passengers. The requirements vary depending on if you wish to carry passengers in the day or at night. These are outlined in 61.57(a) and 61.57(b). What is this requirement? (Also note this is the second definition of night!)

Operating Rules

1. Who has the final authority of the operation of an airplane? 91.3

2. Can you deviate from the FARs in response to an emergency? 91.3

3. Read 91.13

4. Can I drop objects out the window of the Skyhawk? 91.17

5. Read 91.17 (8 hours bottle to throttle!)

6. What are our preflight responsibilities? Answer for both flights not in the vicinity of the airport and any flight 91.103

7. We often simplify this into the acronym NWKRAFT: NOTAMs, Weather, Known ATC delays, Runway lengths, Alternates available, Fuel requirements, and Takeoff and landing distances. What is a known ATC delay and where might I find that information? (Requires some research)

8. Part of the passenger briefing includes explaining how to operate the seatbelts. Is this legally required? The Cessna 172 was type certificate before 1987. 91.107

9. You unfortunately decide to un-enroll from the Aero Club and purchase a Beechcraft Bonanza to complete your flight training. This particular Bonanza only has one set of controls on the pilot side. Can it be used for flight training? Example photo. 91.109(a)

10. Right of way is usually determined by aircraft maneuverability. What type of aircraft has the most right of way? What about the least? 91.113

11. If we are approaching head on with another aircraft, which way should we turn? 91.113

12. How do the right of way rules work with regard to landing? 91.113

13. In the Edwards or Fox Class D airspace, are we concerned about violating the speed limit? What is the speed limit? What if we were not in Class C or D airspace? Bonus - why do the restrictions not apply in Class B airspace (requires some thinking…why do we have speed limits in the first place?) 91.117

14. What altitude restrictions are imposed on pilots? 91.119

15. Secondary question: What is a congested area? I’ll buy lunch for whoever can point me to a definitive definition from the FAA. Read this for the FAA’s stance. What do the rules say about altimeter settings? 91.121

16. Can we deviate from an ATC clearance? What about in an emergency? If ATC asks us to do something that we are not comfortable doing, what can we say back? 91.123 What is another way ATC may communicate with us in the event of a loss of comms? 91.125

17. What are the fuel requirements for VFR flights during the day? What about at night? Fill in the table below. 91.151

18. Sometimes, it may be necessary to land when the weather conditions are inadequate for VFR flight. A pilot may request a Special VFR clearance to enter controlled airspace while remaining clear of clouds with 1 statute mile of visibility (less than the requirements outlined above). A Special VFR clearance will never be solicited by ATC, rather it must be requested from the pilot. To use Special VFR at night, additional requirements are imposed: the aircraft must be equipped for IFR flight under 91.205(d) and the pilot must be instrument rated. However, Appendix D to part 91 lists several airports where Special VFR operations are prohibited. More information about Special VFR can be found in 91.157. What airports prohibit special VFR operations? (Just name 2 or 3)

19. What are some altitudes we can fly while on a magnetic course of 230°? What about eastbound magnetic courses? What is a magnetic course? 91.159

20. Does flying within the airspace of Washington DC require special training? 91.161

21. Part of our preflight is to verify the airworthiness and registration are inside the airplane. What special consideration is included with regard to the location of the airworthiness certificate? 91.203

22. The FAA outlines minimum required equipment for flight. Read 91.205(a), (b), and (c). Think about which items apply to our Skyhawk. For example, do we have a liquid cooled engine? What about an “altitude engine?”

23. What is an emergency locator transmitter (ELT)?

24. There are two time-based inspections on the ELT, one related to the batteries and one related to a general inspection. What does the rule say about these? 91.207 If we are planning to remain in the local area, do we need an ELT on board? 91.207(f)

25. The nav lights (the red and green wingtip lights and white tail light) are also known as position lights. When are position lights required to be illuminated? 91.209(a) (alas the third definition of night!)

26. The beacon and strobe lights comprise the anti-collision lights. When are these required to be illuminated? 91.209(b)

27. What are the requirements for supplemental oxygen? Notice the change in language from (a)(1) and (a)(2) to (a)(3)! 91.211(a)

Fitness for Flight

1. How long should I wait to fly after scuba diving? Does the type of dive matter? AIM 8-1-2d

NTSB Part 830

1. What would require us to notify the NTSB immediately? NTSB Part 830.5

2. In the event of an accident, how soon do we need to file a report? NTSB Part 830.15.

3. What constitutes an accident? NTSB Part 830.2

Maintenance

1. What is preventative maintenance? Part 43 Appendix A (c).

2. Can a private pilot perform preventative maintenance on an airplane they own? What about an airplane they do not own? 43.3(g)