FARs - Regulations/Publications

While the FAR book is not something you take into the bathroom for some light reading, it is necessary to have as a source for all things regulatory in nature.

While the FAA and its lawyers had to make sure and cover all their bases, reading the CFRs from cover to cover is not necessary.  It is, however, helpful to to pay attention to key sections of the book.

FAR/CFR Regulations


Availability - beyond buying the actual book at pilot shops or book stores, the information is easily accessed via google or at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/faa_regulations/.

Part 1 - Definitions:  Defines the words used by the FAA in the following parts.  Serves to improve clarity of the regulations.

 Part 61 - Certification:  This section deals with how pilots receive their certificates and ratings.  It includes requirements that must be met to receive the certificate or rating and the privileges and limitations accompanying them.

Part 91 - General Operating and Flight Rules:  This section deals with how your flying operations can be conducted.  This includes requirements for VFR vs. IFR.  What maintenance requirements are necessary and who can do them.  Noise limits and restrictions on larger turbine and multiengine aircraft.

NTSB 830 - Addresses aircraft accidents.  It deals with requirements to report an accident, what constitutes an accident vs. an incident and definitions of the severity of it, as well as preservation of wreckage.

A/FD
Source of information pertaining to airports, communications data, nav facilities, and special notices/procedures.  Published every 8 weeks for each of the 7 different geographical areas of the U.S.

AIM
An encyclopedia of all things pertaining to flying such as navigation, airspace, air traffic control operations, etc.

FAA Advisory Circular (AC)
Disseminated to provide guidance on subject matter.  This information is not regulatory, but advisory.

Notices to Airmen (NOTAM)
Time-critical information that is either temporary or relevant after the publishing of the A/FD and chart information.  3 Categories.

NOTAM (D) - info on airport or runway closures, nav aid outages, radar service availability.  Distributed when gathering weather information in a standard briefing.

NOTAM (L) - info on taxiway closures, beacon outages, nonessential airport lighting outages.  This is distributed locally.

NOTAM (FDC) - Regulatory - changes in instrument approaches (DAs etc.), changes to aeronautical charts, TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions)

The Notices to Airmen Publication is issued every 28 days.  Once published, the NOTAM is no longer provided in weather briefings unless requested.

Practical Test Standards (PTS)
FARs specify which knowledge and skill must be demonstrated by the applicant.  Can be obtained at pilot shops or often in PDF form from the FAA website.  Verify the year it was published as items do change.

Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)
FAA requires a POH or an FAA-approved flight manual.  These can be found in the aircraft itself or purchased at pilot shops or online.