About Federal Aviation Regulations

Part of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) control all aviation within the United States. Whether you're an airline pilot, a hot-air ballooner or someone who enjoys flying model airplanes or rockets, FARs surely have something to say concerning what you can and cannot do. In an effort to keep the American public safe in the air, tens of thousands of sections have been written into the FARs.

Function

FARs exist in order to promote safety in the air by protecting pilots, passengers and the public from danger. Especially after the September 11, 2001 attacks, they have expanded their role to the protection of national security.

History

FARs had their origin in 1926, when the Air Commerce Act of May 20 was passed, putting the government in control of issuing and enforcing air traffic rules, granting licenses to pilots and certificates to aircraft, as well as establishing airways. This came at the urging of the aviation industry itself, who believed that government help would be necessary in expanding aviation's commercial viability. As the industry rapidly grew through the ensuing decades, the Federal role in aviation expanded to include new bodies such as the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) in 1940, as well as the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) in 1958, which became the Federal Aviation Administration in 1966.

Organization

FARs are organized into hundreds of sections. Since the entire body exists within the Code of Federal Regulations, these sections are referred to as parts, with each part treating a specific type of aviation-related activity. For example, Part 91 is titled "General Operating and Flight Rules," while Part 147 is titled "Aviation Maintenance Technicians Schools." The majority of these parts focus on the certification of schools, aircraft and pilots.

Classes of Flight

The three classes of flight outlined in FARs are private, commuter and commercial. Thus it the type of activity rather than the type of aircraft that the parts distinguish. Commuter and commercial regulations are much more restrictive and therefore lengthier than those in general and private aviation. Therefore the training required for commuter and commercial pilots is highly demanding, and the regulations are more numerous and extended.

Notable Parts

Some parts from FARs should be familiar to the public, namely those dealing with mandatory safety presentations on board all commercial planes and the granting of final authority over any aircraft being operated to the pilot-in-command. The pilot, for instance, must exercise the latter in any emergency requiring rapid response, such as a crash landing. In such cases, the commanding pilot is allowed to forego any other regulation as deemed necessary to cope with the emergency.

Resources

• Federal Aviation Administration homepage