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PIC Emergency Authority

AIM ¶ 6-1-1 — PIC Emergency Authority

AIM 6-1-1 explains pilot-in-command responsibility, emergency authority to deviate from FARs under 91.3(b), and ATC notification requirements.

In Plain English

AIM 6-1-1 reinforces a core principle every pilot must know: the pilot-in-command (PIC) is directly responsible for and is the final authority on the operation of the aircraft. This authority comes with real teeth — in an emergency requiring immediate action, the PIC may deviate from any rule in 14 CFR Part 91, Subparts A and B, to the extent needed to handle the emergency (per 14 CFR 91.3(b)).

Key operational points:

  • Emergency deviation is allowed, but only to the extent required to meet the emergency.
  • If the deviation breaks an ATC clearance, the PIC must notify ATC as soon as possible and obtain an amended clearance.
  • A modern Emergency Autoland or emergency descent system may take over and deviate from rules if the pilot becomes incapacitated.
  • During a two-way radio communications failure on an IFR flight, pilots are expected to follow the lost-comm procedures of 14 CFR 91.185 — unless an actual emergency requires use of 91.3(b) authority.

This matters on every flight: the FAA expects you to act decisively when safety demands it, but also to communicate, document, and stay within the spirit of the rules whenever possible.

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AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 6-1-1
The pilot-in-command of an aircraft is directly responsible for and is the final authority as to the operation of that aircraft. In an emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot-in-command may deviate from any rule in 14 CFR part 91, Subpart A, General, and Subpart B, Flight Rules, to the extent required to meet that emergency. If the emergency authority of 14 CFR section 91.3(b) is used to deviate from the provisions of an ATC clearance, the pilot-in-command must notify ATC as soon as possible and obtain an amended clearance. Unless deviation is necessary under the emergency authority of 14 CFR section 91.3, pilots of IFR flights experiencing two-way radio communications failure are expected to adhere to the procedures prescribed under “IFR operations, two-way radio communications failure.”
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Who is responsible for the operation of the aircraft, and what authority does that person have in an emergency?
Per AIM 6-1-1, the pilot-in-command is directly responsible for and is the final authority as to the operation of the aircraft. In an emergency requiring immediate action, the PIC may deviate from any rule in 14 CFR Part 91, Subparts A and B, to the extent required to meet that emergency (14 CFR 91.3(b)).
Q2If you use emergency authority to deviate from an ATC clearance, what are you required to do?
Per AIM 6-1-1, if the emergency authority of 14 CFR 91.3(b) is used to deviate from the provisions of an ATC clearance, the pilot-in-command must notify ATC as soon as possible and obtain an amended clearance.
Q3On an IFR flight, you experience a two-way radio communications failure but no other emergency. What procedures apply?
Per AIM 6-1-1, unless deviation is necessary under the emergency authority of 14 CFR 91.3, pilots of IFR flights experiencing two-way radio communications failure are expected to adhere to the lost communications procedures prescribed in 14 CFR 91.185.
Related Paragraphs in Chapter 6
6-1-2
Declaring an Emergency
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