Part 91 Applicability

FAR 91.1 — Part 91 Applicability

FAR 91.1 defines where and to whom Part 91 flight rules apply, including U.S. airspace, coastal waters, and exceptions for ultralights and drones.

In Plain English

FAR 91.1 is the opening section of Part 91 and tells you where and to whom the General Operating and Flight Rules apply. As a private or commercial pilot flying under Part 91, this is the rulebook that governs almost everything you do day-to-day.

Key points:

Part 91 applies to aircraft operations within the United States, including waters within 3 nautical miles of the U.S. coast.
Between 3 and 12 nautical miles offshore, only a specified subset of Part 91 sections applies (e.g., §§ 91.1–91.21, VFR/IFR rules, equipment requirements).
The rules apply to each person on board the aircraft, not just the pilot.
Part 91 also sets continued airworthiness responsibilities for operators.
It does not apply to ultralights (Part 103), certain unmanned free balloons and moored balloons (Part 101 subparts B–D), or small UAS (Part 107), except for limited Part 107 cross-references.
Powered-lift operations have additional requirements in Part 194.

Knowing 91.1 matters because it establishes the legal foundation for every other Part 91 reg you'll cite on a checkride.

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Regulation Text

14 CFR § 91.1

§ 91.1 Applicability. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), (e), and (f) of this section and §§ 91.701 and 91.703, this part prescribes rules governing the operation of aircraft within the United States, including the waters within 3 nautical miles of the U.S. coast. (b) Each person operating an aircraft in the airspace overlying the waters between 3 and 12 nautical miles from the coast of the United States must comply with §§ 91.1 through 91.21; §§ 91.101 through 91.143; §§ 91.151 through 91.159; §§ 91.167 through 91.193; § 91.203; § 91.205; §§ 91.209 through 91.217; § 91.221, § 91.225; §§ 91.303 through 91.319; §§ 91.323 through 91.327; § 91.605; § 91.609; §§ 91.703 through 91.715; and § 91.903. (c) This part applies to each person on board an aircraft being operated under this part, unless otherwise specified. (d) This part also establishes requirements for operators to take actions to support the continued airworthiness of each aircraft. (e) This part does not apply to any aircraft or vehicle governed by part 103 of this chapter, or subparts B, C, or D of part 101 of this chapter. (f) Except as provided in §§ 107.13, 107.27, 107.47, 107.57, and 107.59 of this chapter, this part does not apply to any aircraft governed by part 107 of this chapter. (g) Additional requirements for powered-lift operations are set forth in part 194 of this chapter. [Docket 18334, 54 FR 34292, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-257, 64 FR 1079, Jan. 7, 1999; Amdt. 91-282, 69 FR 44880, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 91-297, 72 FR 63410, Nov. 8, 2007; Amdt. 91-314, 75 FR 30193, May 28, 2010; Docket FAA-2015-0150, Amdt. 91-343, 81 FR 42208, June 28, 2016; FAA-2023-1275, Amdt. 91-379, 89 FR 92485, Nov. 21, 2024]

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What rules govern your flight operations as a private pilot, and where do they apply?

Per FAR 91.1, Part 91 prescribes the rules for operating aircraft within the United States, including the waters within 3 nautical miles of the U.S. coast.

Q2If you fly offshore beyond 3 nautical miles, does Part 91 still apply?

Yes. FAR 91.1(b) states that between 3 and 12 nautical miles from the U.S. coast, a specific list of Part 91 sections still applies, including basic flight rules, VFR weather minimums, and required equipment sections.

Q3Does Part 91 apply to ultralights or drones?

No. FAR 91.1(e) and (f) exclude aircraft governed by Part 103 (ultralights), subparts B, C, and D of Part 101, and Part 107 (small UAS), except for a few specific Part 107 cross-references.

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