FAR 91.1011 — Operational Control Responsibilities
FAR 91.1011 explains operational control responsibilities for fractional ownership program flights and how owners may delegate tasks to the program manager.
In Plain English
FAR 91.1011 defines who is responsible for the safety and regulatory compliance of a fractional ownership program flight. The bottom line: the owner in operational control is ultimately on the hook for safe operations, airworthiness, and compliance with all applicable FARs.
Key points to understand:
- The owner may delegate some or all of these tasks to the program manager and rely on the manager's aviation expertise and program management services.
- When tasks are delegated, the owner and program manager are jointly and individually responsible for compliance — delegation does not transfer liability away from the owner.
- Management specifications, authorizations, and approvals under this subpart are issued solely in the name of the program manager, on behalf of the fractional owners collectively.
- These authorizations are not affected by a change in aircraft ownership, so long as the aircraft remains a program aircraft in the identified program.
Operationally, this means a fractional owner can lean on the program manager to run the flight, but cannot 'outsource' away their legal responsibility for the flight's safety and compliance.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1011§ 91.1011 Operational control responsibilities and delegation.
(a) Each owner in operational control of a program flight is ultimately responsible for safe operations and for complying with all applicable requirements of this chapter, including those related to airworthiness and operations in connection with the flight. Each owner may delegate some or all of the performance of the tasks associated with carrying out this responsibility to the program manager, and may rely on the program manager for aviation expertise and program management services. When the owner delegates performance of tasks to the program manager or relies on the program manager's expertise, the owner and the program manager are jointly and individually responsible for compliance.
(b) The management specifications, authorizations, and approvals required by this subpart are issued to, and in the sole name of, the program manager on behalf of the fractional owners collectively. The management specifications, authorizations, and approvals will not be affected by any change in ownership of a program aircraft, as long as the aircraft remains a program aircraft in the identified program.
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1In a fractional ownership program, who has ultimate responsibility for the safe operation of a program flight?
Per FAR 91.1011(a), the owner in operational control of the program flight is ultimately responsible for safe operations and compliance, including airworthiness and operational requirements.
Q2If a fractional owner delegates flight tasks to the program manager, does that relieve the owner of responsibility?
No. FAR 91.1011(a) states that when an owner delegates tasks to or relies on the program manager, the owner and program manager are jointly and individually responsible for compliance.
Q3In whose name are the management specifications and authorizations issued for a fractional program, and what happens if an aircraft changes ownership?
FAR 91.1011(b) states the management specifications, authorizations, and approvals are issued solely in the program manager's name on behalf of the owners collectively, and they are not affected by a change in ownership as long as the aircraft remains a program aircraft in that program.
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Related Sections in Part 91