FAR 91.1013 — Operational Control Acknowledgment
FAR 91.1013 requires fractional program managers to brief owners on operational control duties and obtain a signed acknowledgment. Learn what it covers.
FAR 91.1013 governs the operational control briefing and signed acknowledgment required in fractional ownership programs under Subpart K. When a fractional owner signs an initial program management services contract — or renews or extends one — the program manager must brief the owner on what operational control means and what responsibilities come with it. The owner must then sign an acknowledgment, which becomes part of the contract.
The acknowledgment must spell out when the owner is in operational control and the owner's duties and exposure, including:
- Compliance with the management specifications and all applicable regulations
- Enforcement actions if the owner fails to comply
- Liability risk for personal injury or property damage from a flight-related event
By signing, the owner affirms they have read, understand, and accept these responsibilities. The program manager must make these acknowledgments available to the owner (or their representatives) and to the FAA for all program aircraft.
This matters operationally because operational control determines who is legally responsible for a flight — a critical concept in fractional operations where pilots, managers, and owners share roles.