PIC/SIC Designation

FAR 91.1031 — PIC/SIC Designation

FAR 91.1031 requires fractional ownership program managers to designate a PIC for every flight and an SIC when two pilots are required.

In Plain English

FAR 91.1031 applies to fractional ownership program operations and sets a clear rule about who is in charge of each flight.

The program manager (the company running the fractional program) must formally designate:

A pilot in command (PIC) for every program flight, and
A second in command (SIC) for every program flight that requires two pilots.

Once the program manager names the PIC for a flight, that pilot remains the PIC for the entire flight. The designation cannot shift back and forth between crewmembers mid-flight.

Why it matters operationally: Having a single, clearly designated PIC eliminates any ambiguity about command authority and final responsibility for the safety of the flight. It also ties cleanly into other regulations that place duties (such as preflight action, regulatory compliance, and emergency authority) squarely on the PIC. For two-pilot aircraft, pre-designating the SIC ensures crew roles, training, and qualifications are sorted out before the flight ever begins.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 91.1031

§ 91.1031 Pilot in command or second in command: Designation required. (a) Each program manager must designate a— (1) Pilot in command for each program flight; and (2) Second in command for each program flight requiring two pilots. (b) The pilot in command, as designated by the program manager, must remain the pilot in command at all times during that flight.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1In a fractional ownership operation, who is responsible for designating the pilot in command and second in command for a flight?

Under FAR 91.1031, the program manager is responsible for designating the PIC for each program flight and the SIC for each program flight that requires two pilots.

Q2Once a PIC is designated for a fractional program flight, can that designation change during the flight?

No. FAR 91.1031(b) requires that the pilot in command designated by the program manager remain the PIC at all times during that flight.

Q3When must a second in command be designated for a fractional program flight?

FAR 91.1031(a)(2) requires the program manager to designate an SIC for each program flight that requires two pilots.

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