Crewmember Experience

FAR 91.1053 — Crewmember Experience

FAR 91.1053 sets minimum flight time, certificates, and ratings for PIC, SIC, and flight attendants in fractional ownership program operations under Subpart K.

In Plain English

FAR 91.1053 sets the minimum experience and certification required to serve as a pilot or flight attendant in a fractional ownership program operation under Subpart K of Part 91. Every crewmember must first meet the applicable Part 61 requirements, then satisfy these additional thresholds.

Total flight time minimums:

Pilot in Command (PIC): at least 1,500 hours
Second in Command (SIC): at least 500 hours

Certificates and ratings for multi-engine turbine-powered fixed-wing and powered-lift aircraft:

PIC: ATP plus applicable type ratings (not VFR-only)
SIC: Commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating
Flight attendant (if used): appropriately trained

For all other aircraft:

PIC and SIC: Commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating
Flight attendants: appropriately trained

Why it matters: fractional operations carry paying owners on demanding schedules, so the FAA requires airline-style qualifications. The Administrator may grant a deviation from the flight-time minimums if the crewmember has comparable experience and can effectively perform the duties — but that deviation can be revoked at any time.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 91.1053

§ 91.1053 Crewmember experience. (a) No program manager or owner may use any person, nor may any person serve, as a pilot in command or second in command of a program aircraft, or as a flight attendant on a program aircraft, in program operations under this subpart unless that person has met the applicable requirements of part 61 of this chapter and has the following experience and ratings: (1) Total flight time for all pilots: (i) Pilot in command—A minimum of 1,500 hours. (ii) Second in command—A minimum of 500 hours. (2) For multi-engine turbine-powered fixed-wing and powered-lift aircraft, the following FAA certification and ratings requirements: (i) Pilot in command—Airline transport pilot and applicable type ratings not limited to VFR only. (ii) Second in command—Commercial pilot and instrument ratings. (iii) Flight attendant (if required or used)—Appropriately trained personnel. (3) For all other aircraft, the following FAA certification and rating requirements: (i) Pilot in command—Commercial pilot and instrument ratings. (ii) Second in command—Commercial pilot and instrument ratings. (iii) Flight attendant (if required or used)—Appropriately trained personnel. (b) The Administrator may authorize deviations from paragraph (a)(1) of this section if the Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications finds that the crewmember has comparable experience, and can effectively perform the functions associated with the position in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. Grants of deviation under this paragraph may be granted after consideration of the size and scope of the operation, the qualifications of the intended personnel and the circumstances set forth in § 91.1055(b)(1) through (3). The Administrator may, at any time, terminate any grant of deviation authority issued under this paragraph. [Docket FAA-2001-10047, 68 FR 54561, Sept. 17, 2003, as amended by Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 91-350, 83 FR 9171, Mar. 5, 2018; FAA-2023-1275, Amdt. 91-379, 89 FR 92486, Nov. 21, 2024]

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What are the minimum total flight time requirements for PIC and SIC in a fractional ownership program operation?

Per FAR 91.1053(a)(1), the PIC must have at least 1,500 hours total time and the SIC must have at least 500 hours total time.

Q2What certificates and ratings does a PIC need to fly a multi-engine turbine-powered jet in a Subpart K program operation?

FAR 91.1053(a)(2)(i) requires an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with the applicable type ratings, and those type ratings cannot be limited to VFR only.

Q3Can the FAA waive the flight-time minimums in 91.1053, and under what conditions?

Yes. Under FAR 91.1053(b), the Administrator may authorize a deviation from the flight-time minimums if the issuing Flight Standards office finds the crewmember has comparable experience and can effectively perform the position's duties; the deviation can be terminated at any time.

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Related Sections in Part 91

§ 91.1

Part 91 Applicability