FAR 91.1605 — Baghdad FIR Flight Prohibition
FAR 91.1605 (SFAR 77) prohibits U.S. operators from flying below FL320 in the Baghdad FIR (ORBB). Learn exceptions, emergency deviations, and reporting.
In Plain English
FAR 91.1605 is Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 77, which restricts flight operations in the Baghdad Flight Information Region (FIR), ORBB, due to safety and security concerns over Iraqi airspace.
Who it applies to:
- All U.S. air carriers and U.S. commercial operators
- Anyone exercising the privileges of an FAA airman certificate (except when flying a U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier)
- All operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft (except foreign air carriers)
The core rule: these persons may not operate below Flight Level 320 (FL320) within the Baghdad FIR. Above FL320, operations are permitted.
Exceptions:
- Flights conducted under a U.S. Government contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with FAA approval, or under an FAA-issued exemption.
- Emergencies affecting flight safety — the PIC may deviate as needed. Unless operating under Part 119, 121, 125, or 135, the pilot must file a written report with the responsible Flight Standards office within 10 business days.
This SFAR is set to remain in effect until October 26, 2027, unless amended.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1605§ 91.1605 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 77—Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Baghdad Flight Information Region (FIR) (ORBB).
(a)This section applies to the following persons:
(1) All U.S. air carriers and U.S. commercial operators;
(2) All persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and
(3) All operators of civil aircraft registered in the United States, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier.
(b)Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, no person described in paragraph (a) of this section may conduct flight operations in the Baghdad Flight Information Region (FIR) (ORBB) at altitudes below Flight Level (FL) 320.
(c)This section does not prohibit persons described in paragraph (a) of this section from conducting flight operations in the Baghdad FIR (ORBB) at altitudes below FL320, provided that such flight operations occur under a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with a department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. Government (or under a subcontract between the prime contractor of the department, agency, or instrumentality, and the person described in paragraph (a) of this section) with the approval of the FAA, or under an exemption issued by the FAA. The FAA will consider requests for approval or exemption in a timely manner, with the order of preference being: first, for those operations in support of U.S. Government-sponsored activities; second, for those operations in support of government-sponsored activities of a foreign country with the support of a U.S. Government department, agency, or instrumentality; and third, for all other operations.
(d)In an emergency that requires immediate decision and action for the safety of the flight, the pilot in command of an aircraft may deviate from this section to the extent required by that emergency. Except for U.S. air carriers and commercial operators that are subject to the requirements of part 119, 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter, each person who deviates from this section must, within 10 days of the deviation, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays, submit to the responsible Flight Standards office a complete report of the operations of the aircraft involved in the deviation, including a description of the deviation and the reasons for it.
(e)This SFAR will remain in effect until October 26, 2027. The FAA may amend, rescind, or extend this SFAR, as necessary.
[Docket FAA-2018-0927, Amdt. 91-353A, 85 FR 65693, Oct. 16, 2020, as amended by Amdt. 91-353B, 87 FR 57390, Sept. 20, 2022; Amdt. 91-353C, 89 FR 83427, Oct. 16, 2024]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What does SFAR 77 (FAR 91.1605) prohibit, and what altitude restriction applies?
Per FAR 91.1605, U.S. air carriers, commercial operators, FAA certificate holders, and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft are prohibited from conducting flight operations below FL320 in the Baghdad FIR (ORBB).
Q2Are there any circumstances under which you could legally fly below FL320 in the Baghdad FIR?
Yes. FAR 91.1605(c) allows operations below FL320 under a U.S. Government contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with FAA approval, or under an FAA-issued exemption. FAR 91.1605(d) also permits deviations in an emergency for flight safety.
Q3If you deviate from SFAR 77 due to an emergency, what reporting is required?
Under FAR 91.1605(d), unless you operate under Part 119, 121, 125, or 135, you must submit a complete report of the deviation and reasons to the responsible Flight Standards office within 10 days, excluding weekends and federal holidays.
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Related Sections in Part 91