Aerobatic Flight

FAR 91.303 — Aerobatic Flight

FAR 91.303 sets where and when aerobatic flight is prohibited, including airspace, altitude, visibility, and proximity to airways and people.

In Plain English

FAR 91.303 governs where and when you can perform aerobatic flight. The rule defines aerobatic flight as an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration that is not necessary for normal flight.

You may not operate in aerobatic flight:

Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement
Over an open air assembly of persons
Within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, C, D, or E airspace designated for an airport
Within 4 nautical miles of the centerline of any Federal airway
Below 1,500 feet AGL
When flight visibility is less than 3 statute miles

Why it matters: aerobatic maneuvers create high risk to people on the ground and to other traffic. Knowing these limits keeps you legal, protects bystanders, and ensures you have the altitude and visibility margin needed to recover safely if a maneuver doesn't go as planned.

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Regulation Text

14 CFR § 91.303

§ 91.303 Aerobatic flight. No person may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight— (a) Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement; (b) Over an open air assembly of persons; (c) Within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for an airport; (d) Within 4 nautical miles of the center line of any Federal airway; (e) Below an altitude of 1,500 feet above the surface; or (f) When flight visibility is less than 3 statute miles. For the purposes of this section, aerobatic flight means an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft's attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration, not necessary for normal flight. [Docket 18834, 54 FR 34308, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-227, 56 FR 65661, Dec. 17, 1991]

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1/5

You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1How does FAR 91.303 define aerobatic flight?

Under FAR 91.303, aerobatic flight is an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft's attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration not necessary for normal flight.

Q2What are the altitude and visibility minimums for aerobatic flight?

FAR 91.303 prohibits aerobatic flight below 1,500 feet above the surface or when flight visibility is less than 3 statute miles.

Q3Where, with respect to airspace and airways, are you prohibited from conducting aerobatic flight?

Per FAR 91.303, you may not perform aerobatic flight within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, C, D, or E airspace designated for an airport, or within 4 nautical miles of the centerline of any Federal airway.

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