FAR 91.703 — International Operations
FAR 91.703 explains rules for U.S.-registered civil aircraft operating outside the United States, including ICAO Annex 2, foreign rules, and RVSM compliance.
In Plain English
FAR 91.703 governs how U.S.-registered civil aircraft must operate when flying outside the United States. The rule blends three sources of authority — U.S. regulations, ICAO standards, and the laws of the country you're flying in — and tells you which one applies where.
When operating a U.S.-registered civil aircraft outside the U.S., you must:
- Over the high seas: Follow ICAO Annex 2 (Rules of the Air) plus FAR §§ 91.117(c) (Mach/speed above 10,000 ft), 91.127, 91.129, and 91.131 (airspace operating rules).
- Within a foreign country: Comply with that country's flight and maneuver regulations.
- Always: Comply with Part 91 to the extent it doesn't conflict with foreign rules or Annex 2 — except §§ 91.117(a), 91.307(b), 91.309, 91.323, and 91.711, which don't apply abroad.
- In RVSM airspace: Comply with § 91.706.
- For aircraft subject to ICAO Annex 16: Carry noise certification documents on board.
Why it matters: as PIC, you're responsible for knowing which rules govern your flight at every point along the route, especially when crossing into international airspace or foreign jurisdictions.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.703§ 91.703 Operations of civil aircraft of U.S. registry outside of the United States.
(a) Each person operating a civil aircraft of U.S. registry outside of the United States shall—
(1) When over the high seas, comply with Annex 2 (Rules of the Air) to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and with §§ 91.117(c), 91.127, 91.129, and 91.131;
(2) When within a foreign country, comply with the regulations relating to the flight and maneuver of aircraft there in force;
(3) Except for §§ 91.117(a), 91.307(b), 91.309, 91.323, and 91.711, comply with this part so far as it is not inconsistent with applicable regulations of the foreign country where the aircraft is operated or Annex 2 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation; and
(4) When operating within airspace designated as Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace, comply with § 91.706.
(5) For aircraft subject to ICAO Annex 16, carry on board the aircraft documents that summarize the noise operating characteristics and certifications of the aircraft that demonstrate compliance with this part and part 36 of this chapter.
(b) Annex 2 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, Rules of the Air, Tenth Edition—July 2005, with Amendments through Amendment 45, applicable November 10, 2016, is incorporated by reference into this section with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than that specified in this section, the FAA must publish a document in theand the material must be available to the public. All approved material is available for inspection at U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 and is available from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Marketing and Customer Relations Unit, 999 Robert Bourassa Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H3C 5H7, Canada;or by contacting the ICAO Marketing and Customer Relations Unit by telephone at 514-954-8022 or by email atFor questions about ICAO Annex 2, contact the FAA's Office of International Affairs at (202) 267-1000. It is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to
[Docket 18834, 54 FR 34320, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-227, 56 FR 65661, Dec. 17, 1991; Amdt. 91-254, 62 FR 17487, Apr. 9, 1997; 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004; Amdt. 91-299, 73 FR 10143, Feb. 26, 2008; Amdt. 91-312, 75 FR 9333, Mar. 2, 2010; Docket FAA-2016-9154, Amdt. 91-348, 82 FR 39664, Aug. 22, 2017]
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1You're flying your U.S.-registered aircraft over the high seas. Whose rules apply?
Per FAR 91.703, over the high seas you must comply with ICAO Annex 2 (Rules of the Air) and with FAR §§ 91.117(c), 91.127, 91.129, and 91.131.
Q2If a foreign country's regulation conflicts with FAR Part 91, which one do you follow?
Under FAR 91.703(a)(3), you follow Part 91 only so far as it is not inconsistent with the applicable foreign regulations or ICAO Annex 2 — meaning the foreign rule prevails when there's a conflict.
Q3What documentation does FAR 91.703 require you to carry for an aircraft subject to ICAO Annex 16?
FAR 91.703(a)(5) requires you to carry documents on board that summarize the aircraft's noise operating characteristics and certifications, demonstrating compliance with Part 91 and Part 36.
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