FAR 91.711 — Foreign Civil Aircraft
FAR 91.711 sets special rules for foreign civil aircraft in the U.S., covering English radio, IFR equipment, ratings, oceanic flight plans, and DME/RNAV.
In Plain English
FAR 91.711 adds extra requirements for foreign civil aircraft operating inside the United States, on top of the rest of Part 91.
- English-language radio: For VFR ops requiring two-way radio, at least one crewmember on duty must be able to communicate in English.
- IFR operations require:
- Radio gear capable of two-way ATC communication in controlled airspace, plus navigation equipment suitable for the route.
- Each pilot to hold a current U.S. instrument rating or be authorized to fly IFR by their foreign airman certificate, and to be thoroughly familiar with U.S. en route, holding, and letdown procedures.
- An English-speaking crewmember on duty while approaching, within, or leaving the U.S.
- Overwater flights off U.S. shores require flight notification or a flight plan per the ICAO Supplementary Procedures for that region.
- At or above FL240, if VOR is required for the route, the aircraft must have approved DME or a suitable RNAV system. If that equipment fails, the PIC must notify ATC immediately and may continue to the next airport for repair. Limited ferry, test, demo, and training flights may operate at or above FL240 without DME/RNAV if ATC is notified before takeoff.
This matters operationally because it ensures foreign-registered aircraft integrate safely with the U.S. ATC system through common language, qualified pilots, and required navigation equipment.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.711§ 91.711 Special rules for foreign civil aircraft.
(a)In addition to the other applicable regulations of this part, each person operating a foreign civil aircraft within the United States shall comply with this section.
(b)No person may conduct VFR operations which require two-way radio communications under this part unless at least one crewmember of that aircraft is able to conduct two-way radio communications in the English language and is on duty during that operation.
(c)No person may operate a foreign civil aircraft under IFR unless—
(1) That aircraft is equipped with—
(i) Radio equipment allowing two-way radio communication with ATC when it is operated in controlled airspace; and
(ii) Navigation equipment suitable for the route to be flown.
(2) Each person piloting the aircraft—
(i) Holds a current United States instrument rating or is authorized by his foreign airman certificate to pilot under IFR; and
(ii) Is thoroughly familiar with the United States en route, holding, and letdown procedures; and
(3) At least one crewmember of that aircraft is able to conduct two-way radiotelephone communications in the English language and that crewmember is on duty while the aircraft is approaching, operating within, or leaving the United States.
(d)Each person operating a foreign civil aircraft over water off the shores of the United States shall give flight notification or file a flight plan in accordance with the Supplementary Procedures for the ICAO region concerned.
(e)If VOR navigation equipment is required under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, no person may operate a foreign civil aircraft within the 50 States and the District of Columbia at or above FL 240, unless the aircraft is equipped with approved DME or a suitable RNAV system. When the DME or RNAV system required by this paragraph fails at and above FL 240, the pilot in command of the aircraft must notify ATC immediately and may then continue operations at and above FL 240 to the next airport of intended landing where repairs or replacement of the equipment can be made. A foreign civil aircraft may be operated within the 50 States and the District of Columbia at or above FL 240 without DME or an RNAV system when operated for the following purposes, and ATC is notified before each takeoff:
(1) Ferry flights to and from a place in the United States where repairs or alterations are to be made.
(2) Ferry flights to a new country of registry.
(3) Flight of a new aircraft of U.S. manufacture for the purpose of—
(i) Flight testing the aircraft;
(ii) Training foreign flight crews in the operation of the aircraft; or
(iii) Ferrying the aircraft for export delivery outside the United States.
(4) Ferry, demonstration, and test flight of an aircraft brought to the United States for the purpose of demonstration or testing the whole or any part thereof.
[Docket 18834, 54 FR 34320, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-227, 56 FR 65661, Dec. 17, 1991; Amdt. 91-296, 72 FR 31679, June 7, 2007]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What English-language requirement applies to a foreign civil aircraft flying VFR in the U.S. when two-way radio is required?
Per FAR 91.711(b), at least one crewmember on duty must be able to conduct two-way radio communications in English during the operation.
Q2What must a pilot of a foreign civil aircraft have to legally operate IFR in the United States?
Under FAR 91.711(c)(2), the pilot must hold a current U.S. instrument rating or be IFR-authorized by their foreign airman certificate, and be thoroughly familiar with U.S. en route, holding, and letdown procedures.
Q3If a foreign civil aircraft is operating at or above FL240 using VOR navigation and its DME fails, what is required?
FAR 91.711(e) requires the PIC to notify ATC immediately, after which the flight may continue at or above FL240 only to the next airport of intended landing where the equipment can be repaired or replaced.
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Related Sections in Part 91