Regulations Quick Reference
BONUS TAB • NOT AN ACS AREA • 14 CFR PART 61 & 91 AT A GLANCE
Part 61 — Pilot Requirements 14 CFR 61
17 yrs
61.103(a)
Minimum age for private pilot certificate
16 yrs
61.87(a)
Minimum age for student pilot solo flight
40 hrs
61.109(a)
Minimum total flight time for PPL (Part 61). Part 141 approved schools: 35 hours.
20 hrs
61.109(a)
Minimum dual instruction required for PPL
10 hrs
61.109(a)
Minimum solo flight time required for PPL
150 nm
61.109(a)(5)
Minimum solo XC total distance. Must include 3 full-stop landings and one leg ≥50 nm.
60 mo
61.23(d)
3rd-class medical validity — pilots under age 40 at time of exam
24 mo
61.23(d)
3rd-class medical validity — pilots age 40 or older at time of exam
90 days
91.107(a)(3)
Passenger currency window — 3 T&Ls (day) or 3 full-stop T&Ls (night) within this period
24 mo
61.56
Flight Review (BFR) recurrence — 1 hr ground + 1 hr flight minimum
60 days
61.109(a)(1)
3 hrs in make/model required within this period before practical test
Part 91 — Operating Rules 14 CFR 91
250 kt
91.117(a)
Maximum IAS below 10,000 ft MSL in all airspace
200 kt
91.117(b)
Max speed within 4 nm of Class C or D airport at/below 2,500 AGL; below Class B corridor
1,000 ft
91.119(b)
Minimum altitude over congested areas — above highest obstacle within 2,000 ft horizontal
500 ft
91.119(c)
Minimum altitude over non-congested areas and open water (except T/O and landing)
30 min
91.151(a)(1)
Day VFR fuel reserve at cruise power after reaching first intended destination
45 min
91.151(a)(2)
Night VFR fuel reserve at cruise power after reaching first intended destination
8 hrs
91.17(a)(2)
Minimum bottle-to-throttle time. FAA recommends 24 hours for full safety margin.
0.04%
91.17(a)(4)
Maximum blood alcohol content (BAC) when acting as a crewmember
1 SM
91.157
Minimum visibility for Special VFR clearance. Night SVFR requires instrument rating + IFR aircraft.
Right-of-Way & VFR Cruising Altitudes 91.113 / 91.159
Right-of-Way Order
Aircraft in distress > Balloon > Glider > Airship > Aircraft towing > Powered aircraft
Head-on: both turn right
Converging: yield to aircraft on your right
Overtaking: pass to the right
Landing: lower aircraft on final has right-of-way; do not cut in front
Head-on: both turn right
Converging: yield to aircraft on your right
Overtaking: pass to the right
Landing: lower aircraft on final has right-of-way; do not cut in front
14 CFR 91.113
VFR Cruising Altitudes (above 3,000 AGL)
MC 0–179° (Eastbound): ODD thousands + 500 ft
3,500 / 5,500 / 7,500 / 9,500 / 11,500 ft
MC 180–359° (Westbound): EVEN thousands + 500 ft
4,500 / 6,500 / 8,500 / 10,500 / 12,500 ft
"AGL" trigger — 3,000 ft above the ground, not 3,000 ft MSL.
3,500 / 5,500 / 7,500 / 9,500 / 11,500 ft
MC 180–359° (Westbound): EVEN thousands + 500 ft
4,500 / 6,500 / 8,500 / 10,500 / 12,500 ft
"AGL" trigger — 3,000 ft above the ground, not 3,000 ft MSL.
14 CFR 91.159
Required Inspections — AVIATES 14 CFR 91
12 mo
91.409(a)
Annual inspection — every 12 calendar months
30 days
91.171
VOR check — required every 30 days for IFR flight. Log: date, place, bearing error, signature.
100 hrs
91.409(b)
100-hour inspection — required when carrying persons for hire. May exceed by up to 10 hrs to reach maintenance.
24 mo
91.411
Altimeter/pitot-static — every 24 calendar months for IFR operations
24 mo
91.413
Transponder — every 24 calendar months
12 mo
91.207
ELT — inspect every 12 months. Replace battery at 50% life or 1 hr cumulative use.
Required Equipment Mnemonics 91.205
Day VFR — TOMATO FLAMES
Tachometer (each engine)
Oil temperature gauge (air-cooled)
Manifold pressure (altitude engines)
Altimeter
Temperature gauge (liquid-cooled)
Oil pressure gauge
Fuel gauge (each tank in use)
Landing gear position indicator (retractable)
Airspeed indicator
Magnetic compass
ELT
Seatbelts / shoulder harnesses
Oil temperature gauge (air-cooled)
Manifold pressure (altitude engines)
Altimeter
Temperature gauge (liquid-cooled)
Oil pressure gauge
Fuel gauge (each tank in use)
Landing gear position indicator (retractable)
Airspeed indicator
Magnetic compass
ELT
Seatbelts / shoulder harnesses
14 CFR 91.205(b)
Night VFR Additions — FLAPS
Fuses / circuit breakers (spare set or reset)
Landing light (if operated for hire)
Anticollision lights (strobe or rotating beacon)
Position / navigation lights (red, green, white)
Source of electrical power adequate for all required equipment
Landing light (if operated for hire)
Anticollision lights (strobe or rotating beacon)
Position / navigation lights (red, green, white)
Source of electrical power adequate for all required equipment
14 CFR 91.205(c)
Light Gun Signals — Quick Reference AIM 4-3-13
| Signal | Aircraft in Flight | Aircraft on Ground |
|---|---|---|
| Steady Green | Cleared to land | Cleared for takeoff |
| Flashing Green | Return for landing | Cleared to taxi |
| Steady Red | Give way, continue circling | Stop |
| Flashing Red | Airport unsafe, do not land | Taxi clear of runway in use |
| Flashing White | (Not used) | Return to starting point |
| Alt. Red & Green | Exercise extreme caution | Exercise extreme caution |
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