FAA Legal Interpretations

What are these documents?

The FAA has released many legal interpretations from their lawyers to the public. They have since revised the process for this and delegated the responsibility to the local FSDO’s, however, the interpretations issued over the years are still on the FAA’s website and offer necessary insight into many of the questions that arise from reading the FARAIM.

Here is the link to the website if you want to search for yourself: FAA Legal Interpretation Website

Or if you would prefer, I have spent many hours organizing the letters below that are relevant to the fixed-wing pilot. This list does not include the Part 121, 135, helicopter, recreational, UAS, space operations, and other topics that are not relevant to the average fixed-wing flight instructor or student pilot.

Knowing the Federal Aviation Regulations is important, but applying them properly is much more important. Enjoy!

Parrish Aviation’s Motor Glider with it’s wings folded.

Instructor-Related:

• Instructor Night Landings Current

• Instructor Flight Review Currency

• Classroom Does Not Count Towards 8 hrs of Teaching

• Flight Instructor Renewal (see new amendment)

• Parachutes Not Required for Spin Training with a CFI

• Instrument Flight Instruction

• Glider CFI

Currency/Experience Requirements:

• 61.65(d) Instrument Experience Requirements

• Private Pilot Experience Requirements

• Sport Pilot PIC

• Commercial Pilot Experience Requirements

• Instrument Rating Requirements

• PIC/SIC Record-keeping

Airspace & Operations:

• Wave Window in Class A Airspace

• Local Government Intervention with Flight Operations

• IFR in Class G with No Clearance

• ATC Compliance in Class E Airspace

• 14 CFR 91.117 Aircraft Speed

Equipment & Maintenance:

• TBO is not mandatory compliance under Part 91

• Inoperative Equipment for Mechanics

• ADSB Exemption

• ADSB in Aircraft with Electrical Systems Added

• Maintenance Records

• Inoperative Equipment

• Engine Overhaul

• Major Alteration

• Owner-Assisted Annual Inspection (see new guidance on supervision)

• Annual Inspections

• STC’s and Form 337’s

• Service Bulletins and Airworthiness Directives

• Are Service Bulletins Mandatory?

• Maintenance Record Language

• Preventative Maintenance on Revenue Aircraft

• Digital MX Logs

Flight Logging and Record-Keeping:

• Flight Time Definitions

• CFR 61.51(e) Logging PIC

• Club Aircraft 100-hr Requirements

• No 100-hr if Instruction Not For Hire

• 14 CFR 61.129(a)(4) Supervised Solo

• 14 CFR 61.1(b) Cross-Country Definition

• PIC Proficiency Check

Regulations, Interpretations, and Legal Matters:

• Enforceability of the AIM

• Compensation for Charity Flights

• Barter vs Pro Rata Share

• Definition of Compensation for Private Pilots

• Solo Endorsements & Limitations

• 14 CFR 61.56(c) Flight Reviews

• 14 CFR 61.49(a)(1) Failed Practical Test

• Vmc Speed

• Foreign Pilot CFI Eligibility

• Definition of Holding Out

• CFR Part 141 End of Course Tests

• Part 141 School Record Keeping of Part 61 Activities

• Transfer of Credit Between Part 141 Schools

• 14 CFR 141 Examining Authority Requirements

• Simulator for Instrument Currency

• PIC in new CAT/CLASS

Medical & Certification:

• BasicMed

• Medical Questionnaire

• Private Pilot Applicant Medical Certificate

Miscellaneous:

• Logging PIC with an Instructor

• Senior Flight Instructor

• Identification Plate

Parrish Aviation’s Twin Comanche used for Commercial Multi and MEI training in DFW.