Federal Aviation Regulations
The primary U.S. rules governing all aviation, including drones.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues a set of rules known as the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), which oversee all aviation activities across the United States. These rules are collected under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). They cover a broad range of activities, from aircraft design and maintenance to commercial airline flights, pilot training, hot-air ballooning, lighter-than-air craft, the height of man-made structures, obstruction lighting and marking, model rocket launches, commercial space operations, model aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and even kite flying. The primary goal of these regulations is to promote aviation safety and protect pilots, flight attendants, passengers, and the general public from unnecessary risk.
Although these rules have been commonly called "FARs" since 1958, confusion arose because another set of regulations—the Federal Acquisition Regulations (also abbreviated as "FAR")—covers Title 48. To avoid this mix-up, the FAA now prefers to refer to specific regulations as "14 CFR part XX." According to FAA Order 1320.46D, the acronym "FAR" should not be used for FAA regulations, as the Department of Transportation and the Office of the Federal Register restrict its use to the Federal Acquisition Regulations only.
Title 14 CFR – Aeronautics and Space is one of the fifty titles in the United States Code of Federal Regulations. It serves as the primary set of administrative law issued by the Department of Transportation and the FAA, governing aeronautics and space. The title is organized into parts, each covering a specific type of activity. For instance, 14 CFR Part 141 outlines rules for pilot training schools. Many parts focus on certifying pilots, schools, or aircraft rather than just operational rules. Once an aircraft design is certified under a particular version of these regulations, that certification remains valid even if the rules later change, meaning newer planes are certified under more current standards and may be considered safer in some respects.
- Governing body
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Legal citation
- Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
- Year of establishment
- 1958
- Key part for small uas
- Part 107 – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- Key part for definitions
- Part 1
- Key part for airworthiness (small planes
- Part 23
- Key part for transport category airplane
- Part 25
Lore & Background
Since 1958, these rules have typically been referred to as 'FARs', short for Federal Aviation Regulations. However, another set of regulations (Title 48) is titled 'Federal Acquisition Regulations', leading to confusion with the acronym 'FAR'. Consequently, the FAA began to refer to specific regulations by the term '14 CFR part XX'. FAA Order 1320.46D explicitly instructs not to use the acronym 'FAR' for FAA regulations, as the Department of Transportation and the Office of the Federal Register reserve that acronym for the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Title 14 CFR – Aeronautics and Space is one of the fifty titles of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. It is the principal set of rules issued by the Department of Transportation and the FAA, which oversee aeronautics and space. Each title of the CFR is organized into parts, each dealing with a specific type of activity. For example, 14 CFR Part 141 contains rules for pilot training schools, and Part 107 governs small unmanned aircraft systems.
Many FAA regulations govern the certification of pilots, schools, or aircraft rather than the operation of airplanes. Once an airplane design is certified using some parts of these regulations, it remains certified regardless of future regulatory changes. For that reason, newer planes are certified using updated versions of the regulations. The table of contents as reflected in the e-CFR updated December 20, 2018, lists numerous parts, including Part 48 for registration and marking requirements for small unmanned aircraft, Part 101 for moored balloons and kites, and Part 107 for small unmanned aircraft systems.
Reader's Guide
The Federal Aviation Regulations form the foundational legal framework for all aviation in the United States, including the rapidly evolving field of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Their significance lies in their comprehensive scope, covering everything from aircraft design and pilot certification to operational flight rules and airspace designations. For drone operators, the most directly relevant part is Part 107, which establishes the rules for small UAS operations, including pilot certification, operational limitations, and aircraft registration. The regulations also include Part 48, which specifically addresses registration and marking requirements for small unmanned aircraft.
The legacy of the FARs is one of continuous adaptation to new aviation technologies and safety challenges. The shift from referring to them as 'FARs' to '14 CFR part XX' reflects an effort to avoid confusion with government procurement rules. The regulations are not static; for instance, Part 23 underwent a major revision in 2017, moving from prescriptive design requirements to performance-based standards. This adaptability ensures that the FARs remain relevant for traditional manned aviation while also providing a regulatory structure for emerging technologies like drones, commercial space operations, and powered-lift aircraft. The rules are ultimately designed to promote safe aviation and protect all participants and the public from unnecessary risk.
Did You Know?
- The FAA regulations are officially known as Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), not 'FARs', to avoid confusion with the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
- Part 107 of the regulations specifically governs small unmanned aircraft systems (drones).
- Part 1 of the regulations contains definitions that many other FAA regulations depend on.
- The regulations cover a wide range of activities including model rocket launches, kite flying, and commercial space operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Federal Aviation Regulations?
The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) are the comprehensive rulebook the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has maintained since 1958 to govern every form of flight in U.S. airspace. They are codified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations and span everything from commercial airline operations to model rocket launches and unmanned aircraft systems.
What are Federal Aviation Regulations's powers/role?
The FARs establish the legal standards for aircraft design, pilot certification, maintenance, airspace use, structure height limits, and obstruction lighting across the country. For drone operators specifically, Part 107 sets the operational rules for small unmanned aircraft, while Part 1 supplies the shared definitions that every other part relies on.
Why is Federal Aviation Regulations important?
The FARs provide the single unified legal backbone that keeps every type of flight in U.S. airspace, from jetliners to backyard model planes, operating under consistent safety and operational standards. Without this shared rulebook, there would be no common framework for airworthiness, training, or drone integration into the national airspace system.
Which part of Federal Aviation Regulations covers small drones?
Part 107, titled Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, is the dedicated section that dictates how recreational and commercial small drones must be operated in the United States. It sits alongside Part 1 (definitions) and Part 23 (airworthiness standards for small airplanes) within the broader 14 CFR structure.
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