FAA Part 91 Compliance — What Pilots Miss
Quick Answer
FAA Part 91 (14 CFR Part 91) establishes general operating and flight rules for civil aircraft operations in the United States. It applies to all aircraft operators, from private pilots flying single-engine planes to corporate flight departments operating business jets. Part 91 covers airworthiness requirements, pilot certification, maintenance standards, flight rules, and equipment requirements.
Last reviewed · By Chad Griffith
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about faa part 91 compliance: what pilots miss. Whether you're a safety manager, compliance officer, or operations director, understanding aviation requirements is critical to avoiding costly fines and failed audits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does FAA Part 91 cover?
14 CFR Part 91 governs general aviation operations — private flying, business aviation, flight instruction, and aerial work that's NOT for compensation/hire. Less stringent than Part 135 (charter) or Part 121 (scheduled airline) but still requires pilot currency, aircraft airworthiness, and inspection compliance.
What recordkeeping is required under Part 91?
Pilot logbook (14 CFR 61.51), aircraft logbooks for airframe/engine/propeller (14 CFR 91.417), 100-hour and annual inspection records (91.409), AD compliance records, ELT inspections (91.207), VOR checks for IFR ops (91.171), pitot-static and altimeter checks for IFR (91.411/413), transponder checks (91.413). All must be available on FAA inspector request.
When is a 100-hour inspection required vs annual?
100-hour inspections are required for aircraft used for hire (flight instruction, rental). Aircraft used only for non-hire ops need only annual inspection (12 calendar months). Inspections must be performed by an authorized A&P mechanic with IA (Inspection Authorization).
What's the most common Part 91 violation?
(1) Logbook gaps — missing entries for maintenance, no signoff after AD compliance, missing annual inspection certification. (2) ELT battery dates expired. (3) Transponder/altimeter check beyond 24-month interval. (4) Pilot BFR or IPC lapsed when conducting flights that required currency.
Does FileFlo work for Part 91 operators?
Yes — though most Part 91 operations are private and don't carry the recordkeeping volume of Part 135. For multi-aircraft Part 91 operators (corporate flight departments, flight schools), FileFlo's aviation rule-pack tracks pilot currency, aircraft logs, AD compliance, and inspection schedules. Same audit binder format as Part 135.
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