§ 91.3 Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command
14 CFR Part 91 — Subpart A—General
Official text — 14 CFR § 91.3
REGULATION — LEGALLY BINDING(a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.
(b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency.
(c) Each pilot in command who deviates from a rule under paragraph (b) of this section shall, upon the request of the Administrator, send a written report of that deviation to the Administrator.
Reproduced from the eCFR. Text as amended through 2026-07-31. Verify against the official source before relying on it operationally.
SkeyeMentor explanation
Educational — not an FAA sourceIn plain English
The pilot in command is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of the aircraft — and may deviate from the rules to the extent required to meet an in-flight emergency.
Why it matters
This is the foundation of pilot authority and pilot responsibility. It is also the source of the emergency-authority deviation and the written-report requirement that follows it.
Common mistake
Remembering the deviation authority but forgetting that a written report must be sent when requested by the Administrator.
Quick example
Read paragraphs (b) and (c) together and describe exactly when a written report is required after an emergency deviation.
Written and reviewed by the SkeyeMentor editorial team. This explanation is a study aid, not legal advice, and it is not part of the official text above. Verify current requirements through the official source before relying on them operationally.
Is this a regulation?
Yes — this is regulatory text and is legally binding.
Text published in the Code of Federal Regulations. Regulations are legally binding on pilots and operators.
Yes — this is the text of a Federal Aviation Regulation. It is legally binding. The explanation below it is SkeyeMentor educational content, not part of the regulation.