Federal Aviation Regulations

14 CFR § 91.3 — Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command

Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 annual edition. U.S. Government work — public domain (17 U.S.C. §105).

The regulation, in full

Sec.  91.3  Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command.

    (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.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2120-0005)

What this means for the knowledge test

Our own study notes for this section — reviewed through our AI instructional-review system, not by a certificated flight instructor. Not an authoritative source.

The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft. This means the PIC makes the ultimate decisions about the flight and bears responsibility for its safe conduct.
14 CFR 91.3(a)
In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of the general operating and flight rules to the extent required to meet that emergency. The authority is limited to what the emergency actually requires.
14 CFR 91.3(b)
A pilot in command who deviates from a rule under emergency authority must, upon the request of the Administrator, send a written report of that deviation. The report is provided when requested rather than automatically after every emergency.
14 CFR 91.3(c)
The pilot in command is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of the aircraft. In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of Part 91 to the extent required to meet that emergency. If such a deviation is made, the pilot in command may be asked to send a written report to the FAA administrator upon request.
14 CFR 91.3

Lessons that cover § 91.3

Practice questions on § 91.3 (4)

Under 14 CFR 91.3, who is directly responsible for and the final authority as to the operation of an aircraft?
Answer The pilot in command
The pilot in command is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of the aircraft.
To what extent may a pilot in command deviate from the rules during an in-flight emergency?
Answer Only to the extent required to meet that emergency
In an emergency requiring immediate action, the PIC may deviate from any rule only to the extent required to meet that emergency.
After deviating from a rule under emergency authority, when must the pilot send a written report?
Answer Upon the request of the Administrator
A pilot who deviates under emergency authority must send a written report upon the request of the Administrator.
During an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, what authority does the pilot in command have?
Answer To deviate from any Part 91 rule to the extent required to meet the emergency
The pilot in command is the final authority for the operation of the aircraft and may deviate from any Part 91 rule to the extent required to meet an in-flight emergency, and may be asked to report the deviation.

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