The FAR/AIM serves as a resource for all pilots navigating regulations and basic flight information issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Throughout flight training, student pilots are constantly learning new regulations from the FAR/AIM that they must commit to memory to exercise the privilege of their respected certificate or rating and successfully pass their check ride. The FAR/AIM is a guide with great depth, so organizing the relevant information for the certificate or rating you are seeking is crucial.
In recent years, it has become popular for people to sell pre-tabbed FAR/AIM, which is sold at a significant price increase compared to the $14.95 paper copy. Since a new FAR/AIM is released each year with changes, it is important pilots are up to date with the current year’s edition.
Tabbing out your own FAR/AIM and bringing it to your check ride will show your Designated Pilot Examiner you are well organized and prepared for the test ahead.
The FAR/AIM displays all relevant regulations and information for each rating in the front of the book, which is a great tool for studying. To save yourself from tabbing out everything already shown in the front of the book, the list below will act as a guide for tabbing out your own FAR/AIM from Private Pilot to Commercial Pilot. This list is not all-inclusive but makes it easier to quickly reference regulations and necessary information when performing check rides or even ground lessons.
The FAR/AIM can be divided into sections to simplify the tabbing process: Part 43 Maintenance, Part 61 Certification, Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules, and the AIM. For each certificate/rating, a different colored tab should be used to help organize the information when you need to refer back to it while studying or being evaluated.
Private Pilot Certificate
Part 41: Maintenance
The maintenance sections include regulations dealing with maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration of aircraft. Although this part is used more often by mechanics, there are certain types of maintenance pilots are legally allowed to perform on an aircraft, also known as preventative maintenance. This can be found in Appendix A, Paragraph C of Part 43. As a private pilot, it is important to understand which maintenance functions you can perform on your aircraft.
Part 61: Certification
This section deals with requirements students must meet to exercise their privileges as a pilot as well as limitations someone may be subjected to. Sections to tab include 61.23 Medical Certificates, 61.51 Pilot Logbooks, 61.56 Flight Review, 61.57 Flight Currency, 61.81 Student Pilots, 61.102 Private Pilots, and 61.113 Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations.
Part 91: General Operating and Flight Rules
This section contains flight rules for operating in the National Airspace System. Sections to tab include 91.113, 91.117 Right of Way Rules, Aircraft Speed, 91.155, 91.159 VFR Weather Minimums, Cruising Altitudes, 91.157 Special VFR, 91.161 DC SFRA, 91.205 Required Equipment, 91.207 ELT, Lights, Oxygen, 91.213 Inoperative Equipment, 91.225 ADS-B Out Equipment and Use, and 91.409 Inspections.
AIM: Aeronautical Information Manual
Since the FAA practical tests are open book, the AIM is a useful reference if you are unable to answer a non-regulation question. I tabbed the denser sections such as METAR, NOTAM, PIREP codes as well as other concepts that the AIM makes easier to understand. These include 3-2-1 Airspace, 4-2-1 Radio Communications Phraseology and Techniques, 4-3-13 Light Gun Signals, 5-1-2 NOTAMS, 7-1-6 AIRMET, SIGMET, Convective SIGMET, 7-1-6 PIREPS, and 7-1-30 Key to TAF/METAR.
Instrument Rating
Part 61: Certification
In addition to private pilot, Part 61 provides certification regulations for exercising an instrument rating. The major additions for the instrument rating are the training and instrument flight currency requirements. These can be found in 61.65 Instrument Rating Requirements and 61.57(c) Instrument Flight Currency.
Part 91: General Operating and Flight Rules
Flying under instrument flight rules requires different operating regulations in terms of equipment and flight rules. Sections to tab include 91.21 Portable Electronic Devices, 91.103 Preflight Action, 91.109 Logging Simulated Instrument/Safety Pilot, 91.167 Fuel Requirements for IFR Flight, 91.171 VOR Check, 91.175 Takeoff/Landing in IFR, 91.177 Minimum Altitudes for IFR, 91.185 Two-Way Communications Failure, 91.205 Required IFR Equipment, and 91.411 IFR Inspections.
AIM: Aeronautical Information Manual
The AIM is helpful for understanding key concepts for flying under instrument flight rules. Sections to tab include 1-1-8 VOR Service Volumes, 1-1-9 Instrument Landing System (ILS), 1-2-1 Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) and Area Navigation (RNAV), 5-2-9 DP, ODP, SID, DVA, 5-3-8 Holding, and 5-4-1 STAR.
Commercial Pilot Certificate
The commercial certificate suggestion list is the shortest because all the private pilot suggestions are applicable for commercial as well. In addition to Part 61 and Part 91, Part 119 and NTSB 830 contain important information for commercial pilots.
Part 61: Certification
Being a commercial pilot requires an additional understanding of regulations for exercising your privileges. These include 61.31 Type ratings, additional training, 61.55 SIC Qualifications, 61.56 Flight Review, 61.121 Commercial Pilots, and 61.133 Commercial Pilot Privileges and Limitations.
Part 119: Commercial Operations
Part 119 contains information pertaining to people who intend to operate civil aircraft as an air carrier or commercial operator. This section provides crucial information in understanding legal and illegal operations while exercising your commercial pilot certificate.
NTSB 830: Accidents
This part provides definitions for aircraft accidents and the notification requirements of accidents that commercial pilots must familiarize themselves with.
Prepare for your check ride today by buying tabs and getting the current year’s FAR/AIM. This activity serves as a great study tool since you will familiarize yourself with the regulations and locations of them in the process of tabbing your FAR/AIM.
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