Definition
A numbered subdivision of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which is the body of U.S. federal aviation regulations. Each part contains the rules covering a specific area of aviation, such as airworthiness standards, airman certification, flight operations, or maintenance. Common examples include 14 CFR Part 21 (certification procedures for products and articles), Part 39 (airworthiness directives), Part 43 (maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration), Part 61 (certification of pilots), Part 65 (certification of airmen other than flight crewmembers), Part 91 (general operating and flight rules), and Part 145 (repair stations).
Plain English
A specific chapter of the U.S. aviation rulebook. Each part covers one topic — like how aircraft are certified, how mechanics are licensed, or how flights must be conducted.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA handbooks, maintenance guidance, training materials, and legal references when a rule is identified by its location in the federal aviation regulations.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations — the official collection of rules made by U.S. federal agencies. Title 14 is the volume that holds all aviation rules. A 'part' is simply a numbered chapter within that volume. So '14 CFR Part 43' means 'Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 43.'
Why Pilots Care
Pilots and technicians must know which part applies to what they're doing. Maintenance work is governed by Part 43, pilot certification by Part 61, and most general flight operations by Part 91. Citing or following the wrong part can mean operating or signing off work outside the legal authority granted.
Analogy
Think of Title 14 as the aviation rulebook, and each part as a major numbered section inside that rulebook.
Intuition Check
Do not read “part” here as an aircraft component. In “14 CFR part,” it means a numbered section of the FAA regulations.
Example Sentence 1
The technician performed the inspection in accordance with 14 CFR Part 43.
Example Sentence 2
The rules for pilot certificates are located in 14 CFR part 61.