Definition
A specific citation within the Code of Federal Regulations referring to Title 14 (Aeronautics and Space), Part 1 (Definitions and Abbreviations), Section 1.1 (General Definitions), which contains the official FAA definitions of terms used throughout the aviation regulations.
Plain English
It is the section of the federal aviation rules where the FAA spells out exactly what specific aviation words mean. When a regulation uses a term, this is the section that tells you what the FAA officially means by it.
Context Anchor
You may see this citation in FAA handbooks when the text points you to the legal definition of a term, such as a light-sport aircraft.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations, the organized collection of rules issued by the U.S. federal government. Title 14 covers aeronautics and space. The numbering format reads as Title-Part-Section, so 14 CFR part 1, section 1.1 means Title 14, Part 1, Section 1. Knowing the structure helps a pilot quickly find any regulation cited in this format.
Why Pilots Care
When a regulation or handbook says a term is defined in 14 CFR part 1, section 1.1, that is the legally binding definition. Operating decisions, certificate privileges, and aircraft category questions often hinge on the exact wording found there.
Analogy
Think of it like an address in a large rulebook. “14 CFR” names the rulebook, “part 1” narrows it to one chapter, and “section 1.1” points to the exact paragraph area.
Intuition Check
“Part” does not mean a physical aircraft part here. It means a numbered division of the federal aviation regulations.
Example Sentence 1
The definition of a light-sport aircraft can be found in 14 CFR part 1, section 1.1.
Example Sentence 2
Before interpreting any light-sport requirement, confirm the base terms in 14 CFR part 1, section 1.1.