Definition
A specific section within Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 61, that contains the applicability rules and key definitions used throughout the regulations governing the certification of pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors. Section 61.1 establishes which operations Part 61 applies to and defines important terms used in the rest of Part 61.
Plain English
A particular paragraph in the federal aviation rulebook that says who Part 61 applies to and explains the key words used in the pilot certification rules.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA handbooks and training materials when the text points you to the official rule behind a pilot certificate, rating, or definition.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations -- the official collection of rules issued by U.S. federal agencies. Title 14 covers Aeronautics and Space. Part 61 covers pilot certification. Section 61.1 is the opening section, where applicability and definitions are typically placed in a regulation.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots consult this section to confirm whether Part 61 requirements apply to their training and to understand the exact meanings of terms that affect eligibility and compliance.
Analogy
Think of the citation like an address. “14 CFR” is the neighborhood, “part 61” is the building, and “section 61.1” is the specific room where that rule is found.
Intuition Check
Do not read “part” and “section” as casual book terms here. In this context, they identify exact locations in federal aviation law.
Example Sentence 1
Before logging the flight as cross-country time, the student checked 14 CFR part 61, section 61.1 to confirm the distance requirement was met.
Example Sentence 2
During the lesson the instructor referred to 14 CFR part 61, section 61.1 to clarify the meaning of a term used in the eligibility rules.