Definition
A specific section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that sets out the privileges and limits of a sport pilot certificate, listing what a sport pilot is allowed to do when acting as pilot in command of a light-sport aircraft.
Plain English
This is the rule in the FAA regulations that tells a sport pilot exactly what they are allowed to do when flying. It spells out the permissions that come with a sport pilot certificate.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA training material when explaining the legal privileges and limits of sport pilots and light-sport aircraft operations.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations, the official collection of U.S. federal rules. Part 61 is the part of the aviation regulations covering pilot certification. Section 61.315 is one numbered rule inside that part, and the (a) points to the first paragraph of that rule.
Why Pilots Care
It establishes the legal boundaries for sport pilot operations, affecting training choices, aircraft selection, and day-to-day decision making.
Analogy
A regulation citation works like an address. “14 CFR part 61, section 61.315(a)” tells you exactly where to go in the federal aviation rulebook, the way a street address tells you exactly where to go in a city.
Intuition Check
Do not read “part” here as a piece of an airplane. In this context, “part” means a major division of the federal aviation rules, and “section” means a smaller numbered rule inside that part.
Example Sentence 1
Before her first solo cross-country, the student reviewed 14 CFR part 61, section 61.315(a) to confirm what her sport pilot certificate allowed her to do.
Example Sentence 2
Chapter 17 points to 14 CFR part 61, section 61.315(a) to clarify what a sport pilot may do with passengers.