Definition
A specific regulation within the Federal Aviation Regulations that lists the instruments and equipment required to be installed and operational on a powered civil aircraft for different types of flight operations, including day visual flight rules (VFR), night VFR, and instrument flight rules (IFR).
Plain English
A rule that tells you exactly which instruments and equipment your airplane must have working before you can legally fly it during the day, at night, or in the clouds.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter this citation when checking whether an airplane is legally equipped for a planned flight, especially during preflight planning, training, and aircraft checkout.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations. Title 14 covers Aeronautics and Space. 'Part 91' covers General Operating and Flight Rules. 'Section 91.205' is the specific paragraph within Part 91 that addresses required equipment. The numbering format -- part, then section -- is how every federal regulation is cited.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must ensure their aircraft meets these equipment requirements to conduct legal and safe flight operations under the applicable flight rules.
Analogy
Think of it like an address for a specific rule. “14 CFR” gets you to the aviation rulebook, “part 91” gets you to the operating rules, and “section 91.205” gets you to the exact equipment rule.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a handbook chapter or page number. It is a legal rule citation that points to a specific federal requirement.
Example Sentence 1
Before the night cross-country, she reviewed 14 CFR part 91, section 91.205 to confirm the position lights and landing light were both working.
Example Sentence 2
During the preflight inspection, the instructor confirmed the airplane's equipment list complied with 14 CFR part 91, section 91.205 for night operations.