Definition
Specific parts of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that set the certification rules for individuals working in aviation. Part 61 covers pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors. Part 63 covers flight crewmembers other than pilots, such as flight engineers and flight navigators. Part 65 covers airmen other than flight crewmembers, such as air traffic controllers, aircraft dispatchers, mechanics, repairmen, and parachute riggers. Part 107 covers small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and remote pilot certification.
Plain English
These are the federal rulebooks that say who can become a pilot, instructor, mechanic, controller, dispatcher, or drone operator, and what each person has to do to earn and keep that certificate.
Context Anchor
You will see this kind of reference in FAA handbooks, training syllabi, checkride preparation, certificate requirements, and discussions of what rules apply to a pilot, instructor, mechanic, dispatcher, or drone operator.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations, the official collection of U.S. government rules. Title 14 is the volume covering Aeronautics and Space. Each numbered Part inside Title 14 covers a specific topic, which is why pilots, mechanics, and drone operators each have their own Part number to find.
Why Pilots Care
Instructors use these references to identify gaps in a student’s understanding of legal requirements before those gaps create safety or compliance problems.
Analogy
Think of Title 14 as a large aviation rulebook and Parts 61, 63, 65, and 107 as separate chapters inside it. Each chapter applies to a different group of aviation activities or certificates.
Intuition Check
Do not read “Parts” as casual pieces of a document. In this context, “Parts” means formal numbered sections of federal aviation law.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor explained that the student's eligibility for the private pilot certificate is governed by 14 CFR Part 61.
Example Sentence 2
During the briefing, the CFI pointed out that Part 107 now applies to the new drone student in addition to the traditional pilot rules in Part 61.