Definition
The section of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations that governs the takeoff and landing requirements for aircraft operating under instrument flight rules (IFR). It specifies the conditions under which a pilot may begin an instrument approach, descend below the published minimum descent altitude or decision altitude, and land at an airport — including required visibility, runway environment visibility cues, and missed approach procedures.
Plain English
This is the federal rule that tells IFR pilots when they are allowed to land out of an instrument approach and when they must go around. It sets the visibility and visual reference requirements for descending below approach minimums.
Context Anchor
You will see this citation in instrument training, FAA guidance, and discussions about landing from an instrument approach when the weather may limit what the pilot can see outside.
Derivation
14 CFR means Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations — the part of U.S. federal law dealing with aeronautics and space. Section 91.175 sits within Part 91, which covers general operating and flight rules. The numbering simply locates the rule: Part 91, section 175.
Why Pilots Care
Compliance ensures the aircraft is in a position to land safely; descending without the required visual references has caused controlled-flight-into-terrain accidents.
Intuition Check
Do not treat 14 CFR section 91.175 as just a reference number. It points to a binding federal rule that affects real go/no-go landing decisions under instrument flight rules.
Example Sentence 1
Before starting the approach, the pilot reviewed 14 CFR section 91.175 to confirm what runway environment cues would be needed to continue below decision altitude.
Example Sentence 2
During the weather briefing the instructor reminded the student to verify the published minimums against 14 CFR section 91.175 before starting the approach.