Definition
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the section of U.S. federal law that contains the rules governing aeronautics and space. It includes the FAA regulations that pilots, mechanics, air carriers, and aircraft manufacturers must follow. Within 14 CFR, rules are organized into numbered Parts (for example, Part 61 covers pilot certification, Part 91 covers general operating and flight rules, and Part 121 covers scheduled airline operations).
Plain English
It is the official rulebook for aviation in the United States. When a regulation tells you what you may or may not do as a pilot, it almost always lives inside 14 CFR.
Context Anchor
Pilots see 14 CFR in FAA handbooks, knowledge test questions, checkrides, aircraft documents, and rule citations such as “14 CFR part 91.”
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations, the organized collection of rules issued by U.S. government agencies. The full body of federal regulations is divided into 50 numbered Titles by subject area. Title 14 is the one assigned to Aeronautics and Space, which is why aviation rules are referred to as 14 CFR.
Why Pilots Care
Compliance with 14 CFR is required for legal flight operations; violations can lead to certificate action or enforcement.
Intuition Check
14 CFR is not one single rule. It is a large set of federal aviation rules, organized into parts and sections.
Example Sentence 1
Before the flight, the instructor reminded the student that the required preflight actions are listed in 14 CFR Part 91.
Example Sentence 2
A student pilot must meet the requirements in 14 CFR Part 61 before soloing.