Definition
Title 49 of the United States Code, Subtitle VII, 'Aviation Programs,' commonly referenced alongside Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 'Aeronautics and Space,' which contains the federal regulations governing civil aviation in the United States. Title 14 CFR includes the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that pilots, aircraft, operators, and air traffic services must comply with.
Plain English
It is the section of federal law and regulations that covers flying and spaceflight in the United States. When pilots talk about 'the regulations,' they are usually talking about rules found inside Title 14, 'Aeronautics and Space.'
Context Anchor
Seen in the Airplane Flying Handbook when describing the FAA’s role in aviation safety and its connection to national air and space activity.
Derivation
Aeronautics comes from the Greek 'aer' (air) and 'nautikos' (relating to sailing or navigation) -- literally 'navigating the air.' Pairing it with 'Space' simply extends the same body of federal rules upward, from the atmosphere into spaceflight.
Why Pilots Care
Every pilot action from certification to flight operations is governed by the rules contained in this title.
Intuition Check
Do not read “space” here as ordinary empty room or storage space. In this FAA context, it means outer space activity; “aeronautics” means flight through the air, not just airplane engineering.
Example Sentence 1
The student opened Title 14, Aeronautics and Space, to look up the cloud clearance requirements for his cross-country flight.
Example Sentence 2
Chapter 1 of the handbook describes the FAA's role in creating and enforcing the rules found in Aeronautics and Space.