Plain English Meaning

A pilot deviation is when a pilot does something that breaks an FAA rule or an air traffic control instruction. It can be as simple as taxiing past a hold line without permission, or as serious as flying into airspace you weren't cleared into.

Full Definition

An action by a pilot that results in the violation of a Federal Aviation Regulation or a North American Aerospace Defense Command Air Defense Identification Zone tolerance. Common examples include crossing a runway holding position marking without clearance, deviating from an assigned altitude or heading, or entering controlled or restricted airspace without authorization.