Definition
A provision of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 that established civil penalties for violations of the Act and the regulations issued under it, including the Federal Aviation Regulations. It gave the FAA the authority to impose monetary fines on pilots, operators, and other certificate holders who failed to comply with the rules governing aviation.
Plain English
It's the part of the law that lets the FAA fine you if you break aviation rules. When older FAA documents mention 'Section 901,' they're referring to the legal basis for those penalties.
Context Anchor
Seen in notices or fine print connected with FAA forms, including flight plan material shown in instrument flying discussions.
Derivation
A “section” is a numbered part of a law. The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 was the law that created the modern federal structure for regulating civil aviation in the United States. So “Section 901” points to one specific numbered part of that aviation law.
Why Pilots Care
Understanding this section helps pilots recognize that violations of IFR procedures can result in civil penalties.
Grounding Statement
When you sign or submit aviation information to the FAA, this citation is a reminder that it is not just paperwork; it carries legal responsibility.
Intuition Check
Do not read “Section 901” as a part of an aircraft, airport, or chart. Here, “section” means a numbered part of a federal law.
Example Sentence 1
The accident report noted that the pilot's deviation from the assigned altitude could result in a civil penalty under Section 901 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958.
Example Sentence 2
During the IFR cross-country, the instructor noted that any airspace violation could fall under Section 901 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958.