Definition
The section of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR Part 91.3) that establishes the pilot in command as the final authority over the operation of the aircraft, and permits the pilot in command to deviate from any rule of Part 91 to the extent required to meet an in-flight emergency. A pilot who deviates under this authority may be required to send a written report to the FAA upon request.
Plain English
This is the rule that says the pilot in command is in charge of the aircraft, and in an emergency the pilot is allowed to break other Part 91 rules if doing so is needed to handle the situation safely. The FAA may later ask for a written explanation of what happened.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA handbooks, flight training, and weather avoidance discussions when explaining the pilot’s authority to make safety decisions.
Derivation
Section comes from a Latin idea meaning “a cut-off part.” In law and regulations, a section is one numbered part of a larger set of rules. Here, 91.3 points to one specific rule inside Part 91, the general operating rules for many civil flights.
Why Pilots Care
It legally protects a pilot who must act immediately to ensure safety, such as turning away from hazardous weather without first obtaining clearance.
Grounding Statement
If the flight becomes unsafe, section 91.3 is the rule that confirms the pilot in command has both the responsibility and the authority to act.
Intuition Check
Do not read “section 91.3” as just a page number or a casual reference. It is a specific legal rule about pilot responsibility, authority, and emergency action.
Example Sentence 1
Caught in unexpected icing, the pilot used the authority granted by section 91.3 to deviate from the assigned altitude and descend to warmer air.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor emphasized that section 91.3 always allows the pilot to prioritize safety over an assigned heading when conditions require it.