Definition
In aviation, a violation is the act of breaking a Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) or other rule governing the operation of aircraft. A violation may be inadvertent or deliberate, and once documented by the FAA it can result in administrative action, certificate suspension, certificate revocation, or civil penalty.
Plain English
Breaking an aviation rule. When a pilot does something the regulations don't allow, that's a violation, and the FAA can take action against them for it.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA regulations, enforcement discussions, accident reports, maintenance records, and flight reviews after a rule or required procedure may not have been followed.
Derivation
From the Latin violare, meaning 'to break' or 'to treat with force.' In aviation, what is being 'broken' is a regulation rather than a physical object.
Why Pilots Care
Violations can result in FAA enforcement actions including fines, certificate suspension, or revocation, directly impacting a pilot's ability to fly.
Intuition Check
Violation does not mean only a deliberate or reckless act. In aviation, even an unintended failure to follow an applicable rule can still be treated as a violation.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot received a letter from the FAA after his flight into restricted airspace was reported as a possible violation.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots can check their violation history through the FAA's Enforcement Information System before a job interview.