FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)RegulationsMedium
A sport pilot flying in smooth VFR conditions suddenly encounters an unexpected line of rapidly building thunderstorms directly along the planned route, with no time to safely reroute around them. To avoid the hazard, the pilot briefly descends below the minimum cloud clearance required for the airspace. Under which regulation is this deviation permitted?
- A14 CFR 91.113 – Right-of-way rules for converging aircraft
- B14 CFR 91.3(b) – In-flight emergency authority of the pilot in command
- C14 CFR 61.56 – Flight review currency provisions
- D14 CFR 91.126 – Standard traffic pattern rules at nontowered airports
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 14 CFR 91.3(b) – In-flight emergency authority of the pilot in command
14 CFR 91.3(b) states that in an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule in Part 91 to the extent required to meet that emergency, such as briefly deviating from cloud clearance rules to avoid a hazardous thunderstorm.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Right-of-way rules govern converging traffic, not weather deviations.
- C. Flight review currency has nothing to do with in-flight emergency decisions.
- D. Traffic pattern rules are unrelated to weather-avoidance deviations.
PIC Emergency Authority (91.3(b))
Allows the pilot in command to deviate from any Part 91 rule to the extent required to meet an in-flight emergency.
- PIC has final authority over the operation of the aircraft (91.3(a))
- Deviation must be limited to what the emergency requires
- FAA may request a written report of the deviation upon request
Memory trick: 'When danger strikes, the captain breaks the rules — briefly.'