READY, AIM, FAR!

86BravoPapa

86BravoPapa

Well-Known Member
I'll first apologize for the cheesy title.

Any suggestions for gaining a strong grasp on the FAR's? I know the FAR AIM is primarily a source of reference but some pilots start rattling off particular regulation/section #'s during conversations or give examples of having done so in interviews.

Just wondering if there are any methods for breaking it down and maybe compartmentalizing the different regs/sections that apply to the type of flying you do.

Also, are there certain regs/sections you find yourself referring to or recalling more frequently than most?
 
It's called rote memorization. Pretty much standard in aviation. There are just some things you just have to know cold.

Part 1 is definitions, 61 is training and 91 is general operating rules.
 
Part 61 covers who is flying the plane, part 91 covers what they can do with the airplane. Part 121 covers airlines and part 135 is basically everyone else that the public can utilize.
 
Practice! Most training manuals---whether produced by the FAA, Jeppesen, King Schools, etc. etc.---simply reorganize and condense information from a variety of sources, including the FAR/AIM. First, it is helpful to identify key sections of the regulations as previous posts have recommended. Then, you start getting a feel for where various rules are located within those sections. How? Whenever you come across something that appears to be regulatory in your reading (e.g., the speed limit in various airspaces), thumb through or search online to locate the applicable text. Sometimes it may not be the first place you imagine, but as you skim across other rules, you are building a mental model of where tidbits of FAR trivia reside. With consistent use, the FAR will become more familiar.

This is the approach that I teach my students. I never expect a verbatim rote memorization of every pertinent regulatory number, but I try to encourage a general familiarity with the FAR sections so that locating a relevant regulation is not too overwhelming. This strategy is helpful because occasionally the FAA adds or removes or reorders; if you have a method for strategic searching, you can better adapt as the rules evolve.

Another exercise is to chair fly a flight at home from start to finish. Try to imagine what regulations apply to each part of the flight, then go and locate them. What applies as you perform your preflight? Aircraft airworthiness. What about planning the flight? Yep, there's a regulation for what that must entail. What kind of rules apply at your departure airport? Do you need certain pilot certifications in the airspace? What about onboard equipment (e.g., radios, transponder)? What are your responsibilities and privileges as the pilot in command? These are just some of the questions you might consider; you can probably think of many others. This is application, and far superior to rote memorization; as you work through various scenarios and practice over time, your familiarity will grow faster than you realize!
 
Pilot Hopeful said:
Practice! Most training manuals---whether produced by the FAA, Jeppesen, King Schools, etc. etc.---simply reorganize and condense information from a variety of sources, including the FAR/AIM. First, it is helpful to identify key sections of the regulations as previous posts have recommended. Then, you start getting a feel for where various rules are located within those sections. How? Whenever you come across something that appears to be regulatory in your reading (e.g., the speed limit in various airspaces), thumb through or search online to locate the applicable text. Sometimes it may not be the first place you imagine, but as you skim across other rules, you are building a mental model of where tidbits of FAR trivia reside. With consistent use, the FAR will become more familiar.

This is the approach that I teach my students. I never expect a verbatim rote memorization of every pertinent regulatory number, but I try to encourage a general familiarity with the FAR sections so that locating a relevant regulation is not too overwhelming. This strategy is helpful because occasionally the FAA adds or removes or reorders; if you have a method for strategic searching, you can better adapt as the rules evolve.

Another exercise is to chair fly a flight at home from start to finish. Try to imagine what regulations apply to each part of the flight, then go and locate them. What applies as you perform your preflight? Aircraft airworthiness. What about planning the flight? Yep, there's a regulation for what that must entail. What kind of rules apply at your departure airport? Do you need certain pilot certifications in the airspace? What about onboard equipment (e.g., radios, transponder)? What are your responsibilities and privileges as the pilot in command? These are just some of the questions you might consider; you can probably think of many others. This is application, and far superior to rote memorization; as you work through various scenarios and practice over time, your familiarity will grow faster than you realize!
Click to expand...

That's a really great method and exactly what I was looking for. I know it was a basic question but different perspectives and solutions, like this, add more tools for learning. At least for me.
 
86BravoPapa said:
I'll first apologize for the cheesy title.

Any suggestions for gaining a strong grasp on the FAR's? I know the FAR AIM is primarily a source of reference but some pilots start rattling off particular regulation/section #'s during conversations or give examples of having done so in interviews.

Just wondering if there are any methods for breaking it down and maybe compartmentalizing the different regs/sections that apply to the type of flying you do.

Also, are there certain regs/sections you find yourself referring to or recalling more frequently than most?
Click to expand...


You're a private pilot with an instrument rating. You've learned like...88% of the FARs you need to know until it's time to crack Part 121.
 
There are important "every day" regs to know, learn, love. Most of the time they are covered in oral study guides. Just remember, the book is there for a reason, it is a REFERENCE. Tab the important sections and know how to look things up. Know the important regs that you would use the most, the ones that apply to you every single day.
 
Tha FAR has a table of contents. It is organized by subject matter. The previous comments about Parts 61, 91, etc are just examples of that organization.

As you study, you'll start becoming familiar with some, but no all of the FAR. Learning how to use the table of contents will help with the familiarization and also help you locate rules which aren't as common.
 
Be curious. Don’t just rely on rote memory as to why your alternate ness to be 800/2, look it up and verify (as an example). Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Part 61/141 is how you earn it. Part 91 is how you lose it. Part 135 is the charter world. Part 121 is the airline world. Don't forget that often there are exemptions to the regs.
 
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