VFR REGULATIONS 26 / LEARN · EXPLORE · CHECK
Special operations & restrictions
Check today’s restriction, not yesterday’s map.
Your learning goals
- Apply restricted, prohibited, and temporary.
- Recognize the limits and exceptions that affect this flight.
- Explain a decision using the scenario and supporting rule.
Restricted, prohibited, and temporary
Do not enter prohibited areas, or restricted areas contrary to their restrictions, without permission from the appropriate using/controlling agency. Check whether a restricted area is active and the conditions for transit. TFRs and emergency restrictions can address disasters, Hawaii disaster areas, VIP travel, space operations, abnormal pressure, air demonstrations, and sporting events. Read the current notice’s boundaries, altitudes, effective times, exceptions, and contact requirements. A chart is not a live TFR briefing.
14 CFR §91.133 · 14 CFR §91.137 · 14 CFR §91.138 · 14 CFR §91.139 · 14 CFR §91.141 · 14 CFR §91.143 · 14 CFR §91.144 · 14 CFR §91.145 · 14 CFR §91.303 · 14 CFR §91.307
Aerobatics: location and clearance first
- No aerobatics over congested areas or open-air assemblies.
- Not within airport B/C/D/E surface-area lateral boundaries.
- Not within 4 NM of a Federal airway centerline.
- Not below 1,500 AGL; flight visibility at least 3 SM.
Aerobatic flight includes intentional abrupt attitude changes, abnormal attitudes, or abnormal acceleration not necessary for normal flight. Meeting these numbers does not establish aircraft authorization or pilot competence.
14 CFR §91.133 · 14 CFR §91.137 · 14 CFR §91.138 · 14 CFR §91.139 · 14 CFR §91.141 · 14 CFR §91.143 · 14 CFR §91.144 · 14 CFR §91.145 · 14 CFR §91.303 · 14 CFR §91.307
Parachutes: a separate test
When carrying a person other than a crewmember, intentional maneuvers exceeding 60° bank or 30° nose-up/down require each occupant to wear an approved parachute, unless a specific exception applies. Exceptions include certification/rating flight tests and required spins/maneuvers given by an appropriately authorized instructor—not all training maneuvers. Packing must be by a qualified rigger within 180 days for the specified synthetic materials or 60 days for specified natural-fiber materials. This is separate from the aerobatic-location rule.
14 CFR §91.133 · 14 CFR §91.137 · 14 CFR §91.138 · 14 CFR §91.139 · 14 CFR §91.141 · 14 CFR §91.143 · 14 CFR §91.144 · 14 CFR §91.145 · 14 CFR §91.303 · 14 CFR §91.307
FLIGHT SCENARIO
What would change your plan?
A familiar practice area now has a disaster TFR. Can you enter because you have flown there weekly?
- NoticeWhat does this situation require?
- VerifyWhat evidence is still missing?
- DecideWhat keeps an option open?
Compare your reasoning
No. Read today’s restriction and meet its authorization or exception requirements. Familiarity and a stale chart do not create permission.
SUMMARY
Check today’s restriction, not yesterday’s map.
No. Read today’s restriction and meet its authorization or exception requirements. Familiarity and a stale chart do not create permission.
Before moving on, explain the decision in your own words: what would you verify, and what would make you change the plan?
PRACTICE
Flashcards and knowledge check
Six flashcards, then five questions with explanations.
Enable JavaScript for flashcards and the knowledge check. The lesson and scenario remain available without it.
Sources & lesson notes
Sources & lesson notes
- 14 CFR §91.133Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
- 14 CFR §91.137Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
- 14 CFR §91.138Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
- 14 CFR §91.139Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
- 14 CFR §91.141Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
- 14 CFR §91.143Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
- 14 CFR §91.144Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
- 14 CFR §91.145Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
- 14 CFR §91.303Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
- 14 CFR §91.307Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.
For U.S. private-pilot airplane study. Rules verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026, with linked FAA guidance. Scenarios isolate a rule; actual flight decisions require all applicable rules, aircraft limitations, and current information.