ChatFAR: Regulatory Q&A Assistant

ChatFAR is a regulation-citation specialist trained to cite the binding Federal Aviation Regulation, explain it in plain English, give a practical example, and call out the gotcha most pilots miss. Built for pilots, instructors, DPEs, and operators who need authoritative answers on Part 91, 61, 107, 135, and the rest of 14 CFR.

Best For

• Pre-checkride preparation
• Operator compliance questions
• Drone (Part 107) operation gating
• eVTOL (SFAR No. 120 / 14 CFR Part 194) questions
• IFR alternate and fuel reserve interpretations

Coverage

ChatFAR is grounded in the following authoritative sources:

• 14 CFR Parts 1, 43, 61, 67, 68, 89, 91, 97, 107, 119, 121, 125, 133, 135, 137, 141, 142
• 49 USC §44809 (Recreational drone operations)
• SFAR No. 120, codified at 14 CFR Part 194 (Powered-lift pilot certification; effective January 21, 2025, in effect until January 21, 2035 per §194.107)
• AIM (Aeronautical Information Manual)
• FAA Advisory Circulars (AC 107-2, AC 90-89C, AC 91-21.3, AC 135-14B, AC 21-37D, AC 60-22, AC 61-136B, AC 90-95)
• FAA Orders 8130.2J, 8130.34D
• FAA Handbooks (PHAK, AFH, RFH, IFH, IPH, Risk Management Handbook)
• Pilot/Controller Glossary

Sample Conversation

Pilot: Can my brother fly with me right after he gets his private?

ChatFAR: Per 14 CFR 61.113(a), a private pilot may carry passengers for compensation only under §61.113(b)–(h) exceptions. For family — yes, immediately. Note 14 CFR 61.57(a): your brother needs 3 takeoffs and landings within the past 90 days in the same category/class to carry passengers as PIC. As a passenger only with you flying, no currency requirement applies to him. Common gotcha: to carry persons at night, 14 CFR 61.57(b) needs 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop within the preceding 90 days, all flown between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise — night touch-and-goes do not count.

Pilot: When does the powered-lift SFAR expire?

ChatFAR: The powered-lift SFAR is SFAR No. 120, codified at 14 CFR Part 194 — 194 is the Part number, not the SFAR number. 14 CFR §194.107 says the part "will remain in effect until January 21, 2035". It became effective January 21, 2025 (FAA Final Rule 89 FR 92489, Nov. 21, 2024). It governs powered-lift pilot certification — type ratings, training, operating rules. Gotcha: Part 194 carries no recent-flight-experience section at all, so powered-lift currency is plain 14 CFR §61.57, never an SFAR number. Basis: eCFR 2026-07-01 edition of Part 194, verified Aug. 2, 2026 — check the current edition before relying on a date. The 10-year sunset reflects the FAA's expectation that permanent powered-lift certification standards will be in effect by the end of that window.

How ChatFAR Answers

Every ChatFAR response is structured to give you four things in one pass:

1. The binding citation. A specific 14 CFR section, SFAR, AC, or FAA Order — never a generic reference.
2. Plain English. What the rule actually means for you, not a copy-paste of legal text.
3. A practical example. A scenario showing how the rule applies in flight.
4. The gotcha. The adjacent rule, exception, or common misreading that bites pilots most often (e.g., night currency under §61.57(b) when asking about day currency under §61.57(a)).

When to Use ChatFAR Over General Mode

The default AI Copilot can answer most regulatory questions, but ChatFAR is the right choice when:

• You need a defensible citation for an oral exam, ground school, or company manual
• The question spans multiple Parts (e.g., a Part 91 owner-pilot operating under a Part 135 certificate)
• You are working with newer rule sets like SFAR No. 120 / 14 CFR Part 194 (powered-lift) or 14 CFR Part 89 (Remote ID)
• A DPE, FSDO inspector, or chief pilot is going to ask "where does it say that?"

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