Regulation Text
§ 61.110 Night flying exceptions.
(a) Subject to the limitations of paragraph (b) of this section, a person is not required to comply with the night flight training requirements of this subpart if the person receives flight training in and resides in the State of Alaska.
(b) A person who receives flight training in and resides in the State of Alaska but does not meet the night flight training requirements of this section:
(1) May be issued a pilot certificate with a limitation “Night flying prohibited”; and
(2) Must comply with the appropriate night flight training requirements of this subpart within the 12-calendar-month period after the issuance of the pilot certificate. At the end of that period, the certificate will become invalid for use until the person complies with the appropriate night training requirements of this subpart. The person may have the “Night flying prohibited” limitation removed if the person—
(i) Accomplishes the appropriate night flight training requirements of this subpart; and
(ii) Presents to an examiner a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized instructor that verifies accomplishment of the appropriate night flight training requirements of this subpart.
(c) A person who does not meet the night flying requirements in § 61.109(d)(2), (i)(2), or (j)(2) may be issued a private pilot certificate with the limitation “Night flying prohibited.” This limitation may be removed by an examiner if the holder complies with the requirements of § 61.109(d)(2), (i)(2), or (j)(2), as appropriate.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40904, July 30, 1997; Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004]
Research Notes
Research Notes — § 61.110 Night Flying Exceptions (Private Pilot)
Regulatory Context
Section 61.110 accommodates private pilot applicants in Alaska and on small islands where the night flight requirement in § 61.109(a)(2)(ii) cannot be met due to continuous civil twilight or geographic constraints. Applicants who complete all other training but cannot complete night training due to seasonal lighting may receive a certificate with the limitation "night flying prohibited."
Alaska Applicability
Alaska experiences extended periods of midnight sun during summer months. In Fairbanks, civil twilight never ends between approximately late May and mid-July. A student training during these months cannot complete the night flying requirement because legal "night" (as defined in § 1.1 — end of evening civil twilight to beginning of morning civil twilight) never occurs. Section 61.110 creates the mechanism for certification without night training in these cases.
Certificate Limitation
The limitation "night flying prohibited" is permanent on the certificate — not a temporary endorsement. Removing it requires completing the night flight training requirements and having the limitation lifted by the FAA. Pilots planning to train in Alaska in summer should account for this in their scheduling.
Regulatory Cross-References
- 14 CFR § 1.1 — definition of "night"
- 14 CFR § 61.109(a)(2)(ii) — night flying requirement being accommodated
- 14 CFR § 61.111 — parallel small island accommodation for cross-country experience
Source: 14 CFR § 61.110 — eCFR.gov
Amendment History
AOA Notes
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CFI Commentary
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