Regulation Text
(a) Foreign civil aircraft may be operated without airworthiness certificates required under § 91.203 if a special flight authorization for that operation is issued under this section. Application for a special flight authorization must be made to the appropriate Flight Standards Division Manager, or Aircraft Certification Service Division Director. However, in the case of an aircraft to be operated in the U.S. for the purpose of demonstration at an airshow, the application may be made to the appropriate Flight Standards Division Manager or Aircraft Certification Service Division Director responsible for the airshow location.
(b) The Administrator may issue a special flight authorization for a foreign civil aircraft subject to any conditions and limitations that the Administrator considers necessary for safe operation in the U.S. airspace.
(c) No person may operate a foreign civil aircraft under a special flight authorization unless that operation also complies with part 375 of the Special Regulations of the Department of Transportation (14 CFR part 375).
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2120-0005)[Docket 18334, 54 FR 34320, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-212, 54 FR 39293, Sept. 25, 1989; Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 91-350, 83 FR 9171, Mar. 5, 2018]
The short answer
(14 CFR § 91.715) Foreign civil aircraft may operate without the airworthiness certificates required under § 91.203 if a special flight authorization is issued. Applications go to the appropriate Flight Standards Division Manager or Aircraft Certification Service Division Director, and operations must also comply with 14 CFR part 375.
Research Notes
Common Questions
Can a foreign aircraft fly in the U.S. without a standard airworthiness certificate?
Yes, but only under a special flight authorization issued under § 91.715, which substitutes for the § 91.203 airworthiness certificate.
“Foreign civil aircraft may be operated without airworthiness certificates required under § 91.203 if a special flight authorization for that operation is issued under this section.” — 14 CFR § 91.715(a)
Where do I apply for an airshow demonstration authorization?
For demonstration at an airshow, the application may be made to the Flight Standards Division Manager or Aircraft Certification Service Division Director responsible for the airshow location.
Are there conditions on a special flight authorization?
Yes. The Administrator may impose any conditions and limitations considered necessary for safe operation in U.S. airspace, and the operation must also comply with 14 CFR part 375.
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