Legal Interpretations
Marcum 2010
Summary
The Question
Does "crewmember" in the parachute rule of 14 CFR 91.307(c) mean only a required crewmember?
Background
A requester asked what "crewmember" means in 14 CFR 91.307(c), which requires persons other than crewmembers to wear approved parachutes during certain intentional high-bank or high-pitch maneuvers.
The FAA’s Interpretation
Any person assigned to perform duty in the aircraft during flight time is excepted. Under 14 CFR 1.1, a crewmember is "a person assigned to perform duty in an aircraft during flight time," so 14 CFR 91.307(c) does not apply to such persons.
- Requester
- Marcum
- Issued
- July 22, 2010
- Subjects
- General Operating & Flight Rules · Definitions
Regulations Cited
Page 1
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
JUL ~ .'~ 2010
Mr. Brad Marcum
Dear Mr. Marcwn:
Office of the Chief Counsel 800 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20591
This letter is in response to your request for interpretation dated April 6, 2010 regarding the meaning of the term "crewmember'' in the context of 14 C.F.R. § 91.307(c) and whether it is different than a required crewmember.
Section 91.307(c) requires that persons other than crewmembers wear approved parachutes if certain high-bank or high-pitch maneuvers are intentionally performed in an aircraft. A crewmember is "a person assigned to perform duty in an aircraft during flight time." 14 C.F.R. § 1.1. Thus,§ 91.307(c) does not apply to persons assigned to perform duty in an aircraft during flight time.
This response was prepared by Dean Griffith, Attorney in the Regulations Division of the Office of the Chief Counsel, and was coordinated with General Aviation and Commercial Division of Flight Standards Service. Please contact us at (202) 267-3073 if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Re~-){J_.
Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations, AGC-200
Regulations Referenced
Snapshot retrieved August 6, 2026.