Primary category aircraft: Operating limitations

This regulation restricts commercial operations in primary category aircraft—a simplified certification category for certain small, low-performance aircraft.

General Rule: You cannot use primary category aircraft for operations requiring Part 119 certificates (like airlines or commercial operators), fractional ownership programs, or operations under Parts 129, 133, or 137 (foreign air carriers, external load operations, or agricultural aircraft operations).

Owner-Maintained Aircraft: If you maintain your primary category aircraft yourself under a special program rather than using a mechanic, only you or someone you designate can fly it—and you cannot charge for its use.

Exception for Flight Training: If your primary category aircraft is maintained by a certified mechanic or repair station following normal Part 43 maintenance rules, you *can* use it for paid flight training, checking, and testing.

This essentially keeps primary category aircraft in recreational and limited instructional use, preventing their entry into commercial aviation operations.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*