10 U.S.C. § 8162 — Aviation commands: eligibility

(a) (1) To be eligible to command an aircraft carrier or an aircraft tender, an officer must be a line officer of the Navy designated as a naval aviator or naval flight officer, and otherwise qualified. (2) This rule does not apply to commanding a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that has been taken out of service for permanent decommissioning and disposal. (b) To be eligible to command a naval aviation school, a naval air station, or a naval aviation unit organized for flight tactical purposes, an officer must be a line officer of the Navy designated as a naval aviator or naval flight officer. (c) To be eligible to command a Marine Corps aviation school, a Marine Corps air station, or a Marine Corps aviation unit organized for flight tactical purposes, an officer must be an officer of the Marine Corps designated as a naval aviator or naval flight officer.