Code of Federal Regulations

Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space
Volume: 3Date: 2022-01-01Original Date: 2022-01-01Title: Section 121.305 - Flight and navigational equipment.Context: Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space. CHAPTER I - FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED). SUBCHAPTER G - AIR CARRIERS AND OPERATORS FOR COMPENSATION OR HIRE: CERTIFICATION AND OPERATIONS. PART 121 - OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: DOMESTIC, FLAG, AND SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONS. Subpart K - Instrument and Equipment Requirements.
§ 121.305 Flight and navigational equipment. No person may operate an airplane unless it is equipped with the following flight and navigational instruments and equipment: (a) An airspeed indicating system with heated pitot tube or equivalent means for preventing malfunctioning due to icing. (b) A sensitive altimeter. (c) A sweep-second hand clock (or approved equivalent). (d) A free-air temperature indicator. (e) A gyroscopic bank and pitch indicator (artificial horizon). (f) A gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator combined with an integral slip-skid indicator (turn-and-bank indicator) except that only a slip-skid indicator is required when a third attitude instrument system usable through flight attitudes of 360° of pitch and roll is installed in accordance with paragraph (k) of this section. (g) A gyroscopic direction indicator (directional gyro or equivalent). (h) A magnetic compass. (i) A vertical speed indicator (rate-of-climb indicator). (j) On the airplane described in this paragraph, in addition to two gyroscopic bank and pitch indicators (artificial horizons) for use at the pilot stations, a third such instrument is installed in accordance with paragraph (k) of this section: (1) On each turbojet powered airplane. (2) On each turbopropeller powered airplane having a passenger-seat configuration of more than 30 seats, excluding each crewmember seat, or a payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds. (3) On each turbopropeller powered airplane having a passenger-seat configuration of 30 seats or fewer, excluding each crewmember seat, and a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less that is manufactured on or after March 20, 1997. (4) After December 20, 2010, on each turbopropeller powered airplane having a passenger seat configuration of 10-30 seats and a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less that was manufactured before March 20, 1997. (k) When required by paragraph (j) of this section, a third gyroscopic bank-and-pitch indicator (artificial horizon) that: (1) Is powered from a source independent of the electrical generating system; (2) Continues reliable operation for a minimum of 30 minutes after total failure of the electrical generating system; (3) Operates independently of any other attitude indicating system; (4) Is operative without selection after total failure of the electrical generating system; (5) Is located on the instrument panel in a position acceptable to the Administrator that will make it plainly visible to and usable by each pilot at his or her station; and (6) Is appropriately lighted during all phases of operation. [Doc. No. 6258, 29 FR 19205, Dec. 31, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 121-57, 35 FR 304, Jan. 8, 1970; Amdt. 121-60, 35 FR 7108, May 6, 1970; Amdt. 121-81, 36 FR 23050, Dec. 3, 1971; Amdt. 121-130, 41 FR 47229, Oct. 28, 1976; Amdt. 121-230, 58 FR 12158, Mar. 3, 1993; Amdt. 121-251, 60 FR 65929, Dec. 20, 1995; Amdt. 121-262, 62 FR 13256, Mar. 19, 1997]