222 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 121.580 

(d) 

Approach. 

No person may use an 

autopilot at an altitude lower than 50 
feet below the DA(H) or MDA for the 
instrument procedure being flown, ex-
cept as follows— 

(1) For autopilots with an AFM speci-

fied altitude loss for approach oper-
ations— 

(i) An altitude no lower than twice 

the specified altitude loss if higher 
than 50 feet below the MDA or DA(H); 

(ii) An altitude no lower than 50 feet 

higher than the altitude loss specified 
in the AFM, when the following condi-
tions are met— 

(A) Reported weather conditions are 

less than the basic VFR weather condi-
tions in § 91.155 of this chapter; 

(B) Suitable visual references speci-

fied in § 91.175 of this chapter have been 
established on the instrument ap-
proach procedure; and 

(C) The autopilot is coupled and re-

ceiving both lateral and vertical path 
references; 

(iii) An altitude no lower than the 

higher of the altitude loss specified in 
the AFM or 50 feet above the TDZE, 
when the following conditions are 
met— 

(A) Reported weather conditions are 

equal to or better than the basic VFR 
weather conditions in § 91.155 of this 
chapter; and 

(B) The autopilot is coupled and re-

ceiving both lateral and vertical path 
references; or 

(iv) A greater altitude specified by 

the Administrator. 

(2) For autopilots with AFM specified 

approach altitude limitations, the 
greater of— 

(i) The minimum use altitude speci-

fied for the coupled approach mode se-
lected; 

(ii) 50 feet; or 
(iii) An altitude specified by Admin-

istrator. 

(3) For autopilots with an AFM speci-

fied negligible or zero altitude loss for 
an autopilot approach mode malfunc-
tion, the greater of— 

(i) 50 feet; or 
(ii) An altitude specified by Adminis-

trator. 

(4) If executing an autopilot coupled 

go-around or missed approach using a 
certificated and functioning autopilot 

in accordance with paragraph (e) in 
this section. 

(e) 

Go-Around/Missed Approach. 

No 

person may engage an autopilot during 
a go-around or missed approach below 
the minimum engagement altitude 
specified for takeoff and initial climb 
in paragraph (b) in this section. An 
autopilot minimum use altitude does 
not apply to a go-around/missed ap-
proach initiated with an engaged auto-
pilot. Performing a go-around or 
missed approach with an engaged auto-
pilot must not adversely affect safe ob-
stacle clearance. 

(f) 

Landing. 

Notwithstanding para-

graph (d) of this section, autopilot min-
imum use altitudes do not apply to 
autopilot operations when an approved 
automatic landing system mode is 
being used for landing. Automatic 
landing systems must be authorized in 
an operations specification issued to 
the operator. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2012–1059, 79 FR 6086, Feb. 3, 
2014] 

§ 121.580 Prohibition on interference 

with crewmembers. 

No person may assault, threaten, in-

timidate, or interfere with a crew-
member in the performance of the 
crewmember’s duties aboard an air-
craft being operated under this part. 

[Doc. No. FAA–1998–4954, 64 FR 1080, Jan. 7, 
1999] 

§ 121.581 Observer’s seat: En route in-

spections. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(c) of this section, each certificate 
holder shall make available a seat on 
the flight deck of each airplane, used 
by it in air commerce, for occupancy 
by the Administrator while conducting 
en route inspections. The location and 
equipment of the seat, with respect to 
its suitability for use in conducting en 
route inspections, is determined by the 
Administrator. 

(b) In each airplane that has more 

than one observer’s seat, in addition to 
the seats required for the crew com-
plement for which the airplane was cer-
tificated, the forward observer’s seat or 
the observer’s seat selected by the Ad-
ministrator must be made available 
when complying with paragraph (a) of 
this section.