368 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 125.331 

(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 6087, Feb. 3, 
2014] 

§ 125.331 Carriage of persons without 

compliance with the passenger-car-

rying provisions of this part. 

The following persons may be carried 

aboard an airplane without complying 
with the passenger-carrying require-
ments of this part: 

(a) A crewmember. 
(b) A person necessary for the safe 

handling of animals on the airplane. 

(c) A person necessary for the safe 

handling of hazardous materials (as de-
fined in subchapter C of title 49 CFR). 

(d) A person performing duty as a se-

curity or honor guard accompanying a 
shipment made by or under the author-
ity of the U.S. Government. 

(e) A military courier or a military 

route supervisor carried by a military 
cargo contract operator if that car-
riage is specifically authorized by the 
appropriate military service. 

(f) An authorized representative of 

the Administrator conducting an en 
route inspection. 

(g) A person authorized by the Ad-

ministrator. 

§ 125.333 Stowage of food, beverage, 

and passenger service equipment 

during airplane movement on the 

surface, takeoff, and landing. 

(a) No certificate holder may move 

an airplane on the surface, take off, or 
land when any food, beverage, or table-
ware furnished by the certificate hold-
er is located at any passenger seat. 

369 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 125.363 

(b) No certificate holder may move 

an airplane on the surface, take off, or 
land unless each food and beverage 
tray and seat back tray table is se-
cured in its stowed position. 

(c) No certificate holder may permit 

an airplane to move on the surface, 
take off, or land unless each passenger 
serving cart is secured in its stowed po-
sition. 

(d) Each passenger shall comply with 

instructions given by a crewmember 
with regard to compliance with this 
section. 

[Doc. No. 26142, 57 FR 42675, Sept. 15, 1992] 

Subpart K—Flight Release Rules 

§ 125.351 Flight release authority. 

(a) No person may start a flight with-

out authority from the person author-
ized by the certificate holder to exer-
cise operational control over the flight. 

(b) No person may start a flight un-

less the pilot in command or the person 
authorized by the cetificate holder to 
exercise operational control over the 
flight has executed a flight release set-
ting forth the conditions under which 
the flight will be conducted. The pilot 
in command may sign the flight re-
lease only when both the pilot in com-
mand and the person authorized to ex-
ercise operational control believe the 
flight can be made safely, unless the 
pilot in command is authorized by the 
certificate holder to exercise oper-
ational control and execute the flight 
release without the approval of any 
other person. 

(c) No person may continue a flight 

from an intermediate airport without a 
new flight release if the airplane has 
been on the ground more than 6 hours. 

§ 125.353 Facilities and services. 

During a flight, the pilot in command 

shall obtain any additional available 
information of meteorological condi-
tions and irregularities of facilities and 
services that may affect the safety of 
the flight. 

§ 125.355 Airplane equipment. 

No person may release an airplane 

unless it is airworthy and is equipped 
as prescribed. 

§ 125.357 Communication and naviga-

tion facilities. 

No person may release an airplane 

over any route or route segment unless 
communication and navigation facili-
ties equal to those required by § 125.51 
are in satisfactory operating condition. 

§ 125.359 Flight release under VFR. 

No person may release an airplane 

for VFR operation unless the ceiling 
and visibility en route, as indicated by 
available weather reports or forecasts, 
or any combination thereof, are and 
will remain at or above applicable VFR 
minimums until the airplane arrives at 
the airport or airports specified in the 
flight release. 

§ 125.361 Flight release under IFR or 

over-the-top. 

Except as provided in § 125.363, no per-

son may release an airplane for oper-
ations under IFR or over-the-top unless 
appropriate weather reports or fore-
casts, or any combination thereof, indi-
cate that the weather conditions will 
be at or above the authorized mini-
mums at the estimated time of arrival 
at the airport or airports to which re-
leased. 

§ 125.363 Flight release over water. 

(a) No person may release an airplane 

for a flight that involves extended 
overwater operation unless appropriate 
weather reports or forecasts, or any 
combination thereof, indicate that the 
weather conditions will be at or above 
the authorized minimums at the esti-
mated time of arrival at any airport to 
which released or to any required alter-
nate airport. 

(b) Each certificate holder shall con-

duct extended overwater operations 
under IFR unless it shows that oper-
ating under IFR is not necessary for 
safety. 

(c) Each certificate holder shall con-

duct other overwater operations under 
IFR if the Administrator determines 
that operation under IFR is necessary 
for safety. 

(d) Each authorization to conduct ex-

tended overwater operations under 
VFR and each requirement to conduct 
other overwater operations under IFR 
will be specified in the operations spec-
ifications.