background image

415 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135 

(1) Information on any peculiarities 

discovered when operating particular 
rotorcraft-load combinations; 

(2) Precautionary advice regarding 

static electricity discharges for Class 
B, Class C, and Class D rotorcraft-load 
combinations; and 

(3) Any other information essential 

for safe operation with external loads. 

[Doc. No. 1529, 29 FR 603, Jan. 24, 1964, as 
amended by Amdt. 133–9, 51 FR 40709, Nov. 7, 
1986] 

§ 133.49 Markings and placards. 

The following markings and placards 

must be displayed conspicuously and 
must be such that they cannot be eas-
ily erased, disfigured, or obscured: 

(a) A placard (displayed in the cock-

pit or cabin) stating the class of rotor-
craft-load combination for which the 
rotorcraft has been approved and the 
occupancy limitation prescribed in 
§ 133.35(a). 

(b) A placard, marking, or instruc-

tion (displayed next to the external- 
load attaching means) stating the max-
imum external load prescribed as an 
operating limitation in § 133.45(b). 

[Docket 1529, Amdt. 133–9A, 81 FR 85138, Nov. 
25, 2016] 

§ 133.51 Airworthiness certification. 

A Rotorcraft External-Load Operator 

Certificate is a current and valid air-
worthiness certificate for each rotor-
craft type certificated under part 27 or 
29 of this chapter (or their predecessor 
parts) and listed by registration num-
ber on a list attached to the certifi-
cate, when the rotorcraft is being used 
in operations conducted under this 
part. 

[Doc. No. 24550, 51 FR 40709, Nov. 7, 1986] 

PART 135—OPERATING REQUIRE-

MENTS: COMMUTER AND ON DE-
MAND OPERATIONS AND RULES 
GOVERNING PERSONS ON 
BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT 

S

PECIAL

F

EDERAL

A

VIATION

R

EGULATION

N

O

50–2 [N

OTE

S

PECIAL

F

EDERAL

A

VIATION

R

EGULATION

N

O

71 [N

OTE

S

PECIAL

F

EDERAL

A

VIATION

R

EGULATION

N

O

89 [N

OTE

S

PECIAL

F

EDERAL

A

VIATION

R

EGULATION

N

O

97 [N

OTE

Subpart A—General 

Sec. 
135.1

Applicability. 

135.2

Compliance schedule for operators 

that transition to part 121 of this chap-
ter; certain new entrant operators. 

135.3

Rules applicable to operations subject 

to this part. 

135.4

Applicability of rules for eligible on- 

demand operations. 

135.7

Applicability of rules to unauthorized 

operators. 

135.12

Previously trained crewmembers. 

135.19

Emergency operations. 

135.21

Manual requirements. 

135.23

Manual contents. 

135.25

Aircraft requirements. 

135.41

Carriage of narcotic drugs, mari-

huana, and depressant or stimulant drugs 
or substances. 

135.43

Crewmember certificates: Inter-

national operations. 

Subpart B—Flight Operations 

135.61

General. 

135.63

Recordkeeping requirements. 

135.64

Retention of contracts and amend-

ments: Commercial operators who con-
duct intrastate operations for compensa-
tion or hire. 

135.65

Reporting mechanical irregularities. 

135.67

Reporting potentially hazardous me-

teorological conditions and irregularities 
of ground facilities or navigation aids. 

135.69

Restriction or suspension of oper-

ations: Continuation of flight in an emer-
gency. 

135.71

Airworthiness check. 

135.73

Inspections and tests. 

135.75

Inspectors credentials: Admission to 

pilots’ compartment: Forward observer’s 
seat. 

135.76

DOD Commercial Air Carrier Eval-

uator’s Credentials: Admission to pilots 
compartment: Forward observer’s seat. 

135.77

Responsibility for operational con-

trol. 

135.78

Instrument approach procedures and 

IFR landing minimums. 

135.79

Flight locating requirements. 

135.81

Informing personnel of operational 

information and appropriate changes. 

135.83

Operating information required. 

135.85

Carriage of persons without compli-

ance with the passenger-carrying provi-
sions of this part. 

135.87

Carriage of cargo including carry-on 

baggage. 

135.89

Pilot requirements: Use of oxygen. 

135.91

Oxygen and portable oxygen con-

centrators for medical use by passengers. 

135.93

Minimum altitudes for use of auto-

pilot. 

background image

416 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135 

135.95

Airmen: Limitations on use of serv-

ices. 

135.97

Aircraft and facilities for recent 

flight experience. 

135.98

Operations in the North Polar Area. 

135.99

Composition of flight crew. 

135.100

Flight crewmember duties. 

135.101

Second in command required under 

IFR. 

135.103

[Reserved] 

135.105

Exception to second in command re-

quirement: Approval for use of autopilot 
system. 

135.107

Flight attendant crewmember re-

quirement. 

135.109

Pilot in command or second in com-

mand: Designation required. 

135.111

Second in command required in Cat-

egory II operations. 

135.113

Passenger occupancy of pilot seat. 

135.115

Manipulation of controls. 

135.117

Briefing of passengers before flight. 

135.119

Prohibition against carriage of 

weapons. 

135.120

Prohibition on interference with 

crewmembers. 

135.121

Alcoholic beverages. 

135.122

Stowage of food, beverage, and pas-

senger service equipment during aircraft 
movement on the surface, takeoff, and 
landing. 

135.123

Emergency and emergency evacu-

ation duties. 

135.125

Aircraft security. 

135.127

Passenger information requirements 

and smoking prohibitions. 

135.128

Use of safety belts and child re-

straint systems. 

135.129

Exit seating. 

Subpart C—Aircraft and Equipment 

135.141

Applicability. 

135.143

General requirements. 

135.144

Portable electronic devices. 

135.145

Aircraft proving and validation 

tests. 

135.147

Dual controls required. 

135.149

Equipment requirements: General. 

135.150

Public address and crewmember 

interphone systems. 

135.151

Cockpit voice recorders. 

135.152

Flight data recorders. 

135.153

[Reserved] 

135.154

Terrain awareness and warning sys-

tem. 

135.155

Fire extinguishers: Passenger-car-

rying aircraft. 

135.156

Flight data recorders: filtered data. 

135.157

Oxygen equipment requirements. 

135.158

Pitot heat indication systems. 

135.159

Equipment requirements: Carrying 

passengers under VFR at night or under 
VFR over-the-top conditions. 

135.160

Radio altimeters for rotorcraft oper-

ations. 

135.161

Communication and navigation 

equipment for aircraft operations under 
VFR over routes navigated by pilotage. 

135.163

Equipment requirements: Aircraft 

carrying passengers under IFR. 

135.165

Communication and navigation 

equipment: Extended over-water or IFR 
operations. 

135.167

Emergency equipment: Extended 

overwater operations. 

135.168

Emergency equipment: Overwater 

rotorcraft operations. 

135.169

Additional airworthiness require-

ments. 

135.170

Materials for compartment inte-

riors. 

135.171

Shoulder harness installation at 

flight crewmember stations. 

135.173

Airborne thunderstorm detection 

equipment requirements. 

135.175

Airborne weather radar equipment 

requirements. 

135.177

Emergency equipment requirements 

for aircraft having a passenger seating 
configuration of more than 19 passengers. 

135.178

Additional emergency equipment. 

135.179

Inoperable instruments and equip-

ment. 

135.180

Traffic Alert and Collision Avoid-

ance System. 

135.181

Performance requirements: Aircraft 

operated over-the-top or in IFR condi-
tions. 

135.183

Performance requirements: Land 

aircraft operated over water. 

135.185

Empty weight and center of gravity: 

Currency requirement. 

Subpart D—VFR/IFR Operating Limitations 

and Weather Requirements 

135.201

Applicability. 

135.203

VFR: Minimum altitudes. 

135.205

VFR: Visibility requirements. 

135.207

VFR: Helicopter surface reference 

requirements. 

135.209

VFR: Fuel supply. 

135.211

VFR: Over-the-top carrying pas-

sengers: Operating limitations. 

135.213

Weather reports and forecasts. 

135.215

IFR: Operating limitations. 

135.217

IFR: Takeoff limitations. 

135.219

IFR: Destination airport weather 

minimums. 

135.221

IFR: Alternate airport weather 

minimums. 

135.223

IFR: Alternate airport requirements. 

135.225

IFR: Takeoff, approach and landing 

minimums. 

135.227

Icing conditions: Operating limita-

tions. 

135.229

Airport requirements. 

Subpart E—Flight Crewmember 

Requirements 

135.241

Applicability. 

background image

417 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135 

135.243

Pilot in command qualifications. 

135.244

Operating experience. 

135.245

Second in command qualifications. 

135.247

Pilot qualifications: Recent experi-

ence. 

135.249–135.255

[Reserved] 

Subpart F—Crewmember Flight Time and 

Duty Period Limitations and Rest Re-
quirements 

135.261

Applicability. 

135.263

Flight time limitations and rest re-

quirements: All certificate holders. 

135.265

Flight time limitations and rest re-

quirements: Scheduled operations. 

135.267

Flight time limitations and rest re-

quirements: Unscheduled one- and two- 
pilot crews. 

135.269

Flight time limitations and rest re-

quirements: Unscheduled three- and four- 
pilot crews. 

135.271

Helicopter hospital emergency med-

ical evacuation service (HEMES). 

135.273

Duty period limitations and rest 

time requirements. 

Subpart G—Crewmember Testing 

Requirements 

135.291

Applicability. 

135.293

Initial and recurrent pilot testing 

requirements. 

135.295

Initial and recurrent flight attend-

ant crewmember testing requirements. 

135.297

Pilot in command: Instrument pro-

ficiency check requirements. 

135.299

Pilot in command: Line checks: 

Routes and airports. 

135.301

Crewmember: Tests and checks, 

grace provisions, training to accepted 
standards. 

Subpart H—Training 

135.321

Applicability and terms used. 

135.323

Training program: General. 

135.324

Training program: Special rules. 

135.325

Training program and revision: Ini-

tial and final approval. 

135.327

Training program: Curriculum. 

135.329

Crewmember training requirements. 

135.330

Crew resource management training. 

135.331

Crewmember emergency training. 

135.335

Approval of aircraft simulators and 

other training devices. 

135.336

Airline transport pilot certification 

training program. 

135.337

Qualifications: Check airmen (air-

craft) and check airmen (simulator). 

135.338

Qualifications: Flight instructors 

(aircraft) and flight instructors (simu-
lator). 

135.339

Initial and transition training and 

checking: Check airmen (aircraft), check 
airmen (simulator). 

135.340

Initial and transition training and 

checking: Flight instructors (aircraft), 
flight instructors (simulator). 

135.341

Pilot and flight attendant crew-

member training programs. 

135.343

Crewmember initial and recurrent 

training requirements. 

135.345

Pilots: Initial, transition, and up-

grade ground training. 

135.347

Pilots: Initial, transition, upgrade, 

and differences flight training. 

135.349

Flight attendants: Initial and transi-

tion ground training. 

135.351

Recurrent training. 

135.353

[Reserved] 

Subpart I—Airplane Performance 

Operating Limitations 

135.361

Applicability. 

135.363

General. 

135.364

Maximum flying time outside the 

United States. 

135.365

Large transport category airplanes: 

Reciprocating engine powered: Weight 
limitations. 

135.367

Large transport category airplanes: 

Reciprocating engine powered: Takeoff 
limitations. 

135.369

Large transport category airplanes: 

Reciprocating engine powered: En route 
limitations: All engines operating. 

135.371

Large transport category airplanes: 

Reciprocating engine powered: En route 
limitations: One engine inoperative. 

135.373

Part 25 transport category airplanes 

with four or more engines: Reciprocating 
engine powered: En route limitations: 
Two engines inoperative. 

135.375

Large transport category airplanes: 

Reciprocating engine powered: Landing 
limitations: Destination airports. 

135.377

Large transport category airplanes: 

Reciprocating engine powered: Landing 
limitations: Alternate airports. 

135.379

Large transport category airplanes: 

Turbine engine powered: Takeoff limita-
tions. 

135.381

Large transport category airplanes: 

Turbine engine powered: En route limita-
tions: One engine inoperative. 

135.383

Large transport category airplanes: 

Turbine engine powered: En route limita-
tions: Two engines inoperative. 

135.385

Large transport category airplanes: 

Turbine engine powered: Landing limita-
tions: Destination airports. 

135.387

Large transport category airplanes: 

Turbine engine powered: Landing limita-
tions: Alternate airports. 

135.389

Large nontransport category air-

planes: Takeoff limitations. 

135.391

Large nontransport category air-

planes: En route limitations: One engine 
inoperative. 

background image

418 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, SFAR No. 50–2, Nt. 

135.393

Large nontransport category air-

planes: Landing limitations: Destination 
airports. 

135.395

Large nontransport category air-

planes: Landing limitations: Alternate 
airports. 

135.397

Small transport category airplane 

performance operating limitations. 

135.398

Commuter category airplanes per-

formance operating limitations. 

135.399

Small nontransport category air-

plane performance operating limitations. 

Subpart J—Maintenance, Preventive 

Maintenance, and Alterations 

135.411

Applicability. 

135.413

Responsibility for airworthiness. 

135.415

Service difficulty reports. 

135.417

Mechanical interruption summary 

report. 

135.419

Approved aircraft inspection pro-

gram. 

135.421

Additional maintenance require-

ments. 

135.422

Aging airplane inspections and 

records reviews for multiengine airplanes 
certificated with nine or fewer passenger 
seats. 

135.423

Maintenance, preventive mainte-

nance, and alteration organization. 

135.425

Maintenance, preventive mainte-

nance, and alteration programs. 

135.426

Contract maintenance. 

135.427

Manual requirements. 

135.429

Required inspection personnel. 

135.431

Continuing analysis and surveil-

lance. 

135.433

Maintenance and preventive mainte-

nance training program. 

135.435

Certificate requirements. 

135.437

Authority to perform and approve 

maintenance, preventive maintenance, 
and alterations. 

135.439

Maintenance recording require-

ments. 

135.441

Transfer of maintenance records. 

135.443

Airworthiness release or aircraft 

maintenance log entry. 

Subpart K—Hazardous Materials Training 

Program 

135.501

Applicability and definitions. 

135.503

Hazardous materials training: Gen-

eral. 

135.505

Hazardous materials training re-

quired. 

135.507

Hazardous materials training 

records. 

Subpart L—Helicopter Air Ambulance 

Equipment, Operations, and Training 
Requirements 

135.601

Applicability and definitions. 

135.603

Pilot-in-command instrument quali-

fications. 

135.605

Helicopter terrain awareness and 

warning system (HTAWS). 

135.607

Flight Data Monitoring System. 

135.609

VFR ceiling and visibility require-

ments for Class G airspace. 

135.611

IFR operations at locations without 

weather reporting. 

135.613

Approach/departure IFR transitions. 

135.615

VFR flight planning. 

135.617

Pre-flight risk analysis. 

135.619

Operations control centers. 

135.621

Briefing of medical personnel. 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—A

DDITIONAL

A

IR

-

WORTHINESS

S

TANDARDS FOR

10 

OR

M

ORE

 

P

ASSENGER

A

IRPLANES

 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—A

IRPLANE

F

LIGHT

 

R

ECORDER

S

PECIFICATIONS

 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—H

ELICOPTER

F

LIGHT

 

R

ECORDER

S

PECIFICATIONS

 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—A

IRPLANE

F

LIGHT

 

R

ECORDER

S

PECIFICATION

 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—H

ELICOPTER

F

LIGHT

 

R

ECORDER

S

PECIFICATIONS

 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—A

IRPLANE

F

LIGHT

 

R

ECORDER

S

PECIFICATIONS

 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—E

XTENDED

O

PER

-

ATIONS

(ETOPS) 

A

UTHORITY

: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 

41706, 44701–44702, 44705, 44709, 44711–44713, 
44715–44717, 44722, 44730, 45101–45105; Pub. L. 
112–95, 126 Stat. 58 (49 U.S.C. 44730). 

S

OURCE

: Docket No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 

10, 1978, unless otherwise noted. 

S

PECIAL

F

EDERAL

A

VIATION

R

EGULATION

 

N

O

. 50–2 

E

DITORIAL

N

OTE

: For the text of SFAR No. 

50–2, see part 91 of this chapter. 

S

PECIAL

F

EDERAL

A

VIATION

R

EGULATION

 

N

O

. 71 

E

DITORIAL

N

OTE

: For the text of SFAR No. 

71, see part 91 of this chapter. 

S

PECIAL

F

EDERAL

A

VIATION

R

EGULATION

 

N

O

. 89 

E

DITORIAL

N

OTE

: For the text of SFAR No. 

89, see part 121 of this chapter. 

S

PECIAL

F

EDERAL

A

VIATION

R

EGULATION

 

N

O

. 97 

E

DITORIAL

N

OTE

: For the text of SFAR No. 

97, see part 91 of this chapter. 

background image

419 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.2 

Subpart A—General 

§ 135.1 Applicability. 

(a) This part prescribes rules gov-

erning— 

(1) The commuter or on-demand oper-

ations of each person who holds or is 
required to hold an Air Carrier Certifi-
cate or Operating Certificate under 
part 119 of this chapter. 

(2) Each person employed or used by 

a certificate holder conducting oper-
ations under this part including the 
maintenance, preventative mainte-
nance and alteration of an aircraft. 

(3) The transportation of mail by air-

craft conducted under a postal service 
contract awarded under 39 U.S.C. 5402c. 

(4) Each person who applies for provi-

sional approval of an Advanced Quali-
fication Program curriculum, cur-
riculum segment, or portion of a cur-
riculum segment under subpart Y of 
part 121 of this chapter of 14 CFR part 
121 and each person employed or used 
by an air carrier or commercial oper-
ator under this part to perform train-
ing, qualification, or evaluation func-
tions under an Advanced Qualification 
Program under subpart Y of part 121 of 
this chapter of 14 CFR part 121. 

(5) Nonstop Commercial Air Tour 

flights conducted for compensation or 
hire in accordance with § 119.1(e)(2) of 
this chapter that begin and end at the 
same airport and are conducted within 
a 25-statute-mile radius of that airport; 
provided further that these operations 
must comply only with the drug and 
alcohol testing requirements in 
§§ 120.31, 120.33, 120.35, 120.37, and 120.39 
of this chapter; and with the provisions 
of part 136, subpart A, and § 91.147 of 
this chapter by September 11, 2007. 

(6) Each person who is on board an 

aircraft being operated under this part. 

(7) Each person who is an applicant 

for an Air Carrier Certificate or an Op-
erating Certificate under 119 of this 
chapter, when conducting proving 
tests. 

(8) Commercial Air tours conducted 

by holders of operations specifications 
issued under this part must comply 
with the provisions of part 136, Subpart 
A of this chapter by September 11, 2007. 

(9) Helicopter air ambulance oper-

ations as defined in § 135.601(b)(1). 

(b) [Reserved] 

(c) An operator who does not hold a 

part 119 certificate and who operates 
under the provisions of § 91.147 of this 
chapter is permitted to use a person 
who is otherwise authorized to perform 
aircraft maintenance or preventive 
maintenance duties and who is not sub-
ject to anti-drug and alcohol misuse 
prevent programs to perform— 

(1) Aircraft maintenance or preven-

tive maintenance on the operator’s air-
craft if the operator would otherwise 
be required to transport the aircraft 
more than 50 nautical miles further 
than the repair point closest to opera-
tor’s principal place of operation to ob-
tain these services; or 

(2) Emergency repairs on the opera-

tor’s aircraft if the aircraft cannot be 
safely operated to a location where an 
employee subject to FAA-approved pro-
grams can perform the repairs. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978] 

E

DITORIAL

N

OTE

: For F

EDERAL

R

EGISTER

ci-

tations affecting § 135.1, see the List of CFR 
Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume 
and at 

www.govinfo.gov. 

§ 135.2 Compliance schedule for opera-

tors that transition to part 121 of 

this chapter; certain new entrant 

operators. 

(a) 

Applicability. 

This section applies 

to the following: 

(1) Each certificate holder that was 

issued an air carrier or operating cer-
tificate and operations specifications 
under the requirements of part 135 of 
this chapter or under SFAR No. 38–2 of 
14 CFR part 121 before January 19, 1996, 
and that conducts scheduled passenger- 
carrying operations with: 

(i) Nontransport category turbo-

propeller powered airplanes type cer-
tificated after December 31, 1964, that 
have a passenger seat configuration of 
10–19 seats; 

(ii) Transport category turbo-

propeller powered airplanes that have a 
passenger seat configuration of 20–30 
seats; or 

(iii) Turbojet engine powered air-

planes having a passenger seat configu-
ration of 1–30 seats. 

(2) Each person who, after January 

19, 1996, applies for or obtains an initial 
air carrier or operating certificate and 
operations specifications to conduct 

background image

420 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.2 

scheduled passenger-carrying oper-
ations in the kinds of airplanes de-
scribed in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), 
or paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section. 

(b) 

Obtaining operations specifications. 

A certificate holder described in para-
graph (a)(1) of this section may not, 
after March 20, 1997, operate an air-
plane described in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), 
(a)(1)(ii), or (a)(1)(iii) of this section in 
scheduled passenger-carrying oper-
ations, unless it obtains operations 
specifications to conduct its scheduled 
operations under part 121 of this chap-
ter on or before March 20, 1997. 

(c) 

Regular or accelerated compliance. 

Except as provided in paragraphs (d), 
and (e) of this section, each certificate 
holder described in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section shall comply with each ap-
plicable requirement of part 121 of this 
chapter on and after March 20, 1997 or 
on and after the date on which the cer-
tificate holder is issued operations 
specifications under this part, which-
ever occurs first. Except as provided in 
paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, 
each person described in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section shall comply with 
each applicable requirement of part 121 
of this chapter on and after the date on 
which that person is issued a certifi-
cate and operations specifications 
under part 121 of this chapter. 

(d) 

Delayed compliance dates. 

Unless 

paragraph (e) of this section specifies 
an earlier compliance date, no certifi-
cate holder that is covered by para-
graph (a) of this section may operate 
an airplane in 14 CFR part 121 oper-
ations on or after a date listed in this 
paragraph unless that airplane meets 
the applicable requirement of this 
paragraph: 

(1) 

Nontransport category turbo-

propeller powered airplanes type certifi-
cated after December 31, 1964, that have a 
passenger seat configuration of 10–19 
seats. 

No certificate holder may oper-

ate under this part an airplane that is 
described in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this 
section on or after a date listed in 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section unless 
that airplane meets the applicable re-
quirement listed in paragraph (d)(1) of 
this section: 

(i) December 20, 1997: 
(A) Section 121.289, Landing gear 

aural warning. 

(B) Section 121.308, Lavatory fire pro-

tection. 

(C) Section 121.310(e), Emergency exit 

handle illumination. 

(D) Section 121.337(b)(8), Protective 

breathing equipment. 

(E) Section 121.340, Emergency flota-

tion means. 

(ii) December 20, 1999: Section 121.342, 

Pitot heat indication system. 

(iii) December 20, 2010: 
(A) For airplanes described in 

§ 121.157(f), the Airplane Performance 
Operating Limitations in §§ 121.189 
through 121.197. 

(B) Section 121.161(b), Ditching ap-

proval. 

(C) Section 121.305(j), Third attitude 

indicator. 

(D) Section 121.312(c), Passenger seat 

cushion flammability. 

(iv) March 12, 1999: Section 

121.310(b)(1), Interior emergency exit 
locating sign. 

(2) 

Transport category turbopropeller 

powered airplanes that have a passenger 
seat configuration of 20–30 seats. 

No cer-

tificate holder may operate under this 
part an airplane that is described in 
paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section on or 
after a date listed in paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section unless that airplane meets 
the applicable requirement listed in 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section: 

(i) December 20, 1997: 
(A) Section 121.308, Lavatory fire pro-

tection. 

(B) Section 121.337(b) (8) and (9), Pro-

tective breathing equipment. 

(C) Section 121.340, Emergency flota-

tion means. 

(ii) December 20, 2010: Section 

121.305(j), Third attitude indicator. 

(e) 

Newly manufactured airplanes. 

No 

certificate holder that is described in 
paragraph (a) of this section may oper-
ate under part 121 of this chapter an 
airplane manufactured on or after a 
date listed in this paragraph (e) unless 
that airplane meets the applicable re-
quirement listed in this paragraph (e). 

(1) For nontransport category turbo-

propeller powered airplanes type cer-
tificated after December 31, 1964, that 
have a passenger seat configuration of 
10–19 seats: 

(i) Manufactured on or after March 

20, 1997: 

background image

421 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.3 

(A) Section 121.305(j), Third attitude 

indicator. 

(B) Section 121.311(f), Safety belts 

and shoulder harnesses. 

(ii) Manufactured on or after Decem-

ber 20, 1997: Section 121.317(a), Fasten 
seat belt light. 

(iii) Manufactured on or after Decem-

ber 20, 1999: Section 121.293, Takeoff 
warning system. 

(iv) Manufactured on or after March 

12, 1999: Section 121.310(b)(1), Interior 
emergency exit locating sign. 

(2) For transport category turbo-

propeller powered airplanes that have a 
passenger seat configuration of 20–30 
seats manufactured on or after March 
20, 1997: Section 121.305(j), Third atti-
tude indicator. 

(f) 

New type certification requirements. 

No person may operate an airplane for 
which the application for a type cer-
tificate was filed after March 29, 1995, 
in 14 CFR part 121 operations unless 
that airplane is type certificated under 
part 25 of this chapter. 

(g) 

Transition plan. 

Before March 19, 

1996 each certificate holder described in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section must 
submit to the FAA a transition plan 
(containing a calendar of events) for 
moving from conducting its scheduled 
operations under the commuter re-
quirements of part 135 of this chapter 
to the requirements for domestic or 
flag operations under part 121 of this 
chapter. Each transition plan must 
contain details on the following: 

(1) Plans for obtaining new oper-

ations specifications authorizing do-
mestic or flag operations; 

(2) Plans for being in compliance 

with the applicable requirements of 
part 121 of this chapter on or before 
March 20, 1997; and 

(3) Plans for complying with the com-

pliance date schedules contained in 
paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section. 

[Doc. No. 28154, 60 FR 65938, Dec. 20, 1995, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–65, 61 FR 30435, June 
14, 1996; Amdt. 135–66, 62 FR 13257, Mar. 19, 
1997] 

§ 135.3 Rules applicable to operations 

subject to this part. 

(a) Each person operating an aircraft 

in operations under this part shall— 

(1) While operating inside the United 

States, comply with the applicable 
rules of this chapter; and 

(2) While operating outside the 

United States, comply with Annex 2, 
Rules of the Air, to the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation or the reg-
ulations of any foreign country, which-
ever applies, and with any rules of 
parts 61 and 91 of this chapter and this 
part that are more restrictive than 
that Annex or those regulations and 
that can be complied with without vio-
lating that Annex or those regulations. 
Annex 2 is incorporated by reference in 
§ 91.703(b) of this chapter. 

(b) Each certificate holder that con-

ducts commuter operations under this 
part with airplanes in which two pilots 
are required by the type certification 
rules of this chapter shall comply with 
subparts N and O of part 121 of this 
chapter instead of the requirements of 
subparts E, G, and H of this part. Not-
withstanding the requirements of this 
paragraph, a pilot serving under this 
part as second in command in a com-
muter operation with airplanes in 
which two pilots are required by the 
type certification rules of this chapter 
may meet the requirements of § 135.245 
instead of the requirements of § 121.436. 

(c) If authorized by the Adminis-

trator upon application, each certifi-
cate holder that conducts operations 
under this part to which paragraph (b) 
of this section does not apply, may 
comply with the applicable sections of 
subparts N and O of part 121 instead of 
the requirements of subparts E, G, and 
H of this part, except that those au-
thorized certificate holders may choose 
to comply with the operating experi-
ence requirements of § 135.244, instead 
of the requirements of § 121.434 of this 
chapter. Notwithstanding the require-
ments of this paragraph, a pilot serving 
under this part as second in command 
may meet the requirements of § 135.245 
instead of the requirements of § 121.436. 

(d) Additional limitations applicable 

to certificate holders that are required 
by paragraph (b) of this section or au-
thorized in accordance with paragraph 
(c) of this section, to comply with part 
121, subparts N and O of this chapter 
instead of subparts E, G, and H of this 
part. 

background image

422 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.4 

(1) 

Upgrade training. 

(i) Each certifi-

cate holder must include in upgrade 
ground training for pilots, instruction 
in at least the subjects identified in 
§ 121.419(a) of this chapter, as applicable 
to their assigned duties; and, for pilots 
serving in crews of two or more pilots, 
beginning on April 27, 2022, instruction 
and facilitated discussion in the sub-
jects identified in § 121.419(c) of this 
chapter. 

(ii) Each certificate holder must in-

clude in upgrade flight training for pi-
lots, flight training for the maneuvers 
and procedures required in § 121.424(a), 
(c), (e), and (f) of this chapter; and, for 
pilots serving in crews of two or more 
pilots, beginning on April 27, 2022, the 
flight training required in § 121.424(b) of 
this chapter. 

(2) 

Initial and recurrent leadership and 

command and mentoring training. 

Cer-

tificate holders are not required to in-
clude leadership and command training 
in §§ 121.409(b)(2)(ii)(B)(

6

), 121.419(c)(1), 

121.424(b) and 121.427(d)(1) of this chap-
ter and mentoring training in 
§§ 121.419(c)(2) and 121.427(d)(1) of this 
chapter in initial and recurrent train-
ing for pilots in command who serve in 
operations that use only one pilot. 

(3) 

One-time leadership and command 

and mentoring training. 

Section 121.429 

of this chapter does not apply to cer-
tificate holders conducting operations 
under this part when those operations 
use only one pilot. 

[Doc. No. 27993, 60 FR 65949, Dec. 20, 1995, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–65, 61 FR 30435, June 
14, 1996; Amdt. 135–127A, 78 FR 77574, Dec. 24, 
2013; Docket FAA–2010–0100, Amdt. 135–127B, 
81 FR 2, Jan. 4, 2016; Amdt. 135–142, 85 FR 
10935, Feb. 25, 2020] 

§ 135.4 Applicability of rules for eligi-

ble on-demand operations. 

(a) An ‘‘eligible on-demand oper-

ation’’ is an on-demand operation con-
ducted under this part that meets the 
following requirements: 

(1) 

Two-pilot crew. 

The flightcrew 

must consist of at least two qualified 
pilots employed or contracted by the 
certificate holder. 

(2) 

Flight crew experience. 

The crew-

members must have met the applicable 
requirements of part 61 of this chapter 
and have the following experience and 
ratings: 

(i) Total flight time for all pilots: 
(A) Pilot in command—A minimum 

of 1,500 hours. 

(B) Second in command—A minimum 

of 500 hours. 

(ii) For multi-engine turbine-powered 

fixed-wing and powered-lift aircraft, 
the following FAA certification and 
ratings requirements: 

(A) Pilot in command—Airline trans-

port pilot and applicable type ratings. 

(B) Second in command—Commercial 

pilot and instrument ratings. 

(iii) For all other aircraft, the fol-

lowing FAA certification and rating re-
quirements: 

(A) Pilot in command—Commercial 

pilot and instrument ratings. 

(B) Second in command—Commercial 

pilot and instrument ratings. 

(3) 

Pilot operating limitations. 

If the 

second in command of a fixed-wing air-
craft has fewer than 100 hours of flight 
time as second in command flying in 
the aircraft make and model and, if a 
type rating is required, in the type air-
craft being flown, and the pilot in com-
mand is not an appropriately qualified 
check pilot, the pilot in command shall 
make all takeoffs and landings in any 
of the following situations: 

(i) Landings at the destination air-

port when a Destination Airport Anal-
ysis is required by § 135.385(f); and 

(ii) In any of the following condi-

tions: 

(A) The prevailing visibility for the 

airport is at or below 

3

4

mile. 

(B) The runway visual range for the 

runway to be used is at or below 4,000 
feet. 

(C) The runway to be used has water, 

snow, slush, ice, or similar contamina-
tion that may adversely affect aircraft 
performance. 

(D) The braking action on the run-

way to be used is reported to be less 
than ‘‘good.’’ 

(E) The crosswind component for the 

runway to be used is in excess of 15 
knots. 

(F) Windshear is reported in the vi-

cinity of the airport. 

(G) Any other condition in which the 

pilot in command determines it to be 
prudent to exercise the pilot in com-
mand’s authority. 

(4) 

Crew pairing. 

Either the pilot in 

command or the second in command 

background image

423 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.21 

must have at least 75 hours of flight 
time in that aircraft make or model 
and, if a type rating is required, for 
that type aircraft, either as pilot in 
command or second in command. 

(b) The Administrator may authorize 

deviations from paragraphs (a)(2)(i) or 
(a)(4) of this section if the responsible 
Flight Standards office that issued the 
certificate holder’s operations speci-
fications finds that the crewmember 
has comparable experience, and can ef-
fectively perform the functions associ-
ated with the position in accordance 
with the requirements of this chapter. 
The Administrator may, at any time, 
terminate any grant of deviation au-
thority issued under this paragraph. 
Grants of deviation under this para-
graph may be granted after consider-
ation of the size and scope of the oper-
ation, the qualifications of the in-
tended personnel and the following cir-
cumstances: 

(1) A newly authorized certificate 

holder does not employ any pilots who 
meet the minimum requirements of 
paragraphs (a)(2)(i) or (a)(4) of this sec-
tion. 

(2) An existing certificate holder adds 

to its fleet a new category and class 
aircraft not used before in its oper-
ation. 

(3) An existing certificate holder es-

tablishes a new base to which it assigns 
pilots who will be required to become 
qualified on the aircraft operated from 
that base. 

(c) An eligible on-demand operation 

may comply with alternative require-
ments specified in §§ 135.225(b), 
135.385(f), and 135.387(b) instead of the 
requirements that apply to other on- 
demand operations. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2001–10047, 68 FR 54585, Sept. 
17, 2003, as amended by Docket FAA–2018– 
0119, Amdt. 135–139, 83 FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.7 Applicability of rules to unau-

thorized operators. 

The rules in this part which apply to 

a person certificated under part 119 of 
this chapter also apply to a person who 
engages in any operation governed by 
this part without an appropriate cer-

tificate and operations specifications 
required by part 119 of this chapter. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–58, 60 FR 65939, Dec. 
20, 1995] 

§ 135.12 Previously trained crew-

members. 

A certificate holder may use a crew-

member who received the certificate 
holder’s training in accordance with 
subparts E, G, and H of this part before 
March 19, 1997 without complying with 
initial training and qualification re-
quirements of subparts N and O of part 
121 of this chapter. The crewmember 
must comply with the applicable recur-
rent training requirements of part 121 
of this chapter. 

[Doc. No. 27993, 60 FR 65950, Dec. 20, 1995] 

§ 135.19 Emergency operations. 

(a) In an emergency involving the 

safety of persons or property, the cer-
tificate holder may deviate from the 
rules of this part relating to aircraft 
and equipment and weather minimums 
to the extent required to meet that 
emergency. 

(b) In an emergency involving the 

safety of persons or property, the pilot 
in command may deviate from the 
rules of this part to the extent required 
to meet that emergency. 

(c) Each person who, under the au-

thority of this section, deviates from a 
rule of this part shall, within 10 days, 
excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and 
Federal holidays, after the deviation, 
send to the responsible Flight Stand-
ards office charged with the overall in-
spection of the certificate holder a 
complete report of the aircraft oper-
ation involved, including a description 
of the deviation and reasons for it. 

[Docket No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, 
as amended by Docket FAA–2018–0119, Amdt. 
135–139, 83 FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.21 Manual requirements. 

(a) Each certificate holder, other 

than one who uses only one pilot in the 
certificate holder’s operations, shall 
prepare and keep current a manual set-
ting forth the certificate holder’s pro-
cedures and policies acceptable to the 
Administrator. This manual must be 
used by the certificate holder’s flight, 

background image

424 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.23 

ground, and maintenance personnel in 
conducting its operations. However, 
the Administrator may authorize a de-
viation from this paragraph if the Ad-
ministrator finds that, because of the 
limited size of the operation, all or 
part of the manual is not necessary for 
guidance of flight, ground, or mainte-
nance personnel. 

(b) Each certificate holder shall 

maintain at least one copy of the man-
ual at its principal base of operations. 

(c) The manual must not be contrary 

to any applicable Federal regulations, 
foreign regulation applicable to the 
certificate holder’s operations in for-
eign countries, or the certificate hold-
er’s operating certificate or operations 
specifications. 

(d) A copy of the manual, or appro-

priate portions of the manual (and 
changes and additions) shall be made 
available to maintenance and ground 
operations personnel by the certificate 
holder and furnished to— 

(1) Its flight crewmembers; and 
(2) Representatives of the Adminis-

trator assigned to the certificate hold-
er. 

(e) Each employee of the certificate 

holder to whom a manual or appro-
priate portions of it are furnished 
under paragraph (d)(1) of this section 
shall keep it up to date with the 
changes and additions furnished to 
them. 

(f) The certificate holder must ensure 

the appropriate parts of the manual are 
accessible to flight, ground, and main-
tenance personnel at all times when 
such personnel are performing their as-
signed duties. 

(g) The information and instructions 

contained in the manual must be dis-
played clearly and be retrievable in the 
English language. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–18, 47 FR 33396, Aug. 2, 
1982; Amdt. 135–58, 60 FR 65939, Dec. 20, 1995; 
Amdt. 135–66, 62 FR 13257, Mar. 19, 1997; 
Amdt. 135–91, 68 FR 54585, Sept. 17, 2003; 
Docket No. FAA–2022–0912; Amdt. No. 135–144, 
88 FR 34443, May 30, 2023] 

§ 135.23 Manual contents. 

Each manual accessed in paper for-

mat must display the date of last revi-
sion on each page. Each manual 
accessed in electronic format must dis-

play the date of last revision in a man-
ner in which a person can immediately 
ascertain it. The manual must include: 

(a) The name of each management 

person required under § 119.69(a) of this 
chapter who is authorized to act for 
the certificate holder, the person’s as-
signed area of responsibility, the per-
son’s duties, responsibilities, and au-
thority, and the name and title of each 
person authorized to exercise oper-
ational control under § 135.77; 

(b) Procedures for ensuring compli-

ance with aircraft weight and balance 
limitations and, for multiengine air-
craft, for determining compliance with 
§ 135.185; 

(c) Copies of the certificate holder’s 

operations specifications or appro-
priate extracted information, including 
area of operations authorized, category 
and class of aircraft authorized, crew 
complements, and types of operations 
authorized; 

(d) Procedures for complying with ac-

cident notification requirements; 

(e) Procedures for ensuring that the 

pilot in command knows that required 
airworthiness inspections have been 
made and that the aircraft has been ap-
proved for return to service in compli-
ance with applicable maintenance re-
quirements; 

(f) Procedures for reporting and re-

cording mechanical irregularities that 
come to the attention of the pilot in 
command before, during, and after 
completion of a flight; 

(g) Procedures to be followed by the 

pilot in command for determining that 
mechanical irregularities or defects re-
ported for previous flights have been 
corrected or that correction has been 
deferred; 

(h) Procedures to be followed by the 

pilot in command to obtain mainte-
nance, preventive maintenance, and 
servicing of the aircraft at a place 
where previous arrangements have not 
been made by the operator, when the 
pilot is authorized to so act for the op-
erator; 

(i) Procedures under § 135.179 for the 

release for, or continuation of, flight if 
any item of equipment required for the 
particular type of operation becomes 
inoperative or unserviceable en route; 

background image

425 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.23 

(j) Procedures for refueling aircraft, 

eliminating fuel contamination, pro-
tecting from fire (including electro-
static protection), and supervising and 
protecting passengers during refueling; 

(k) Procedures to be followed by the 

pilot in command in the briefing under 
§ 135.117; 

(l) Flight locating procedures, when 

applicable; 

(m) Procedures for ensuring compli-

ance with emergency procedures, in-
cluding a list of the functions assigned 
each category of required crew-
members in connection with an emer-
gency and emergency evacuation du-
ties under § 135.123; 

(n) En route qualification procedures 

for pilots, when applicable; 

(o) The approved aircraft inspection 

program, when applicable; 

(p)(1) Procedures and information, as 

described in paragraph (p)(2) of this 
section, to assist each crewmember and 
person performing or directly super-
vising the following job functions in-
volving items for transport on an air-
craft: 

(i) Acceptance; 
(ii) Rejection; 
(iii) Handling; 
(iv) Storage incidental to transport; 
(v) Packaging of company material; 

or 

(vi) Loading. 
(2) Ensure that the procedures and 

information described in this para-
graph are sufficient to assist a person 
in identifying packages that are 
marked or labeled as containing haz-
ardous materials or that show signs of 
containing undeclared hazardous mate-
rials. The procedures and information 
must include: 

(i) Procedures for rejecting packages 

that do not conform to the Hazardous 
Materials Regulations in 49 CFR parts 
171 through 180 or that appear to con-
tain undeclared hazardous materials; 

(ii) Procedures for complying with 

the hazardous materials incident re-
porting requirements of 49 CFR 171.15 
and 171.16 and discrepancy reporting re-
quirements of 49 CFR 175.31. 

(iii) The certificate holder’s hazmat 

policies and whether the certificate 
holder is authorized to carry, or is pro-
hibited from carrying, hazardous mate-
rials; and 

(iv) If the certificate holder’s oper-

ations specifications permit the trans-
port of hazardous materials, procedures 
and information to ensure the fol-
lowing: 

(A) That packages containing haz-

ardous materials are properly offered 
and accepted in compliance with 49 
CFR parts 171 through 180; 

(B) That packages containing haz-

ardous materials are properly handled, 
stored, packaged, loaded and carried on 
board an aircraft in compliance with 49 
CFR parts 171 through 180; 

(C) That the requirements for Notice 

to the Pilot in Command (49 CFR 
175.33) are complied with; and 

(D) That aircraft replacement parts, 

consumable materials or other items 
regulated by 49 CFR parts 171 through 
180 are properly handled, packaged, and 
transported. 

(q) Procedures for the evacuation of 

persons who may need the assistance of 
another person to move expeditiously 
to an exit if an emergency occurs; and 

(r) If required by § 135.385, an ap-

proved Destination Airport Analysis 
establishing runway safety margins at 
destination airports, taking into ac-
count the following factors as sup-
ported by published aircraft perform-
ance data supplied by the aircraft man-
ufacturer for the appropriate runway 
conditions— 

(1) Pilot qualifications and experi-

ence; 

(2) Aircraft performance data to in-

clude normal, abnormal and emergency 
procedures as supplied by the aircraft 
manufacturer; 

(3) Airport facilities and topography; 
(4) Runway conditions (including 

contamination); 

(5) Airport or area weather reporting; 
(6) Appropriate additional runway 

safety margins, if required; 

(7) Airplane inoperative equipment; 
(8) Environmental conditions; and 
(9) Other criteria affecting aircraft 

performance. 

(s) Other procedures and policy in-

structions regarding the certificate 

background image

426 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.25 

holder’s operations issued by the cer-
tificate holder. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–20, 51 FR 40709, Nov. 7, 
1986; Amdt. 135–58, 60 FR 65939, Dec. 20, 1995; 
Amdt. 135–91, 68 FR 54586, Sept. 17, 2003; 
Amdt. 135–101, 70 FR 58829, Oct. 7, 2005; Dock-
et No. FAA–2022–0912; Amdt. No. 135–144, 88 
FR 34443, May 30, 2023] 

§ 135.25 Aircraft requirements. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(d) of this section, no certificate holder 
may operate an aircraft under this part 
unless that aircraft— 

(1) Is registered as a civil aircraft of 

the United States and carries an appro-
priate and current airworthiness cer-
tificate issued under this chapter; and 

(2) Is in an airworthy condition and 

meets the applicable airworthiness re-
quirements of this chapter, including 
those relating to identification and 
equipment. 

(b) Each certificate holder must have 

the exclusive use of at least one air-
craft that meets the requirements for 
at least one kind of operation author-
ized in the certificate holder’s oper-
ations specifications. In addition, for 
each kind of operation for which the 
certificate holder does not have the ex-
clusive use of an aircraft, the certifi-
cate holder must have available for use 
under a written agreement (including 
arrangements for performing required 
maintenance) at least one aircraft that 
meets the requirements for that kind 
of operation. However, this paragraph 
does not prohibit the operator from 
using or authorizing the use of the air-
craft for other than operations under 
this part and does not require the cer-
tificate holder to have exclusive use of 
all aircraft that the certificate holder 
uses. 

(c) For the purposes of paragraph (b) 

of this section, a person has exclusive 
use of an aircraft if that person has the 
sole possession, control, and use of it 
for flight, as owner, or has a written 
agreement (including arrangements for 
performing required maintenance), in 
effect when the aircraft is operated, 
giving the person that possession, con-
trol, and use for at least 6 consecutive 
months. 

(d) A certificate holder may operate 

in common carriage, and for the car-

riage of mail, a civil aircraft which is 
leased or chartered to it without crew 
and is registered in a country which is 
a party to the Convention on Inter-
national Civil Aviation if— 

(1) The aircraft carries an appro-

priate airworthiness certificate issued 
by the country of registration and 
meets the registration and identifica-
tion requirements of that country; 

(2) The aircraft is of a type design 

which is approved under a U.S. type 
certificate and complies with all of the 
requirements of this chapter (14 CFR 
chapter I) that would be applicable to 
that aircraft were it registered in the 
United States, including the require-
ments which must be met for issuance 
of a U.S. standard airworthiness cer-
tificate (including type design con-
formity, condition for safe operation, 
and the noise, fuel venting, and engine 
emission requirements of this chapter), 
except that a U.S. registration certifi-
cate and a U.S. standard airworthiness 
certificate will not be issued for the 
aircraft; 

(3) The aircraft is operated by U.S.- 

certificated airmen employed by the 
certificate holder; and 

(4) The certificate holder files a copy 

of the aircraft lease or charter agree-
ment with the FAA Aircraft Registry, 
Department of Transportation, 6400 
South MacArthur Boulevard, Okla-
homa City, OK (Mailing address: P.O. 
Box 25504, Oklahoma City, OK 73125). 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–8, 45 FR 68649, Oct. 16, 
1980; Amdt. 135–66, 62 FR 13257, Mar. 19, 1997] 

§ 135.41 Carriage of narcotic drugs, 

marihuana, and depressant or stim-

ulant drugs or substances. 

If the holder of a certificate oper-

ating under this part allows any air-
craft owned or leased by that holder to 
be engaged in any operation that the 
certificate holder knows to be in viola-
tion of § 91.19(a) of this chapter, that 
operation is a basis for suspending or 
revoking the certificate. 

[Doc. No. 28154, 60 FR 65939, Dec. 20, 1995] 

§ 135.43 Crewmember certificates: 

International operations. 

(a) This section describes the certifi-

cates that were issued to United States 

background image

427 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.63 

citizens who were employed by air car-
riers at the time of issuance as flight 
crewmembers on United States reg-
istered aircraft engaged in inter-
national air commerce. The purpose of 
the certificate is to facilitate the entry 
and clearance of those crewmembers 
into ICAO contracting states. They 
were issued under Annex 9, as amended, 
to the Convention on International 
Civil Aviation. 

(b) The holder of a certificate issued 

under this section, or the air carrier by 
whom the holder is employed, shall 
surrender the certificate for cancella-
tion at the responsible Flight Stand-
ards office at the termination of the 
holder’s employment with that air car-
rier. 

[Doc. No. 28154, 61 FR 30435, June 14, 1996, as 
amended by Docket FAA–2018–0119, Amdt. 
135–139, 83 FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

Subpart B—Flight Operations 

§ 135.61 General. 

This subpart prescribes rules, in addi-

tion to those in part 91 of this chapter, 
that apply to operations under this 
part. 

§ 135.63 Recordkeeping requirements. 

(a) Each certificate holder shall keep 

at its principal business office or at 
other places approved by the Adminis-
trator, and shall make available for in-
spection by the Administrator the fol-
lowing— 

(1) The certificate holder’s operating 

certificate; 

(2) The certificate holder’s operations 

specifications; 

(3) A current list of the aircraft used 

or available for use in operations under 
this part and the operations for which 
each is equipped; 

(4) An individual record of each pilot 

used in operations under this part, in-
cluding the following information: 

(i) The full name of the pilot. 
(ii) The pilot certificate (by type and 

number) and ratings that the pilot 
holds. 

(iii) The pilot’s aeronautical experi-

ence in sufficient detail to determine 
the pilot’s qualifications to pilot air-
craft in operations under this part. 

(iv) The pilot’s current duties and the 

date of the pilot’s assignment to those 
duties. 

(v) The effective date and class of the 

medical certificate that the pilot 
holds. 

(vi) The date and result of each of the 

initial and recurrent competency tests 
and proficiency and route checks re-
quired by this part and the type of air-
craft flown during that test or check. 

(vii) The pilot’s flight time in suffi-

cient detail to determine compliance 
with the flight time limitations of this 
part. 

(viii) The pilot’s check pilot author-

ization, if any. 

(ix) Any action taken concerning the 

pilot’s release from employment for 
physical or professional disqualifica-
tion. 

(x) The date of the completion of the 

initial phase and each recurrent phase 
of the training required by this part; 
and 

(5) An individual record for each 

flight attendant who is required under 
this part, maintained in sufficient de-
tail to determine compliance with the 
applicable portions of § 135.273 of this 
part. 

(b) Each certificate holder must keep 

each record required by paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section for at least 6 
months, and must keep each record re-
quired by paragraphs (a)(4) and (a)(5) of 
this section for at least 12 months. 

(c) For multiengine aircraft, each 

certificate holder is responsible for the 
preparation and accuracy of a load 
manifest in duplicate containing infor-
mation concerning the loading of the 
aircraft. The manifest must be pre-
pared before each takeoff and must in-
clude: 

(1) The number of passengers; 
(2) The total weight of the loaded air-

craft; 

(3) The maximum allowable takeoff 

weight for that flight; 

(4) The center of gravity limits; 
(5) The center of gravity of the load-

ed aircraft, except that the actual cen-
ter of gravity need not be computed if 
the aircraft is loaded according to a 
loading schedule or other approved 
method that ensures that the center of 
gravity of the loaded aircraft is within 
approved limits. In those cases, an 

background image

428 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.64 

entry shall be made on the manifest in-
dicating that the center of gravity is 
within limits according to a loading 
schedule or other approved method; 

(6) The registration number of the 

aircraft or flight number; 

(7) The origin and destination; and 
(8) Identification of crew members 

and their crew position assignments. 

(d) The pilot in command of an air-

craft for which a load manifest must be 
prepared shall carry a copy of the com-
pleted load manifest in the aircraft to 
its destination. The certificate holder 
shall keep copies of completed load 
manifests for at least 30 days at its 
principal operations base, or at another 
location used by it and approved by the 
Administrator. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–52, 59 FR 42993, Aug. 
19, 1994] 

§ 135.64 Retention of contracts and 

amendments: Commercial operators 

who conduct intrastate operations 

for compensation or hire. 

Each commercial operator who con-

ducts intrastate operations for com-
pensation or hire shall keep a copy of 
each written contract under which it 
provides services as a commercial oper-
ator for a period of at least one year 
after the date of execution of the con-
tract. In the case of an oral contract, it 
shall keep a memorandum stating its 
elements, and of any amendments to it, 
for a period of at least one year after 
the execution of that contract or 
change. 

[Doc. No. 28154, 60 FR 65939, Dec. 20, 1995, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–65, 61 FR 30435, June 
14, 1996; Amdt. 135–66, 62 FR 13257, Mar. 19, 
1997] 

§ 135.65 Reporting mechanical irreg-

ularities. 

(a) Each certificate holder shall pro-

vide an aircraft maintenance log to be 
carried on board each aircraft for re-
cording or deferring mechanical irreg-
ularities and their correction. 

(b) The pilot in command shall enter 

or have entered in the aircraft mainte-
nance log each mechanical irregularity 
that comes to the pilot’s attention dur-
ing flight time. Before each flight, the 
pilot in command shall, if the pilot 
does not already know, determine the 

status of each irregularity entered in 
the maintenance log at the end of the 
preceding flight. 

(c) Each person who takes corrective 

action or defers action concerning a re-
ported or observed failure or malfunc-
tion of an airframe, powerplant, pro-
peller, rotor, or appliance, shall record 
the action taken in the aircraft main-
tenance log under the applicable main-
tenance requirements of this chapter. 

(d) Each certificate holder shall es-

tablish a procedure for keeping copies 
of the aircraft maintenance log re-
quired by this section in the aircraft 
for access by appropriate personnel and 
shall include that procedure in the 
manual required by § 135.21. 

§ 135.67 Reporting potentially haz-

ardous meteorological conditions 

and irregularities of ground facili-

ties or navigation aids. 

Whenever a pilot encounters a poten-

tially hazardous meteorological condi-
tion or an irregularity in a ground fa-
cility or navigation aid in flight, the 
knowledge of which the pilot considers 
essential to the safety of other flights, 
the pilot shall notify an appropriate 
ground radio station as soon as prac-
ticable. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 1, 1978, as 
amended at Amdt. 135–1, 44 FR 26737, May 7, 
1979; Amdt. 135–110, 72 FR 31684, June 7, 2007] 

§ 135.69 Restriction or suspension of 

operations: Continuation of flight in 

an emergency. 

(a) During operations under this part, 

if a certificate holder or pilot in com-
mand knows of conditions, including 
airport and runway conditions, that 
are a hazard to safe operations, the cer-
tificate holder or pilot in command, as 
the case may be, shall restrict or sus-
pend operations as necessary until 
those conditions are corrected. 

(b) No pilot in command may allow a 

flight to continue toward any airport 
of intended landing under the condi-
tions set forth in paragraph (a) of this 
section, unless, in the opinion of the 
pilot in command, the conditions that 
are a hazard to safe operations may 
reasonably be expected to be corrected 
by the estimated time of arrival or, un-
less there is no safer procedure. In the 
latter event, the continuation toward 

background image

429 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.79 

that airport is an emergency situation 
under § 135.19. 

§ 135.71 Airworthiness check. 

The pilot in command may not begin 

a flight unless the pilot determines 
that the airworthiness inspections re-
quired by § 91.409 of this chapter, or 
§ 135.419, whichever is applicable, have 
been made. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–32, 54 FR 34332, Aug. 
18, 1989] 

§ 135.73 Inspections and tests. 

Each certificate holder and each per-

son employed by the certificate holder 
shall allow the Administrator, at any 
time or place, to make inspections or 
tests (including en route inspections) 
to determine the holder’s compliance 
with the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, 
applicable regulations, and the certifi-
cate holder’s operating certificate, and 
operations specifications. 

§ 135.75 Inspectors credentials: Admis-

sion to pilots’ compartment: For-

ward observer’s seat. 

(a) Whenever, in performing the du-

ties of conducting an inspection, an 
FAA inspector presents an Aviation 
Safety Inspector credential, FAA Form 
110A, to the pilot in command of an 
aircraft operated by the certificate 
holder, the inspector must be given 
free and uninterrupted access to the 
pilot compartment of that aircraft. 
However, this paragraph does not limit 
the emergency authority of the pilot in 
command to exclude any person from 
the pilot compartment in the interest 
of safety. 

(b) A forward observer’s seat on the 

flight deck, or forward passenger seat 
with headset or speaker must be pro-
vided for use by the Administrator 
while conducting en route inspections. 
The suitability of the location of the 
seat and the headset or speaker for use 
in conducting en route inspections is 
determined by the Administrator. 

§ 135.76 DOD Commercial Air Carrier 

Evaluator’s Credentials: Admission 

to pilots compartment: Forward ob-

server’s seat. 

(a) Whenever, in performing the du-

ties of conducting an evaluation, a 

DOD commercial air carrier evaluator 
presents S&A Form 110B, ‘‘DOD Com-
mercial Air Carrier Evaluator’s Cre-
dential,’’ to the pilot in command of an 
aircraft operated by the certificate 
holder, the evaluator must be given 
free and uninterrupted access to the pi-
lot’s compartment of that aircraft. 
However, this paragraph does not limit 
the emergency authority of the pilot in 
command to exclude any person from 
the pilot compartment in the interest 
of safety. 

(b) A forward observer’s seat on the 

flight deck or forward passenger seat 
with headset or speaker must be pro-
vided for use by the evaluator while 
conducting en route evaluations. The 
suitability of the location of the seat 
and the headset or speaker for use in 
conducting en route evaluations is de-
termined by the FAA. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2003–15571, 68 FR 41218, July 
10, 2003] 

§ 135.77 Responsibility for operational 

control. 

Each certificate holder is responsible 

for operational control and shall list, 
in the manual required by § 135.21, the 
name and title of each person author-
ized by it to exercise operational con-
trol. 

§ 135.78 Instrument approach proce-

dures and IFR landing minimums. 

No person may make an instrument 

approach at an airport except in ac-
cordance with IFR weather minimums 
and instrument approach procedures 
set forth in the certificate holder’s op-
erations specifications. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2002–14002, 72 FR 31684, June 7, 
2007] 

§ 135.79 Flight locating requirements. 

(a) Each certificate holder must have 

procedures established for locating 
each flight, for which an FAA flight 
plan is not filed, that— 

(1) Provide the certificate holder 

with at least the information required 
to be included in a VFR flight plan; 

(2) Provide for timely notification of 

an FAA facility or search and rescue 
facility, if an aircraft is overdue or 
missing; and 

background image

430 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.81 

(3) Provide the certificate holder 

with the location, date, and estimated 
time for reestablishing communica-
tions, if the flight will operate in an 
area where communications cannot be 
maintained. 

(b) Flight locating information shall 

be retained at the certificate holder’s 
principal place of business, or at other 
places designated by the certificate 
holder in the flight locating proce-
dures, until the completion of the 
flight. 

(c) Each certificate holder shall fur-

nish the representative of the Adminis-
trator assigned to it with a copy of its 
flight locating procedures and any 
changes or additions, unless those pro-
cedures are included in a manual re-
quired under this part. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–110, 72 FR 31684, June 
7, 2007] 

§ 135.81 Informing personnel of oper-

ational information and appro-

priate changes. 

Each certificate holder shall inform 

each person in its employment of the 
operations specifications that apply to 
that person’s duties and responsibil-
ities and shall make available to each 
pilot in the certificate holder’s employ 
the following materials in current 
form: 

(a) Airman’s Information Manual 

(Alaska Supplement in Alaska and Pa-
cific Chart Supplement in Pacific-Asia 
Regions) or a commercial publication 
that contains the same information. 

(b) This part and part 91 of this chap-

ter. 

(c) Aircraft Equipment Manuals, and 

Aircraft Flight Manual or equivalent. 

(d) For foreign operations, the Inter-

national Flight Information Manual or 
a commercial publication that con-
tains the same information concerning 
the pertinent operational and entry re-
quirements of the foreign country or 
countries involved. 

§ 135.83 Operating information re-

quired. 

(a) The operator of an aircraft must 

provide the following materials, in cur-
rent and appropriate form, accessible 
to the pilot at the pilot station, and 
the pilot shall use them: 

(1) A cockpit checklist. 
(2) For multiengine aircraft or for 

aircraft with retractable landing gear, 
an emergency cockpit checklist con-
taining the procedures required by 
paragraph (c) of this section, as appro-
priate. 

(3) Pertinent aeronautical charts. 
(4) For IFR operations, each perti-

nent navigational en route, terminal 
area, and approach and letdown chart. 

(5) For multiengine aircraft, one-en-

gine-inoperative climb performance 
data and if the aircraft is approved for 
use in IFR or over-the-top operations, 
that data must be sufficient to enable 
the pilot to determine compliance with 
§ 135.181(a)(2). 

(b) Each cockpit checklist required 

by paragraph (a)(1) of this section must 
contain the following procedures: 

(1) Before starting engines; 
(2) Before takeoff; 
(3) Cruise; 
(4) Before landing; 
(5) After landing; 
(6) Stopping engines. 
(c) Each emergency cockpit checklist 

required by paragraph (a)(2) of this sec-
tion must contain the following proce-
dures, as appropriate: 

(1) Emergency operation of fuel, hy-

draulic, electrical, and mechanical sys-
tems. 

(2) Emergency operation of instru-

ments and controls. 

(3) Engine inoperative procedures. 
(4) Any other emergency procedures 

necessary for safety. 

§ 135.85 Carriage of persons without 

compliance with the passenger-car-

rying provisions of this part. 

The following persons may be carried 

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

(a) A crewmember or other employee 

of the certificate holder. 

(b) A person necessary for the safe 

handling of animals on the aircraft. 

(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 

background image

431 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.89 

cargo contract air carrier or commer-
cial operator in operations under a 
military cargo contract, 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, who is performing a duty 
connected with a cargo operation of 
the certificate holder. 

(h) A DOD commercial air carrier 

evaluator conducting an en route eval-
uation. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–88, 68 FR 41218, July 
10, 2003] 

§ 135.87 Carriage of cargo including 

carry-on baggage. 

No person may carry cargo, including 

carry-on baggage, in or on any aircraft 
unless— 

(a) It is carried in an approved cargo 

rack, bin, or compartment installed in 
or on the aircraft; 

(b) It is secured by an approved 

means; or 

(c) It is carried in accordance with 

each of the following: 

(1) For cargo, it is properly secured 

by a safety belt or other tie-down hav-
ing enough strength to eliminate the 
possibility of shifting under all nor-
mally anticipated flight and ground 
conditions, or for carry-on baggage, it 
is restrained so as to prevent its move-
ment during air turbulence. 

(2) It is packaged or covered to avoid 

possible injury to occupants. 

(3) It does not impose any load on 

seats or on the floor structure that ex-
ceeds the load limitation for those 
components. 

(4) It is not located in a position that 

obstructs the access to, or use of, any 
required emergency or regular exit, or 
the use of the aisle between the crew 
and the passenger compartment, or lo-
cated in a position that obscures any 
passenger’s view of the ‘‘seat belt’’ 
sign, ‘‘no smoking’’ sign, or any re-
quired exit sign, unless an auxiliary 
sign or other approved means for prop-
er notification of the passengers is pro-
vided. 

(5) It is not carried directly above 

seated occupants. 

(6) It is stowed in compliance with 

this section for takeoff and landing. 

(7) For cargo only operations, para-

graph (c)(4) of this section does not 
apply if the cargo is loaded so that at 
least one emergency or regular exit is 
available to provide all occupants of 
the aircraft a means of unobstructed 
exit from the aircraft if an emergency 
occurs. 

(d) Each passenger seat under which 

baggage is stowed shall be fitted with a 
means to prevent articles of baggage 
stowed under it from sliding under 
crash impacts severe enough to induce 
the ultimate inertia forces specified in 
the emergency landing condition regu-
lations under which the aircraft was 
type certificated. 

(e) When cargo is carried in cargo 

compartments that are designed to re-
quire the physical entry of a crew-
member to extinguish any fire that 
may occur during flight, the cargo 
must be loaded so as to allow a crew-
member to effectively reach all parts 
of the compartment with the contents 
of a hand fire extinguisher. 

§ 135.89 Pilot requirements: Use of ox-

ygen. 

(a) 

Unpressurized aircraft. 

Each pilot 

of an unpressurized aircraft shall use 
oxygen continuously when flying— 

(1) At altitudes above 10,000 feet 

through 12,000 feet MSL for that part of 
the flight at those altitudes that is of 
more than 30 minutes duration; and 

(2) Above 12,000 feet MSL. 
(b) 

Pressurized aircraft. 

(1) Whenever a 

pressurized aircraft is operated with 
the cabin pressure altitude more than 
10,000 feet MSL, each pilot shall com-
ply with paragraph (a) of this section. 

(2) Whenever a pressurized aircraft is 

operated at altitudes above 25,000 feet 
through 35,000 feet MSL, unless each 
pilot has an approved quick-donning 
type oxygen mask— 

(i) At least one pilot at the controls 

shall wear, secured and sealed, an oxy-
gen mask that either supplies oxygen 
at all times or automatically supplies 
oxygen whenever the cabin pressure al-
titude exceeds 12,000 feet MSL; and 

(ii) During that flight, each other 

pilot on flight deck duty shall have an 
oxygen mask, connected to an oxygen 

background image

432 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.91 

supply, located so as to allow imme-
diate placing of the mask on the pilot’s 
face sealed and secured for use. 

(3) Whenever a pressurized aircraft is 

operated at altitudes above 35,000 feet 
MSL, at least one pilot at the controls 
shall wear, secured and sealed, an oxy-
gen mask required by paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section. 

(4) If one pilot leaves a pilot duty sta-

tion of an aircraft when operating at 
altitudes above 25,000 feet MSL, the re-
maining pilot at the controls shall put 
on and use an approved oxygen mask 
until the other pilot returns to the 
pilot duty station of the aircraft. 

§ 135.91 Oxygen and portable oxygen 

concentrators for medical use by 
passengers. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs 

(d) and (e) of this section, no certifi-
cate holder may allow the carriage or 
operation of equipment for the storage, 
generation or dispensing of medical ox-
ygen unless the conditions in para-
graphs (a) through (c) of this section 
are satisfied. Beginning August 22, 2016, 
a certificate holder may allow a pas-
senger to carry and operate a portable 
oxygen concentrator when the condi-
tions in paragraphs (b) and (f) of this 
section are satisfied. 

(1) The equipment must be— 
(i) Of an approved type or in con-

formity with the manufacturing, pack-
aging, marking, labeling, and mainte-
nance requirements of title 49 CFR 
parts 171, 172, and 173, except 
§ 173.24(a)(1); 

(ii) When owned by the certificate 

holder, maintained under the certifi-
cate holder’s approved maintenance 
program; 

(iii) Free of flammable contaminants 

on all exterior surfaces; 

(iv) Constructed so that all valves, 

fittings, and gauges are protected from 
damage during carriage or operation; 
and 

(v) Appropriately secured. 
(2) When the oxygen is stored in the 

form of a liquid, the equipment must 
have been under the certificate holder’s 
approved maintenance program since 
its purchase new or since the storage 
container was last purged. 

(3) When the oxygen is stored in the 

form of a compressed gas as defined in 
title 49 CFR 173.115(b)— 

(i) When owned by the certificate 

holder, it must be maintained under its 
approved maintenance program; and 

(ii) The pressure in any oxygen cyl-

inder must not exceed the rated cyl-
inder pressure. 

(4) The pilot in command must be ad-

vised when the equipment is on board, 
and when it is intended to be used. 

(5) The equipment must be stowed, 

and each person using the equipment 
must be seated, so as not to restrict ac-
cess to or use of any required emer-
gency or regular exit, or of the aisle in 
the passenger compartment. 

(b) No person may smoke or create 

an open flame and no certificate holder 
may allow any person to smoke or cre-
ate an open flame within 10 feet of oxy-
gen storage and dispensing equipment 
carried under paragraph (a) of this sec-
tion or a portable oxygen concentrator 
carried and operated under paragraph 
(f) of this section. 

(c) No certificate holder may allow 

any person other than a person trained 
in the use of medical oxygen equip-
ment to connect or disconnect oxygen 
bottles or any other ancillary compo-
nent while any passenger is aboard the 
aircraft. 

(d) Paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section 

does not apply when that equipment is 
furnished by a professional or medical 
emergency service for use on board an 
aircraft in a medical emergency when 
no other practical means of transpor-
tation (including any other properly 
equipped certificate holder) is reason-
ably available and the person carried 
under the medical emergency is accom-
panied by a person trained in the use of 
medical oxygen. 

(e) Each certificate holder who, under 

the authority of paragraph (d) of this 
section, deviates from paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section under a medical 
emergency shall, within 10 days, ex-
cluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Fed-
eral holidays, after the deviation, send 
to the responsible Flight Standards of-
fice a complete report of the operation 
involved, including a description of the 
deviation and the reasons for it. 

(f) 

Portable oxygen concentrators

—(1) 

Acceptance criteria. 

A passenger may 

background image

433 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.93 

carry or operate a portable oxygen con-
centrator for personal use on board an 
aircraft and a certificate holder may 
allow a passenger to carry or operate a 
portable oxygen concentrator on board 
an aircraft operated under this part 
during all phases of flight if the port-
able oxygen concentrator satisfies all 
of the requirements of this paragraph 
(f): 

(i) Is legally marketed in the United 

States in accordance with Food and 
Drug Administration requirements in 
title 21 of the CFR; 

(ii) Does not radiate radio frequency 

emissions that interfere with aircraft 
systems; 

(iii) Generates a maximum oxygen 

pressure of less than 200 kPa gauge 
(29.0 psig/43.8 psia) at 20 

°

C (68 

°

F); 

(iv) Does not contain any hazardous 

materials subject to the Hazardous Ma-
terials Regulations (49 CFR parts 171 
through 180) except as provided in 49 
CFR 175.10 for batteries used to power 
portable electronic devices and that do 
not require aircraft operator approval; 
and 

(v) Bears a label on the exterior of 

the device applied in a manner that en-
sures the label will remain affixed for 
the life of the device and containing 
the following certification statement 
in red lettering: ‘‘The manufacturer of 
this POC has determined this device 
conforms to all applicable FAA accept-
ance criteria for POC carriage and use 
on board aircraft.’’ The label require-
ments in this paragraph (f)(1)(v) do not 
apply to the following portable oxygen 
concentrators approved by the FAA for 
use on board aircraft prior to May 24, 
2016: 

(A) AirSep Focus; 
(B) AirSep FreeStyle; 
(C) AirSep FreeStyle 5; 
(D) AirSep LifeStyle; 
(E) Delphi RS–00400; 
(F) DeVilbiss Healthcare iGo; 
(G) Inogen One; 
(H) Inogen One G2; 
(I) Inogen One G3; 
(J) Inova Labs LifeChoice; 
(K) Inova Labs LifeChoice Activox; 
(L) International Biophysics 

LifeChoice; 

(M) Invacare Solo2; 
(N) Invacare XPO2; 

(O) Oxlife Independence Oxygen Con-

centrator; 

(P) Oxus RS–00400; 
(Q) Precision Medical EasyPulse; 
(R) Respironics EverGo; 
(S) Respironics SimplyGo; 
(T) SeQual Eclipse; 
(U) SeQual eQuinox Oxygen System 

(model 4000); 

(V) SeQual Oxywell Oxygen System 

(model 4000); 

(W) SeQual SAROS; and 
(X) VBox Trooper Oxygen Concen-

trator. 

(2) 

Operating requirements. 

Portable 

oxygen concentrators that satisfy the 
acceptance criteria identified in para-
graph (f)(1) of this section may be car-
ried on or operated by a passenger on 
board an aircraft provided the aircraft 
operator ensures that all of the condi-
tions in this paragraph (f)(2) are satis-
fied: 

(i) 

Exit seats. 

No person operating a 

portable oxygen concentrator is per-
mitted to occupy an exit seat. 

(ii) 

Stowage of device. 

During move-

ment on the surface, takeoff and land-
ing, the device must be stowed under 
the seat in front of the user, or in an-
other approved stowage location so 
that it does not block the aisle way or 
the entryway to the row. If the device 
is to be operated by the user, it must 
be operated only at a seat location that 
does not restrict any passenger’s access 
to, or use of, any required emergency 
or regular exit, or the aisle(s) in the 
passenger compartment. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–60, 61 FR 2616, Jan. 26, 
1996; Docket FAA–2014–0554, Amdt. 135–133, 81 
FR 33119, May 24, 2016; Docket FAA–2018–0119, 
Amdt. 135–139, 83 FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.93 Minimum altitudes for use of 

autopilot. 

(a) 

Definitions. 

For purpose of this 

section— 

(1) Altitudes for takeoff/initial climb 

and go-around/missed approach are de-
fined as above the airport elevation. 

(2) Altitudes for enroute operations 

are defined as above terrain elevation. 

(3) Altitudes for approach are defined 

as above the touchdown zone elevation 
(TDZE), unless the altitude is specifi-
cally in reference to DA (H) or MDA, in 

background image

434 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.95 

which case the altitude is defined by 
reference to the DA(H) or MDA itself. 

(b) 

Takeoff and initial climb. 

No person 

may use an autopilot for takeoff or ini-
tial climb below the higher of 500 feet 
or an altitude that is no lower than 
twice the altitude loss specified in the 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), except 
as follows— 

(1) At a minimum engagement alti-

tude specified in the AFM; or 

(2) At an altitude specified by the Ad-

ministrator, whichever is greater. 

(c) 

Enroute. 

No person may use an 

autopilot enroute, including climb and 
descent, below the following— 

(1) 500 feet; 
(2) At an altitude that is no lower 

than twice the altitude loss specified in 
the AFM for an autopilot malfunction 
in cruise conditions; or 

(3) At an altitude specified by the Ad-

ministrator, whichever is greater. 

(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. 

(g) This section does not apply to op-

erations conducted in rotorcraft. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2012–1059, 79 FR 6088, Feb. 3, 
2014] 

§ 135.95 Airmen: Limitations on use of 

services. 

(a) No certificate holder may use the 

services of any person as an airman un-
less the person performing those serv-
ices— 

background image

435 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.99 

(1) Holds an appropriate and current 

airman certificate; and 

(2) Is qualified, under this chapter, 

for the operation for which the person 
is to be used. 

(b) A certificate holder may obtain 

approval to provide a temporary docu-
ment verifying a flightcrew member’s 
airman certificate and medical certifi-
cate privileges under an approved cer-
tificate verification plan set forth in 
the certificate holder’s operations 
specifications. A document provided by 
the certificate holder may be carried as 
an airman certificate or medical cer-
tificate on flights within the United 
States for up to 72 hours. 

[Amdt. No. 135–140, 83 FR 30282, June 27, 2018] 

§ 135.97 Aircraft and facilities for re-

cent flight experience. 

Each certificate holder shall provide 

aircraft and facilities to enable each of 
its pilots to maintain and demonstrate 
the pilot’s ability to conduct all oper-
ations for which the pilot is author-
ized. 

§ 135.98 Operations in the North Polar 

Area. 

After August 13, 2008, no certificate 

holder may operate an aircraft in the 
region north of 78

° 

N latitude (‘‘North 

Polar Area’’), other than intrastate op-
erations wholly within the state of 
Alaska, unless authorized by the FAA. 
The certificate holder’s operation spec-
ifications must include the following: 

(a) The designation of airports that 

may be used for en-route diversions 
and the requirements the airports must 
meet at the time of diversion. 

(b) Except for all-cargo operations, a 

recovery plan for passengers at des-
ignated diversion airports. 

(c) A fuel-freeze strategy and proce-

dures for monitoring fuel freezing for 
operations in the North Polar Area. 

(d) A plan to ensure communication 

capability for operations in the North 
Polar Area. 

(e) An MEL for operations in the 

North Polar Area. 

(f) A training plan for operations in 

the North Polar Area. 

(g) A plan for mitigating crew expo-

sure to radiation during solar flare ac-
tivity. 

(h) A plan for providing at least two 

cold weather anti-exposure suits in the 
aircraft, to protect crewmembers dur-
ing outside activity at a diversion air-
port with extreme climatic conditions. 
The FAA may relieve the certificate 
holder from this requirement if the 
season of the year makes the equip-
ment unnecessary. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2002–6717, 72 FR 1885, Jan. 16, 
2007, as amended by Amdt. 135–112, 73 FR 
8798, Feb. 15, 2008] 

§ 135.99 Composition of flight crew. 

(a) No certificate holder may operate 

an aircraft with less than the min-
imum flight crew specified in the air-
craft operating limitations or the Air-
craft Flight Manual for that aircraft 
and required by this part for the kind 
of operation being conducted. 

(b) No certificate holder may operate 

an aircraft without a second in com-
mand if that aircraft has a passenger 
seating configuration, excluding any 
pilot seat, of ten seats or more. 

(c) Except as provided in paragraph 

(d) of this section, a certificate holder 
authorized to conduct operations under 
instrument flight rules may receive au-
thorization from the Administrator 
through its operations specifications to 
establish a second-in-command profes-
sional development program. As part of 
that program, a pilot employed by the 
certificate holder may log time as sec-
ond in command in operations con-
ducted under this part and part 91 of 
this chapter that do not require a sec-
ond pilot by type certification of the 
aircraft or the regulation under which 
the flight is being conducted, provided 
the flight operation is conducted in ac-
cordance with the certificate holder’s 
operations specifications for second-in- 
command professional development 
program; and— 

(1) The certificate holder: 
(i) Maintains records for each as-

signed second in command consistent 
with the requirements in § 135.63; 

(ii) Provides a copy of the records re-

quired by § 135.63(a)(4)(vi) and (x) to the 
assigned second in command upon re-
quest and within a reasonable time; 
and 

(iii) Establishes and maintains a data 

collection and analysis process that 
will enable the certificate holder and 

background image

436 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.100 

the FAA to determine whether the sec-
ond-in-command professional develop-
ment program is accomplishing its ob-
jectives. 

(2) The aircraft is a multiengine air-

plane or a single-engine turbine-pow-
ered airplane. The aircraft must have 
an independent set of controls for a 
second pilot flightcrew member, which 
may not include a throwover control 
wheel. The aircraft must also have the 
following equipment and independent 
instrumentation for a second pilot: 

(i) An airspeed indicator; 
(ii) Sensitive altimeter adjustable for 

barometric pressure; 

(iii) Gyroscopic bank and pitch indi-

cator; 

(iv) Gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator 

combined with an integral slip-skid in-
dicator; 

(v) Gyroscopic direction indicator; 
(vi) For IFR operations, a vertical 

speed indicator; 

(vii) For IFR operations, course guid-

ance for en route navigation and in-
strument approaches; and 

(viii) A microphone, transmit switch, 

and headphone or speaker. 

(3) The pilot assigned to serve as sec-

ond in command satisfies the following 
requirements: 

(i) The second in command qualifica-

tions in § 135.245; 

(ii) The flight time and duty period 

limitations and rest requirements in 
subpart F of this part; 

(iii) The crewmember testing require-

ments for second in command in sub-
part G of this part; and 

(iv) The crewmember training re-

quirements for second in command in 
subpart H of this part. 

(4) The pilot assigned to serve as 

pilot in command satisfies the fol-
lowing requirements: 

(i) Has been fully qualified to serve as 

a pilot in command for the certificate 
holder for at least the previous 6 cal-
endar months; and 

(ii) Has completed mentoring train-

ing, including techniques for rein-
forcing the highest standards of tech-
nical performance, airmanship and pro-
fessionalism within the preceding 36 
calendar months. 

(d) The following certificate holders 

are not eligible to receive authoriza-
tion for a second-in-command profes-

sional development program under 
paragraph (c) of this section: 

(1) A certificate holder that uses only 

one pilot in its operations; and 

(2) A certificate holder that has been 

approved to deviate from the require-
ments in § 135.21(a), § 135.341(a), or 
§ 119.69(a) of this chapter. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended at 83 FR 30282, June 27, 2018] 

§ 135.100 Flight crewmember duties. 

(a) No certificate holder shall re-

quire, nor may any flight crewmember 
perform, any duties during a critical 
phase of flight except those duties re-
quired for the safe operation of the air-
craft. Duties such as company required 
calls made for such nonsafety related 
purposes as ordering galley supplies 
and confirming passenger connections, 
announcements made to passengers 
promoting the air carrier or pointing 
out sights of interest, and filling out 
company payroll and related records 
are not required for the safe operation 
of the aircraft. 

(b) No flight crewmember may en-

gage in, nor may any pilot in command 
permit, any activity during a critical 
phase of flight which could distract 
any flight crewmember from the per-
formance of his or her duties or which 
could interfere in any way with the 
proper conduct of those duties. Activi-
ties such as eating meals, engaging in 
nonessential conversations within the 
cockpit and nonessential communica-
tions between the cabin and cockpit 
crews, and reading publications not re-
lated to the proper conduct of the 
flight are not required for the safe op-
eration of the aircraft. 

(c) For the purposes of this section, 

critical phases of flight includes all 
ground operations involving taxi, take-
off and landing, and all other flight op-
erations conducted below 10,000 feet, 
except cruise flight. 

N

OTE

: Taxi is defined as ‘‘movement of an 

airplane under its own power on the surface 
of an airport.’’ 

[Doc. No. 20661, 46 FR 5502, Jan. 19, 1981] 

§ 135.101 Second in command required 

under IFR. 

Except as provided in § 135.105, no per-

son may operate an aircraft carrying 

background image

437 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.115 

passengers under IFR unless there is a 
second in command in the aircraft. 

[Doc. No. 28743, 62 FR 42374, Aug. 6, 1997] 

§ 135.103 [Reserved] 

§ 135.105 Exception to second in com-

mand requirement: Approval for 
use of autopilot system. 

(a) Except as provided in §§ 135.99 and 

135.111, unless two pilots are required 
by this chapter for operations under 
VFR, a person may operate an aircraft 
without a second in command, if it is 
equipped with an operative approved 
autopilot system and the use of that 
system is authorized by appropriate op-
erations specifications. No certificate 
holder may use any person, nor may 
any person serve, as a pilot in com-
mand under this section of an aircraft 
operated in a commuter operation, as 
defined in part 119 of this chapter un-
less that person has at least 100 hours 
pilot in command flight time in the 
make and model of aircraft to be flown 
and has met all other applicable re-
quirements of this part. 

(b) The certificate holder may apply 

for an amendment of its operations 
specifications to authorize the use of 
an autopilot system in place of a sec-
ond in command. 

(c) The Administrator issues an 

amendment to the operations specifica-
tions authorizing the use of an auto-
pilot system, in place of a second in 
command, if— 

(1) The autopilot is capable of oper-

ating the aircraft controls to maintain 
flight and maneuver it about the three 
axes; and 

(2) The certificate holder shows, to 

the satisfaction of the Administrator, 
that operations using the autopilot 
system can be conducted safely and in 
compliance with this part. 

The amendment contains any condi-

tions or limitations on the use of the 
autopilot system that the Adminis-
trator determines are needed in the in-
terest of safety. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–3, 45 FR 7542, Feb. 4, 
1980; Amdt. 135–58, 60 FR 65939, Dec. 20, 1995] 

§ 135.107 Flight attendant crew-

member requirement. 

No certificate holder may operate an 

aircraft that has a passenger seating 
configuration, excluding any pilot seat, 
of more than 19 unless there is a flight 
attendant crewmember on board the 
aircraft. 

§ 135.109 Pilot in command or second 

in command: Designation required. 

(a) Each certificate holder shall des-

ignate a— 

(1) Pilot in command for each flight; 

and 

(2) Second in command for each 

flight requiring two pilots. 

(b) The pilot in command, as des-

ignated by the certificate holder, shall 
remain the pilot in command at all 
times during that flight. 

§ 135.111 Second in command required 

in Category II operations. 

No person may operate an aircraft in 

a Category II operation unless there is 
a second in command of the aircraft. 

§ 135.113 Passenger occupancy of pilot 

seat. 

No certificate holder may operate an 

aircraft type certificated after October 
15, 1971, that has a passenger seating 
configuration, excluding any pilot seat, 
of more than eight seats if any person 
other than the pilot in command, a sec-
ond in command, a company check air-
man, or an authorized representative of 
the Administrator, the National Trans-
portation Safety Board, or the United 
States Postal Service occupies a pilot 
seat. 

§ 135.115 Manipulation of controls. 

No pilot in command may allow any 

person to manipulate the flight con-
trols of an aircraft during flight con-
ducted under this part, nor may any 
person manipulate the controls during 
such flight unless that person is— 

(a) A pilot employed by the certifi-

cate holder and qualified in the air-
craft; or 

(b) An authorized safety representa-

tive of the Administrator who has the 
permission of the pilot in command, is 
qualified in the aircraft, and is check-
ing flight operations. 

background image

438 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.117 

§ 135.117 Briefing of passengers before 

flight. 

(a) Before each takeoff each pilot in 

command of an aircraft carrying pas-
sengers shall ensure that all passengers 
have been orally briefed on— 

(1) 

Smoking. 

Each passenger shall be 

briefed on when, where, and under what 
conditions smoking is prohibited (in-
cluding, but not limited to, any appli-
cable requirements of part 252 of this 
title). This briefing shall include a 
statement that the Federal Aviation 
Regulations require passenger compli-
ance with the lighted passenger infor-
mation signs (if such signs are re-
quired), posted placards, areas des-
ignated for safety purposes as no smok-
ing areas, and crewmember instruc-
tions with regard to these items. The 
briefing shall also include a statement 
(if the aircraft is equipped with a lava-
tory) that Federal law prohibits: tam-
pering with, disabling, or destroying 
any smoke detector installed in an air-
craft lavatory; smoking in lavatories; 
and, when applicable, smoking in pas-
senger compartments. 

(2) The use of safety belts, including 

instructions on how to fasten and un-
fasten the safety belts. Each passenger 
shall be briefed on when, where, and 
under what conditions the safety belt 
must be fastened about that passenger. 
This briefing shall include a statement 
that the Federal Aviation Regulations 
require passenger compliance with 
lighted passenger information signs 
and crewmember instructions con-
cerning the use of safety belts. 

(3) The placement of seat backs in an 

upright position before takeoff and 
landing; 

(4) Location and means for opening 

the passenger entry door and emer-
gency exits; 

(5) Location of survival equipment; 
(6) If the flight involves extended 

overwater operation, ditching proce-
dures and the use of required flotation 
equipment; 

(7) If the flight involves operations 

above 12,000 feet MSL, the normal and 
emergency use of oxygen; and 

(8) Location and operation of fire ex-

tinguishers. 

(9) If a rotorcraft operation involves 

flight beyond autorotational distance 
from the shoreline, as defined in 

§ 135.168(a), use of life preservers, ditch-
ing procedures and emergency exit 
from the rotorcraft in the event of a 
ditching; and the location and use of 
life rafts and other life preserver de-
vices if applicable. 

(b) Before each takeoff the pilot in 

command shall ensure that each person 
who may need the assistance of an-
other person to move expeditiously to 
an exit if an emergency occurs and 
that person’s attendant, if any, has re-
ceived a briefing as to the procedures 
to be followed if an evacuation occurs. 
This paragraph does not apply to a per-
son who has been given a briefing be-
fore a previous leg of a flight in the 
same aircraft. 

(c) The oral briefing required by 

paragraph (a) of this section shall be 
given by the pilot in command or a 
crewmember. 

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of 

paragraph (c) of this section, for air-
craft certificated to carry 19 passengers 
or less, the oral briefing required by 
paragraph (a) of this section shall be 
given by the pilot in command, a crew-
member, or other qualified person des-
ignated by the certificate holder and 
approved by the Administrator. 

(e) The oral briefing required by 

paragraph (a) of this section must be 
supplemented by printed cards which 
must be carried in the aircraft in loca-
tions convenient for the use of each 
passenger. The cards must— 

(1) Be appropriate for the aircraft on 

which they are to be used; 

(2) Contain a diagram of, and method 

of operating, the emergency exits; 

(3) Contain other instructions nec-

essary for the use of emergency equip-
ment on board the aircraft; and 

(4) No later than June 12, 2005, for 

scheduled Commuter passenger-car-
rying flights, include the sentence, 
‘‘Final assembly of this aircraft was 
completed in [INSERT NAME OF 
COUNTRY].’’ 

(f) The briefing required by para-

graph (a) may be delivered by means of 
an approved recording playback device 

background image

439 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.127 

that is audible to each passenger under 
normal noise levels. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–9, 51 FR 40709, Nov. 7, 
1986; Amdt. 135–25, 53 FR 12362, Apr. 13, 1988; 
Amdt. 135–44, 57 FR 42675, Sept. 15, 1992; 57 
FR 43776, Sept. 22, 1992; 69 FR 39294, June 29, 
2004; Amdt. 135–129, 79 FR 9973, Feb. 21, 2014] 

§ 135.119 Prohibition against carriage 

of weapons. 

No person may, while on board an 

aircraft being operated by a certificate 
holder, carry on or about that person a 
deadly or dangerous weapon, either 
concealed or unconcealed. This section 
does not apply to— 

(a) Officials or employees of a mu-

nicipality or a State, or of the United 
States, who are authorized to carry 
arms; or 

(b) Crewmembers and other persons 

authorized by the certificate holder to 
carry arms. 

§ 135.120 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] 

§ 135.121 Alcoholic beverages. 

(a) No person may drink any alco-

holic beverage aboard an aircraft un-
less the certificate holder operating 
the aircraft has served that beverage. 

(b) No certificate holder may serve 

any alcoholic beverage to any person 
aboard its aircraft if that person ap-
pears to be intoxicated. 

(c) No certificate holder may allow 

any person to board any of its aircraft 
if that person appears to be intoxi-
cated. 

§ 135.122 Stowage of food, beverage, 

and passenger service equipment 

during aircraft movement on the 

surface, takeoff, and landing. 

(a) No certificate holder may move 

an aircraft 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. 

(b) No certificate holder may move 

an aircraft 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 aircraft 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] 

§ 135.123 Emergency and emergency 

evacuation duties. 

(a) Each certificate holder shall as-

sign to each required crewmember for 
each type of aircraft as appropriate, 
the necessary functions to be per-
formed in an emergency or in a situa-
tion requiring emergency evacuation. 
The certificate holder shall ensure that 
those functions can be practicably ac-
complished, and will meet any reason-
ably anticipated emergency including 
incapacitation of individual crew-
members or their inability to reach the 
passenger cabin because of shifting 
cargo in combination cargo-passenger 
aircraft. 

(b) The certificate holder shall de-

scribe in the manual required under 
§ 135.21 the functions of each category 
of required crewmembers assigned 
under paragraph (a) of this section. 

§ 135.125 Aircraft security. 

Certificate holders conducting opera-

tors conducting operations under this 
part must comply with the applicable 
security requirements in 49 CFR chap-
ter XII. 

[67 FR 8350, Feb. 22, 2002] 

§ 135.127 Passenger information re-

quirements and smoking prohibi-

tions. 

(a) No person may conduct a sched-

uled flight on which smoking is prohib-
ited by part 252 of this title unless the 
‘‘No Smoking’’ passenger information 
signs are lighted during the entire 
flight, or one or more ‘‘No Smoking’’ 
placards meeting the requirements of 

background image

440 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.128 

§ 25.1541 of this chapter are posted dur-
ing the entire flight. If both the lighted 
signs and the placards are used, the 
signs must remain lighted during the 
entire flight segment. 

(b) No person may smoke while a ‘‘No 

Smoking’’ sign is lighted or while ‘‘No 
Smoking’’ placards are posted, except 
as follows: 

(1) 

On-demand operations. 

The pilot in 

command of an aircraft engaged in an 
on-demand operation may authorize 
smoking on the flight deck (if it is 
physically separated from any pas-
senger compartment), except in any of 
the following situations: 

(i) During aircraft movement on the 

surface or during takeoff or landing; 

(ii) During scheduled passenger-car-

rying public charter operations con-
ducted under part 380 of this title; 

(iii) During on-demand operations 

conducted interstate that meet para-
graph (2) of the definition ‘‘On-demand 
operation’’ in § 110.2 of this chapter, un-
less permitted under paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section; or 

(iv) During any operation where 

smoking is prohibited by part 252 of 
this title or by international agree-
ment. 

(2) 

Certain intrastate commuter oper-

ations and certain intrastate on-demand 
operations. 

Except during aircraft 

movement on the surface or during 
takeoff or landing, a pilot in command 
of an aircraft engaged in a commuter 
operation or an on-demand operation 
that meets paragraph (2) of the defini-
tion of ‘‘On-demand operation’’ in 
§ 110.2 of this chapter may authorize 
smoking on the flight deck (if it is 
physically separated from the pas-
senger compartment, if any) if— 

(i) Smoking on the flight deck is not 

otherwise prohibited by part 252 of this 
title; 

(ii) The flight is conducted entirely 

within the same State of the United 
States (a flight from one place in Ha-
waii to another place in Hawaii 
through the airspace over a place out-
side Hawaii is not entirely within the 
same State); and 

(iii) The aircraft is either not tur-

bojet-powered or the aircraft is not ca-
pable of carrying at least 30 passengers. 

(c) No person may smoke in any air-

craft lavatory. 

(d) No person may operate an aircraft 

with a lavatory equipped with a smoke 
detector unless there is in that lava-
tory a sign or placard which reads: 
‘‘Federal law provides for a penalty of 
up to $2,000 for tampering with the 
smoke detector installed in this lava-
tory.’’ 

(e) No person may tamper with, dis-

able, or destroy any smoke detector in-
stalled in any aircraft lavatory. 

(f) On flight segments other than 

those described in paragraph (a) of this 
section, the ‘‘No Smoking’’ sign re-
quired by § 135.177(a)(3) of this part 
must be turned on during any move-
ment of the aircraft on the surface, for 
each takeoff or landing, and at any 
other time considered necessary by the 
pilot in command. 

(g) The passenger information re-

quirements prescribed in § 91.517 (b) and 
(d) of this chapter are in addition to 
the requirements prescribed in this sec-
tion. 

(h) Each passenger shall comply with 

instructions given him or her by crew-
members regarding compliance with 
paragraphs (b), (c), and (e) of this sec-
tion. 

[Doc. No. 25590, 55 FR 8367, Mar. 7, 1990, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–35, 55 FR 20135, May 
15, 1990; Amdt. 135–44, 57 FR 42675, Sept. 15, 
1992; Amdt. 135–60, 61 FR 2616, Jan. 26, 1996; 
Amdt. 135–76, 65 FR 36780, June 9, 2000; Amdt. 
135–124, 76 FR 7491, Feb. 10, 2011] 

§ 135.128 Use of safety belts and child 

restraint systems. 

(a) Except as provided in this para-

graph, each person on board an aircraft 
operated under this part shall occupy 
an approved seat or berth with a sepa-
rate safety belt properly secured about 
him or her during movement on the 
surface, takeoff, and landing. For sea-
plane and float equipped rotorcraft op-
erations during movement on the sur-
face, the person pushing off the sea-
plane or rotorcraft from the dock and 
the person mooring the seaplane or 
rotorcraft at the dock are excepted 
from the preceding seating and safety 
belt requirements. A safety belt pro-
vided for the occupant of a seat may 
not be used by more than one person 
who has reached his or her second 
birthday. Notwithstanding the pre-
ceding requirements, a child may: 

background image

441 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.128 

(1) Be held by an adult who is occu-

pying an approved seat or berth, pro-
vided the child has not reached his or 
her second birthday and the child does 
not occupy or use any restraining de-
vice; or 

(2) Notwithstanding any other re-

quirement of this chapter, occupy an 
approved child restraint system fur-
nished by the certificate holder or one 
of the persons described in paragraph 
(a)(2)(i) of this section, provided: 

(i) The child is accompanied by a par-

ent, guardian, or attendant designated 
by the child’s parent or guardian to at-
tend to the safety of the child during 
the flight; 

(ii) Except as provided in paragraph 

(a)(2)(ii)(D) of this section, the ap-
proved child restraint system bears one 
or more labels as follows: 

(A) Seats manufactured to U.S. 

standards between January 1, 1981, and 
February 25, 1985, must bear the label: 
‘‘This child restraint system conforms 
to all applicable Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards’’; 

(B) Seats manufactured to U.S. 

standards on or after February 26, 1985, 
must bear two labels: 

(

1

) ‘‘This child restraint system con-

forms to all applicable Federal motor 
vehicle safety standards’’; and 

(

2

) ‘‘THIS RESTRAINT IS CER-

TIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHI-
CLES AND AIRCRAFT’’ in red let-
tering; 

(C) Seats that do not qualify under 

paragraphs (a)(2)(ii)(A) and (a)(2)(ii)(B) 
of this section must bear a label or 
markings showing: 

(

1

) That the seat was approved by a 

foreign government; 

(

2

) That the seat was manufactured 

under the standards of the United Na-
tions; 

(

3

) That the seat or child restraint 

device furnished by the certificate 
holder was approved by the FAA 
through Type Certificate or Supple-
mental Type Certificate; or 

(

4

) That the seat or child restraint 

device furnished by the certificate 
holder, or one of the persons described 
in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, 
was approved by the FAA in accord-
ance with § 21.8(d) of this chapter or 
Technical Standard Order C–100b, or a 
later version. The child restraint de-

vice manufactured by AmSafe, Inc. 
(CARES, Part No. 4082) and approved 
by the FAA in accordance with 
§ 21.305(d) (2010 ed.) of this chapter may 
continue to bear a label or markings 
showing FAA approval in accordance 
with § 21.305(d) (2010 ed.) of this chapter. 

(D) Except as provided in 

§ 135.128(a)(2)(ii)(C)(

3

) and 

§ 135.128(a)(2)(ii)(C)(

4

), booster-type 

child restraint systems (as defined in 
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 
No. 213 (49 CFR 571.213)), vest- and har-
ness-type child restraint systems, and 
lap held child restraints are not ap-
proved for use in aircraft; and 

(iii) The certificate holder complies 

with the following requirements: 

(A) The restraint system must be 

properly secured to an approved for-
ward-facing seat or berth; 

(B) The child must be properly se-

cured in the restraint system and must 
not exceed the specified weight limit 
for the restraint system; and 

(C) The restraint system must bear 

the appropriate label(s). 

(b) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b)(3) of this section, the following pro-
hibitions apply to certificate holders: 

(1) Except as provided in § 135.128 

(a)(2)(ii)(C)(

3

) and § 135.128 

(a)(2)(ii)(C)(

4

), no certificate holder 

may permit a child, in an aircraft, to 
occupy a booster-type child restraint 
system, a vest-type child restraint sys-
tem, a harness-type child restraint sys-
tem, or a lap held child restraint sys-
tem during take off, landing, and 
movement on the surface. 

(2) Except as required in paragraph 

(b)(1) of this section, no certificate 
holder may prohibit a child, if re-
quested by the child’s parent, guardian, 
or designated attendant, from occu-
pying a child restraint system fur-
nished by the child’s parent, guardian, 
or designated attendant provided: 

(i) The child holds a ticket for an ap-

proved seat or berth or such seat or 
berth is otherwise made available by 
the certificate holder for the child’s 
use; 

(ii) The requirements of paragraph 

(a)(2)(i) of this section are met; 

(iii) The requirements of paragraph 

(a)(2)(iii) of this section are met; and 

(iv) The child restraint system has 

one or more of the labels described in 

background image

442 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.129 

paragraphs (a)(2)(ii)(A) through 
(a)(2)(ii)(C) of this section. 

(3) This section does not prohibit the 

certificate holder from providing child 
restraint systems authorized by this 
or, consistent with safe operating prac-
tices, determining the most appro-
priate passenger seat location for the 
child restraint system. 

[Doc. No. 26142, 57 FR 42676, Sept. 15, 1992, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–62, 61 FR 28422, June 
4, 1996; Amdt. 135–100, 70 FR 50907, Aug. 26, 
2005; Amdt. 135–106, 71 FR 40010, July 14, 2006; 
71 FR 59374, Oct. 10, 2006; Amdt. 135–130, 79 FR 
28812, May 20, 2014] 

§ 135.129 Exit seating. 

(a)(1) 

Applicability. 

This section ap-

plies to all certificate holders oper-
ating under this part, except for on-de-
mand operations with aircraft having 
19 or fewer passenger seats and com-
muter operations with aircraft having 
9 or fewer passenger seats. 

(2) 

Duty to make determination of suit-

ability. 

Each certificate holder shall de-

termine, to the extent necessary to 
perform the applicable functions of 
paragraph (d) of this section, the suit-
ability of each person it permits to oc-
cupy an exit seat. For the purpose of 
this section— 

(i) 

Exit seat 

means— 

(A) Each seat having direct access to 

an exit; and 

(B) Each seat in a row of seats 

through which passengers would have 
to pass to gain access to an exit, from 
the first seat inboard of the exit to the 
first aisle inboard of the exit. 

(ii) A passenger seat having 

direct ac-

cess 

means a seat from which a pas-

senger can proceed directly to the exit 
without entering an aisle or passing 
around an obstruction. 

(3) 

Persons designated to make deter-

mination. 

Each certificate holder shall 

make the passenger exit seating deter-
minations required by this paragraph 
in a non-discriminatory manner con-
sistent with the requirements of this 
section, by persons designated in the 
certificate holder’s required operations 
manual. 

(4) 

Submission of designation for ap-

proval. 

Each certificate holder shall 

designate the exit seats for each pas-
senger seating configuration in its fleet 
in accordance with the definitions in 

this paragraph and submit those des-
ignations for approval as part of the 
procedures required to be submitted for 
approval under paragraphs (n) and (p) 
of this section. 

(b) No certificate holder may seat a 

person in a seat affected by this section 
if the certificate holder determines 
that it is likely that the person would 
be unable to perform one or more of 
the applicable functions listed in para-
graph (d) of this section because— 

(1) The person lacks sufficient mobil-

ity, strength, or dexterity in both arms 
and hands, and both legs: 

(i) To reach upward, sideways, and 

downward to the location of emergency 
exit and exit-slide operating mecha-
nisms; 

(ii) To grasp and push, pull, turn, or 

otherwise manipulate those mecha-
nisms; 

(iii) To push, shove, pull, or other-

wise open emergency exits; 

(iv) To lift out, hold, deposit on near-

by seats, or maneuver over the 
seatbacks to the next row objects the 
size and weight of over-wing window 
exit doors; 

(v) To remove obstructions of size 

and weight similar over-wing exit 
doors; 

(vi) To reach the emergency exit ex-

peditiously; 

(vii) To maintain balance while re-

moving obstructions; 

(viii) To exit expeditiously; 
(ix) To stabilize an escape slide after 

deployment; or 

(x) To assist others in getting off an 

escape slide; 

(2) The person is less than 15 years of 

age or lacks the capacity to perform 
one or more of the applicable functions 
listed in paragraph (d) of this section 
without the assistance of an adult com-
panion, parent, or other relative; 

(3) The person lacks the ability to 

read and understand instructions re-
quired by this section and related to 
emergency evacuation provided by the 
certificate holder in printed or graphic 
form or the ability to understand oral 
crew commands. 

(4) The person lacks sufficient visual 

capacity to perform one or more of the 
applicable functions in paragraph (d) of 
this section without the assistance of 

background image

443 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.129 

visual aids beyond contact lenses or 
eyeglasses; 

(5) The person lacks sufficient aural 

capacity to hear and understand in-
structions shouted by flight attend-
ants, without assistance beyond a hear-
ing aid; 

(6) The person lacks the ability ade-

quately to impart information orally 
to other passengers; or, 

(7) The person has: 
(i) A condition or responsibilities, 

such as caring for small children, that 
might prevent the person from per-
forming one or more of the applicable 
functions listed in paragraph (d) of this 
section; or 

(ii) A condition that might cause the 

person harm if he or she performs one 
or more of the applicable functions 
listed in paragraph (d) of this section. 

(c) Each passenger shall comply with 

instructions given by a crewmember or 
other authorized employee of the cer-
tificate holder implementing exit seat-
ing restrictions established in accord-
ance with this section. 

(d) Each certificate holder shall in-

clude on passenger information cards, 
presented in the language in which 
briefings and oral commands are given 
by the crew, at each exit seat affected 
by this section, information that, in 
the event of an emergency in which a 
crewmember is not available to assist, 
a passenger occupying an exit seat may 
use if called upon to perform the fol-
lowing functions: 

(1) Locate the emergency exit; 
(2) Recognize the emergency exit 

opening mechanism; 

(3) Comprehend the instructions for 

operating the emergency exit; 

(4) Operate the emergency exit; 
(5) Assess whether opening the emer-

gency exit will increase the hazards to 
which passengers may be exposed; 

(6) Follow oral directions and hand 

signals given by a crewmember; 

(7) Stow or secure the emergency exit 

door so that it will not impede use of 
the exit; 

(8) Assess the condition of an escape 

slide, activate the slide, and stabilize 
the slide after deployment to assist 
others in getting off the slide; 

(9) Pass expeditiously through the 

emergency exit; and 

(10) Assess, select, and follow a safe 

path away from the emergency exit. 

(e) Each certificate holder shall in-

clude on passenger information cards, 
at each exit seat— 

(1) In the primary language in which 

emergency commands are given by the 
crew, the selection criteria set forth in 
paragraph (b) of this section, and a re-
quest that a passenger identify himself 
or herself to allow reseating if he or 
she— 

(i) Cannot meet the selection criteria 

set forth in paragraph (b) of this sec-
tion; 

(ii) Has a nondiscernible condition 

that will prevent him or her from per-
forming the applicable functions listed 
in paragraph (d) of this section; 

(iii) May suffer bodily harm as the re-

sult of performing one or more of those 
functions; or 

(iv) Does not wish to perform those 

functions; and, 

(2) In each language used by the cer-

tificate holder for passenger informa-
tion cards, a request that a passenger 
identify himself or herself to allow re-
seating if he or she lacks the ability to 
read, speak, or understand the lan-
guage or the graphic form in which in-
structions required by this section and 
related to emergency evacuation are 
provided by the certificate holder, or 
the ability to understand the specified 
language in which crew commands will 
be given in an emergency; 

(3) May suffer bodily harm as the re-

sult of performing one or more of those 
functions; or, 

(4) Does not wish to perform those 

functions. 

A certificate holder shall not require 
the passenger to disclose his or her rea-
son for needing reseating. 

(f) Each certificate holder shall make 

available for inspection by the public 
at all passenger loading gates and tick-
et counters at each airport where it 
conducts passenger operations, written 
procedures established for making de-
terminations in regard to exit row 
seating. 

(g) No certificate holder may allow 

taxi or pushback unless at least one re-
quired crewmember has verified that 
no exit seat is occupied by a person the 
crewmember determines is likely to be 

background image

444 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.141 

unable to perform the applicable func-
tions listed in paragraph (d) of this sec-
tion. 

(h) Each certificate holder shall in-

clude in its passenger briefings a ref-
erence to the passenger information 
cards, required by paragraphs (d) and 
(e), the selection criteria set forth in 
paragraph (b), and the functions to be 
performed, set forth in paragraph (d) of 
this section. 

(i) Each certificate holder shall in-

clude in its passenger briefings a re-
quest that a passenger identify himself 
or herself to allow reseating if he or 
she— 

(1) Cannot meet the selection criteria 

set forth in paragraph (b) of this sec-
tion; 

(2) Has a nondiscernible condition 

that will prevent him or her from per-
forming the applicable functions listed 
in paragraph (d) of this section; 

(3) May suffer bodily harm as the re-

sult of performing one or more of those 
functions; or, 

(4) Does not wish to perform those 

functions. 

A certificate holder shall not require 
the passenger to disclose his or her rea-
son for needing reseating. 

(j) [Reserved] 
(k) In the event a certificate holder 

determines in accordance with this sec-
tion that it is likely that a passenger 
assigned to an exit seat would be un-
able to perform the functions listed in 
paragraph (d) of this section or a pas-
senger requests a non-exit seat, the 
certificate holder shall expeditiously 
relocate the passenger to a non-exit 
seat. 

(l) In the event of full booking in the 

non-exit seats and if necessary to ac-
commodate a passenger being relocated 
from an exit seat, the certificate hold-
er shall move a passenger who is will-
ing and able to assume the evacuation 
functions that may be required, to an 
exit seat. 

(m) A certificate holder may deny 

transportation to any passenger under 
this section only because— 

(1) The passenger refuses to comply 

with instructions given by a crew-
member or other authorized employee 
of the certificate holder implementing 
exit seating restrictions established in 
accordance with this section, or 

(2) The only seat that will physically 

accommodate the person’s handicap is 
an exit seat. 

(n) In order to comply with this sec-

tion certificate holders shall— 

(1) Establish procedures that address: 
(i) The criteria listed in paragraph 

(b) of this section; 

(ii) The functions listed in paragraph 

(d) of this section; 

(iii) The requirements for airport in-

formation, passenger information 
cards, crewmember verification of ap-
propriate seating in exit seats, pas-
senger briefings, seat assignments, and 
denial of transportation as set forth in 
this section; 

(iv) How to resolve disputes arising 

from implementation of this section, 
including identification of the certifi-
cate holder employee on the airport to 
whom complaints should be addressed 
for resolution; and, 

(2) Submit their procedures for pre-

liminary review and approval to the 
principal operations inspectors as-
signed to them at the responsible 
Flight Standards office. 

(o) Certificate holders shall assign 

seats prior to boarding consistent with 
the criteria listed in paragraph (b) and 
the functions listed in paragraph (d) of 
this section, to the maximum extent 
feasible. 

(p) The procedures required by para-

graph (n) of this section will not be-
come effective until final approval is 
granted by the Executive Director, 
Flight Standards Service, Washington, 
DC. Approval will be based solely upon 
the safety aspects of the certificate 
holder’s procedures. 

[Doc. No. 25821, 55 FR 8073, Mar. 6, 1990, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–45, 57 FR 48664, Oct. 
27, 1992; Amdt. 135–50, 59 FR 33603, June 29, 
1994; Amdt. 135–60, 61 FR 2616, Jan. 26, 1996; 
Docket FAA–2018–0119, Amdt. 135–139, 83 FR 
9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

Subpart C—Aircraft and 

Equipment 

§ 135.141 Applicability. 

This subpart prescribes aircraft and 

equipment requirements for operations 
under this part. The requirements of 
this subpart are in addition to the air-
craft and equipment requirements of 
part 91 of this chapter. However, this 

background image

445 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.145 

part does not require the duplication of 
any equipment required by this chap-
ter. 

§ 135.143 General requirements. 

(a) No person may operate an aircraft 

under this part unless that aircraft and 
its equipment meet the applicable reg-
ulations of this chapter. 

(b) Except as provided in § 135.179, no 

person may operate an aircraft under 
this part unless the required instru-
ments and equipment in it have been 
approved and are in an operable condi-
tion. 

(c) ATC transponder equipment in-

stalled within the time periods indi-
cated below must meet the perform-
ance and environmental requirements 
of the following TSO’s: 

(1) 

Through January 1, 1992: 

(i) Any 

class of TSO-C74b or any class of TSO- 
C74c as appropriate, provided that the 
equipment was manufactured before 
January 1, 1990; or 

(ii) The appropriate class of TSO-C112 

(Mode S). 

(2) 

After January 1, 1992: 

The appro-

priate class of TSO-C112 (Mode S). For 
purposes of paragraph (c)(2) of this sec-
tion, ‘‘installation’’ does not include— 

(i) Temporary installation of TSO- 

C74b or TSO-C74c substitute equip-
ment, as appropriate, during mainte-
nance of the permanent equipment; 

(ii) Reinstallation of equipment after 

temporary removal for maintenance; or 

(iii) For fleet operations, installation 

of equipment in a fleet aircraft after 
removal of the equipment for mainte-
nance from another aircraft in the 
same operator’s fleet. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–22, 52 FR 3392, Feb. 3, 
1987] 

§ 135.144 Portable electronic devices. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b) of this section, no person may oper-
ate, nor may any operator or pilot in 
command of an aircraft allow the oper-
ation of, any portable electronic device 
on any U.S.-registered civil aircraft op-
erating under this part. 

(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does 

not apply to— 

(1) Portable voice recorders; 
(2) Hearing aids; 
(3) Heart pacemakers; 

(4) Electric shavers; 
(5) Portable oxygen concentrators 

that comply with the requirements in 
§ 135.91; or 

(6) Any other portable electronic de-

vice that the part 119 certificate holder 
has determined will not cause inter-
ference with the navigation or commu-
nication system of the aircraft on 
which it is to be used. 

(c). The determination required by 

paragraph (b)(6) of this section shall be 
made by that part 119 certificate holder 
operating the aircraft on which the 
particular device is to be used. 

[Doc. No. FAA–1998–4954, 64 FR 1080, Jan. 7, 
1999, as amended by Docket FAA–2014–0554, 
Amdt. 135–133, 81 FR 33120, May 24, 2016] 

§ 135.145 Aircraft proving and valida-

tion tests. 

(a) No certificate holder may operate 

an aircraft, other than a turbojet air-
craft, for which two pilots are required 
by this chapter for operations under 
VFR, if it has not previously proved 
such an aircraft in operations under 
this part in at least 25 hours of proving 
tests acceptable to the Administrator 
including— 

(1) Five hours of night time, if night 

flights are to be authorized; 

(2) Five instrument approach proce-

dures under simulated or actual condi-
tions, if IFR flights are to be author-
ized; and 

(3) Entry into a representative num-

ber of en route airports as determined 
by the Administrator. 

(b) No certificate holder may operate 

a turbojet airplane if it has not pre-
viously proved a turbojet airplane in 
operations under this part in at least 25 
hours of proving tests acceptable to the 
Administrator including— 

(1) Five hours of night time, if night 

flights are to be authorized; 

(2) Five instrument approach proce-

dures under simulated or actual condi-
tions, if IFR flights are to be author-
ized; and 

(3) Entry into a representative num-

ber of en route airports as determined 
by the Administrator. 

(c) No certificate holder may carry 

passengers in an aircraft during prov-
ing tests, except those needed to make 
the tests and those designated by the 
Administrator to observe the tests. 

background image

446 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.147 

However, pilot flight training may be 
conducted during the proving tests. 

(d) Validation testing is required to 

determine that a certificate holder is 
capable of conducting operations safely 
and in compliance with applicable reg-
ulatory standards. Validation tests are 
required for the following authoriza-
tions: 

(1) The addition of an aircraft for 

which two pilots are required for oper-
ations under VFR or a turbojet air-
plane, if that aircraft or an aircraft of 
the same make or similar design has 
not been previously proved or validated 
in operations under this part. 

(2) Operations outside U.S. airspace. 
(3) Class II navigation authoriza-

tions. 

(4) Special performance or oper-

ational authorizations. 

(e) Validation tests must be accom-

plished by test methods acceptable to 
the Administrator. Actual flights may 
not be required when an applicant can 
demonstrate competence and compli-
ance with appropriate regulations 
without conducting a flight. 

(f) Proving tests and validation tests 

may be conducted simultaneously 
when appropriate. 

(g) The Administrator may authorize 

deviations from this section if the Ad-
ministrator finds that special cir-
cumstances make full compliance with 
this section unnecessary. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2001–10047, 68 FR 54586, Sept. 
17, 2003] 

§ 135.147 Dual controls required. 

No person may operate an aircraft in 

operations requiring two pilots unless 
it is equipped with functioning dual 
controls. However, if the aircraft type 
certification operating limitations do 
not require two pilots, a throwover 
control wheel may be used in place of 
two control wheels. 

§ 135.149 Equipment requirements: 

General. 

No person may operate an aircraft 

unless it is equipped with— 

(a) A sensitive altimeter that is ad-

justable for barometric pressure; 

(b) Heating or deicing equipment for 

each carburetor or, for a pressure car-
buretor, an alternate air source; 

(c) For turbojet airplanes, in addition 

to two gyroscopic bank-and-pitch indi-
cators (artificial horizons) for use at 
the pilot stations, a third indicator 
that is installed in accordance with the 
instrument requirements prescribed in 
§ 121.305(j) of this chapter. 

(d) [Reserved] 
(e) For turbine powered aircraft, any 

other equipment as the Administrator 
may require. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended at Amdt. 135–1, 44 FR 26737, May 7, 
1979; Amdt. 135–34, 54 FR 43926, Oct. 27, 1989; 
Amdt. 135–38, 55 FR 43310, Oct. 26, 1990] 

§ 135.150 Public address and crew-

member interphone systems. 

No person may operate an aircraft 

having a passenger seating configura-
tion, excluding any pilot seat, of more 
than 19 unless it is equipped with— 

(a) A public address system which— 
(1) Is capable of operation inde-

pendent of the crewmember interphone 
system required by paragraph (b) of 
this section, except for handsets, head-
sets, microphones, selector switches, 
and signaling devices; 

(2) Is approved in accordance with 

§ 21.305 of this chapter; 

(3) Is accessible for immediate use 

from each of two flight crewmember 
stations in the pilot compartment; 

(4) For each required floor-level pas-

senger emergency exit which has an ad-
jacent flight attendant seat, has a 
microphone which is readily accessible 
to the seated flight attendant, except 
that one microphone may serve more 
than one exit, provided the proximity 
of the exits allows unassisted verbal 
communication between seated flight 
attendants; 

(5) Is capable of operation within 10 

seconds by a flight attendant at each of 
those stations in the passenger com-
partment from which its use is acces-
sible; 

(6) Is audible at all passenger seats, 

lavatories, and flight attendant seats 
and work stations; and 

(7) For transport category airplanes 

manufactured on or after November 27, 
1990, meets the requirements of § 25.1423 
of this chapter. 

(b) A crewmember interphone system 

which— 

background image

447 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.151 

(1) Is capable of operation inde-

pendent of the public address system 
required by paragraph (a) of this sec-
tion, except for handsets, headsets, 
microphones, selector switches, and 
signaling devices; 

(2) Is approved in accordance with 

§ 21.305 of this chapter; 

(3) Provides a means of two-way com-

munication between the pilot compart-
ment and— 

(i) Each passenger compartment; and 
(ii) Each galley located on other than 

the main passenger deck level; 

(4) Is accessible for immediate use 

from each of two flight crewmember 
stations in the pilot compartment; 

(5) Is accessible for use from at least 

one normal flight attendant station in 
each passenger compartment; 

(6) Is capable of operation within 10 

seconds by a flight attendant at each of 
those stations in each passenger com-
partment from which its use is acces-
sible; and 

(7) For large turbojet-powered air-

planes— 

(i) Is accessible for use at enough 

flight attendant stations so that all 
floor-level emergency exits (or 
entryways to those exits in the case of 
exits located within galleys) in each 
passenger compartment are observable 
from one or more of those stations so 
equipped; 

(ii) Has an alerting system incor-

porating aural or visual signals for use 
by flight crewmembers to alert flight 
attendants and for use by flight attend-
ants to alert flight crewmembers; 

(iii) For the alerting system required 

by paragraph (b)(7)(ii) of this section, 
has a means for the recipient of a call 
to determine whether it is a normal 
call or an emergency call; and 

(iv) When the airplane is on the 

ground, provides a means of two-way 
communication between ground per-
sonnel and either of at least two flight 
crewmembers in the pilot compart-
ment. The interphone system station 
for use by ground personnel must be so 
located that personnel using the sys-
tem may avoid visible detection from 
within the airplane. 

[Doc. No. 24995, 54 FR 43926, Oct. 27, 1989] 

§ 135.151 Cockpit voice recorders. 

(a) No person may operate a multien-

gine, turbine-powered airplane or 
rotorcraft having a passenger seating 
configuration of six or more and for 
which two pilots are required by cer-
tification or operating rules unless it is 
equipped with an approved cockpit 
voice recorder that: 

(1) Is installed in compliance with 

§ 23.1457(a)(1) and (2), (b), (c), (d)(1)(i), 
(2) and (3), (e), (f), and (g); § 25.1457(a)(1) 
and (2), (b), (c), (d)(1)(i), (2) and (3), (e), 
(f), and (g), § 27.1457(a)(1) and (2), (b), 
(c), (d)(1)(i), (2) and (3), (e), (f), and (g); 
or § 29.1457(a)(1) and (2), (b), (c), (d)(1)(i), 
(2) and (3), (e), (f), and (g) of this chap-
ter, as applicable; and 

(2) Is operated continuously from the 

use of the check list before the flight 
to completion of the final check list at 
the end of the flight. 

(b) No person may operate a multien-

gine, turbine-powered airplane or 
rotorcraft having a passenger seating 
configuration of 20 or more seats unless 
it is equipped with an approved cockpit 
voice recorder that— 

(1) Is installed in accordance with the 

requirements of § 23.1457 (except para-
graphs (a)(6), (d)(1)(ii), (4), and (5)); 
§ 25.1457 (except paragraphs (a)(6), 
(d)(1)(ii), (4), and (5)); § 27.1457 (except 
paragraphs (a)(6), (d)(1)(ii), (4), and (5)); 
or § 29.1457 (except paragraphs (a)(6), 
(d)(1)(ii), (4), and (5)) of this chapter, as 
applicable; and 

(2) Is operated continuously from the 

use of the check list before the flight 
to completion of the final check list at 
the end of the flight. 

(c) In the event of an accident, or oc-

currence requiring immediate notifica-
tion of the National Transportation 
Safety Board which results in termi-
nation of the flight, the certificate 
holder shall keep the recorded informa-
tion for at least 60 days or, if requested 
by the Administrator or the Board, for 
a longer period. Information obtained 
from the record may be used to assist 
in determining the cause of accidents 
or occurrences in connection with in-
vestigations. The Administrator does 
not use the record in any civil penalty 
or certificate action. 

(d) For those aircraft equipped to 

record the uninterrupted audio signals 

background image

448 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.151 

received by a boom or a mask micro-
phone the flight crewmembers are re-
quired to use the boom microphone 
below 18,000 feet mean sea level. No 
person may operate a large turbine en-
gine powered airplane manufactured 
after October 11, 1991, or on which a 
cockpit voice recorder has been in-
stalled after October 11, 1991, unless it 
is equipped to record the uninterrupted 
audio signal received by a boom or 
mask microphone in accordance with 
§ 25.1457(c)(5) of this chapter. 

(e) In complying with this section, an 

approved cockpit voice recorder having 
an erasure feature may be used, so that 
during the operation of the recorder, 
information: 

(1) Recorded in accordance with para-

graph (a) of this section and recorded 
more than 15 minutes earlier; or 

(2) Recorded in accordance with para-

graph (b) of this section and recorded 
more than 30 minutes earlier; may be 
erased or otherwise obliterated. 

(f) By April 7, 2012, all airplanes sub-

ject to paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) 
of this section that are manufactured 
before April 7, 2010, and that are re-
quired to have a flight data recorder 
installed in accordance with § 135.152, 
must have a cockpit voice recorder 
that also— 

(1) Meets the requirements in 

§ 23.1457(d)(6) or § 25.1457(d)(6) of this 
chapter, as applicable; and 

(2) If transport category, meet the re-

quirements in § 25.1457(a)(3), (a)(4), and 
(a)(5) of this chapter. 

(g)(1) No person may operate a multi-

engine, turbine-powered airplane or 
rotorcraft that is manufactured on or 
after April 7, 2010, that has a passenger 
seating configuration of six or more 
seats, for which two pilots are required 
by certification or operating rules, and 
that is required to have a flight data 
recorder under § 135.152, unless it is 
equipped with an approved cockpit 
voice recorder that also— 

(i) Is installed in accordance with the 

requirements of § 23.1457 (except for 
paragraph (a)(6)); § 25.1457 (except for 
paragraph (a)(6)); § 27.1457 (except for 
paragraph (a)(6)); or § 29.1457 (except for 
paragraph (a)(6)) of this chapter, as ap-
plicable; and 

(ii) Is operated continuously from the 

use of the check list before the flight, 

to completion of the final check list at 
the end of the flight; and 

(iii) Retains at least the last 2 hours 

of recorded information using a re-
corder that meets the standards of 
TSO–C123a, or later revision. 

(iv) For all airplanes or rotorcraft 

manufactured on or after December 6, 
2010, also meets the requirements of 
§ 23.1457(a)(6); § 25.1457(a)(6); 
§ 27.1457(a)(6); or § 29.457(a)(6) of this 
chapter, as applicable. 

(2) No person may operate a multien-

gine, turbine-powered airplane or 
rotorcraft that is manufactured on or 
after April 7, 2010, has a passenger seat-
ing configuration of 20 or more seats, 
and that is required to have a flight 
data recorder under § 135.152, unless it 
is equipped with an approved cockpit 
voice recorder that also— 

(i) Is installed in accordance with the 

requirements of § 23.1457 (except for 
paragraph (a)(6)); § 25.1457 (except for 
paragraph (a)(6)); § 27.1457 (except for 
paragraph (a)(6)); or § 29.1457 (except for 
paragraph (a)(6)) of this chapter, as ap-
plicable; and 

(ii) Is operated continuously from the 

use of the check list before the flight, 
to completion of the final check list at 
the end of the flight; and 

(iii) Retains at least the last 2 hours 

of recorded information using a re-
corder that meets the standards of 
TSO–C123a, or later revision. 

(iv) For all airplanes or rotorcraft 

manufactured on or after December 6, 
2010, also meets the requirements of 
§ 23.1457(a)(6); § 25.1457(a)(6); 
§ 27.1457(a)(6); or § 29.457(a)(6) of this 
chapter, as applicable. 

(h) All airplanes or rotorcraft re-

quired by this part to have a cockpit 
voice recorder and a flight data re-
corder, that install datalink commu-
nication equipment on or after Decem-
ber 6, 2010, must record all datalink 
messages as required by the certifi-
cation rule applicable to the aircraft. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–23, 52 FR 9637, Mar. 25, 
1987; Amdt. 135–26, 53 FR 26151, July 11, 1988; 
Amdt. 135–60, 61 FR 2616, Jan. 26, 1996; Amdt. 
135–113, 73 FR 12570, Mar. 7, 2008; Amdt. 135– 
113, 74 FR 32801, July 9, 2009; Amdt. 135–121, 75 
FR 17046, Apr. 5, 2010] 

background image

449 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.152 

§ 135.152 Flight data recorders. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(k) of this section, no person may oper-
ate under this part a multi-engine, tur-
bine-engine powered airplane or rotor-
craft having a passenger seating con-
figuration, excluding any required 
crewmember seat, of 10 to 19 seats, that 
was either brought onto the U.S. reg-
ister after, or was registered outside 
the United States and added to the op-
erator’s U.S. operations specifications 
after, October 11, 1991, unless it is 
equipped with one or more approved 
flight recorders that use a digital 
method of recording and storing data 
and a method of readily retrieving that 
data from the storage medium. The pa-
rameters specified in either Appendix B 
or C of this part, as applicable must be 
recorded within the range, accuracy, 
resolution, and recording intervals as 
specified. The recorder shall retain no 
less than 25 hours of aircraft operation. 

(b) After October 11, 1991, no person 

may operate a multiengine, turbine- 
powered airplane having a passenger 
seating configuration of 20 to 30 seats 
or a multiengine, turbine-powered 
rotorcraft having a passenger seating 
configuration of 20 or more seats unless 
it is equipped with one or more ap-
proved flight recorders that utilize a 
digital method of recording and storing 
data, and a method of readily retriev-
ing that data from the storage me-
dium. The parameters in appendix D or 
E of this part, as applicable, that are 
set forth below, must be recorded with-
in the ranges, accuracies, resolutions, 
and sampling intervals as specified. 

(1) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b)(3) of this section for aircraft type 
certificated before October 1, 1969, the 
following parameters must be recorded: 

(i) Time; 
(ii) Altitude; 
(iii) Airspeed; 
(iv) Vertical acceleration; 
(v) Heading; 
(vi) Time of each radio transmission 

to or from air traffic control; 

(vii) Pitch attitude; 
(viii) Roll attitude; 
(ix) Longitudinal acceleration; 
(x) Control column or pitch control 

surface position; and 

(xi) Thrust of each engine. 

(2) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b)(3) of this section for aircraft type 
certificated after September 30, 1969, 
the following parameters must be re-
corded: 

(i) Time; 
(ii) Altitude; 
(iii) Airspeed; 
(iv) Vertical acceleration; 
(v) Heading; 
(vi) Time of each radio transmission 

either to or from air traffic control; 

(vii) Pitch attitude; 
(viii) Roll attitude; 
(ix) Longitudinal acceleration; 
(x) Pitch trim position; 
(xi) Control column or pitch control 

surface position; 

(xii) Control wheel or lateral control 

surface position; 

(xiii) Rudder pedal or yaw control 

surface position; 

(xiv) Thrust of each engine; 
(xv) Position of each thrust reverser; 
(xvi) Trailing edge flap or cockpit 

flap control position; and 

(xvii) Leading edge flap or cockpit 

flap control position. 

(3) For aircraft manufactured after 

October 11, 1991, all of the parameters 
listed in appendix D or E of this part, 
as applicable, must be recorded. 

(c) Whenever a flight recorder re-

quired by this section is installed, it 
must be operated continuously from 
the instant the airplane begins the 
takeoff roll or the rotorcraft begins the 
lift-off until the airplane has com-
pleted the landing roll or the rotorcraft 
has landed at its destination. 

(d) Except as provided in paragraph 

(c) of this section, and except for re-
corded data erased as authorized in 
this paragraph, each certificate holder 
shall keep the recorded data prescribed 
in paragraph (a) of this section until 
the aircraft has been operating for at 
least 25 hours of the operating time 
specified in paragraph (c) of this sec-
tion. In addition, each certificate hold-
er shall keep the recorded data pre-
scribed in paragraph (b) of this section 
for an airplane until the airplane has 
been operating for at least 25 hours, 
and for a rotorcraft until the rotorcraft 
has been operating for at least 10 
hours, of the operating time specified 
in paragraph (c) of this section. A total 
of 1 hour of recorded data may be 

background image

450 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.152 

erased for the purpose of testing the 
flight recorder or the flight recorder 
system. Any erasure made in accord-
ance with this paragraph must be of 
the oldest recorded data accumulated 
at the time of testing. Except as pro-
vided in paragraph (c) of this section, 
no record need be kept more than 60 
days. 

(e) In the event of an accident or oc-

currence that requires the immediate 
notification of the National Transpor-
tation Safety Board under 49 CFR part 
830 of its regulations and that results 
in termination of the flight, the certifi-
cate holder shall remove the recording 
media from the aircraft and keep the 
recorded data required by paragraphs 
(a) and (b) of this section for at least 60 
days or for a longer period upon re-
quest of the Board or the Adminis-
trator. 

(f)(1) For airplanes manufactured on 

or before August 18, 2000, and all other 
aircraft, each flight recorder required 
by this section must be installed in ac-
cordance with the requirements of 
§ 23.1459 (except paragraphs (a)(3)(ii) 
and (6)), § 25.1459 (except paragraphs 
(a)(3)(ii) and (7)), § 27.1459 (except para-
graphs (a)(3)(ii) and (6)), or § 29.1459 (ex-
cept paragraphs (a)(3)(ii) and (6)), as 
appropriate, of this chapter. The cor-
relation required by paragraph (c) of 
§§ 23.1459, 25.1459, 27.1459, or 29.1459 of 
this chapter, as appropriate, need be 
established only on one aircraft of a 
group of aircraft: 

(i) That are of the same type; 
(ii) On which the flight recorder mod-

els and their installations are the 
same; and 

(iii) On which there are no dif-

ferences in the type designs with re-
spect to the installation of the first pi-
lot’s instruments associated with the 
flight recorder. The most recent instru-
ment calibration, including the record-
ing medium from which this calibra-
tion is derived, and the recorder cor-
relation must be retained by the cer-
tificate holder. 

(2) For airplanes manufactured after 

August 18, 2000, each flight data re-
corder system required by this section 
must be installed in accordance with 
the requirements of § 23.1459(a) (except 
paragraphs (a)(3)(ii) and (6)), (b), (d) 
and (e), or § 25.1459(a) (except para-

graphs (a)(3)(ii) and (7)), (b), (d) and (e) 
of this chapter. A correlation must be 
established between the values re-
corded by the flight data recorder and 
the corresponding values being meas-
ured. The correlation must contain a 
sufficient number of correlation points 
to accurately establish the conversion 
from the recorded values to engineer-
ing units or discrete state over the full 
operating range of the parameter. Ex-
cept for airplanes having separate alti-
tude and airspeed sensors that are an 
integral part of the flight data recorder 
system, a single correlation may be es-
tablished for any group of airplanes— 

(i) That are of the same type; 
(ii) On which the flight recorder sys-

tem and its installation are the same; 
and 

(iii) On which there is no difference 

in the type design with respect to the 
installation of those sensors associated 
with the flight data recorder system. 
Documentation sufficient to convert 
recorded data into the engineering 
units and discrete values specified in 
the applicable appendix must be main-
tained by the certificate holder. 

(g) Each flight recorder required by 

this section that records the data spec-
ified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section must have an approved device 
to assist in locating that recorder 
under water. 

(h) The operational parameters re-

quired to be recorded by digital flight 
data recorders required by paragraphs 
(i) and (j) of this section are as follows, 
the phrase ‘‘when an information 
source is installed’’ following a param-
eter indicates that recording of that 
parameter is not intended to require a 
change in installed equipment. 

(1) Time; 
(2) Pressure altitude; 
(3) Indicated airspeed; 
(4) Heading—primary flight crew ref-

erence (if selectable, record discrete, 
true or magnetic); 

(5) Normal acceleration (Vertical); 
(6) Pitch attitude; 
(7) Roll attitude; 
(8) Manual radio transmitter keying, 

or CVR/DFDR synchronization ref-
erence; 

(9) Thrust/power of each engine—pri-

mary flight crew reference; 

(10) Autopilot engagement status; 

background image

451 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.152 

(11) Longitudinal acceleration; 
(12) Pitch control input; 
(13) Lateral control input; 
(14) Rudder pedal input; 
(15) Primary pitch control surface po-

sition; 

(16) Primary lateral control surface 

position; 

(17) Primary yaw control surface po-

sition; 

(18) Lateral acceleration; 
(19) Pitch trim surface position or pa-

rameters of paragraph (h)(82) of this 
section if currently recorded; 

(20) Trailing edge flap or cockpit flap 

control selection (except when param-
eters of paragraph (h)(85) of this sec-
tion apply); 

(21) Leading edge flap or cockpit flap 

control selection (except when param-
eters of paragraph (h)(86) of this sec-
tion apply); 

(22) Each Thrust reverser position (or 

equivalent for propeller airplane); 

(23) Ground spoiler position or speed 

brake selection (except when param-
eters of paragraph (h)(87) of this sec-
tion apply); 

(24) Outside or total air temperature; 
(25) Automatic Flight Control Sys-

tem (AFCS) modes and engagement 
status, including autothrottle; 

(26) Radio altitude (when an informa-

tion source is installed); 

(27) Localizer deviation, MLS Azi-

muth; 

(28) Glideslope deviation, MLS Ele-

vation; 

(29) Marker beacon passage; 
(30) Master warning; 
(31) Air/ground sensor (primary air-

plane system reference nose or main 
gear); 

(32) Angle of attack (when informa-

tion source is installed); 

(33) Hydraulic pressure low (each sys-

tem); 

(34) Ground speed (when an informa-

tion source is installed); 

(35) Ground proximity warning sys-

tem; 

(36) Landing gear position or landing 

gear cockpit control selection; 

(37) Drift angle (when an information 

source is installed); 

(38) Wind speed and direction (when 

an information source is installed); 

(39) Latitude and longitude (when an 

information source is installed); 

(40) Stick shaker/pusher (when an in-

formation source is installed); 

(41) Windshear (when an information 

source is installed); 

(42) Throttle/power lever position; 
(43) Additional engine parameters (as 

designated in appendix F of this part); 

(44) Traffic alert and collision avoid-

ance system; 

(45) DME 1 and 2 distances; 
(46) Nav 1 and 2 selected frequency; 
(47) Selected barometric setting 

(when an information source is in-
stalled); 

(48) Selected altitude (when an infor-

mation source is installed); 

(49) Selected speed (when an informa-

tion source is installed); 

(50) Selected mach (when an informa-

tion source is installed); 

(51) Selected vertical speed (when an 

information source is installed); 

(52) Selected heading (when an infor-

mation source is installed); 

(53) Selected flight path (when an in-

formation source is installed); 

(54) Selected decision height (when 

an information source is installed); 

(55) EFIS display format; 
(56) Multi-function/engine/alerts dis-

play format; 

(57) Thrust command (when an infor-

mation source is installed); 

(58) Thrust target (when an informa-

tion source is installed); 

(59) Fuel quantity in CG trim tank 

(when an information source is in-
stalled); 

(60) Primary Navigation System Ref-

erence; 

(61) Icing (when an information 

source is installed); 

(62) Engine warning each engine vi-

bration (when an information source is 
installed); 

(63) Engine warning each engine over 

temp. (when an information source is 
installed); 

(64) Engine warning each engine oil 

pressure low (when an information 
source is installed); 

(65) Engine warning each engine over 

speed (when an information source is 
installed; 

(66) Yaw trim surface position; 
(67) Roll trim surface position; 
(68) Brake pressure (selected system); 
(69) Brake pedal application (left and 

right); 

background image

452 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.153 

(70) Yaw or sideslip angle (when an 

information source is installed); 

(71) Engine bleed valve position 

(when an information source is in-
stalled); 

(72) De-icing or anti-icing system se-

lection (when an information source is 
installed); 

(73) Computed center of gravity 

(when an information source is in-
stalled); 

(74) AC electrical bus status; 
(75) DC electrical bus status; 
(76) APU bleed valve position (when 

an information source is installed); 

(77) Hydraulic pressure (each sys-

tem); 

(78) Loss of cabin pressure; 
(79) Computer failure; 
(80) Heads-up display (when an infor-

mation source is installed); 

(81) Para-visual display (when an in-

formation source is installed); 

(82) Cockpit trim control input posi-

tion—pitch; 

(83) Cockpit trim control input posi-

tion—roll; 

(84) Cockpit trim control input posi-

tion—yaw; 

(85) Trailing edge flap and cockpit 

flap control position; 

(86) Leading edge flap and cockpit 

flap control position; 

(87) Ground spoiler position and speed 

brake selection; and 

(88) All cockpit flight control input 

forces (control wheel, control column, 
rudder pedal). 

(i) For all turbine-engine powered 

airplanes with a seating configuration, 
excluding any required crewmember 
seat, of 10 to 30 passenger seats, manu-
factured after August 18, 2000— 

(1) The parameters listed in para-

graphs (h)(1) through (h)(57) of this sec-
tion must be recorded within the 
ranges, accuracies, resolutions, and re-
cording intervals specified in Appendix 
F of this part. 

(2) Commensurate with the capacity 

of the recording system, all additional 
parameters for which information 
sources are installed and which are 
connected to the recording system 
must be recorded within the ranges, ac-
curacies, resolutions, and sampling in-
tervals specified in Appendix F of this 
part. 

(j) For all turbine-engine-powered 

airplanes with a seating configuration, 
excluding any required crewmember 
seat, of 10 to 30 passenger seats, that 
are manufactured after August 19, 2002 
the parameters listed in paragraph 
(a)(1) through (a)(88) of this section 
must be recorded within the ranges, ac-
curacies, resolutions, and recording in-
tervals specified in Appendix F of this 
part. 

(k) For aircraft manufactured before 

August 18, 1997, the following aircraft 
types need not comply with this sec-
tion: Bell 212, Bell 214ST, Bell 412, Bell 
412SP, Boeing Chinook (BV–234), Boe-
ing/Kawasaki Vertol 107 (BV/KV–107– 
II), deHavilland DHC–6, Eurocopter 
Puma 330J, Sikorsky 58, Sikorsky 61N, 
Sikorsky 76A. 

(l) By April 7, 2012, all aircraft manu-

factured before April 7, 2010, must also 
meet the requirements in § 23.1459(a)(7), 
§ 25.1459(a)(8), § 27.1459(e), or § 29.1459(e) 
of this chapter, as applicable. 

(m) All aircraft manufactured on or 

after April 7, 2010, must have a flight 
data recorder installed that also— 

(1) Meets the requirements of 

§ 23.1459(a)(3), (a)(6), and (a)(7), 
§ 25.1459(a)(3), (a)(7), and (a)(8), 
§ 27.1459(a)(3), (a)(6), and (e), or 
§ 29.1459(a)(3), (a)(6), and (e) of this 
chapter, as applicable; and 

(2) Retains the 25 hours of recorded 

information required in paragraph (d) 
of this section using a recorder that 
meets the standards of TSO–C124a, or 
later revision. 

[Doc. No. 25530, 53 FR 26151, July 11, 1988, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–69, 62 FR 38396, July 
17, 1997; 62 FR 48135, Sept. 12, 1997; Amdt. 135– 
89, 68 FR 42939, July 18, 2003; Amdt. 135–113, 73 
FR 12570, Mar. 7, 2008; Amdt. 135–113, 74 FR 
32801, July 9, 2009] 

§ 135.153 [Reserved] 

§ 135.154 Terrain awareness and warn-

ing system. 

(a) 

Airplanes manufactured after March 

29, 2002: 

(1) No person may operate a turbine- 

powered airplane configured with 10 or 
more passenger seats, excluding any 
pilot seat, unless that airplane is 
equipped with an approved terrain 
awareness and warning system that 
meets the requirements for Class A 
equipment in Technical Standard Order 

background image

453 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.156 

(TSO)–C151. The airplane must also in-
clude an approved terrain situational 
awareness display. 

(2) No person may operate a turbine- 

powered airplane configured with 6 to 9 
passenger seats, excluding any pilot 
seat, unless that airplane is equipped 
with an approved terrain awareness 
and warning system that meets as a 
minimum the requirements for Class B 
equipment in Technical Standard Order 
(TSO)–C151. 

(b) 

Airplanes manufactured on or before 

March 29, 2002: 

(1) No person may operate a turbine- 

powered airplane configured with 10 or 
more passenger seats, excluding any 
pilot seat, after March 29, 2005, unless 
that airplane is equipped with an ap-
proved terrain awareness and warning 
system that meets the requirements 
for Class A equipment in Technical 
Standard Order (TSO)–C151. The air-
plane must also include an approved 
terrain situational awareness display. 

(2) No person may operate a turbine- 

powered airplane configured with 6 to 9 
passenger seats, excluding any pilot 
seat, after March 29, 2005, unless that 
airplane is equipped with an approved 
terrain awareness and warning system 
that meets as a minimum the require-
ments for Class B equipment in Tech-
nical Standard Order (TSO)–C151. 

(Approved by the Office of Management and 
Budget under control number 2120–0631) 

(c) 

Airplane Flight Manual. 

The Air-

plane Flight Manual shall contain ap-
propriate procedures for— 

(1) The use of the terrain awareness 

and warning system; and 

(2) Proper flight crew reaction in re-

sponse to the terrain awareness and 
warning system audio and visual warn-
ings. 

[Doc. No. 29312, 65 FR 16755, Mar. 29, 2000] 

§ 135.155 Fire extinguishers: Pas-

senger-carrying aircraft. 

No person may operate an aircraft 

carrying passengers unless it is 
equipped with hand fire extinguishers 
of an approved type for use in crew and 
passenger compartments as follows— 

(a) The type and quantity of extin-

guishing agent must be suitable for the 
kinds of fires likely to occur; 

(b) At least one hand fire extin-

guisher must be provided and conven-
iently located on the flight deck for 
use by the flight crew; and 

(c) At least one hand fire extin-

guisher must be conveniently located 
in the passenger compartment of each 
aircraft having a passenger seating 
configuration, excluding any pilot seat, 
of at least 10 seats but less than 31 
seats. 

§ 135.156 Flight data recorders: fil-

tered data. 

(a) A flight data signal is filtered 

when an original sensor signal has been 
changed in any way, other than 
changes necessary to: 

(1) Accomplish analog to digital con-

version of the signal; 

(2) Format a digital signal to be 

DFDR compatible; or 

(3) Eliminate a high frequency com-

ponent of a signal that is outside the 
operational bandwidth of the sensor. 

(b) An original sensor signal for any 

flight recorder parameter required to 
be recorded under § 135.152 may be fil-
tered only if the recorded signal value 
continues to meet the requirements of 
Appendix D or F of this part, as appli-
cable. 

(c) For a parameter described in 

§ 135.152(h)(12) through (17), (42), or (88), 
or the corresponding parameter in Ap-
pendix D of this part, if the recorded 
signal value is filtered and does not 
meet the requirements of Appendix D 
or F of this part, as applicable, the cer-
tificate holder must: 

(1) Remove the filtering and ensure 

that the recorded signal value meets 
the requirements of Appendix D or F of 
this part, as applicable; or 

(2) Demonstrate by test and analysis 

that the original sensor signal value 
can be reconstructed from the recorded 
data. This demonstration requires 
that: 

(i) The FAA determine that the pro-

cedure and test results submitted by 
the certificate holder as its compliance 
with paragraph (c)(2) of this section are 
repeatable; and 

(ii) The certificate holder maintains 

documentation of the procedure re-
quired to reconstruct the original sen-
sor signal value. This documentation is 

background image

454 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.157 

also subject to the requirements of 
§ 135.152(e). 

(d) 

Compliance. 

Compliance is re-

quired as follows: 

(1) No later than October 20, 2011, 

each operator must determine, for each 
aircraft on its operations specifica-
tions, whether the aircraft’s DFDR sys-
tem is filtering any of the parameters 
listed in paragraph (c) of this section. 
The operator must create a record of 
this determination for each aircraft it 
operates, and maintain it as part of the 
correlation documentation required by 
§ 135.152 (f)(1)(iii) or (f)(2)(iii) of this 
part as applicable. 

(2) For aircraft that are not filtering 

any listed parameter, no further action 
is required unless the aircraft’s DFDR 
system is modified in a manner that 
would cause it to meet the definition of 
filtering on any listed parameter. 

(3) For aircraft found to be filtering a 

parameter listed in paragraph (c) of 
this section the operator must either: 

(i) No later than April 21, 2014, re-

move the filtering; or 

(ii) No later than April 22, 2013, sub-

mit the necessary procedure and test 
results required by paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section. 

(4) After April 21, 2014, no aircraft 

flight data recording system may filter 
any parameter listed in paragraph (c) 
of this section that does not meet the 
requirements of Appendix D or F of 
this part, unless the certificate holder 
possesses test and analysis procedures 
and the test results that have been ap-
proved by the FAA. All records of 
tests, analysis and procedures used to 
comply with this section must be 
maintained as part of the correlation 
documentation required by § 135.152 
(f)(1)(iii) or (f)(2)(iii) of this part as ap-
plicable. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2006–26135, 75 FR 7357, Feb. 19, 
2010] 

§ 135.157 Oxygen equipment require-

ments. 

(a) 

Unpressurized aircraft. 

No person 

may operate an unpressurized aircraft 
at altitudes prescribed in this section 
unless it is equipped with enough oxy-
gen dispensers and oxygen to supply 
the pilots under § 135.89(a) and to sup-
ply, when flying— 

(1) At altitudes above 10,000 feet 

through 15,000 feet MSL, oxygen to at 
least 10 percent of the occupants of the 
aircraft, other than the pilots, for that 
part of the flight at those altitudes 
that is of more than 30 minutes dura-
tion; and 

(2) Above 15,000 feet MSL, oxygen to 

each occupant of the aircraft other 
than the pilots. 

(b) 

Pressurized aircraft. 

No person may 

operate a pressurized aircraft— 

(1) At altitudes above 25,000 feet 

MSL, unless at least a 10-minute sup-
ply of supplemental oxygen is available 
for each occupant of the aircraft, other 
than the pilots, for use when a descent 
is necessary due to loss of cabin pres-
surization; and 

(2) Unless it is equipped with enough 

oxygen dispensers and oxygen to com-
ply with paragraph (a) of this section 
whenever the cabin pressure altitude 
exceeds 10,000 feet MSL and, if the 
cabin pressurization fails, to comply 
with § 135.89 (a) or to provide a 2-hour 
supply for each pilot, whichever is 
greater, and to supply when flying— 

(i) At altitudes above 10,000 feet 

through 15,000 feet MSL, oxygen to at 
least 10 percent of the occupants of the 
aircraft, other than the pilots, for that 
part of the flight at those altitudes 
that is of more than 30 minutes dura-
tion; and 

(ii) Above 15,000 feet MSL, oxygen to 

each occupant of the aircraft, other 
than the pilots, for one hour unless, at 
all times during flight above that alti-
tude, the aircraft can safely descend to 
15,000 feet MSL within four minutes, in 
which case only a 30-minute supply is 
required. 

(c) The equipment required by this 

section must have a means— 

(1) To enable the pilots to readily de-

termine, in flight, the amount of oxy-
gen available in each source of supply 
and whether the oxygen is being deliv-
ered to the dispensing units; or 

(2) In the case of individual dis-

pensing units, to enable each user to 
make those determinations with re-
spect to that person’s oxygen supply 
and delivery; and 

(3) To allow the pilots to use undi-

luted oxygen at their discretion at alti-
tudes above 25,000 feet MSL. 

background image

455 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.160 

§ 135.158 Pitot heat indication systems. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b) of this section, after April 12, 1981, 
no person may operate a transport cat-
egory airplane equipped with a flight 
instrument pitot heating system unless 
the airplane is also equipped with an 
operable pitot heat indication system 
that complies with § 25.1326 of this 
chapter in effect on April 12, 1978. 

(b) A certificate holder may obtain 

an extension of the April 12, 1981, com-
pliance date specified in paragraph (a) 
of this section, but not beyond April 12, 
1983, from the Executive Director, 
Flight Standards Service if the certifi-
cate holder— 

(1) Shows that due to circumstances 

beyond its control it cannot comply by 
the specified compliance date; and 

(2) Submits by the specified compli-

ance date a schedule for compliance, 
acceptable to the Executive Director, 
indicating that compliance will be 
achieved at the earliest practicable 
date. 

[Doc. No. 18094, Amdt. 135–17, 46 FR 48306, 
Aug. 31, 1981, as amended by Amdt. 135–33, 54 
FR 39294, Sept. 25, 1989; Docket FAA–2018– 
0119, Amdt. 135–139, 83 FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.159 Equipment requirements: 

Carrying passengers under VFR at 

night or under VFR over-the-top 

conditions. 

No person may operate an aircraft 

carrying passengers under VFR at 
night or under VFR over-the-top, un-
less it is equipped with— 

(a) A gyroscopic rate-of-turn indi-

cator except on the following aircraft: 

(1) Airplanes with a third attitude in-

strument system usable through flight 
attitudes of 360 degrees of pitch-and- 
roll and installed in accordance with 
the instrument requirements pre-
scribed in § 121.305(j) of this chapter. 

(2) Helicopters with a third attitude 

instrument system usable through 
flight attitudes of 

±

80 degrees of pitch 

and 

±

120 degrees of roll and installed in 

accordance with § 29.1303(g) of this 
chapter. 

(3) Helicopters with a maximum cer-

tificated takeoff weight of 6,000 pounds 
or less. 

(b) A slip skid indicator. 
(c) A gyroscopic bank-and-pitch indi-

cator. 

(d) A gyroscopic direction indicator. 
(e) A generator or generators able to 

supply all probable combinations of 
continuous in-flight electrical loads for 
required equipment and for recharging 
the battery. 

(f) For night flights— 
(1) An anticollision light system; 
(2) Instrument lights to make all in-

struments, switches, and gauges easily 
readable, the direct rays of which are 
shielded from the pilots’ eyes; and 

(3) A flashlight having at least two 

size ‘‘D’’ cells or equivalent. 

(g) For the purpose of paragraph (e) 

of this section, a continuous in-flight 
electrical load includes one that draws 
current continuously during flight, 
such as radio equipment and elec-
trically driven instruments and lights, 
but does not include occasional inter-
mittent loads. 

(h) Notwithstanding provisions of 

paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), helicopters 
having a maximum certificated takeoff 
weight of 6,000 pounds or less may be 
operated until January 6, 1988, under 
visual flight rules at night without a 
slip skid indicator, a gyroscopic bank- 
and-pitch indicator, or a gyroscopic di-
rection indicator. 

[Doc. No. 24550, 51 FR 40709, Nov. 7, 1986, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–38, 55 FR 43310, Oct. 
26, 1990] 

§ 135.160 Radio altimeters for rotor-

craft operations. 

(a) After April 24, 2017, no person may 

operate a rotorcraft unless that rotor-
craft is equipped with an operable 
FAA-approved radio altimeter, or an 
FAA-approved device that incorporates 
a radio altimeter, unless otherwise au-
thorized in the certificate holder’s ap-
proved minimum equipment list. 

(b) 

Deviation authority. 

The Adminis-

trator may authorize deviations from 
paragraph (a) of this section for rotor-
craft that are unable to incorporate a 
radio altimeter. This deviation will be 
issued as a Letter of Deviation Author-
ity. The deviation may be terminated 
or amended at any time by the Admin-
istrator. The request for deviation au-
thority is applicable to rotorcraft with 
a maximum gross takeoff weight no 
greater than 2,950 pounds. The request 
for deviation authority must contain a 

background image

456 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.161 

complete statement of the cir-
cumstances and justification, and must 
be submitted to the responsible Flight 
Standards office, not less than 60 days 
prior to the date of intended oper-
ations. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2010–0982, 79 FR 9973, Feb. 21, 
2014, as amended by Docket FAA–2018–0119, 
Amdt. 135–139, 83 FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.161 Communication and naviga-

tion equipment for aircraft oper-
ations under VFR over routes navi-
gated by pilotage. 

(a) No person may operate an aircraft 

under VFR over routes that can be 
navigated by pilotage unless the air-
craft is equipped with the two-way 
radio communication equipment nec-
essary under normal operating condi-
tions to fulfill the following: 

(1) Communicate with at least one 

appropriate station from any point on 
the route, except in remote locations 
and areas of mountainous terrain 
where geographical constraints make 
such communication impossible. 

(2) Communicate with appropriate air 

traffic control facilities from any point 
within Class B, Class C, or Class D air-
space, or within a Class E surface area 
designated for an airport in which 
flights are intended; and 

(3) Receive meteorological informa-

tion from any point en route, except in 
remote locations and areas of moun-
tainous terrain where geographical 
constraints make such communication 
impossible. 

(b) No person may operate an aircraft 

at night under VFR over routes that 
can be navigated by pilotage unless 
that aircraft is equipped with— 

(1) Two-way radio communication 

equipment necessary under normal op-
erating conditions to fulfill the func-
tions specified in paragraph (a) of this 
section; and 

(2) Navigation equipment suitable for 

the route to be flown. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2002–14002, 72 FR 31684, June 7, 
2007, as amended by Amdt. 135–116, 74 FR 
20205, May 1, 2009] 

§ 135.163 Equipment requirements: 

Aircraft carrying passengers under 

IFR. 

No person may operate an aircraft 

under IFR, carrying passengers, unless 
it has— 

(a) A vertical speed indicator; 
(b) A free-air temperature indicator; 
(c) A heated pitot tube for each air-

speed indicator; 

(d) A power failure warning device or 

vacuum indicator to show the power 
available for gyroscopic instruments 
from each power source; 

(e) An alternate source of static pres-

sure for the altimeter and the airspeed 
and vertical speed indicators; 

(f) For a single-engine aircraft: 
(1) Two independent electrical power 

generating sources each of which is 
able to supply all probable combina-
tions of continuous inflight electrical 
loads for required instruments and 
equipment; or 

(2) In addition to the primary elec-

trical power generating source, a 
standby battery or an alternate source 
of electric power that is capable of sup-
plying 150% of the electrical loads of 
all required instruments and equip-
ment necessary for safe emergency op-
eration of the aircraft for at least one 
hour; 

(g) For multi-engine aircraft, at least 

two generators or alternators each of 
which is on a separate engine, of which 
any combination of one-half of the 
total number are rated sufficiently to 
supply the electrical loads of all re-
quired instruments and equipment nec-
essary for safe emergency operation of 
the aircraft except that for multi-en-
gine helicopters, the two required gen-
erators may be mounted on the main 
rotor drive train; and 

(h) Two independent sources of en-

ergy (with means of selecting either) of 
which at least one is an engine-driven 
pump or generator, each of which is 
able to drive all required gyroscopic in-
struments powered by, or to be pow-
ered by, that particular source and in-
stalled so that failure of one instru-
ment or source, does not interfere with 
the energy supply to the remaining in-
struments or the other energy source 
unless, for single-engine aircraft in all 
cargo operations only, the rate of turn 

background image

457 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.165 

indicator has a source of energy sepa-
rate from the bank and pitch and direc-
tion indicators. For the purpose of this 
paragraph, for multi-engine aircraft, 
each engine-driven source of energy 
must be on a different engine. 

(i) For the purpose of paragraph (f) of 

this section, a continuous inflight elec-
trical load includes one that draws cur-
rent continuously during flight, such 
as radio equipment, electrically driven 
instruments, and lights, but does not 
include occasional intermittent loads. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–70, 62 FR 42374, Aug. 6, 
1997; Amdt. 135–72, 63 FR 25573, May 8, 1998] 

§ 135.165 Communication and naviga-

tion equipment: Extended over- 

water or IFR operations. 

(a) 

Aircraft navigation equipment re-

quirements

General. 

Except as provided 

in paragraph (g) of this section, no per-
son may conduct operations under IFR 
or extended over-water unless— 

(1) The en route navigation aids nec-

essary for navigating the aircraft along 
the route (e.g., ATS routes, arrival and 
departure routes, and instrument ap-
proach procedures, including missed 
approach procedures if a missed ap-
proach routing is specified in the pro-
cedure) are available and suitable for 
use by the navigation systems required 
by this section: 

(2) The aircraft used in extended 

over-water operations is equipped with 
at least two-approved independent 
navigation systems suitable for navi-
gating the aircraft along the route to 
be flown within the degree of accuracy 
required for ATC. 

(3) The aircraft used for IFR oper-

ations is equipped with at least— 

(i) One marker beacon receiver pro-

viding visual and aural signals; and 

(ii) One ILS receiver. 
(4) Any RNAV system used to meet 

the navigation equipment require-
ments of this section is authorized in 
the certificate holder’s operations 
specifications. 

(b) 

Use of a single independent naviga-

tion system for IFR operations. 

The air-

craft may be equipped with a single 
independent navigation system suit-
able for navigating the aircraft along 
the route to be flown within the degree 
of accuracy required for ATC if: 

(1) It can be shown that the aircraft 

is equipped with at least one other 
independent navigation system suit-
able, in the event of loss of the naviga-
tion capability of the single inde-
pendent navigation system permitted 
by this paragraph at any point along 
the route, for proceeding safely to a 
suitable airport and completing an in-
strument approach; and 

(2) The aircraft has sufficient fuel so 

that the flight may proceed safely to a 
suitable airport by use of the remain-
ing navigation system, and complete 
an instrument approach and land. 

(c) 

VOR navigation equipment. 

When-

ever VOR navigation equipment is re-
quired by paragraph (a) or (b) of this 
section, no person may operate an air-
craft unless it is equipped with at least 
one approved DME or suitable RNAV 
system. 

(d) 

Airplane communication equipment 

requirements. 

Except as permitted in 

paragraph (e) of this section, no person 
may operate a turbojet airplane having 
a passenger seat configuration, exclud-
ing any pilot seat, of 10 seats or more, 
or a multiengine airplane in a com-
muter operation, as defined in part 119 
of this chapter, under IFR or in ex-
tended over-water operations unless 
the airplane is equipped with— 

(1) At least two independent commu-

nication systems necessary under nor-
mal operating conditions to fulfill the 
functions specified in § 121.347(a) of this 
chapter; and 

(2) At least one of the communica-

tion systems required by paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section must have two- 
way voice communication capability. 

(e) 

IFR or extended over-water commu-

nications equipment requirements. 

A per-

son may operate an aircraft other than 
that specified in paragraph (d) of this 
section under IFR or in extended over- 
water operations if it meets all of the 
requirements of this section, with the 
exception that only one communica-
tion system transmitter is required for 
operations other than extended over- 
water operations. 

(f) 

Additional aircraft communication 

equipment requirements. 

In addition to 

the requirements in paragraphs (d) and 

background image

458 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.167 

(e) of this section, no person may oper-
ate an aircraft under IFR or in ex-
tended over-water operations unless it 
is equipped with at least: 

(1) Two microphones; and 
(2) Two headsets or one headset and 

one speaker. 

(g) 

Extended over-water exceptions. 

Notwithstanding the requirements of 
paragraphs (a), (d), and (e) of this sec-
tion, installation and use of a single 
long-range navigation system and a 
single long-range communication sys-
tem for extended over-water operations 
in certain geographic areas may be au-
thorized by the Administrator and ap-
proved in the certificate holder’s oper-
ations specifications. The following are 
among the operational factors the Ad-
ministrator may consider in granting 
an authorization: 

(1) The ability of the flight crew to 

navigate the airplane along the route 
within the degree of accuracy required 
for ATC; 

(2) The length of the route being 

flown; and 

(3) The duration of the very high fre-

quency communications gap. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2002–14002, 72 FR 31684, June 7, 
2007] 

§ 135.167 Emergency equipment: Ex-

tended overwater operations. 

(a) Except where the Administrator, 

by amending the operations specifica-
tions of the certificate holder, requires 
the carriage of all or any specific items 
of the equipment listed below for any 
overwater operation, or, upon applica-
tion of the certificate holder, the Ad-
ministrator allows deviation for a par-
ticular extended overwater operation, 
no person may operate an aircraft in 
extended overwater operations unless 
it carries, installed in conspicuously 
marked locations easily accessible to 
the occupants if a ditching occurs, the 
following equipment: 

(1) An approved life preserver 

equipped with an approved survivor lo-
cator light for each occupant of the 
aircraft. The life preserver must be eas-
ily accessible to each seated occupant. 

(2) Enough approved liferafts of a 

rated capacity and buoyancy to accom-
modate the occupants of the aircraft. 

(b) Each liferaft required by para-

graph (a) of this section must be 

equipped with or contain at least the 
following: 

(1) One approved survivor locator 

light. 

(2) One approved pyrotechnic sig-

naling device. 

(3) Either— 
(i) One survival kit, appropriately 

equipped for the route to be flown; or 

(ii) One canopy (for sail, sunshade, or 

rain catcher); 

(iii) One radar reflector; 
(iv) One liferaft repair kit; 
(v) One bailing bucket; 
(vi) One signaling mirror; 
(vii) One police whistle; 
(viii) One raft knife; 
(ix) One CO

2

bottle for emergency in-

flation; 

(x) One inflation pump; 
(xi) Two oars; 
(xii) One 75-foot retaining line; 
(xiii) One magnetic compass; 
(xiv) One dye marker; 
(xv) One flashlight having at least 

two size ‘‘D’’ cells or equivalent; 

(xvi) A 2-day supply of emergency 

food rations supplying at least 1,000 
calories per day for each person; 

(xvii) For each two persons the raft is 

rated to carry, two pints of water or 
one sea water desalting kit; 

(xviii) One fishing kit; and 
(xix) One book on survival appro-

priate for the area in which the air-
craft is operated. 

(c) No person may operate an air-

plane in extended overwater operations 
unless there is attached to one of the 
life rafts required by paragraph (a) of 
this section, an approved survival type 
emergency locator transmitter. Bat-
teries used in this transmitter must be 
replaced (or recharged, if the batteries 
are rechargeable) when the transmitter 
has been in use for more than 1 cumu-
lative hour, or, when 50 percent of their 
useful life (or for rechargeable bat-
teries, 50 percent of their useful life of 
charge) has expired, as established by 
the transmitter manufacturer under its 
approval. The new expiration date for 
replacing (or recharging) the battery 
must be legibly marked on the outside 
of the transmitter. The battery useful 
life (or useful life of charge) require-
ments of this paragraph do not apply 
to batteries (such as water-activated 

background image

459 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.168 

batteries) that are essentially unaf-
fected during probable storage inter-
vals. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–4, 45 FR 38348, June 
30, 1980; Amdt. 135–20, 51 FR 40710, Nov. 7, 
1986; Amdt. 135–49, 59 FR 32058, June 21, 1994; 
Amdt. 135–91, 68 FR 54586, Sept. 17, 2003] 

§ 135.168 Emergency equipment: 

Overwater rotorcraft operations. 

(a) 

Definitions. 

For the purposes of 

this section, the following definitions 
apply— 

Autorotational distance 

refers to the 

distance a rotorcraft can travel in 
autorotation as described by the manu-
facturer in the approved Rotorcraft 
Flight Manual. 

Shoreline 

means that area of the land 

adjacent to the water of an ocean, sea, 
lake, pond, river, or tidal basin that is 
above the high-water mark at which a 
rotorcraft could be landed safely. This 
does not include land areas which are 
unsuitable for landing such as vertical 
cliffs or land intermittently under 
water. 

(b) 

Required equipment. 

Except when 

authorized by the certificate holder’s 
operations specifications, or when nec-
essary only for takeoff or landing, no 
person may operate a rotorcraft be-
yond autorotational distance from the 
shoreline unless it carries: 

(1) An approved life preserver 

equipped with an approved survivor lo-
cator light for each occupant of the 
rotorcraft. The life preserver must be 
worn by each occupant while the rotor-
craft is beyond autorotational distance 
from the shoreline, except for a patient 
transported during a helicopter air am-
bulance operation, as defined in 
§ 135.601(b)(1), when wearing a life pre-
server would be inadvisable for medical 
reasons; and 

(2) An approved and installed 406 MHz 

emergency locator transmitter (ELT) 
with 121.5 MHz homing capability. Bat-
teries used in ELTs must be main-
tained in accordance with the fol-
lowing— 

(i) Non-rechargeable batteries must 

be replaced when the transmitter has 
been in use for more than 1 cumulative 
hour or when 50% of their useful lives 
have expired, as established by the 
transmitter manufacturer under its ap-

proval. The new expiration date for re-
placing the batteries must be legibly 
marked on the outside of the trans-
mitter. The battery useful life require-
ments of this paragraph (b)(2) do not 
apply to batteries (such as water-acti-
vated batteries) that are essentially 
unaffected during probable storage in-
tervals; or 

(ii) Rechargeable batteries used in 

the transmitter must be recharged 
when the transmitter has been in use 
for more than 1 cumulative hour or 
when 50% of their useful-life-of-charge 
has expired, as established by the 
transmitter manufacturer under its ap-
proval. The new expiration date for re-
charging the batteries must be legibly 
marked on the outside of the trans-
mitter. The battery useful-life-of- 
charge requirements of this paragraph 
(b)(2) do not apply to batteries (such as 
water-activated batteries) that are es-
sentially unaffected during probable 
storage intervals. 

(c) [Reserved] 
(d) 

ELT standards. 

The ELT required 

by paragraph (b)(2) of this section must 
meet the requirements in: 

(1) TSO–C126, TSO–C126a, or TSO– 

C126b; and 

(2) Section 2 of either RTCA DO–204 

or RTCA DO–204A, as specified by the 
TSO complied with in paragraph (d)(1) 
of this section. 

(e) 

ELT alternative compliance. 

Opera-

tors with an ELT required by para-
graph (b)(2) of this section, or an ELT 
with an approved deviation under 
§ 21.618 of this chapter, are in compli-
ance with this section. 

(f) 

Incorporation by reference. 

The 

standards required in this section are 
incorporated by reference into this sec-
tion with the approval of the Director 
of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce 
any edition other than that specified in 
this section, the FAA must publish no-
tice of change in the F

EDERAL

R

EG

-

ISTER

and the material must be avail-

able to the public. All approved mate-
rial is available for inspection at the 
FAA’s Office of Rulemaking (ARM–1), 
800 Independence Avenue SW., Wash-
ington, DC 20591 (telephone (202) 267– 
9677) and from the sources indicated 
below. It is also available for inspec-
tion at the National Archives and 

background image

460 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.169 

Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call (202) 741–6030 or 
go to 

http://www.archives.gov/fed-

eral

_

register/code

_

of

_

federal

_

regulations/ 

ibr

_

locations.html. 

(1) U.S. Department of Transpor-

tation, Subsequent Distribution Office, 
DOT Warehouse M30, Ardmore East 
Business Center, 3341 Q 75th Avenue, 
Landover, MD 20785; telephone (301) 
322–5377. Copies are also available on 
the FAA’s Web site. Use the following 
link and type the TSO number in the 
search box: 

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/

Regulatory

_

and

_

Guidance

_

Library/

rgTSO.nsf/Frameset?OpenPage. 

(i) TSO–C126, 406 MHz Emergency Lo-

cator Transmitter (ELT), Dec. 23, 1992, 

(ii) TSO–C126a, 406 MHz Emergency 

Locator Transmitter (ELT), Dec. 17, 
2008, and 

(iii) TSO–C126b, 406 MHz Emergency 

Locator Transmitter (ELT), Nov. 26, 
2012. 

(2) RTCA, Inc., 1150 18th Street NW., 

Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036, tele-
phone (202) 833–9339, and are also avail-
able on RTCA’s Web site at 

http:// 

www.rtca.org/onlinecart/index.cfm. 

(i) RTCA DO–204, Minimum Oper-

ational Performance Standards 
(MOPS) 406 MHz Emergency Locator 
Transmitters (ELTs), Sept. 29, 1989, and 

(ii) RTCA DO–204A, Minimum Oper-

ational Performance Standards 
(MOPS) 406 MHz Emergency Locator 
Transmitters (ELT), Dec. 6, 2007. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2010–0982, 79 FR 9973, Feb. 21, 
2014, as amended by Amdt. 135–138, 83 FR 
1189, Jan. 10, 2018] 

§ 135.169 Additional airworthiness re-

quirements. 

(a) Except for commuter category 

airplanes, no person may operate a 
large airplane unless it meets the addi-
tional airworthiness requirements of 
§§ 121.213 through 121.283 and 121.307 of 
this chapter. 

(b) No person may operate a small 

airplane that has a passenger-seating 
configuration, excluding pilot seats, of 
10 seats or more unless it is type cer-
tificated— 

(1) In the transport category; 
(2) Before July 1, 1970, in the normal 

category and meets special conditions 
issued by the Administrator for air-

planes intended for use in operations 
under this part; 

(3) Before July 19, 1970, in the normal 

category and meets the additional air-
worthiness standards in Special Fed-
eral Aviation Regulation No. 23; 

(4) In the normal category and meets 

the additional airworthiness standards 
in appendix A; 

(5) In the normal category and com-

plies with section 1.(a) of Special Fed-
eral Aviation Regulation No. 41; 

(6) In the normal category and com-

plies with section 1.(b) of Special Fed-
eral Aviation Regulation No. 41; 

(7) In the commuter category; or 
(8) In the normal category, as a 

multi-engine certification level 4 air-
plane as defined in part 23 of this chap-
ter. 

(c) No person may operate a small 

airplane with a passenger seating con-
figuration, excluding any pilot seat, of 
10 seats or more, with a seating con-
figuration greater than the maximum 
seating configuration used in that type 
airplane in operations under this part 
before August 19, 1977. This paragraph 
does not apply to— 

(1) An airplane that is type certifi-

cated in the transport category; or 

(2) An airplane that complies with— 
(i) Appendix A of this part provided 

that its passenger seating configura-
tion, excluding pilot seats, does not ex-
ceed 19 seats; or 

(ii) Special Federal Aviation Regula-

tion No. 41. 

(d) Cargo or baggage compartments: 
(1) After March 20, 1991, each Class C 

or D compartment, as defined in § 25.857 
of part 25 of this chapter, greater than 
200 cubic feet in volume in a transport 
category airplane type certificated 
after January 1, 1958, must have ceiling 
and sidewall panels which are con-
structed of: 

(i) Glass fiber reinforced resin; 
(ii) Materials which meet the test re-

quirements of part 25, appendix F, part 
III of this chapter; or 

(iii) In the case of liner installations 

approved prior to March 20, 1989, alu-
minum. 

(2) For compliance with this para-

graph, the term ‘‘liner’’ includes any 

background image

461 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.170 

design feature, such as a joint or fas-
tener, which would affect the capa-
bility of the liner to safely contain a 
fire. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–2, 44 FR 53731, Sept. 
17, 1979; Amdt. 135–21, 52 FR 1836, Jan. 15, 
1987; 52 FR 34745, Sept. 14, 1987; Amdt. 135–31, 
54 FR 7389, Feb. 17, 1989; Amdt. 135–55, 60 FR 
6628, Feb. 2, 1995; Docket FAA–2015–1621, 
Amdt. 135–136, 81 FR 96701, Dec. 30, 2016] 

§ 135.170 Materials for compartment 

interiors. 

(a) No person may operate an air-

plane that conforms to an amended or 
supplemental type certificate issued in 
accordance with SFAR No. 41 for a 
maximum certificated takeoff weight 
in excess of 12,500 pounds unless within 
one year after issuance of the initial 
airworthiness certificate under that 
SFAR, the airplane meets the compart-
ment interior requirements set forth in 
§ 25.853(a) in effect March 6, 1995 (for-
merly § 25.853 (a), (b), (b–1), (b–2), and 
(b–3) of this chapter in effect on Sep-
tember 26, 1978). 

(b) Except for commuter category 

airplanes and airplanes certificated 
under Special Federal Aviation Regula-
tion No. 41, no person may operate a 
large airplane unless it meets the fol-
lowing additional airworthiness re-
quirements: 

(1) Except for those materials cov-

ered by paragraph (b)(2) of this section, 
all materials in each compartment 
used by the crewmembers or passengers 
must meet the requirements of § 25.853 
of this chapter in effect as follows or 
later amendment thereto: 

(i) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b)(1)(iv) of this section, each airplane 
with a passenger capacity of 20 or more 
and manufactured after August 19, 1988, 
but prior to August 20, 1990, must com-
ply with the heat release rate testing 
provisions of § 25.853(d) in effect March 
6, 1995 (formerly § 25.853(a–1) in effect 
on August 20, 1986), except that the 
total heat release over the first 2 min-
utes of sample exposure rate must not 
exceed 100 kilowatt minutes per square 
meter and the peak heat release rate 
must not exceed 100 kilowatts per 
square meter. 

(ii) Each airplane with a passenger 

capacity of 20 or more and manufac-

tured after August 19, 1990, must com-
ply with the heat release rate and 
smoke testing provisions of § 25.853(d) 
in effect March 6, 1995 (formerly 
§ 25.83(a–1) in effect on September 26, 
1988). 

(iii) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b)(1) (v) or (vi) of this section, each 
airplane for which the application for 
type certificate was filed prior to May 
1, 1972, must comply with the provi-
sions of § 25.853 in effect on April 30, 
1972, regardless of the passenger capac-
ity, if there is a substantially complete 
replacement of the cabin interior after 
April 30, 1972. 

(iv) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b)(1) (v) or (vi) of this section, each 
airplane for which the application for 
type certificate was filed after May 1, 
1972, must comply with the material 
requirements under which the airplane 
was type certificated regardless of the 
passenger capacity if there is a sub-
stantially complete replacement of the 
cabin interior after that date. 

(v) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b)(1)(vi) of this section, each airplane 
that was type certificated after Janu-
ary 1, 1958, must comply with the heat 
release testing provisions of § 25.853(d) 
in effect March 6, 1995 (formerly 
§ 25.853(a–1) in effect on August 20, 1986), 
if there is a substantially complete re-
placement of the cabin interior compo-
nents identified in that paragraph on 
or after that date, except that the total 
heat release over the first 2 minutes of 
sample exposure shall not exceed 100 
kilowatt-minutes per square meter and 
the peak heat release rate shall not ex-
ceed 100 kilowatts per square meter. 

(vi) Each airplane that was type cer-

tificated after January 1, 1958, must 
comply with the heat release rate and 
smoke testing provisions of § 25.853(d) 
in effect March 6, 1995 (formerly 
§ 25.853(a–1) in effect on August 20, 1986), 
if there is a substantially complete re-
placement of the cabin interior compo-
nents identified in that paragraph after 
August 19, 1990. 

(vii) Contrary provisions of this sec-

tion notwithstanding, the Director of 
the division of the Aircraft Certifi-
cation Service responsible for the air-
worthiness rules may authorize devi-
ation from the requirements of para-
graph (b)(1)(i), (b)(1)(ii), (b)(1)(v), or 

background image

462 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.171 

(b)(1)(vi) of this section for specific 
components of the cabin interior that 
do not meet applicable flammability 
and smoke emission requirements, if 
the determination is made that special 
circumstances exist that make compli-
ance impractical. Such grants of devi-
ation will be limited to those airplanes 
manufactured within 1 year after the 
applicable date specified in this section 
and those airplanes in which the inte-
rior is replaced within 1 year of that 
date. A request for such grant of devi-
ation must include a thorough and ac-
curate analysis of each component sub-
ject to § 25.853(d) in effect March 6, 1995 
(formerly § 25.853(a–1) in effect on Au-
gust 20, 1986), the steps being taken to 
achieve compliance, and, for the few 
components for which timely compli-
ance will not be achieved, credible rea-
sons for such noncompliance. 

(viii) Contrary provisions of this sec-

tion notwithstanding, galley carts and 
standard galley containers that do not 
meet the flammability and smoke 
emission requirements of § 25.853(d) in 
effect March 6, 1995 (formerly § 25.853(a– 
1) in effect on August 20, 1986), may be 
used in airplanes that must meet the 
requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(i), 
(b)(1)(ii), (b)(1)(iv) or (b)(1)(vi) of this 
section provided the galley carts or 
standard containers were manufac-
tured prior to March 6, 1995. 

(2) For airplanes type certificated 

after January 1, 1958, seat cushions, ex-
cept those on flight crewmember seats, 
in any compartment occupied by crew 
or passengers must comply with the re-
quirements pertaining to fire protec-
tion of seat cushions in § 25.853(c) effec-
tive November 26, 1984. 

(c) Thermal/acoustic insulation ma-

terials. For transport category air-
planes type certificated after January 
1, 1958: 

(1) For airplanes manufactured before 

September 2, 2005, when thermal/acous-
tic insulation is installed in the fuse-
lage as replacements after September 
2, 2005, the insulation must meet the 
flame propagation requirements of 
§ 25.856 of this chapter, effective Sep-
tember 2, 2003, if it is: 

(i) Of a blanket construction, or 
(ii) Installed around air ducting. 
(2) For airplanes manufactured after 

September 2, 2005, thermal/acoustic in-

sulation materials installed in the fu-
selage must meet the flame propaga-
tion requirements of § 25.856 of this 
chapter, effective September 2, 2003. 

[Doc. No. 26192, 60 FR 6628, Feb. 2, 1995; Amdt. 
135–55, 60 FR 11194, Mar. 1, 1995; Amdt. 135–56, 
60 FR 13011, Mar. 9, 1995; Amdt. 135–90, 68 FR 
45084, July 31, 2003; Amdt. 135–103, 70 FR 
77752, Dec. 30, 2005; Docket FAA–2018–0119, 
Amdt. 135–139, 83 FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.171 Shoulder harness installation 

at flight crewmember stations. 

(a) No person may operate a turbojet 

aircraft or an aircraft having a pas-
senger seating configuration, excluding 
any pilot seat, of 10 seats or more un-
less it is equipped with an approved 
shoulder harness installed for each 
flight crewmember station. 

(b) Each flight crewmember occu-

pying a station equipped with a shoul-
der harness must fasten the shoulder 
harness during takeoff and landing, ex-
cept that the shoulder harness may be 
unfastened if the crewmember cannot 
perform the required duties with the 
shoulder harness fastened. 

§ 135.173 Airborne thunderstorm de-

tection equipment requirements. 

(a) No person may operate an aircraft 

that has a passenger seating configura-
tion, excluding any pilot seat, of 10 
seats or more in passenger-carrying op-
erations, except a helicopter operating 
under day VFR conditions, unless the 
aircraft is equipped with either ap-
proved thunderstorm detection equip-
ment or approved airborne weather 
radar equipment. 

(b) No person may operate a heli-

copter that has a passenger seating 
configuration, excluding any pilot seat, 
of 10 seats or more in passenger-car-
rying operations, under night VFR 
when current weather reports indicate 
that thunderstorms or other poten-
tially hazardous weather conditions 
that can be detected with airborne 
thunderstorm detection equipment 
may reasonably be expected along the 
route to be flown, unless the helicopter 
is equipped with either approved thun-
derstorm detection equipment or ap-
proved airborne weather radar equip-
ment. 

(c) No person may begin a flight 

under IFR or night VFR conditions 

background image

463 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.177 

when current weather reports indicate 
that thunderstorms or other poten-
tially hazardous weather conditions 
that can be detected with airborne 
thunderstorm detection equipment, re-
quired by paragraph (a) or (b) of this 
section, may reasonably be expected 
along the route to be flown, unless the 
airborne thunderstorm detection equip-
ment is in satisfactory operating con-
dition. 

(d) If the airborne thunderstorm de-

tection equipment becomes inoperative 
en route, the aircraft must be operated 
under the instructions and procedures 
specified for that event in the manual 
required by § 135.21. 

(e) This section does not apply to air-

craft used solely within the State of 
Hawaii, within the State of Alaska, 
within that part of Canada west of lon-
gitude 130 degrees W, between latitude 
70 degrees N, and latitude 53 degrees N, 
or during any training, test, or ferry 
flight. 

(f) Without regard to any other provi-

sion of this part, an alternate elec-
trical power supply is not required for 
airborne thunderstorm detection equip-
ment. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–20, 51 FR 40710, Nov. 7, 
1986; Amdt. 135–60, 61 FR 2616, Jan. 26, 1996] 

§ 135.175 Airborne weather radar 

equipment requirements. 

(a) No person may operate a large, 

transport category aircraft in pas-
senger-carrying operations unless ap-
proved airborne weather radar equip-
ment is installed in the aircraft. 

(b) No person may begin a flight 

under IFR or night VFR conditions 
when current weather reports indicate 
that thunderstorms, or other poten-
tially hazardous weather conditions 
that can be detected with airborne 
weather radar equipment, may reason-
ably be expected along the route to be 
flown, unless the airborne weather 
radar equipment required by paragraph 
(a) of this section is in satisfactory op-
erating condition. 

(c) If the airborne weather radar 

equipment becomes inoperative en 
route, the aircraft must be operated 
under the instructions and procedures 
specified for that event in the manual 
required by § 135.21. 

(d) This section does not apply to air-

craft used solely within the State of 
Hawaii, within the State of Alaska, 
within that part of Canada west of lon-
gitude 130 degrees W, between latitude 
70 degrees N, and latitude 53 degrees N, 
or during any training, test, or ferry 
flight. 

(e) Without regard to any other pro-

vision of this part, an alternate elec-
trical power supply is not required for 
airborne weather radar equipment. 

§ 135.177 Emergency equipment re-

quirements for aircraft having a 

passenger seating configuration of 

more than 19 passengers. 

(a) No person may operate an aircraft 

having a passenger seating configura-
tion, excluding any pilot seat, of more 
than 19 seats unless it is equipped with 
the following emergency equipment: 

(1) At least one approved first-aid kit 

for treatment of injuries likely to 
occur in flight or in a minor accident 
that must: 

(i) Be readily accessible to crew-

members. 

(ii) Be stored securely and kept free 

from dust, moisture, and damaging 
temperatures. 

(iii) Contain at least the following 

appropriately maintained contents in 
the specified quantities: 

Contents 

Quantity 

Adhesive bandage compresses, 1-inch .................

16 

Antiseptic swabs .....................................................

20 

Ammonia inhalants .................................................

10 

Bandage compresses, 4-inch .................................

Triangular bandage compresses, 40-inch ..............

Arm splint, noninflatable .........................................

Leg splint, noninflatable ..........................................

Roller bandage, 4-inch ...........................................

Adhesive tape, 1-inch standard roll ........................

Bandage scissors ...................................................

Protective nonpermeable gloves or equivalent ......

1 pair 

(2) A crash axe carried so as to be ac-

cessible to the crew but inaccessible to 
passengers during normal operations. 

(3) Signs that are visible to all occu-

pants to notify them when smoking is 
prohibited and when safety belts must 
be fastened. The signs must be con-
structed so that they can be turned on 
during any movement of the aircraft 
on the surface, for each takeoff or land-
ing, and at other times considered nec-
essary by the pilot in command. ‘‘No 
smoking’’ signs shall be turned on 
when required by § 135.127. 

background image

464 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.178 

(4) [Reserved] 
(b) Each item of equipment must be 

inspected regularly under inspection 
periods established in the operations 
specifications to ensure its condition 
for continued serviceability and imme-
diate readiness to perform its intended 
emergency purposes. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–25, 53 FR 12362, Apr. 
13, 1988; Amdt. 135–43, 57 FR 19245, May 4, 
1992; Amdt. 135–44, 57 FR 42676, Sept. 15, 1992; 
Amdt. 135–47, 59 FR 1781, Jan. 12, 1994; Amdt. 
135–53, 59 FR 52643, Oct. 18, 1994; 59 FR 55208, 
Nov. 4, 1994; Amdt. 121–281, 66 FR 19045, Apr. 
12, 2001] 

§ 135.178 Additional emergency equip-

ment. 

No person may operate an airplane 

having a passenger seating configura-
tion of more than 19 seats, unless it has 
the additional emergency equipment 
specified in paragraphs (a) through (l) 
of this section. 

(a) 

Means for emergency evacuation. 

Each passenger-carrying landplane 
emergency exit (other than over-the- 
wing) that is more than 6 feet from the 
ground, with the airplane on the 
ground and the landing gear extended, 
must have an approved means to assist 
the occupants in descending to the 
ground. The assisting means for a 
floor-level emergency exit must meet 
the requirements of § 25.809(f)(1) of this 
chapter in effect on April 30, 1972, ex-
cept that, for any airplane for which 
the application for the type certificate 
was filed after that date, it must meet 
the requirements under which the air-
plane was type certificated. An assist-
ing means that deploys automatically 
must be armed during taxiing, take-
offs, and landings; however, the Admin-
istrator may grant a deviation from 
the requirement of automatic deploy-
ment if he finds that the design of the 
exit makes compliance impractical, if 
the assisting means automatically 
erects upon deployment and, with re-
spect to required emergency exits, if an 
emergency evacuation demonstration 
is conducted in accordance with 
§ 121.291(a) of this chapter. This para-
graph does not apply to the rear win-
dow emergency exit of Douglas DC–3 
airplanes operated with fewer than 36 
occupants, including crewmembers, 

and fewer than five exits authorized for 
passenger use. 

(b) 

Interior emergency exit marking. 

The following must be complied with 
for each passenger-carrying airplane: 

(1) Each passenger emergency exit, 

its means of access, and its means of 
opening must be conspicuously 
marked. The identity and locating of 
each passenger emergency exit must be 
recognizable from a distance equal to 
the width of the cabin. The location of 
each passenger emergency exit must be 
indicated by a sign visible to occupants 
approaching along the main passenger 
aisle. There must be a locating sign— 

(i) Above the aisle near each over- 

the-wing passenger emergency exit, or 
at another ceiling location if it is more 
practical because of low headroom; 

(ii) Next to each floor level passenger 

emergency exit, except that one sign 
may serve two such exits if they both 
can be seen readily from that sign; and 

(iii) On each bulkhead or divider that 

prevents fore and aft vision along the 
passenger cabin, to indicate emergency 
exits beyond and obscured by it, except 
that if this is not possible, the sign 
may be placed at another appropriate 
location. 

(2) Each passenger emergency exit 

marking and each locating sign must 
meet the following: 

(i) For an airplane for which the ap-

plication for the type certificate was 
filed prior to May 1, 1972, each pas-
senger emergency exit marking and 
each locating sign must be manufac-
tured to meet the requirements of 
§ 25.812(b) of this chapter in effect on 
April 30, 1972. On these airplanes, no 
sign may continue to be used if its lu-
minescence (brightness) decreases to 
below 100 microlamberts. The colors 
may be reversed if it increases the 
emergency illumination of the pas-
senger compartment. However, the Ad-
ministrator may authorize deviation 
from the 2-inch background require-
ments if he finds that special cir-
cumstances exist that make compli-
ance impractical and that the proposed 
deviation provides an equivalent level 
of safety. 

(ii) For an airplane for which the ap-

plication for the type certificate was 
filed on or after May 1, 1972, each pas-
senger emergency exit marking and 

background image

465 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.178 

each locating sign must be manufac-
tured to meet the interior emergency 
exit marking requirements under 
which the airplane was type certifi-
cated. On these airplanes, no sign may 
continue to be used if its luminescence 
(brightness) decreases to below 250 
microlamberts. 

(c) 

Lighting for interior emergency exit 

markings. 

Each passenger-carrying air-

plane must have an emergency lighting 
system, independent of the main light-
ing system; however, sources of general 
cabin illumination may be common to 
both the emergency and the main 
lighting systems if the power supply to 
the emergency lighting system is inde-
pendent of the power supply to the 
main lighting system. The emergency 
lighting system must— 

(1) Illuminate each passenger exit 

marking and locating sign; 

(2) Provide enough general lighting 

in the passenger cabin so that the aver-
age illumination when measured at 40- 
inch intervals at seat armrest height, 
on the centerline of the main passenger 
aisle, is at least 0.05 foot-candles; and 

(3) For airplanes type certificated 

after January 1, 1958, include floor 
proximity emergency escape path 
marking which meets the requirements 
of § 25.812(e) of this chapter in effect on 
November 26, 1984. 

(d) 

Emergency light operation. 

Except 

for lights forming part of emergency 
lighting subsystems provided in com-
pliance with § 25.812(h) of this chapter 
(as prescribed in paragraph (h) of this 
section) that serve no more than one 
assist means, are independent of the 
airplane’s main emergency lighting 
systems, and are automatically acti-
vated when the assist means is de-
ployed, each light required by para-
graphs (c) and (h) of this section must: 

(1) Be operable manually both from 

the flightcrew station and from a point 
in the passenger compartment that is 
readily accessible to a normal flight 
attendant seat; 

(2) Have a means to prevent inad-

vertent operation of the manual con-
trols; 

(3) When armed or turned on at ei-

ther station, remain lighted or become 
lighted upon interruption of the air-
plane’s normal electric power; 

(4) Be armed or turned on during tax-

iing, takeoff, and landing. In showing 
compliance with this paragraph, a 
transverse vertical separation of the 
fuselage need not be considered; 

(5) Provide the required level of illu-

mination for at least 10 minutes at the 
critical ambient conditions after emer-
gency landing; and 

(6) Have a cockpit control device that 

has an ‘‘on,’’ ‘‘off,’’ and ‘‘armed’’ posi-
tion. 

(e) 

Emergency exit operating handles. 

(1) For a passenger-carrying airplane 
for which the application for the type 
certificate was filed prior to May 1, 
1972, the location of each passenger 
emergency exit operating handle, and 
instructions for opening the exit, must 
be shown by a marking on or near the 
exit that is readable from a distance of 
30 inches. In addition, for each Type I 
and Type II emergency exit with a 
locking mechanism released by rotary 
motion of the handle, the instructions 
for opening must be shown by— 

(i) A red arrow with a shaft at least 

three-fourths inch wide and a head 
twice the width of the shaft, extending 
along at least 70

° 

of arc at a radius ap-

proximately equal to three-fourths of 
the handle length; and 

(ii) The word ‘‘open’’ in red letters 1 

inch high placed horizontally near the 
head of the arrow. 

(2) For a passenger-carrying airplane 

for which the application for the type 
certificate was filed on or after May 1, 
1972, the location of each passenger 
emergency exit operating handle and 
instructions for opening the exit must 
be shown in accordance with the re-
quirements under which the airplane 
was type certificated. On these air-
planes, no operating handle or oper-
ating handle cover may continue to be 
used if its luminescence (brightness) 
decreases to below 100 microlamberts. 

(f) 

Emergency exit access. 

Access to 

emergency exits must be provided as 
follows for each passenger-carrying air-
plane: 

(1) Each passageway between indi-

vidual passenger areas, or leading to a 
Type I or Type II emergency exit, must 
be unobstructed and at least 20 inches 
wide. 

(2) There must be enough space next 

to each Type I or Type II emergency 

background image

466 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.178 

exit to allow a crewmember to assist in 
the evacuation of passengers without 
reducing the unobstructed width of the 
passageway below that required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section; how-
ever, the Administrator may authorize 
deviation from this requirement for an 
airplane certificated under the provi-
sions of part 4b of the Civil Air Regula-
tions in effect before December 20, 1951, 
if he finds that special circumstances 
exist that provide an equivalent level 
of safety. 

(3) There must be access from the 

main aisle to each Type III and Type 
IV exit. The access from the aisle to 
these exits must not be obstructed by 
seats, berths, or other protrusions in a 
manner that would reduce the effec-
tiveness of the exit. In addition, for a 
transport category airplane type cer-
tificated after January 1, 1958, there 
must be placards installed in accord-
ance with § 25.813(c)(3) of this chapter 
for each Type III exit after December 3, 
1992. 

(4) If it is necessary to pass through 

a passageway between passenger com-
partments to reach any required emer-
gency exit from any seat in the pas-
senger cabin, the passageway must not 
be obstructed. Curtains may, however, 
be used if they allow free entry 
through the passageway. 

(5) No door may be installed in any 

partition between passenger compart-
ments. 

(6) If it is necessary to pass through 

a doorway separating the passenger 
cabin from other areas to reach a re-
quired emergency exit from any pas-
senger seat, the door must have a 
means to latch it in the open position, 
and the door must be latched open dur-
ing each takeoff and landing. The 
latching means must be able to with-
stand the loads imposed upon it when 
the door is subjected to the ultimate 
inertia forces, relative to the sur-
rounding structure, listed in § 25.561(b) 
of this chapter. 

(g) 

Exterior exit markings. 

Each pas-

senger emergency exit and the means 
of opening that exit from the outside 
must be marked on the outside of the 
airplane. There must be a 2-inch col-
ored band outlining each passenger 
emergency exit on the side of the fuse-
lage. Each outside marking, including 

the band, must be readily distinguish-
able from the surrounding fuselage 
area by contrast in color. The mark-
ings must comply with the following: 

(1) If the reflectance of the darker 

color is 15 percent or less, the reflec-
tance of the lighter color must be at 
least 45 percent. 

(2) If the reflectance of the darker 

color is greater than 15 percent, at 
least a 30 percent difference between 
its reflectance and the reflectance of 
the lighter color must be provided. 

(3) Exits that are not in the side of 

the fuselage must have the external 
means of opening and applicable in-
structions marked conspicuously in red 
or, if red is inconspicuous against the 
background color, in bright chrome 
yellow and, when the opening means 
for such an exit is located on only one 
side of the fuselage, a conspicuous 
marking to that effect must be pro-
vided on the other side. ‘‘Reflectance’’ 
is the ratio of the luminous flux re-
flected by a body to the luminous flux 
it receives. 

(h) 

Exterior emergency lighting and es-

cape route. 

(1) Each passenger-carrying 

airplane must be equipped with exte-
rior lighting that meets the following 
requirements: 

(i) For an airplane for which the ap-

plication for the type certificate was 
filed prior to May 1, 1972, the require-
ments of § 25.812 (f) and (g) of this chap-
ter in effect on April 30, 1972. 

(ii) For an airplane for which the ap-

plication for the type certificate was 
filed on or after May 1, 1972, the exte-
rior emergency lighting requirements 
under which the airplane was type cer-
tificated. 

(2) Each passenger-carrying airplane 

must be equipped with a slip-resistant 
escape route that meets the following 
requirements: 

(i) For an airplane for which the ap-

plication for the type certificate was 
filed prior to May 1, 1972, the require-
ments of § 25.803(e) of this chapter in ef-
fect on April 30, 1972. 

(ii) For an airplane for which the ap-

plication for the type certificate was 
filed on or after May 1, 1972, the slip-re-
sistant escape route requirements 
under which the airplane was type cer-
tificated. 

background image

467 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.179 

(i) 

Floor level exits. 

Each floor level 

door or exit in the side of the fuselage 
(other than those leading into a cargo 
or baggage compartment that is not 
accessible from the passenger cabin) 
that is 44 or more inches high and 20 or 
more inches wide, but not wider than 
46 inches, each passenger ventral exit 
(except the ventral exits on Martin 404 
and Convair 240 airplanes), and each 
tail cone exit, must meet the require-
ments of this section for floor level 
emergency exits. However, the Admin-
istrator may grant a deviation from 
this paragraph if he finds that cir-
cumstances make full compliance im-
practical and that an acceptable level 
of safety has been achieved. 

(j) 

Additional emergency exits. 

Ap-

proved emergency exits in the pas-
senger compartments that are in ex-
cess of the minimum number of re-
quired emergency exits must meet all 
of the applicable provisions of this sec-
tion, except paragraphs (f) (1), (2), and 
(3) of this section, and must be readily 
accessible. 

(k) On each large passenger-carrying 

turbojet-powered airplane, each ven-
tral exit and tailcone exit must be— 

(1) Designed and constructed so that 

it cannot be opened during flight; and 

(2) Marked with a placard readable 

from a distance of 30 inches and in-
stalled at a conspicuous location near 
the means of opening the exit, stating 
that the exit has been designed and 
constructed so that it cannot be opened 
during flight. 

(l) 

Portable lights. 

No person may op-

erate a passenger-carrying airplane un-
less it is equipped with flashlight stow-
age provisions accessible from each 
flight attendant seat. 

[Doc. No. 26530, 57 FR 19245, May 4, 1992; 57 
FR 29120, June 30, 1992, as amended at 57 FR 
34682, Aug. 6, 1992] 

§ 135.179 Inoperable instruments and 

equipment. 

(a) No person may take off an air-

craft with inoperable instruments or 
equipment installed unless the fol-
lowing conditions are met: 

(1) An approved Minimum Equipment 

List exists for that aircraft. 

(2) The responsible Flight Standards 

office has issued the certificate holder 
operations specifications authorizing 

operations in accordance with an ap-
proved Minimum Equipment List. The 
flight crew shall have direct access at 
all times prior to flight to all of the in-
formation contained in the approved 
Minimum Equipment List through 
printed or other means approved by the 
Administrator in the certificate hold-
ers operations specifications. An ap-
proved Minimum Equipment List, as 
authorized by the operations specifica-
tions, constitutes an approved change 
to the type design without requiring 
recertification. 

(3) The approved Minimum Equip-

ment List must: 

(i) Be prepared in accordance with 

the limitations specified in paragraph 
(b) of this section. 

(ii) Provide for the operation of the 

aircraft with certain instruments and 
equipment in an inoperable condition. 

(4) Records identifying the inoperable 

instruments and equipment and the in-
formation required by (a)(3)(ii) of this 
section must be available to the pilot. 

(5) The aircraft is operated under all 

applicable conditions and limitations 
contained in the Minimum Equipment 
List and the operations specifications 
authorizing use of the Minimum Equip-
ment List. 

(b) The following instruments and 

equipment may not be included in the 
Minimum Equipment List: 

(1) Instruments and equipment that 

are either specifically or otherwise re-
quired by the airworthiness require-
ments under which the airplane is type 
certificated and which are essential for 
safe operations under all operating 
conditions. 

(2) Instruments and equipment re-

quired by an airworthiness directive to 
be in operable condition unless the air-
worthiness directive provides other-
wise. 

(3) Instruments and equipment re-

quired for specific operations by this 
part. 

(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b)(1) 

and (b)(3) of this section, an aircraft 
with inoperable instruments or equip-
ment may be operated under a special 

background image

468 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.180 

flight permit under §§ 21.197 and 21.199 
of this chapter. 

[Doc. No. 25780, 56 FR 12311, Mar. 22, 1991; 56 
FR 14920, Apr. 8, 1991, as amended by Amdt. 
135–60, 61 FR 2616, Jan. 26, 1996; Amdt. 135–91, 
68 FR 54586, Sept. 17, 2003; Docket FAA–2018– 
0119, Amdt. 135–139, 83 FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.180 Traffic Alert and Collision 

Avoidance System. 

(a) Unless otherwise authorized by 

the Administrator, after December 31, 
1995, no person may operate a turbine 
powered airplane that has a passenger 
seat configuration, excluding any pilot 
seat, of 10 to 30 seats unless it is 
equipped with an approved traffic alert 
and collision avoidance system. If a 
TCAS II system is installed, it must be 
capable of coordinating with TCAS 
units that meet TSO C–119. 

(b) The airplane flight manual re-

quired by § 135.21 of this part shall con-
tain the following information on the 
TCAS I system required by this sec-
tion: 

(1) Appropriate procedures for— 
(i) The use of the equipment; and 
(ii) Proper flightcrew action with re-

spect to the equipment operation. 

(2) An outline of all input sources 

that must be operating for the TCAS to 
function properly. 

[Doc. No. 25355, 54 FR 951, Jan. 10, 1989, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–54, 59 FR 67587, Dec. 
29, 1994] 

§ 135.181 Performance requirements: 

Aircraft operated over-the-top or in 

IFR conditions. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs 

(b) and (c) of this section, no person 
may— 

(1) Operate a single-engine aircraft 

carrying passengers over-the-top; or 

(2) Operate a multiengine aircraft 

carrying passengers over-the-top or in 
IFR conditions at a weight that will 
not allow it to climb, with the critical 
engine inoperative, at least 50 feet a 
minute when operating at the MEAs of 
the route to be flown or 5,000 feet MSL, 
whichever is higher. 

(b) Notwithstanding the restrictions 

in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, mul-
tiengine helicopters carrying pas-
sengers offshore may conduct such op-
erations in over-the-top or in IFR con-
ditions at a weight that will allow the 

helicopter to climb at least 50 feet per 
minute with the critical engine inoper-
ative when operating at the MEA of 
the route to be flown or 1,500 feet MSL, 
whichever is higher. 

(c) Without regard to paragraph (a) of 

this section, if the latest weather re-
ports or forecasts, or any combination 
of them, indicate that the weather 
along the planned route (including 
takeoff and landing) allows flight 
under VFR under the ceiling (if a ceil-
ing exists) and that the weather is fore-
cast to remain so until at least 1 hour 
after the estimated time of arrival at 
the destination, a person may operate 
an aircraft over-the-top. 

(d) Without regard to paragraph (a) 

of this section, a person may operate 
an aircraft over-the-top under condi-
tions allowing— 

(1) For multiengine aircraft, descent 

or continuance of the flight under VFR 
if its critical engine fails; or 

(2) For single-engine aircraft, descent 

under VFR if its engine fails. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–20, 51 FR 40710, Nov. 7, 
1986; Amdt. 135–70, 62 FR 42374, Aug. 6, 1997] 

§ 135.183 Performance requirements: 

Land aircraft operated over water. 

No person may operate a land air-

craft carrying passengers over water 
unless— 

(a) It is operated at an altitude that 

allows it to reach land in the case of 
engine failure; 

(b) It is necessary for takeoff or land-

ing; 

(c) It is a multiengine aircraft oper-

ated at a weight that will allow it to 
climb, with the critical engine inoper-
ative, at least 50 feet a minute, at an 
altitude of 1,000 feet above the surface; 
or 

(d) It is a helicopter equipped with 

helicopter flotation devices. 

§ 135.185 Empty weight and center of 

gravity: Currency requirement. 

(a) No person may operate a multien-

gine aircraft unless the current empty 
weight and center of gravity are cal-
culated from values established by ac-
tual weighing of the aircraft within the 
preceding 36 calendar months. 

(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does 

not apply to— 

background image

469 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.211 

(1) Aircraft issued an original air-

worthiness certificate within the pre-
ceding 36 calendar months; and 

(2) Aircraft operated under a weight 

and balance system approved in the op-
erations specifications of the certifi-
cate holder. 

Subpart D—VFR/IFR Operating 

Limitations and Weather Re-
quirements 

§ 135.201 Applicability. 

This subpart prescribes the operating 

limitations for VFR/IFR flight oper-
ations and associated weather require-
ments for operations under this part. 

§ 135.203 VFR: Minimum altitudes. 

Except when necessary for takeoff 

and landing, no person may operate 
under VFR— 

(a) An airplane— 
(1) During the day, below 500 feet 

above the surface or less than 500 feet 
horizontally from any obstacle; or 

(2) At night, at an altitude less than 

1,000 feet above the highest obstacle 
within a horizontal distance of 5 miles 
from the course intended to be flown 
or, in designated mountainous terrain, 
less than 2,000 feet above the highest 
obstacle within a horizontal distance of 
5 miles from the course intended to be 
flown; or 

(b) A helicopter over a congested area 

at an altitude less than 300 feet above 
the surface. 

§ 135.205 VFR: Visibility requirements. 

(a) No person may operate an air-

plane under VFR in uncontrolled air-
space when the ceiling is less than 1,000 
feet unless flight visibility is at least 2 
miles. 

(b) No person may operate a heli-

copter under VFR in Class G airspace 
at an altitude of 1,200 feet or less above 
the surface or within the lateral bound-
aries of the surface areas of Class B, 
Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace 
designated for an airport unless the 
visibility is at least— 

(1) During the day—

1

2

mile; or 

(2) At night—1 mile. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–41, 56 FR 65663, Dec. 
17, 1991] 

§ 135.207 VFR: Helicopter surface ref-

erence requirements. 

No person may operate a helicopter 

under VFR unless that person has vis-
ual surface reference or, at night, vis-
ual surface light reference, sufficient 
to safely control the helicopter. 

§ 135.209 VFR: Fuel supply. 

(a) No person may begin a flight op-

eration in an airplane under VFR un-
less, considering wind and forecast 
weather conditions, it has enough fuel 
to fly to the first point of intended 
landing and, assuming normal cruising 
fuel consumption— 

(1) During the day, to fly after that 

for at least 30 minutes; or 

(2) At night, to fly after that for at 

least 45 minutes. 

(b) No person may begin a flight op-

eration in a helicopter under VFR un-
less, considering wind and forecast 
weather conditions, it has enough fuel 
to fly to the first point of intended 
landing and, assuming normal cruising 
fuel consumption, to fly after that for 
at least 20 minutes. 

§ 135.211 VFR: Over-the-top carrying 

passengers: Operating limitations. 

Subject to any additional limitations 

in § 135.181, no person may operate an 
aircraft under VFR over-the-top car-
rying passengers, unless— 

(a) Weather reports or forecasts, or 

any combination of them, indicate that 
the weather at the intended point of 
termination of over-the-top flight— 

(1) Allows descent to beneath the 

ceiling under VFR and is forecast to re-
main so until at least 1 hour after the 
estimated time of arrival at that point; 
or 

(2) Allows an IFR approach and land-

ing with flight clear of the clouds until 
reaching the prescribed initial ap-
proach altitude over the final approach 
facility, unless the approach is made 
with the use of radar under § 91.175(i) of 
this chapter; or 

(b) It is operated under conditions al-

lowing— 

(1) For multiengine aircraft, descent 

or continuation of the flight under 
VFR if its critical engine fails; or 

background image

470 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.213 

(2) For single-engine aircraft, descent 

under VFR if its engine fails. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–32, 54 FR 34332, Aug. 
18, 1989; 73 FR 20164, Apr. 15, 2008] 

§ 135.213 Weather reports and fore-

casts. 

(a) Whenever a person operating an 

aircraft under this part is required to 
use a weather report or forecast, that 
person shall use that of the U.S. Na-
tional Weather Service, a source ap-
proved by the U.S. National Weather 
Service, or a source approved by the 
Administrator. However, for operations 
under VFR, the pilot in command may, 
if such a report is not available, use 
weather information based on that pi-
lot’s own observations or on those of 
other persons competent to supply ap-
propriate observations. 

(b) For the purposes of paragraph (a) 

of this section, weather observations 
made and furnished to pilots to con-
duct IFR operations at an airport must 
be taken at the airport where those 
IFR operations are conducted, unless 
the Administrator issues operations 
specifications allowing the use of 
weather observations taken at a loca-
tion not at the airport where the IFR 
operations are conducted. The Admin-
istrator issues such operations speci-
fications when, after investigation by 
the U.S. National Weather Service and 
the responsible Flight Standards office, 
it is found that the standards of safety 
for that operation would allow the de-
viation from this paragraph for a par-
ticular operation for which an air car-
rier operating certificate or operating 
certificate has been issued. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–60, 61 FR 2616, Jan. 26, 
1996; Docket FAA–2018–0119, Amdt. 135–139, 83 
FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.215 IFR: Operating limitations. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs 

(b), (c) and (d) of this section, no person 
may operate an aircraft under IFR out-
side of controlled airspace or at any 
airport that does not have an approved 
standard instrument approach proce-
dure. 

(b) The Administrator may issue op-

erations specifications to the certifi-
cate holder to allow it to operate under 

IFR over routes outside controlled air-
space if— 

(1) The certificate holder shows the 

Administrator that the flight crew is 
able to navigate, without visual ref-
erence to the ground, over an intended 
track without deviating more than 5 
degrees or 5 miles, whichever is less, 
from that track; and 

(2) The Administrator determines 

that the proposed operations can be 
conducted safely. 

(c) A person may operate an aircraft 

under IFR outside of controlled air-
space if the certificate holder has been 
approved for the operations and that 
operation is necessary to— 

(1) Conduct an instrument approach 

to an airport for which there is in use 
a current approved standard or special 
instrument approach procedure; or 

(2) Climb into controlled airspace 

during an approved missed approach 
procedure; or 

(3) Make an IFR departure from an 

airport having an approved instrument 
approach procedure. 

(d) The Administrator may issue op-

erations specifications to the certifi-
cate holder to allow it to depart at an 
airport that does not have an approved 
standard instrument approach proce-
dure when the Administrator deter-
mines that it is necessary to make an 
IFR departure from that airport and 
that the proposed operations can be 
conducted safely. The approval to oper-
ate at that airport does not include an 
approval to make an IFR approach to 
that airport. 

§ 135.217 IFR: Takeoff limitations. 

No person may takeoff an aircraft 

under IFR from an airport where 
weather conditions are at or above 
takeoff minimums but are below au-
thorized IFR landing minimums unless 
there is an alternate airport within 1 
hour’s flying time (at normal cruising 
speed, in still air) of the airport of de-
parture. 

§ 135.219 IFR: Destination airport 

weather minimums. 

No person may take off an aircraft 

under IFR or begin an IFR or over-the- 
top operation unless the latest weather 
reports or forecasts, or any combina-
tion of them, indicate that weather 

background image

471 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.225 

conditions at the estimated time of ar-
rival at the next airport of intended 
landing will be at or above authorized 
IFR landing minimums. 

§ 135.221 IFR: Alternate airport weath-

er minimums. 

(a) 

Aircraft other than rotorcraft. 

No 

person may designate an alternate air-
port unless the weather reports or fore-
casts, or any combination of them, in-
dicate that the weather conditions will 
be at or above authorized alternate air-
port landing minimums for that air-
port at the estimated time of arrival. 

(b) 

Rotorcraft. 

Unless otherwise au-

thorized by the Administrator, no per-
son may include an alternate airport in 
an IFR flight plan unless appropriate 
weather reports or weather forecasts, 
or a combination of them, indicate 
that, at the estimated time of arrival 
at the alternate airport, the ceiling 
and visibility at that airport will be at 
or above the following weather mini-
mums— 

(1) If, for the alternate airport, an in-

strument approach procedure has been 
published in part 97 of this chapter or 
a special instrument approach proce-
dure has been issued by the FAA to the 
certificate holder, the ceiling is 200 feet 
above the minimum for the approach 
to be flown, and visibility is at least 1 
statute mile but never less than the 
minimum visibility for the approach to 
be flown. 

(2) If, for the alternate airport, no in-

strument approach procedure has been 
published in part 97 of this chapter and 
no special instrument approach proce-
dure has been issued by the FAA to the 
certificate holder, the ceiling and visi-
bility minimums are those allowing de-
scent from the minimum enroute alti-
tude (MEA), approach, and landing 
under basic VFR. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2010–0982, 79 FR 9974, Feb. 21, 
2014] 

§ 135.223 IFR: Alternate airport re-

quirements. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b) of this section, no person may oper-
ate an aircraft in IFR conditions unless 
it carries enough fuel (considering 
weather reports or forecasts or any 
combination of them) to— 

(1) Complete the flight to the first 

airport of intended landing; 

(2) Fly from that airport to the alter-

nate airport; and 

(3) Fly after that for 45 minutes at 

normal cruising speed or, for heli-
copters, fly after that for 30 minutes at 
normal cruising speed. 

(b) Paragraph (a)(2) of this section 

does not apply if part 97 of this chapter 
prescribes a standard instrument ap-
proach procedure for the first airport 
of intended landing and, for at least 
one hour before and after the estimated 
time of arrival, the appropriate weath-
er reports or forecasts, or any combina-
tion of them, indicate that— 

(1) The ceiling will be at least 1,500 

feet above the lowest circling approach 
MDA; or 

(2) If a circling instrument approach 

is not authorized for the airport, the 
ceiling will be at least 1,500 feet above 
the lowest published minimum or 2,000 
feet above the airport elevation, which-
ever is higher; and 

(3) Visibility for that airport is fore-

cast to be at least three miles, or two 
miles more than the lowest applicable 
visibility minimums, whichever is the 
greater, for the instrument approach 
procedure to be used at the destination 
airport. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–20, 51 FR 40710, Nov. 7, 
1986] 

§ 135.225 IFR: Takeoff, approach and 

landing minimums. 

(a) Except to the extent permitted by 

paragraphs (b) and (j) of this section, 
no pilot may begin an instrument ap-
proach procedure to an airport unless— 

(1) That airport has a weather report-

ing facility operated by the U.S. Na-
tional Weather Service, a source ap-
proved by U.S. National Weather Serv-
ice, or a source approved by the Admin-
istrator; and 

(2) The latest weather report issued 

by that weather reporting facility indi-
cates that weather conditions are at or 
above the authorized IFR landing mini-
mums for that airport. 

(b) A pilot conducting an eligible on- 

demand operation may begin and con-
duct an instrument approach procedure 
to an airport that does not have a 
weather reporting facility operated by 

background image

472 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.225 

the U.S. National Weather Service, a 
source approved by the U.S. National 
Weather Service, or a source approved 
by the Administrator if— 

(1) The alternate airport has a weath-

er reporting facility operated by the 
U.S. National Weather Service, a 
source approved by the U.S. National 
Weather Service, or a source approved 
by the Administrator; and 

(2) The latest weather report issued 

by the weather reporting facility in-
cludes a current local altimeter setting 
for the destination airport. If no local 
altimeter setting for the destination 
airport is available, the pilot may use 
the current altimeter setting provided 
by the facility designated on the ap-
proach chart for the destination air-
port. 

(c) Except as provided in paragraph 

(j) of this section, no pilot may begin 
the final approach segment of an in-
strument approach procedure to an air-
port unless the latest weather reported 
by the facility described in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section indicates that 
weather conditions are at or above the 
authorized IFR landing minimums for 
that procedure. 

(d) Except as provided in paragraph 

(j) of this section, a pilot who has 
begun the final approach segment of an 
instrument approach to an airport 
under paragraph (c) of this section, and 
receives a later weather report indi-
cating that conditions have worsened 
to below the minimum requirements, 
may continue the approach only if the 
following conditions are met— 

(1) The later weather report is re-

ceived when the aircraft is in one of 
the following approach phases: 

(i) The aircraft is on an ILS final ap-

proach and has passed the final ap-
proach fix; 

(ii) The aircraft is on an ASR or PAR 

final approach and has been turned 
over to the final approach controller; 
or 

(iii) The aircraft is on a non-preci-

sion final approach and the aircraft— 

(A) Has passed the appropriate facil-

ity or final approach fix; or 

(B) Where a final approach fix is not 

specified, has completed the procedure 
turn and is established inbound toward 
the airport on the final approach 

course within the distance prescribed 
in the procedure; and 

(2) The pilot in command finds, on 

reaching the authorized MDA or DA/ 
DH, that the actual weather conditions 
are at or above the minimums pre-
scribed for the procedure being used. 

(e) The MDA or DA/DH and visibility 

landing minimums prescribed in part 97 
of this chapter or in the operator’s op-
erations specifications are increased by 
100 feet and 

1

2

mile respectively, but 

not to exceed the ceiling and visibility 
minimums for that airport when used 
as an alternate airport, for each pilot 
in command of a turbine-powered air-
plane who has not served at least 100 
hours as pilot in command in that type 
of airplane. 

(f) Each pilot making an IFR takeoff 

or approach and landing at a military 
or foreign airport shall comply with 
applicable instrument approach proce-
dures and weather minimums pre-
scribed by the authority having juris-
diction over that airport. In addition, 
unless authorized by the certificate 
holder’s operations specifications, no 
pilot may, at that airport— 

(1) Take off under IFR when the visi-

bility is less than 1 mile; or 

(2) Make an instrument approach 

when the visibility is less than 

1

2

mile. 

(g) If takeoff minimums are specified 

in part 97 of this chapter for the take- 
off airport, no pilot may take off an 
aircraft under IFR when the weather 
conditions reported by the facility de-
scribed in paragraph (a)(1) of this sec-
tion are less than the takeoff mini-
mums specified for the takeoff airport 
in part 97 or in the certificate holder’s 
operations specifications. 

(h) Except as provided in paragraph 

(i) of this section, if takeoff minimums 
are not prescribed in part 97 of this 
chapter for the takeoff airport, no pilot 
may takeoff an aircraft under IFR 
when the weather conditions reported 
by the facility described in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section are less than that 
prescribed in part 91 of this chapter or 
in the certificate holder’s operations 
specifications. 

background image

473 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.227 

(i) At airports where straight-in in-

strument approach procedures are au-
thorized, a pilot may takeoff an air-
craft under IFR when the weather con-
ditions reported by the facility de-
scribed in paragraph (a)(1) of this sec-
tion are equal to or better than the 
lowest straight-in landing minimums, 
unless otherwise restricted, if— 

(1) The wind direction and velocity at 

the time of takeoff are such that a 
straight-in instrument approach can be 
made to the runway served by the in-
strument approach; 

(2) The associated ground facilities 

upon which the landing minimums are 
predicated and the related airborne 
equipment are in normal operation; 
and 

(3) The certificate holder has been 

approved for such operations. 

(j) A pilot may begin an instrument 

approach procedure, or continue an ap-
proach, at an airport when the visi-
bility is reported to be less than the 
visibility minimums prescribed for 
that procedure if the pilot uses an op-
erable EFVS in accordance with § 91.176 
of this chapter and the certificate hold-
er’s operations specifications for EFVS 
operations. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–91, 68 FR 54586, Sept. 
17, 2003; Amdt. 135–93, 69 FR 1641, Jan. 9, 2004; 
Amdt. 135–110, 72 FR 31685, June 7, 2007; 
Amdt. 135–126, 77 FR 1632, Jan. 11, 2012; Dock-
et FAA–2013–0485, Amdt. 135–135, 81 FR 90177, 
Dec. 13, 2016] 

§ 135.227 Icing conditions: Operating 

limitations. 

(a) No pilot may take off an aircraft 

that has frost, ice, or snow adhering to 
any rotor blade, propeller, windshield, 
stabilizing or control surface; to a pow-
erplant installation; or to an airspeed, 
altimeter, rate of climb, flight attitude 
instrument system, or wing, except 
that takeoffs may be made with frost 
under the wing in the area of the fuel 
tanks if authorized by the FAA. 

(b) No certificate holder may author-

ize an airplane to take off and no pilot 
may take off an airplane any time con-
ditions are such that frost, ice, or snow 
may reasonably be expected to adhere 
to the airplane unless the pilot has 
completed all applicable training as re-

quired by § 135.341 and unless one of the 
following requirements is met: 

(1) A pretakeoff contamination 

check, that has been established by the 
certificate holder and approved by the 
Administrator for the specific airplane 
type, has been completed within 5 min-
utes prior to beginning takeoff. A pre-
takeoff contamination check is a check 
to make sure the wings and control 
surfaces are free of frost, ice, or snow. 

(2) The certificate holder has an ap-

proved alternative procedure and under 
that procedure the airplane is deter-
mined to be free of frost, ice, or snow. 

(3) The certificate holder has an ap-

proved deicing/anti-icing program that 
complies with § 121.629(c) of this chap-
ter and the takeoff complies with that 
program. 

(c) No pilot may fly under IFR into 

known or forecast light or moderate 
icing conditions or under VFR into 
known light or moderate icing condi-
tions, unless— 

(1) The aircraft has functioning deic-

ing or anti-icing equipment protecting 
each rotor blade, propeller, windshield, 
wing, stabilizing or control surface, 
and each airspeed, altimeter, rate of 
climb, or flight attitude instrument 
system; 

(2) The airplane has ice protection 

provisions that meet section 34 of ap-
pendix A of this part; or 

(3) The airplane meets transport cat-

egory airplane type certification provi-
sions, including the requirements for 
certification for flight in icing condi-
tions. 

(d) No pilot may fly a helicopter 

under IFR into known or forecast icing 
conditions or under VFR into known 
icing conditions unless it has been type 
certificated and appropriately equipped 
for operations in icing conditions. 

(e) Except for an airplane that has 

ice protection provisions that meet 
section 34 of appendix A, or those for 
transport category airplane type cer-
tification, no pilot may fly an aircraft 
into known or forecast severe icing 
conditions. 

(f) If current weather reports and 

briefing information relied upon by the 
pilot in command indicate that the 
forecast icing condition that would 
otherwise prohibit the flight will not 

background image

474 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.229 

be encountered during the flight be-
cause of changed weather conditions 
since the forecast, the restrictions in 
paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this sec-
tion based on forecast conditions do 
not apply. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 133–20, 51 FR 40710, Nov. 7, 
1986; Amdt. 135–46, 58 FR 69629, Dec. 30, 1993; 
Amdt. 135–60, 61 FR 2616, Jan. 26, 1996; Amdt. 
135–119, 74 FR 62696, Dec. 1, 2009] 

§ 135.229 Airport requirements. 

(a) No certificate holder may use any 

airport unless it is adequate for the 
proposed operation, considering such 
items as size, surface, obstructions, 
and lighting. 

(b) No pilot of an aircraft carrying 

passengers at night may takeoff from, 
or land on, an airport unless— 

(1) That pilot has determined the 

wind direction from an illuminated 
wind direction indicator or local 
ground communications or, in the case 
of takeoff, that pilot’s personal obser-
vations; and 

(2) The limits of the area to be used 

for landing or takeoff are clearly 
shown— 

(i) For airplanes, by boundary or run-

way marker lights; 

(ii) For helicopters, by boundary or 

runway marker lights or reflective ma-
terial. 

(c) For the purpose of paragraph (b) 

of this section, if the area to be used 
for takeoff or landing is marked by 
flare pots or lanterns, their use must 
be approved by the Administrator. 

Subpart E—Flight Crewmember 

Requirements 

§ 135.241 Applicability. 

Except as provided in § 135.3, this sub-

part prescribes the flight crewmember 
requirements for operations under this 
part. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 121–250, 60 FR 65950, Dec. 
20, 1995] 

§ 135.243 Pilot in command qualifica-

tions. 

(a) No certificate holder may use a 

person, nor may any person serve, as 

pilot in command in passenger-car-
rying operations— 

(1) Of a turbojet airplane, of an air-

plane having a passenger-seat configu-
ration, excluding each crewmember 
seat, of 10 seats or more, or of a multi-
engine airplane in a commuter oper-
ation as defined in part 119 of this 
chapter, unless that person holds an 
airline transport pilot certificate with 
appropriate category and class ratings 
and, if required, an appropriate type 
rating for that airplane. 

(2) Of a helicopter in a scheduled 

interstate air transportation operation 
by an air carrier within the 48 contig-
uous states unless that person holds an 
airline transport pilot certificate, ap-
propriate type ratings, and an instru-
ment rating. 

(b) Except as provided in paragraph 

(a) of this section, no certificate holder 
may use a person, nor may any person 
serve, as pilot in command of an air-
craft under VFR unless that person— 

(1) Holds at least a commercial pilot 

certificate with appropriate category 
and class ratings and, if required, an 
appropriate type rating for that air-
craft; and 

(2) Has had at least 500 hours time as 

a pilot, including at least 100 hours of 
cross-country flight time, at least 25 
hours of which were at night; and 

(3) For an airplane, holds an instru-

ment rating or an airline transport 
pilot certificate with an airplane cat-
egory rating; or 

(4) For helicopter operations con-

ducted VFR over-the-top, holds a heli-
copter instrument rating, or an airline 
transport pilot certificate with a cat-
egory and class rating for that aircraft, 
not limited to VFR. 

(c) Except as provided in paragraph 

(a) of this section, no certificate holder 
may use a person, nor may any person 
serve, as pilot in command of an air-
craft under IFR unless that person— 

(1) Holds at least a commercial pilot 

certificate with appropriate category 
and class ratings and, if required, an 
appropriate type rating for that air-
craft; and 

(2) Has had at least 1,200 hours of 

flight time as a pilot, including 500 
hours of cross country flight time, 100 
hours of night flight time, and 75 hours 
of actual or simulated instrument time 

background image

475 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.244 

at least 50 hours of which were in ac-
tual flight; and 

(3) For an airplane, holds an instru-

ment rating or an airline transport 
pilot certificate with an airplane cat-
egory rating; or 

(4) For a helicopter, holds a heli-

copter instrument rating, or an airline 
transport pilot certificate with a cat-
egory and class rating for that aircraft, 
not limited to VFR. 

(d) Paragraph (b)(3) of this section 

does not apply when— 

(1) The aircraft used is a single recip-

rocating-engine-powered airplane; 

(2) The certificate holder does not 

conduct any operation pursuant to a 
published flight schedule which speci-
fies five or more round trips a week be-
tween two or more points and places 
between which the round trips are per-
formed, and does not transport mail by 
air under a contract or contracts with 
the United States Postal Service hav-
ing total amount estimated at the be-
ginning of any semiannual reporting 
period (January 1–June 30; July 1–De-
cember 31) to be in excess of $20,000 
over the 12 months commencing with 
the beginning of the reporting period; 

(3) The area, as specified in the cer-

tificate holder’s operations specifica-
tions, is an isolated area, as deter-
mined by the Flight Standards office, if 
it is shown that— 

(i) The primary means of navigation 

in the area is by pilotage, since radio 
navigational aids are largely ineffec-
tive; and 

(ii) The primary means of transpor-

tation in the area is by air; 

(4) Each flight is conducted under 

day VFR with a ceiling of not less than 
1,000 feet and visibility not less than 3 
statute miles; 

(5) Weather reports or forecasts, or 

any combination of them, indicate that 
for the period commencing with the 
planned departure and ending 30 min-
utes after the planned arrival at the 
destination the flight may be con-
ducted under VFR with a ceiling of not 
less than 1,000 feet and visibility of not 
less than 3 statute miles, except that if 
weather reports and forecasts are not 
available, the pilot in command may 
use that pilot’s observations or those 
of other persons competent to supply 
weather observations if those observa-

tions indicate the flight may be con-
ducted under VFR with the ceiling and 
visibility required in this paragraph; 

(6) The distance of each flight from 

the certificate holder’s base of oper-
ation to destination does not exceed 250 
nautical miles for a pilot who holds a 
commercial pilot certificate with an 
airplane rating without an instrument 
rating, provided the pilot’s certificate 
does not contain any limitation to the 
contrary; and 

(7) The areas to be flown are ap-

proved by the responsible Flight Stand-
ards office and are listed in the certifi-
cate holder’s operations specifications. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978; 
Amdt. 135–1, 43 FR 49975, Oct. 26, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–15, 46 FR 30971, June 
11, 1981; Amdt. 135–58, 60 FR 65939, Dec. 20, 
1995; Docket FAA–2018–0119, Amdt. 135–139, 83 
FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.244 Operating experience. 

(a) No certificate holder may use any 

person, nor may any person serve, as a 
pilot in command of an aircraft oper-
ated in a commuter operation, as de-
fined in part 119 of this chapter unless 
that person has completed, prior to 
designation as pilot in command, on 
that make and basic model aircraft and 
in that crewmember position, the fol-
lowing operating experience in each 
make and basic model of aircraft to be 
flown: 

(1) Aircraft, single engine—10 hours. 
(2) Aircraft multiengine, recipro-

cating engine-powered—15 hours. 

(3) Aircraft multiengine, turbine en-

gine-powered—20 hours. 

(4) Airplane, turbojet-powered—25 

hours. 

(b) In acquiring the operating experi-

ence, each person must comply with 
the following: 

(1) The operating experience must be 

acquired after satisfactory completion 
of the appropriate ground and flight 
training for the aircraft and crew-
member position. Approved provisions 
for the operating experience must be 
included in the certificate holder’s 
training program. 

(2) The experience must be acquired 

in flight during commuter passenger- 
carrying operations under this part. 
However, in the case of an aircraft not 

background image

476 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.245 

previously used by the certificate hold-
er in operations under this part, oper-
ating experience acquired in the air-
craft during proving flights or ferry 
flights may be used to meet this re-
quirement. 

(3) Each person must acquire the op-

erating experience while performing 
the duties of a pilot in command under 
the supervision of a qualified check 
pilot. 

(4) The hours of operating experience 

may be reduced to not less than 50 per-
cent of the hours required by this sec-
tion by the substitution of one addi-
tional takeoff and landing for each 
hour of flight. 

[Doc. No. 20011, 45 FR 7541, Feb. 4, 1980, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–9, 45 FR 80461, Dec. 14, 
1980; Amdt. 135–58, 60 FR 65940, Dec. 20, 1995] 

§ 135.245 Second in command quali-

fications. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b) of this section, no certificate holder 
may use any person, nor may any per-
son serve, as second in command of an 
aircraft unless that person holds at 
least a commercial pilot certificate 
with appropriate category and class 
ratings and an instrument rating. 

(b) A second in command of a heli-

copter operated under VFR, other than 
over-the-top, must have at least a com-
mercial pilot certificate with an appro-
priate aircraft category and class rat-
ing. 

(c) No certificate holder may use any 

person, nor may any person serve, as 
second in command under IFR unless 
that person meets the following instru-
ment experience requirements: 

(1) 

Use of an airplane or helicopter for 

maintaining instrument experience. 

With-

in the 6 calendar months preceding the 
month of the flight, that person per-
formed and logged at least the fol-
lowing tasks and iterations in-flight in 
an airplane or helicopter, as appro-
priate, in actual weather conditions, or 
under simulated instrument conditions 
using a view-limiting device: 

(i) Six instrument approaches; 
(ii) Holding procedures and tasks; 

and 

(iii) Intercepting and tracking 

courses through the use of navigational 
electronic systems. 

(2) 

Use of an FSTD for maintaining in-

strument experience. 

A person may ac-

complish the requirements in para-
graph (c)(1) of this section in an ap-
proved FSTD, or a combination of air-
craft and FSTD, provided: 

(i) The FSTD represents the category 

of aircraft for the instrument rating 
privileges to be maintained; 

(ii) The person performs the tasks 

and iterations in simulated instrument 
conditions; and 

(iii) A flight instructor qualified 

under § 135.338 or a check pilot qualified 
under § 135.337 observes the tasks and 
iterations and signs the person’s log-
book or training record to verify the 
time and content of the session. 

(d) A second in command who has 

failed to meet the instrument experi-
ence requirements of paragraph (c) of 
this section for more than six calendar 
months must reestablish instrument 
recency under the supervision of a 
flight instructor qualified under 
§ 135.338 or a check pilot qualified under 
§ 135.337. To reestablish instrument 
recency, a second in command must 
complete at least the following areas of 
operation required for the instrument 
rating practical test in an aircraft or 
FSTD that represents the category of 
aircraft for the instrument experience 
requirements to be reestablished: 

(1) Air traffic control clearances and 

procedures; 

(2) Flight by reference to instru-

ments; 

(3) Navigation systems; 
(4) Instrument approach procedures; 
(5) Emergency operations; and 
(6) Postflight procedures. 

[44 FR 26738, May 7, 1979, as amended by Doc. 
No. FAA–2016–6142, 83 FR 30283, June 27, 2018] 

§ 135.247 Pilot qualifications: Recent 

experience. 

(a) No certificate holder may use any 

person, nor may any person serve, as 
pilot in command of an aircraft car-
rying passengers unless, within the 
preceding 90 days, that person has— 

(1) Made three takeoffs and three 

landings as the sole manipulator of the 
flight controls in an aircraft of the 
same category and class and, if a type 
rating is required, of the same type in 
which that person is to serve; or 

background image

477 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.247 

(2) For operation during the period 

beginning 1 hour after sunset and end-
ing 1 hour before sunrise (as published 
in the Air Almanac), made three take-
offs and three landings during that pe-
riod as the sole manipulator of the 
flight controls in an aircraft of the 
same category and class and, if a type 
rating is required, of the same type in 
which that person is to serve. 

A person who complies with paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section need not comply 
with paragraph (a)(1) of this section. 

(3) Paragraph (a)(2) of this section 

does not apply to a pilot in command 
of a turbine-powered airplane that is 
type certificated for more than one 
pilot crewmember, provided that pilot 
has complied with the requirements of 
paragraph (a)(3)(i) or (ii) of this sec-
tion: 

(i) The pilot in command must hold 

at least a commercial pilot certificate 
with the appropriate category, class, 
and type rating for each airplane that 
is type certificated for more than one 
pilot crewmember that the pilot seeks 
to operate under this alternative, and: 

(A) That pilot must have logged at 

least 1,500 hours of aeronautical experi-
ence as a pilot; 

(B) In each airplane that is type cer-

tificated for more than one pilot crew-
member that the pilot seeks to operate 
under this alternative, that pilot must 
have accomplished and logged the day-
time takeoff and landing recent flight 
experience of paragraph (a) of this sec-
tion, as the sole manipulator of the 
flight controls; 

(C) Within the preceding 90 days prior 

to the operation of that airplane that 
is type certificated for more than one 
pilot crewmember, the pilot must have 
accomplished and logged at least 15 
hours of flight time in the type of air-
plane that the pilot seeks to operate 
under this alternative; and 

(D) That pilot has accomplished and 

logged at least 3 takeoffs and 3 land-
ings to a full stop, as the sole manipu-
lator of the flight controls, in a tur-
bine-powered airplane that requires 
more than one pilot crewmember. The 
pilot must have performed the takeoffs 
and landings during the period begin-
ning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 
hour before sunrise within the pre-

ceding 6 months prior to the month of 
the flight. 

(ii) The pilot in command must hold 

at least a commercial pilot certificate 
with the appropriate category, class, 
and type rating for each airplane that 
is type certificated for more than one 
pilot crewmember that the pilot seeks 
to operate under this alternative, and: 

(A) That pilot must have logged at 

least 1,500 hours of aeronautical experi-
ence as a pilot; 

(B) In each airplane that is type cer-

tificated for more than one pilot crew-
member that the pilot seeks to operate 
under this alternative, that pilot must 
have accomplished and logged the day-
time takeoff and landing recent flight 
experience of paragraph (a) of this sec-
tion, as the sole manipulator of the 
flight controls; 

(C) Within the preceding 90 days prior 

to the operation of that airplane that 
is type certificated for more than one 
pilot crewmember, the pilot must have 
accomplished and logged at least 15 
hours of flight time in the type of air-
plane that the pilot seeks to operate 
under this alternative; and 

(D) Within the preceding 12 months 

prior to the month of the flight, the 
pilot must have completed a training 
program that is approved under part 
142 of this chapter. The approved train-
ing program must have required and 
the pilot must have performed, at least 
6 takeoffs and 6 landings to a full stop 
as the sole manipulator of the controls 
in a flight simulator that is representa-
tive of a turbine-powered airplane that 
requires more than one pilot crew-
member. The flight simulator’s visual 
system must have been adjusted to rep-
resent the period beginning 1 hour 
after sunset and ending 1 hour before 
sunrise. 

(b) For the purpose of paragraph (a) 

of this section, if the aircraft is a tail-
wheel airplane, each takeoff must be 
made in a tailwheel airplane and each 
landing must be made to a full stop in 
a tailwheel airplane. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–91, 68 FR 54587, Sept. 
17, 2003] 

background image

478 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§§ 135.249–135.255 

§§ 135.249–135.255 [Reserved] 

Subpart F—Crewmember Flight 

Time and Duty Period Limita-
tions and Rest Requirements 

S

OURCE

: Docket No. 23634, 50 FR 29320, July 

18, 1985, unless otherwise noted. 

§ 135.261 Applicability. 

Sections 135.263 through 135.273 of 

this part prescribe flight time limita-
tions, duty period limitations, and rest 
requirements for operations conducted 
under this part as follows: 

(a) Section 135.263 applies to all oper-

ations under this subpart. 

(b) Section 135.265 applies to: 
(1) Scheduled passenger-carrying op-

erations except those conducted solely 
within the state of Alaska. ‘‘Scheduled 
passenger-carrying operations’’ means 
passenger-carrying operations that are 
conducted in accordance with a pub-
lished schedule which covers at least 
five round trips per week on at least 
one route between two or more points, 
includes dates or times (or both), and is 
openly advertised or otherwise made 
readily available to the general public, 
and 

(2) Any other operation under this 

part, if the operator elects to comply 
with § 135.265 and obtains an appro-
priate operations specification amend-
ment. 

(c) Sections 135.267 and 135.269 apply 

to any operation that is not a sched-
uled passenger-carrying operation and 
to any operation conducted solely 
within the State of Alaska, unless the 
operator elects to comply with § 135.265 
as authorized under paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section. 

(d) Section 135.271 contains special 

daily flight time limits for operations 
conducted under the helicopter emer-
gency medical evacuation service 
(HEMES). 

(e) Section 135.273 prescribes duty pe-

riod limitations and rest requirements 
for flight attendants in all operations 
conducted under this part. 

[Doc. No. 23634, 50 FR 29320, July 18, 1985, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–52, 59 FR 42993, Aug. 
19, 1994] 

§ 135.263 Flight time limitations and 

rest requirements: All certificate 

holders. 

(a) A certificate holder may assign a 

flight crewmember and a flight crew-
member may accept an assignment for 
flight time only when the applicable 
requirements of §§ 135.263 through 
135.271 are met. 

(b) No certificate holder may assign 

any flight crewmember to any duty 
with the certificate holder during any 
required rest period. 

(c) Time spent in transportation, not 

local in character, that a certificate 
holder requires of a flight crewmember 
and provides to transport the crew-
member to an airport at which he is to 
serve on a flight as a crewmember, or 
from an airport at which he was re-
lieved from duty to return to his home 
station, is not considered part of a rest 
period. 

(d) A flight crewmember is not con-

sidered to be assigned flight time in ex-
cess of flight time limitations if the 
flights to which he is assigned nor-
mally terminate within the limita-
tions, but due to circumstances beyond 
the control of the certificate holder or 
flight crewmember (such as adverse 
weather conditions), are not at the 
time of departure expected to reach 
their destination within the planned 
flight time. 

§ 135.265 Flight time limitations and 

rest requirements: Scheduled oper-

ations. 

(a) No certificate holder may sched-

ule any flight crewmember, and no 
flight crewmember may accept an as-
signment, for flight time in scheduled 
operations or in other commercial fly-
ing if that crewmember’s total flight 
time in all commercial flying will ex-
ceed— 

(1) 1,200 hours in any calendar year. 
(2) 120 hours in any calendar month. 
(3) 34 hours in any 7 consecutive days. 
(4) 8 hours during any 24 consecutive 

hours for a flight crew consisting of 
one pilot. 

(5) 8 hours between required rest peri-

ods for a flight crew consisting of two 
pilots qualified under this part for the 
operation being conducted. 

(b) Except as provided in paragraph 

(c) of this section, no certificate holder 

background image

479 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.267 

may schedule a flight crewmember, 
and no flight crewmember may accept 
an assignment, for flight time during 
the 24 consecutive hours preceding the 
scheduled completion of any flight seg-
ment without a scheduled rest period 
during that 24 hours of at least the fol-
lowing: 

(1) 9 consecutive hours of rest for less 

than 8 hours of scheduled flight time. 

(2) 10 consecutive hours of rest for 8 

or more but less than 9 hours of sched-
uled flight time. 

(3) 11 consecutive hours of rest for 9 

or more hours of scheduled flight time. 

(c) A certificate holder may schedule 

a flight crewmember for less than the 
rest required in paragraph (b) of this 
section or may reduce a scheduled rest 
under the following conditions: 

(1) A rest required under paragraph 

(b)(1) of this section may be scheduled 
for or reduced to a minimum of 8 hours 
if the flight crewmember is given a rest 
period of at least 10 hours that must 
begin no later than 24 hours after the 
commencement of the reduced rest pe-
riod. 

(2) A rest required under paragraph 

(b)(2) of this section may be scheduled 
for or reduced to a minimum of 8 hours 
if the flight crewmember is given a rest 
period of at least 11 hours that must 
begin no later than 24 hours after the 
commencement of the reduced rest pe-
riod. 

(3) A rest required under paragraph 

(b)(3) of this section may be scheduled 
for or reduced to a minimum of 9 hours 
if the flight crewmember is given a rest 
period of at least 12 hours that must 
begin no later than 24 hours after the 
commencement of the reduced rest pe-
riod. 

(d) Each certificate holder shall re-

lieve each flight crewmember engaged 
in scheduled air transportation from 
all further duty for at least 24 consecu-
tive hours during any 7 consecutive 
days. 

§ 135.267 Flight time limitations and 

rest requirements: Unscheduled 

one- and two-pilot crews. 

(a) No certificate holder may assign 

any flight crewmember, and no flight 
crewmember may accept an assign-
ment, for flight time as a member of a 
one- or two-pilot crew if that crew-

member’s total flight time in all com-
mercial flying will exceed— 

(1) 500 hours in any calendar quarter. 
(2) 800 hours in any two consecutive 

calendar quarters. 

(3) 1,400 hours in any calendar year. 
(b) Except as provided in paragraph 

(c) of this section, during any 24 con-
secutive hours the total flight time of 
the assigned flight when added to any 
other commercial flying by that flight 
crewmember may not exceed— 

(1) 8 hours for a flight crew con-

sisting of one pilot; or 

(2) 10 hours for a flight crew con-

sisting of two pilots qualified under 
this part for the operation being con-
ducted. 

(c) A flight crewmember’s flight time 

may exceed the flight time limits of 
paragraph (b) of this section if the as-
signed flight time occurs during a regu-
larly assigned duty period of no more 
than 14 hours and— 

(1) If this duty period is immediately 

preceded by and followed by a required 
rest period of at least 10 consecutive 
hours of rest; 

(2) If flight time is assigned during 

this period, that total flight time when 
added to any other commercial flying 
by the flight crewmember may not ex-
ceed— 

(i) 8 hours for a flight crew consisting 

of one pilot; or 

(ii) 10 hours for a flight crew con-

sisting of two pilots; and 

(3) If the combined duty and rest pe-

riods equal 24 hours. 

(d) Each assignment under paragraph 

(b) of this section must provide for at 
least 10 consecutive hours of rest dur-
ing the 24-hour period that precedes 
the planned completion time of the as-
signment. 

(e) When a flight crewmember has ex-

ceeded the daily flight time limitations 
in this section, because of cir-
cumstances beyond the control of the 
certificate holder or flight crew-
member (such as adverse weather con-
ditions), that flight crewmember must 
have a rest period before being assigned 
or accepting an assignment for flight 
time of at least— 

(1) 11 consecutive hours of rest if the 

flight time limitation is exceeded by 
not more than 30 minutes; 

background image

480 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.269 

(2) 12 consecutive hours of rest if the 

flight time limitation is exceeded by 
more than 30 minutes, but not more 
than 60 minutes; and 

(3) 16 consecutive hours of rest if the 

flight time limitation is exceeded by 
more than 60 minutes. 

(f) The certificate holder must pro-

vide each flight crewmember at least 13 
rest periods of at least 24 consecutive 
hours each in each calendar quarter. 

[Doc. No. 23634, 50 FR 29320, July 18, 1985, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–33, 54 FR 39294, Sept. 
25, 1989; Amdt. 135–60, 61 FR 2616, Jan. 26, 
1996] 

§ 135.269 Flight time limitations and 

rest requirements: Unscheduled 

three- and four-pilot crews. 

(a) No certificate holder may assign 

any flight crewmember, and no flight 
crewmember may accept an assign-
ment, for flight time as a member of a 
three- or four-pilot crew if that crew-
member’s total flight time in all com-
mercial flying will exceed— 

(1) 500 hours in any calendar quarter. 
(2) 800 hours in any two consecutive 

calendar quarters. 

(3) 1,400 hours in any calendar year. 
(b) No certificate holder may assign 

any pilot to a crew of three or four pi-
lots, unless that assignment provides— 

(1) At least 10 consecutive hours of 

rest immediately preceding the assign-
ment; 

(2) No more than 8 hours of flight 

deck duty in any 24 consecutive hours; 

(3) No more than 18 duty hours for a 

three-pilot crew or 20 duty hours for a 
four-pilot crew in any 24 consecutive 
hours; 

(4) No more than 12 hours aloft for a 

three-pilot crew or 16 hours aloft for a 
four-pilot crew during the maximum 
duty hours specified in paragraph (b)(3) 
of this section; 

(5) Adequate sleeping facilities on the 

aircraft for the relief pilot; 

(6) Upon completion of the assign-

ment, a rest period of at least 12 hours; 

(7) For a three-pilot crew, a crew 

which consists of at least the fol-
lowing: 

(i) A pilot in command (PIC) who 

meets the applicable flight crew-
member requirements of subpart E of 
part 135; 

(ii) A PIC who meets the applicable 

flight crewmember requirements of 
subpart E of part 135, except those pre-
scribed in §§ 135.244 and 135.247; and 

(iii) A second in command (SIC) who 

meets the SIC qualifications of 
§ 135.245. 

(8) For a four-pilot crew, at least 

three pilots who meet the conditions of 
paragraph (b)(7) of this section, plus a 
fourth pilot who meets the SIC quali-
fications of § 135.245. 

(c) When a flight crewmember has ex-

ceeded the daily flight deck duty limi-
tation in this section by more than 60 
minutes, because of circumstances be-
yond the control of the certificate 
holder or flight crewmember, that 
flight crewmember must have a rest 
period before the next duty period of at 
least 16 consecutive hours. 

(d) A certificate holder must provide 

each flight crewmember at least 13 rest 
periods of at least 24 consecutive hours 
each in each calendar quarter. 

§ 135.271 Helicopter hospital emer-

gency medical evacuation service 

(HEMES). 

(a) No certificate holder may assign 

any flight crewmember, and no flight 
crewmember may accept an assign-
ment for flight time if that crew-
member’s total flight time in all com-
mercial flight will exceed— 

(1) 500 hours in any calendar quarter. 
(2) 800 hours in any two consecutive 

calendar quarters. 

(3) 1,400 hours in any calendar year. 
(b) No certificate holder may assign a 

helicopter flight crewmember, and no 
flight crewmember may accept an as-
signment, for hospital emergency med-
ical evacuation service helicopter oper-
ations unless that assignment provides 
for at least 10 consecutive hours of rest 
immediately preceding reporting to the 
hospital for availability for flight time. 

(c) No flight crewmember may accrue 

more than 8 hours of flight time during 
any 24-consecutive hour period of a 
HEMES assignment, unless an emer-
gency medical evacuation operation is 
prolonged. Each flight crewmember 
who exceeds the daily 8 hour flight 
time limitation in this paragraph must 
be relieved of the HEMES assignment 
immediately upon the completion of 

background image

481 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.273 

that emergency medical evacuation op-
eration and must be given a rest period 
in compliance with paragraph (h) of 
this section. 

(d) Each flight crewmember must re-

ceive at least 8 consecutive hours of 
rest during any 24 consecutive hour pe-
riod of a HEMES assignment. A flight 
crewmember must be relieved of the 
HEMES assignment if he or she has not 
or cannot receive at least 8 consecutive 
hours of rest during any 24 consecutive 
hour period of a HEMES assignment. 

(e) A HEMES assignment may not ex-

ceed 72 consecutive hours at the hos-
pital. 

(f) An adequate place of rest must be 

provided at, or in close proximity to, 
the hospital at which the HEMES as-
signment is being performed. 

(g) No certificate holder may assign 

any other duties to a flight crew-
member during a HEMES assignment. 

(h) Each pilot must be given a rest 

period upon completion of the HEMES 
assignment and prior to being assigned 
any further duty with the certificate 
holder of— 

(1) At least 12 consecutive hours for 

an assignment of less than 48 hours. 

(2) At least 16 consecutive hours for 

an assignment of more than 48 hours. 

(i) The certificate holder must pro-

vide each flight crewmember at least 13 
rest periods of at least 24 consecutive 
hours each in each calendar quarter. 

§ 135.273 Duty period limitations and 

rest time requirements. 

(a) For purposes of this section— 

Calendar day 

means the period of 

elapsed time, using Coordinated Uni-
versal Time or local time, that begins 
at midnight and ends 24 hours later at 
the next midnight. 

Duty period 

means the period of 

elapsed time between reporting for an 
assignment involving flight time and 
release from that assignment by the 
certificate holder. The time is cal-
culated using either Coordinated Uni-
versal Time or local time to reflect the 
total elapsed time. 

Flight attendant 

means an individual, 

other than a flight crewmember, who is 
assigned by the certificate holder, in 
accordance with the required minimum 
crew complement under the certificate 
holder’s operations specifications or in 

addition to that minimum com-
plement, to duty in an aircraft during 
flight time and whose duties include 
but are not necessarily limited to 
cabin-safety-related responsibilities. 

Rest period 

means the period free of 

all responsibility for work or duty 
should the occasion arise. 

(b) Except as provided in paragraph 

(c) of this section, a certificate holder 
may assign a duty period to a flight at-
tendant only when the applicable duty 
period limitations and rest require-
ments of this paragraph are met. 

(1) Except as provided in paragraphs 

(b)(4), (b)(5), and (b)(6) of this section, 
no certificate holder may assign a 
flight attendant to a scheduled duty 
period of more than 14 hours. 

(2) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b)(3) of this section, a flight attendant 
scheduled to a duty period of 14 hours 
or less as provided under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section must be given a 
scheduled rest period of at least 9 con-
secutive hours. This rest period must 
occur between the completion of the 
scheduled duty period and the com-
mencement of the subsequent duty pe-
riod. 

(3) The rest period required under 

paragraph (b)(2) of this section may be 
scheduled or reduced to 8 consecutive 
hours if the flight attendant is pro-
vided a subsequent rest period of at 
least 10 consecutive hours; this subse-
quent rest period must be scheduled to 
begin no later than 24 hours after the 
beginning of the reduced rest period 
and must occur between the comple-
tion of the scheduled duty period and 
the commencement of the subsequent 
duty period. 

(4) A certificate holder may assign a 

flight attendant to a scheduled duty 
period of more than 14 hours, but no 
more than 16 hours, if the certificate 
holder has assigned to the flight or 
flights in that duty period at least one 
flight attendant in addition to the min-
imum flight attendant complement re-
quired for the flight or flights in that 
duty period under the certificate hold-
er’s operations specifications. 

(5) A certificate holder may assign a 

flight attendant to a scheduled duty 
period of more than 16 hours, but no 
more than 18 hours, if the certificate 
holder has assigned to the flight or 

background image

482 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.273 

flights in that duty period at least two 
flight attendants in addition to the 
minimum flight attendant complement 
required for the flight or flights in that 
duty period under the certificate hold-
er’s operations specifications. 

(6) A certificate holder may assign a 

flight attendant to a scheduled duty 
period of more than 18 hours, but no 
more than 20 hours, if the scheduled 
duty period includes one or more 
flights that land or take off outside the 
48 contiguous states and the District of 
Columbia, and if the certificate holder 
has assigned to the flight or flights in 
that duty period at least three flight 
attendants in addition to the minimum 
flight attendant complement required 
for the flight or flights in that duty pe-
riod under the certificate holder’s oper-
ations specifications. 

(7) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b)(8) of this section, a flight attendant 
scheduled to a duty period of more 
than 14 hours but no more than 20 
hours, as provided in paragraphs (b)(4), 
(b)(5), and (b)(6) of this section, must be 
given a scheduled rest period of at least 
12 consecutive hours. This rest period 
must occur between the completion of 
the scheduled duty period and the com-
mencement of the subsequent duty pe-
riod. 

(8) The rest period required under 

paragraph (b)(7) of this section may be 
scheduled or reduced to 10 consecutive 
hours if the flight attendant is pro-
vided a subsequent rest period of at 
least 14 consecutive hours; this subse-
quent rest period must be scheduled to 
begin no later than 24 hours after the 
beginning of the reduced rest period 
and must occur between the comple-
tion of the scheduled duty period and 
the commencement of the subsequent 
duty period. 

(9) Notwithstanding paragraphs 

(b)(4), (b)(5), and (b)(6) of this section, if 
a certificate holder elects to reduce the 
rest period to 10 hours as authorized by 
paragraph (b)(8) of this section, the cer-
tificate holder may not schedule a 
flight attendant for a duty period of 
more than 14 hours during the 24-hour 
period commencing after the beginning 
of the reduced rest period. 

(10) No certificate holder may assign 

a flight attendant any duty period with 
the certificate holder unless the flight 

attendant has had at least the min-
imum rest required under this section. 

(11) No certificate holder may assign 

a flight attendant to perform any duty 
with the certificate holder during any 
required rest period. 

(12) Time spent in transportation, 

not local in character, that a certifi-
cate holder requires of a flight attend-
ant and provides to transport the flight 
attendant to an airport at which that 
flight attendant is to serve on a flight 
as a crewmember, or from an airport at 
which the flight attendant was relieved 
from duty to return to the flight at-
tendant’s home station, is not consid-
ered part of a rest period. 

(13) Each certificate holder must re-

lieve each flight attendant engaged in 
air transportation from all further 
duty for at least 24 consecutive hours 
during any 7 consecutive calendar 
days. 

(14) A flight attendant is not consid-

ered to be scheduled for duty in excess 
of duty period limitations if the flights 
to which the flight attendant is as-
signed are scheduled and normally ter-
minate within the limitations but due 
to circumstances beyond the control of 
the certificate holder (such as adverse 
weather conditions) are not at the time 
of departure expected to reach their 
destination within the scheduled time. 

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of 

this section, a certificate holder may 
apply the flight crewmember flight 
time and duty limitations and rest re-
quirements of this part to flight at-
tendants for all operations conducted 
under this part provided that— 

(1) The certificate holder establishes 

written procedures that— 

(i) Apply to all flight attendants used 

in the certificate holder’s operation; 

(ii) Include the flight crewmember 

requirements contained in subpart F of 
this part, as appropriate to the oper-
ation being conducted, except that rest 
facilities on board the aircraft are not 
required; and 

(iii) Include provisions to add one 

flight attendant to the minimum flight 
attendant complement for each flight 
crewmember who is in excess of the 
minimum number required in the air-
craft type certificate data sheet and 
who is assigned to the aircraft under 

background image

483 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.293 

the provisions of subpart F of this part, 
as applicable. 

(iv) Are approved by the Adminis-

trator and described or referenced in 
the certificate holder’s operations 
specifications; and 

(2) Whenever the Administrator finds 

that revisions are necessary for the 
continued adequacy of duty period lim-
itation and rest requirement proce-
dures that are required by paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section and that had been 
granted final approval, the certificate 
holder must, after notification by the 
Administrator, make any changes in 
the procedures that are found nec-
essary by the Administrator. Within 30 
days after the certificate holder re-
ceives such notice, it may file a peti-
tion to reconsider the notice with the 
responsible Flight Standards office. 
The filing of a petition to reconsider 
stays the notice, pending decision by 
the Administrator. However, if the Ad-
ministrator finds that there is an 
emergency that requires immediate ac-
tion in the interest of safety, the Ad-
ministrator may, upon a statement of 
the reasons, require a change effective 
without stay. 

[Amdt. 135–52, 59 FR 42993, Aug. 19, 1994, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–60, 61 FR 2616, Jan. 26, 
1996; Docket FAA–2018–0119, Amdt. 135–139, 83 
FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

Subpart G—Crewmember Testing 

Requirements 

§ 135.291 Applicability. 

Except as provided in § 135.3, this sub-

part— 

(a) Prescribes the tests and checks 

required for pilot and flight attendant 
crewmembers and for the approval of 
check pilots in operations under this 
part; and 

(b) Permits training center personnel 

authorized under part 142 of this chap-
ter who meet the requirements of 
§§ 135.337 and 135.339 to conduct train-
ing, testing, and checking under con-
tract or other arrangement to those 
persons subject to the requirements of 
this subpart. 

[Doc. No. 26933, 61 FR 34561, July 2, 1996, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–91, 68 FR 54587, Sept. 
17, 2003] 

§ 135.293 Initial and recurrent pilot 

testing requirements. 

(a) No certificate holder may use a 

pilot, nor may any person serve as a 
pilot, unless, since the beginning of the 
12th calendar month before that serv-
ice, that pilot has passed a written or 
oral test, given by the Administrator 
or an authorized check pilot, on that 
pilot’s knowledge in the following 
areas— 

(1) The appropriate provisions of 

parts 61, 91, and 135 of this chapter and 
the operations specifications and the 
manual of the certificate holder; 

(2) For each type of aircraft to be 

flown by the pilot, the aircraft power-
plant, major components and systems, 
major appliances, performance and op-
erating limitations, standard and 
emergency operating procedures, and 
the contents of the approved Aircraft 
Flight Manual or equivalent, as appli-
cable; 

(3) For each type of aircraft to be 

flown by the pilot, the method of deter-
mining compliance with weight and 
balance limitations for takeoff, landing 
and en route operations; 

(4) Navigation and use of air naviga-

tion aids appropriate to the operation 
or pilot authorization, including, when 
applicable, instrument approach facili-
ties and procedures; 

(5) Air traffic control procedures, in-

cluding IFR procedures when applica-
ble; 

(6) Meteorology in general, including 

the principles of frontal systems, icing, 
fog, thunderstorms, and windshear, 
and, if appropriate for the operation of 
the certificate holder, high altitude 
weather; 

(7) Procedures for— 
(i) Recognizing and avoiding severe 

weather situations; 

(ii) Escaping from severe weather sit-

uations, in case of inadvertent encoun-
ters, including low-altitude windshear 
(except that rotorcraft pilots are not 
required to be tested on escaping from 
low-altitude windshear); 

(iii) Operating in or near thunder-

storms (including best penetrating al-
titudes), turbulent air (including clear 
air turbulence), icing, hail, and other 
potentially hazardous meteorological 
conditions; and 

background image

484 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.295 

(8) New equipment, procedures, or 

techniques, as appropriate; and 

(9) For rotorcraft pilots, procedures 

for aircraft handling in flat-light, 
whiteout, and brownout conditions, in-
cluding methods for recognizing and 
avoiding those conditions. 

(b) No certificate holder may use a 

pilot, nor may any person serve as a 
pilot, in any aircraft unless, since the 
beginning of the 12th calendar month 
before that service, that pilot has 
passed a competency check given by 
the Administrator or an authorized 
check pilot in that class of aircraft, if 
single-engine airplane other than tur-
bojet, or that type of aircraft, if heli-
copter, multiengine airplane, or tur-
bojet airplane, to determine the pilot’s 
competence in practical skills and 
techniques in that aircraft or class of 
aircraft. The extent of the competency 
check shall be determined by the Ad-
ministrator or authorized check pilot 
conducting the competency check. The 
competency check may include any of 
the maneuvers and procedures cur-
rently required for the original 
issuance of the particular pilot certifi-
cate required for the operations au-
thorized and appropriate to the cat-
egory, class and type of aircraft in-
volved. For the purposes of this para-
graph, type, as to an airplane, means 
any one of a group of airplanes deter-
mined by the Administrator to have a 
similar means of propulsion, the same 
manufacturer, and no significantly dif-
ferent handling or flight characteris-
tics. For the purposes of this para-
graph, type, as to a helicopter, means a 
basic make and model. 

(c) Each competency check given in a 

rotorcraft must include a demonstra-
tion of the pilot’s ability to maneuver 
the rotorcraft solely by reference to in-
struments. The check must determine 
the pilot’s ability to safely maneuver 
the rotorcraft into visual meteorolog-
ical conditions following an inad-
vertent encounter with instrument me-
teorological conditions. For com-
petency checks in non-IFR-certified 
rotorcraft, the pilot must perform such 
maneuvers as are appropriate to the 
rotorcraft’s installed equipment, the 
certificate holder’s operations speci-
fications, and the operating environ-
ment. 

(d) The instrument proficiency check 

required by § 135.297 may be substituted 
for the competency check required by 
this section for the type of aircraft 
used in the check. 

(e) For the purpose of this part, com-

petent performance of a procedure or 
maneuver by a person to be used as a 
pilot requires that the pilot be the ob-
vious master of the aircraft, with the 
successful outcome of the maneuver 
never in doubt. 

(f) The Administrator or authorized 

check pilot certifies the competency of 
each pilot who passes the knowledge or 
flight check in the certificate holder’s 
pilot records. 

(g) Portions of a required competency 

check may be given in an aircraft sim-
ulator or other appropriate training de-
vice, if approved by the Administrator. 

(h) Rotorcraft pilots must be tested 

on the subjects in paragraph (a)(9) of 
this section when taking a written or 
oral knowledge test after April 22, 2015. 
Rotorcraft pilots must be checked on 
the maneuvers and procedures in para-
graph (c) of this section when taking a 
competency check after April 22, 2015. 

(i) If the certificate holder is author-

ized to conduct EFVS operations, the 
competency check in paragraph (b) of 
this section must include tasks appro-
priate to the EFVS operations the cer-
tificate holder is authorized to con-
duct. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–27, 53 FR 37697, Sept. 
27, 1988; Amdt. 135–129, 79 FR 9974, Feb. 21, 
2014; 79 FR 22012, Apr. 21, 2014; Docket FAA– 
2013–0485, Amdt. 135–135, 81 FR 90177, Dec. 13, 
2016] 

§ 135.295 Initial and recurrent flight 

attendant crewmember testing re-

quirements. 

No certificate holder may use a flight 

attendant crewmember, nor may any 
person serve as a flight attendant crew-
member unless, since the beginning of 
the 12th calendar month before that 
service, the certificate holder has de-
termined by appropriate initial and re-
current testing that the person is 
knowledgeable and competent in the 
following areas as appropriate to as-
signed duties and responsibilities— 

(a) Authority of the pilot in com-

mand; 

background image

485 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.297 

(b) Passenger handling, including 

procedures to be followed in handling 
deranged persons or other persons 
whose conduct might jeopardize safety; 

(c) Crewmember assignments, func-

tions, and responsibilities during ditch-
ing and evacuation of persons who may 
need the assistance of another person 
to move expeditiously to an exit in an 
emergency; 

(d) Briefing of passengers; 
(e) Location and operation of port-

able fire extinguishers and other items 
of emergency equipment; 

(f) Proper use of cabin equipment and 

controls; 

(g) Location and operation of pas-

senger oxygen equipment; 

(h) Location and operation of all nor-

mal and emergency exits, including 
evacuation chutes and escape ropes; 
and 

(i) Seating of persons who may need 

assistance of another person to move 
rapidly to an exit in an emergency as 
prescribed by the certificate holder’s 
operations manual. 

§ 135.297 Pilot in command: Instru-

ment proficiency check require-

ments. 

(a) No certificate holder may use a 

pilot, nor may any person serve, as a 
pilot in command of an aircraft under 
IFR unless, since the beginning of the 
6th calendar month before that service, 
that pilot has passed an instrument 
proficiency check under this section 
administered by the Administrator or 
an authorized check pilot. 

(b) No pilot may use any type of pre-

cision instrument approach procedure 
under IFR unless, since the beginning 
of the 6th calendar month before that 
use, the pilot satisfactorily dem-
onstrated that type of approach proce-
dure. No pilot may use any type of non-
precision approach procedure under 
IFR unless, since the beginning of the 
6th calendar month before that use, the 
pilot has satisfactorily demonstrated 
either that type of approach procedure 
or any other two different types of non-
precision approach procedures. The in-
strument approach procedure or proce-
dures must include at least one 
straight-in approach, one circling ap-
proach, and one missed approach. Each 
type of approach procedure dem-

onstrated must be conducted to pub-
lished minimums for that procedure. 

(c) The instrument proficiency check 

required by paragraph (a) of this sec-
tion consists of an oral or written 
equipment test and a flight check 
under simulated or actual IFR condi-
tions. The equipment test includes 
questions on emergency procedures, en-
gine operation, fuel and lubrication 
systems, power settings, stall speeds, 
best engine-out speed, propeller and su-
percharger operations, and hydraulic, 
mechanical, and electrical systems, as 
appropriate. The flight check includes 
navigation by instruments, recovery 
from simulated emergencies, and 
standard instrument approaches in-
volving navigational facilities which 
that pilot is to be authorized to use. 
Each pilot taking the instrument pro-
ficiency check must show that stand-
ard of competence required by 
§ 135.293(e). 

(1) The instrument proficiency check 

must— 

(i) For a pilot in command of an air-

plane under § 135.243(a), include the pro-
cedures and maneuvers for an airline 
transport pilot certificate in the par-
ticular type of airplane, if appropriate; 
and 

(ii) For a pilot in command of an air-

plane or helicopter under § 135.243(c), 
include the procedures and maneuvers 
for a commercial pilot certificate with 
an instrument rating and, if required, 
for the appropriate type rating. 

(2) The instrument proficiency check 

must be given by an authorized check 
airman or by the Administrator. 

(d) If the pilot in command is as-

signed to pilot only one type of air-
craft, that pilot must take the instru-
ment proficiency check required by 
paragraph (a) of this section in that 
type of aircraft. 

(e) If the pilot in command is as-

signed to pilot more than one type of 
aircraft, that pilot must take the in-
strument proficiency check required by 
paragraph (a) of this section in each 
type of aircraft to which that pilot is 
assigned, in rotation, but not more 
than one flight check during each pe-
riod described in paragraph (a) of this 
section. 

(f) If the pilot in command is as-

signed to pilot both single-engine and 

background image

486 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.299 

multiengine aircraft, that pilot must 
initially take the instrument pro-
ficiency check required by paragraph 
(a) of this section in a multiengine air-
craft, and each succeeding check alter-
nately in single-engine and multien-
gine aircraft, but not more than one 
flight check during each period de-
scribed in paragraph (a) of this section. 
Portions of a required flight check may 
be given in an aircraft simulator or 
other appropriate training device, if 
approved by the Administrator. 

(g) If the pilot in command is author-

ized to use an autopilot system in place 
of a second in command, that pilot 
must show, during the required instru-
ment proficiency check, that the pilot 
is able (without a second in command) 
both with and without using the auto-
pilot to— 

(1) Conduct instrument operations 

competently; and 

(2) Properly conduct air-ground com-

munications and comply with complex 
air traffic control instructions. 

(3) Each pilot taking the autopilot 

check must show that, while using the 
autopilot, the airplane can be operated 
as proficiently as it would be if a sec-
ond in command were present to han-
dle air-ground communications and air 
traffic control instructions. The auto-
pilot check need only be demonstrated 
once every 12 calendar months during 
the instrument proficiency check re-
quired under paragraph (a) of this sec-
tion. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–15, 46 FR 30971, June 
11, 1981; Amdt. 135–129, 79 FR 9975, Feb. 21, 
2014] 

§ 135.299 Pilot in command: Line 

checks: Routes and airports. 

(a) No certificate holder may use a 

pilot, nor may any person serve, as a 
pilot in command of a flight unless, 
since the beginning of the 12th cal-
endar month before that service, that 
pilot has passed a flight check in one of 
the types of aircraft which that pilot is 
to fly. The flight check shall— 

(1) Be given by an approved check 

pilot or by the Administrator; 

(2) Consist of at least one flight over 

one route segment; and 

(3) Include takeoffs and landings at 

one or more representative airports. In 

addition to the requirements of this 
paragraph, for a pilot authorized to 
conduct IFR operations, at least one 
flight shall be flown over a civil air-
way, an approved off-airway route, or a 
portion of either of them. 

(b) The pilot who conducts the check 

shall determine whether the pilot being 
checked satisfactorily performs the du-
ties and responsibilities of a pilot in 
command in operations under this 
part, and shall so certify in the pilot 
training record. 

(c) Each certificate holder shall es-

tablish in the manual required by 
§ 135.21 a procedure which will ensure 
that each pilot who has not flown over 
a route and into an airport within the 
preceding 90 days will, before beginning 
the flight, become familiar with all 
available information required for the 
safe operation of that flight. 

§ 135.301 Crewmember: Tests and 

checks, grace provisions, training 
to accepted standards. 

(a) If a crewmember who is required 

to take a test or a flight check under 
this part, completes the test or flight 
check in the calendar month before or 
after the calendar month in which it is 
required, that crewmember is consid-
ered to have completed the test or 
check in the calendar month in which 
it is required. 

(b) If a pilot being checked under this 

subpart fails any of the required ma-
neuvers, the person giving the check 
may give additional training to the 
pilot during the course of the check. In 
addition to repeating the maneuvers 
failed, the person giving the check may 
require the pilot being checked to re-
peat any other maneuvers that are nec-
essary to determine the pilot’s pro-
ficiency. If the pilot being checked is 
unable to demonstrate satisfactory 
performance to the person conducting 
the check, the certificate holder may 
not use the pilot, nor may the pilot 
serve, as a flight crewmember in oper-
ations under this part until the pilot 
has satisfactorily completed the check. 

background image

487 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.323 

Subpart H—Training 

§ 135.321 Applicability and terms used. 

(a) Except as provided in § 135.3, this 

subpart prescribes the requirements 
applicable to— 

(1) A certificate holder under this 

part which contracts with, or other-
wise arranges to use the services of a 
training center certificated under part 
142 to perform training, testing, and 
checking functions; 

(2) Each certificate holder for estab-

lishing and maintaining an approved 
training program for crewmembers, 
check airmen and instructors, and 
other operations personnel employed or 
used by that certificate holder; and 

(3) Each certificate holder for the 

qualification, approval, and use of air-
craft simulators and flight training de-
vices in the conduct of the program. 

(b) For the purposes of this subpart, 

the following terms and definitions 
apply: 

(1) 

Initial training. 

The training re-

quired for crewmembers who have not 
qualified and served in the same capac-
ity on an aircraft. 

(2) 

Transition training. 

The training 

required for crewmembers who have 
qualified and served in the same capac-
ity on another aircraft. 

(3) 

Upgrade training. 

The training re-

quired for crewmembers who have 
qualified and served as second in com-
mand on a particular aircraft type, be-
fore they serve as pilot in command on 
that aircraft. 

(4) 

Differences training. 

The training 

required for crewmembers who have 
qualified and served on a particular 
type aircraft, when the Administrator 
finds differences training is necessary 
before a crewmember serves in the 
same capacity on a particular vari-
ation of that aircraft. 

(5) 

Recurrent training. 

The training 

required for crewmembers to remain 
adequately trained and currently pro-
ficient for each aircraft, crewmember 
position, and type of operation in 
which the crewmember serves. 

(6) 

In flight. 

The maneuvers, proce-

dures, or functions that must be con-
ducted in the aircraft. 

(7) 

Training center. 

An organization 

governed by the applicable require-
ments of part 142 of this chapter that 

conducts training, testing, and check-
ing under contract or other arrange-
ment to certificate holders subject to 
the requirements of this part. 

(8) 

Requalification training. 

The train-

ing required for crewmembers pre-
viously trained and qualified, but who 
have become unqualified due to not 
having met within the required period 
the— 

(i) Recurrent pilot testing require-

ments of § 135.293; 

(ii) Instrument proficiency check re-

quirements of § 135.297; or 

(iii) Line checks required by § 135.299. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 121–250, 60 FR 65950, Dec. 
20, 1995; Amdt. 135–63, 61 FR 34561, July 2, 
1996; Amdt. 135–91, 68 FR 54588, Sept. 17, 2003] 

§ 135.323 Training program: General. 

(a) Each certificate holder required 

to have a training program under 
§ 135.341 shall: 

(1) Establish and implement a train-

ing program that satisfies the require-
ments of this subpart and that ensures 
that each crewmember, aircraft dis-
patcher, flight instructor and check 
airman is adequately trained to per-
form his or her assigned duties. Prior 
to implementation, the certificate 
holder must obtain initial and final 
FAA approval of the training program. 

(2) Provide adequate ground and 

flight training facilities and properly 
qualified ground instructors for the 
training required by this subpart. 

(3) Provide and keep current for each 

aircraft type used and, if applicable, 
the particular variations within the 
aircraft type, appropriate training ma-
terial, examinations, forms, instruc-
tions, and procedures for use in con-
ducting the training and checks re-
quired by this subpart. 

(4) Provide enough flight instructors, 

check airmen, and simulator instruc-
tors to conduct required flight training 
and flight checks, and simulator train-
ing courses allowed under this subpart. 

(b) Whenever a crewmember who is 

required to take recurrent training 
under this subpart completes the train-
ing in the calendar month before, or 
the calendar month after, the month in 
which that training is required, the 
crewmember is considered to have 

background image

488 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.324 

completed it in the calendar month in 
which it was required. 

(c) Each instructor, supervisor, or 

check airman who is responsible for a 
particular ground training subject, seg-
ment of flight training, course of train-
ing, flight check, or competence check 
under this part shall certify as to the 
proficiency and knowledge of the crew-
member, flight instructor, or check 
airman concerned upon completion of 
that training or check. That certifi-
cation shall be made a part of the crew-
member’s record. When the certifi-
cation required by this paragraph is 
made by an entry in a computerized 
recordkeeping system, the certifying 
instructor, supervisor, or check air-
man, must be identified with that 
entry. However, the signature of the 
certifying instructor, supervisor, or 
check airman, is not required for com-
puterized entries. 

(d) Training subjects that apply to 

more than one aircraft or crewmember 
position and that have been satisfac-
torily completed during previous train-
ing while employed by the certificate 
holder for another aircraft or another 
crewmember position, need not be re-
peated during subsequent training 
other than recurrent training. 

(e) Aircraft simulators and other 

training devices may be used in the 
certificate holder’s training program if 
approved by the Administrator. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–101, 70 FR 58829, Oct. 
7, 2005] 

§ 135.324 Training program: Special 

rules. 

(a) Other than the certificate holder, 

only another certificate holder certifi-
cated under this part or a training cen-
ter certificated under part 142 of this 
chapter is eligible under this subpart 
to conduct training, testing, and 
checking under contract or other ar-
rangement to those persons subject to 
the requirements of this subpart. 

(b) A certificate holder may contract 

with, or otherwise arrange to use the 
services of, a training center certifi-
cated under part 142 of this chapter to 
conduct training, testing, and checking 
required by this part only if the train-
ing center— 

(1) Holds applicable training speci-

fications issued under part 142 of this 
chapter; 

(2) Has facilities, training equipment, 

and courseware meeting the applicable 
requirements of part 142 of this chap-
ter; 

(3) Has approved curriculums, cur-

riculum segments, and portions of cur-
riculum segments applicable for use in 
training courses required by this sub-
part; and 

(4) Has sufficient instructor and 

check airmen qualified under the appli-
cable requirements of §§ 135.337 through 
135.340 to provide training, testing, and 
checking to persons subject to the re-
quirements of this subpart. 

[Doc. No. 26933, 61 FR 34562, July 2, 1996, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–67, 62 FR 13791, Mar. 
21, 1997; Amdt. 135–91, 68 FR 54588, Sept. 17, 
2003] 

§ 135.325 Training program and revi-

sion: Initial and final approval. 

(a) To obtain initial and final ap-

proval of a training program, or a revi-
sion to an approved training program, 
each certificate holder must submit to 
the Administrator— 

(1) An outline of the proposed or re-

vised curriculum, that provides enough 
information for a preliminary evalua-
tion of the proposed training program 
or revision; and 

(2) Additional relevant information 

that may be requested by the Adminis-
trator. 

(b) If the proposed training program 

or revision complies with this subpart, 
the Administrator grants initial ap-
proval in writing after which the cer-
tificate holder may conduct the train-
ing under that program. The Adminis-
trator then evaluates the effectiveness 
of the training program and advises the 
certificate holder of deficiencies, if 
any, that must be corrected. 

(c) The Administrator grants final 

approval of the proposed training pro-
gram or revision if the certificate hold-
er shows that the training conducted 
under the initial approval in paragraph 
(b) of this section ensures that each 
person who successfully completes the 
training is adequately trained to per-
form that person’s assigned duties. 

(d) Whenever the Administrator finds 

that revisions are necessary for the 

background image

489 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.330 

continued adequacy of a training pro-
gram that has been granted final ap-
proval, the certificate holder shall, 
after notification by the Adminis-
trator, make any changes in the pro-
gram that are found necessary by the 
Administrator. Within 30 days after the 
certificate holder receives the notice, 
it may file a petition to reconsider the 
notice with the Administrator. The fil-
ing of a petition to reconsider stays the 
notice pending a decision by the Ad-
ministrator. However, if the Adminis-
trator finds that there is an emergency 
that requires immediate action in the 
interest of safety, the Administrator 
may, upon a statement of the reasons, 
require a change effective without 
stay. 

§ 135.327 Training program: Cur-

riculum. 

(a) Each certificate holder must pre-

pare and keep current a written train-
ing program curriculum for each type 
of aircraft for each crewmember re-
quired for that type aircraft. The cur-
riculum must include ground and flight 
training required by this subpart. 

(b) Each training program cur-

riculum must include the following: 

(1) A list of principal ground training 

subjects, including emergency training 
subjects, that are provided. 

(2) A list of all the training devices, 

mockups, systems trainers, procedures 
trainers, or other training aids that 
the certificate holder will use. 

(3) Detailed descriptions or pictorial 

displays of the approved normal, abnor-
mal, and emergency maneuvers, proce-
dures and functions that will be per-
formed during each flight training 
phase or flight check, indicating those 
maneuvers, procedures and functions 
that are to be performed during the 
inflight portions of flight training and 
flight checks. 

§ 135.329 Crewmember training re-

quirements. 

(a) Each certificate holder must in-

clude in its training program the fol-
lowing initial and transition ground 
training as appropriate to the par-
ticular assignment of the crewmember: 

(1) Basic indoctrination ground train-

ing for newly hired crewmembers in-
cluding instruction in at least the— 

(i) Duties and responsibilities of 

crewmembers as applicable; 

(ii) Appropriate provisions of this 

chapter; 

(iii) Contents of the certificate hold-

er’s operating certificate and oper-
ations specifications (not required for 
flight attendants); and 

(iv) Appropriate portions of the cer-

tificate holder’s operating manual. 

(2) The initial and transition ground 

training in §§ 135.345 and 135.349, as ap-
plicable. 

(3) Emergency training in § 135.331. 
(4) Crew resource management train-

ing in § 135.330. 

(b) Each training program must pro-

vide the initial and transition flight 
training in § 135.347, as applicable. 

(c) Each training program must pro-

vide recurrent ground and flight train-
ing in § 135.351. 

(d) Upgrade training in §§ 135.345 and 

135.347 for a particular type aircraft 
may be included in the training pro-
gram for crewmembers who have quali-
fied and served as second in command 
on that aircraft. 

(e) In addition to initial, transition, 

upgrade and recurrent training, each 
training program must provide ground 
and flight training, instruction, and 
practice necessary to ensure that each 
crewmember— 

(1) Remains adequately trained and 

currently proficient for each aircraft, 
crewmember position, and type of oper-
ation in which the crewmember serves; 
and 

(2) Qualifies in new equipment, facili-

ties, procedures, and techniques, in-
cluding modifications to aircraft. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–122, 76 FR 3837, Jan. 
21, 2011] 

§ 135.330 Crew resource management 

training. 

(a) Each certificate holder must have 

an approved crew resource manage-
ment training program that includes 
initial and recurrent training. The 
training program must include at least 
the following: 

(1) Authority of the pilot in com-

mand; 

(2) Communication processes, deci-

sions, and coordination, to include 

background image

490 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.331 

communication with Air Traffic Con-
trol, personnel performing flight locat-
ing and other operational functions, 
and passengers; 

(3) Building and maintenance of a 

flight team; 

(4) Workload and time management; 
(5) Situational awareness; 
(6) Effects of fatigue on performance, 

avoidance strategies and counter-
measures; 

(7) Effects of stress and stress reduc-

tion strategies; and 

(8) Aeronautical decision-making and 

judgment training tailored to the oper-
ator’s flight operations and aviation 
environment. 

(b) After March 22, 2013, no certifi-

cate holder may use a person as a 
flightcrew member or flight attendant 
unless that person has completed ap-
proved crew resource management ini-
tial training with that certificate hold-
er. 

(c) For flightcrew members and flight 

attendants, the Administrator, at his 
or her discretion, may credit crew re-
source management training com-
pleted with that certificate holder be-
fore March 22, 2013, toward all or part 
of the initial CRM training required by 
this section. 

(d) In granting credit for initial CRM 

training, the Administrator considers 
training aids, devices, methods and 
procedures used by the certificate hold-
er in a voluntary CRM program in-
cluded in a training program required 
by § 135.341, § 135.345, or § 135.349. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2009–0023, 76 FR 3837, Jan. 21, 
2011] 

§ 135.331 Crewmember emergency 

training. 

(a) Each training program must pro-

vide emergency training under this sec-
tion for each aircraft type, model, and 
configuration, each crewmember, and 
each kind of operation conducted, as 
appropriate for each crewmember and 
the certificate holder. 

(b) Emergency training must provide 

the following: 

(1) Instruction in emergency assign-

ments and procedures, including co-
ordination among crewmembers. 

(2) Individual instruction in the loca-

tion, function, and operation of emer-
gency equipment including— 

(i) Equipment used in ditching and 

evacuation; 

(ii) First aid equipment and its prop-

er use; and 

(iii) Portable fire extinguishers, with 

emphasis on the type of extinguisher to 
be used on different classes of fires. 

(3) Instruction in the handling of 

emergency situations including— 

(i) Rapid decompression; 
(ii) Fire in flight or on the surface 

and smoke control procedures with em-
phasis on electrical equipment and re-
lated circuit breakers found in cabin 
areas; 

(iii) Ditching and evacuation; 
(iv) Illness, injury, or other abnormal 

situations involving passengers or 
crewmembers; and 

(v) Hijacking and other unusual situ-

ations. 

(4) Review of the certificate holder’s 

previous aircraft accidents and inci-
dents involving actual emergency situ-
ations. 

(c) Each crewmember must perform 

at least the following emergency drills, 
using the proper emergency equipment 
and procedures, unless the Adminis-
trator finds that, for a particular drill, 
the crewmember can be adequately 
trained by demonstration: 

(1) Ditching, if applicable. 
(2) Emergency evacuation. 
(3) Fire extinguishing and smoke con-

trol. 

(4) Operation and use of emergency 

exits, including deployment and use of 
evacuation chutes, if applicable. 

(5) Use of crew and passenger oxygen. 
(6) Removal of life rafts from the air-

craft, inflation of the life rafts, use of 
life lines, and boarding of passengers 
and crew, if applicable. 

(7) Donning and inflation of life vests 

and the use of other individual flota-
tion devices, if applicable. 

(d) Crewmembers who serve in oper-

ations above 25,000 feet must receive 
instruction in the following: 

(1) Respiration. 
(2) Hypoxia. 
(3) Duration of consciousness without 

supplemental oxygen at altitude. 

(4) Gas expansion. 
(5) Gas bubble formation. 
(6) Physical phenomena and incidents 

of decompression. 

background image

491 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.336 

§ 135.335 Approval of aircraft simula-

tors and other training devices. 

(a) Training courses using aircraft 

simulators and other training devices 
may be included in the certificate hold-
er’s training program if approved by 
the Administrator. 

(b) Each aircraft simulator and other 

training device that is used in a train-
ing course or in checks required under 
this subpart must meet the following 
requirements: 

(1) It must be specifically approved 

for— 

(i) The certificate holder; and 
(ii) The particular maneuver, proce-

dure, or crewmember function in-
volved. 

(2) It must maintain the perform-

ance, functional, and other character- 
istics that are required for approval. 

(3) Additionally, for aircraft simula-

tors, it must be— 

(i) Approved for the type aircraft 

and, if applicable, the particular vari-
ation within type for which the train-
ing or check is being conducted; and 

(ii) Modified to conform with any 

modification to the aircraft being sim-
ulated that changes the performance, 
functional, or other characteristics re-
quired for approval. 

(c) A particular aircraft simulator or 

other training device may be used by 
more than one certificate holder. 

(d) In granting initial and final ap-

proval of training programs or revi-
sions to them, the Administrator con-
siders the training devices, methods 
and procedures listed in the certificate 
holder’s curriculum under § 135.327. 

[Doc. No. 16907, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–1, 44 FR 26738, May 7, 
1979] 

§ 135.336 Airline transport pilot certifi-

cation training program. 

(a) A certificate holder may obtain 

approval to establish and implement a 
training program to satisfy the re-
quirements of § 61.156 of this chapter. 
The training program must be separate 
from the air carrier training program 
required by this part. 

(b) No certificate holder may use a 

person nor may any person serve as an 
instructor in a training program ap-
proved to meet the requirements of 

§ 61.156 of this chapter unless the in-
structor: 

(1) Holds an airline transport pilot 

certificate with an airplane category 
multiengine class rating; 

(2) Has at least 2 years of experience 

as a pilot in command in operations 
conducted under § 91.1053(a)(2)(i) of this 
chapter, § 135.243(a)(1) of this part, or as 
a pilot in command or second in com-
mand in any operation conducted 
under part 121 of this chapter; 

(3) Except for the holder of a flight 

instructor certificate, receives initial 
training on the following topics: 

(i) The fundamental principles of the 

learning process; 

(ii) Elements of effective teaching, 

instruction methods, and techniques; 

(iii) Instructor duties, privileges, re-

sponsibilities, and limitations; 

(iv) Training policies and procedures; 

and 

(v) Evaluation. 
(4) If providing training in a flight 

simulation training device, holds an 
aircraft type rating for the aircraft 
represented by the flight simulation 
training device utilized in the training 
program and have received training 
and evaluation within the preceding 12 
months from the certificate holder on: 

(i) Proper operation of flight simu-

lator and flight training device con-
trols and systems; 

(ii) Proper operation of environ-

mental and fault panels; 

(iii) Data and motion limitations of 

simulation; 

(iv) Minimum equipment require-

ments for each curriculum; and 

(v) The maneuvers that will be dem-

onstrated in the flight simulation 
training device. 

(c) A certificate holder may not issue 

a graduation certificate to a student 
unless that student has completed all 
the curriculum requirements of the 
course. 

(d) A certificate holder must conduct 

evaluations to ensure that training 
techniques, procedures, and standards 
are acceptable to the Administrator. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2010–0100, 78 FR 42379, July 15, 
2013] 

background image

492 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.337 

§ 135.337 Qualifications: Check airmen 

(aircraft) and check airmen (simu-

lator). 

(a) For the purposes of this section 

and § 135.339: 

(1) A check airman (aircraft) is a per-

son who is qualified to conduct flight 
checks in an aircraft, in a flight simu-
lator, or in a flight training device for 
a particular type aircraft. 

(2) A check airman (simulator) is a 

person who is qualified to conduct 
flight checks, but only in a flight simu-
lator, in a flight training device, or 
both, for a particular type aircraft. 

(3) Check airmen (aircraft) and check 

airmen (simulator) are those check air-
men who perform the functions de-
scribed in §§ 135.321 (a) and 135.323(a)(4) 
and (c). 

(b) No certificate holder may use a 

person, nor may any person serve as a 
check airman (aircraft) in a training 
program established under this subpart 
unless, with respect to the aircraft 
type involved, that person— 

(1) Holds the airman certificates and 

ratings required to serve as a pilot in 
command in operations under this 
part; 

(2) Has satisfactorily completed the 

training phases for the aircraft, includ-
ing recurrent training, that are re-
quired to serve as a pilot in command 
in operations under this part; 

(3) Has satisfactorily completed the 

proficiency or competency checks that 
are required to serve as a pilot in com-
mand in operations under this part; 

(4) Has satisfactorily completed the 

applicable training requirements of 
§ 135.339; 

(5) Holds at least a Class III medical 

certificate unless serving as a required 
crewmember, in which case holds a 
Class I or Class II medical certificate 
as appropriate. 

(6) Has satisfied the recency of expe-

rience requirements of § 135.247; and 

(7) Has been approved by the Admin-

istrator for the check airman duties in-
volved. 

(c) No certificate holder may use a 

person, nor may any person serve as a 
check airman (simulator) in a training 
program established under this subpart 
unless, with respect to the aircraft 
type involved, that person meets the 

provisions of paragraph (b) of this sec-
tion, or— 

(1) Holds the applicable airman cer-

tificates and ratings, except medical 
certificate, required to serve as a pilot 
in command in operations under this 
part; 

(2) Has satisfactorily completed the 

appropriate training phases for the air-
craft, including recurrent training, 
that are required to serve as a pilot in 
command in operations under this 
part; 

(3) Has satisfactorily completed the 

appropriate proficiency or competency 
checks that are required to serve as a 
pilot in command in operations under 
this part; 

(4) Has satisfactorily completed the 

applicable training requirements of 
§ 135.339; and 

(5) Has been approved by the Admin-

istrator for the check airman (simu-
lator) duties involved. 

(d) Completion of the requirements 

in paragraphs (b) (2), (3), and (4) or (c) 
(2), (3), and (4) of this section, as appli-
cable, shall be entered in the individ-
ual’s training record maintained by the 
certificate holder. 

(e) Check airmen who do not hold an 

appropriate medical certificate may 
function as check airmen (simulator), 
but may not serve as flightcrew mem-
bers in operations under this part. 

(f) A check airman (simulator) must 

accomplish the following— 

(1) Fly at least two flight segments 

as a required crewmember for the type, 
class, or category aircraft involved 
within the 12-month preceding the per-
formance of any check airman duty in 
a flight simulator; or 

(2) Satisfactorily complete an ap-

proved line-observation program with-
in the period prescribed by that pro-
gram and that must precede the per-
formance of any check airman duty in 
a flight simulator. 

(g) The flight segments or line-obser-

vation program required in paragraph 
(f) of this section are considered to be 
completed in the month required if 
completed in the calendar month be-
fore or the calendar month after the 
month in which they are due. 

[Doc. No. 28471, 61 FR 30744, June 17, 1996] 

background image

493 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.338 

§ 135.338 Qualifications: Flight instruc-

tors (aircraft) and flight instructors 

(simulator). 

(a) For the purposes of this section 

and § 135.340: 

(1) A flight instructor (aircraft) is a 

person who is qualified to instruct in 
an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in 
a flight training device for a particular 
type, class, or category aircraft. 

(2) A flight instructor (simulator) is a 

person who is qualified to instruct in a 
flight simulator, in a flight training 
device, or in both, for a particular 
type, class, or category aircraft. 

(3) Flight instructors (aircraft) and 

flight instructors (simulator) are those 
instructors who perform the functions 
described in § 135.321(a) and 135.323 (a)(4) 
and (c). 

(b) No certificate holder may use a 

person, nor may any person serve as a 
flight instructor (aircraft) in a training 
program established under this subpart 
unless, with respect to the type, class, 
or category aircraft involved, that per-
son— 

(1) Holds the airman certificates and 

ratings required to serve as a pilot in 
command in operations under this 
part; 

(2) Has satisfactorily completed the 

training phases for the aircraft, includ-
ing recurrent training, that are re-
quired to serve as a pilot in command 
in operations under this part; 

(3) Has satisfactorily completed the 

proficiency or competency checks that 
are required to serve as a pilot in com-
mand in operations under this part; 

(4) Has satisfactorily completed the 

applicable training requirements of 
§ 135.340; 

(5) Holds at least a Class III medical 

certificate; and 

(6) Has satisfied the recency of expe-

rience requirements of § 135.247. 

(c) No certificate holder may use a 

person, nor may any person serve as a 
flight instructor (simulator) in a train-
ing program established under this sub-
part, unless, with respect to the type, 
class, or category aircraft involved, 
that person meets the provisions of 
paragraph (b) of this section, or— 

(1) Holds the airman certificates and 

ratings, except medical certificate, re-
quired to serve as a pilot in command 
in operations under this part except be-

fore March 19, 1997 that person need not 
hold a type rating for the type, class, 
or category of aircraft involved. 

(2) Has satisfactorily completed the 

appropriate training phases for the air-
craft, including recurrent training, 
that are required to serve as a pilot in 
command in operations under this 
part; 

(3) Has satisfactorily completed the 

appropriate proficiency or competency 
checks that are required to serve as a 
pilot in command in operations under 
this part; and 

(4) Has satisfactorily completed the 

applicable training requirements of 
§ 135.340. 

(d) Completion of the requirements 

in paragraphs (b) (2), (3), and (4) or (c) 
(2), (3), and (4) of this section, as appli-
cable, shall be entered in the individ-
ual’s training record maintained by the 
certificate holder. 

(e) An airman who does not hold a 

medical certificate may function as a 
flight instructor in an aircraft if func-
tioning as a non-required crewmember, 
but may not serve as a flightcrew 
member in operations under this part. 

(f) A flight instructor (simulator) 

must accomplish the following— 

(1) Fly at least two flight segments 

as a required crewmember for the type, 
class, or category aircraft involved 
within the 12-month period preceding 
the performance of any flight instruc-
tor duty in a flight simulator; or 

(2) Satisfactorily complete an ap-

proved line-observation program with-
in the period prescribed by that pro-
gram preceding the performance of any 
flight instructor duty in a flight simu-
lator. 

(g) The flight segments or line-obser-

vation program required in paragraph 
(f) of this section are considered com-
pleted in the month required if com-
pleted in the calendar month before, or 
in the calendar month after, the month 
in which they are due. 

[Doc. No. 28471, 61 FR 30744, June 17, 1996; 62 
FR 3739, Jan. 24, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 
135–125, 76 FR 35104, June 16, 2011] 

background image

494 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.339 

§ 135.339 Initial and transition train-

ing and checking: Check airmen 

(aircraft), check airmen (simulator). 

(a) No certificate holder may use a 

person nor may any person serve as a 
check airman unless— 

(1) That person has satisfactorily 

completed initial or transition check 
airman training; and 

(2) Within the preceding 24 calendar 

months, that person satisfactorily con-
ducts a proficiency or competency 
check under the observation of an FAA 
inspector or an aircrew designated ex-
aminer employed by the operator. The 
observation check may be accom-
plished in part or in full in an aircraft, 
in a flight simulator, or in a flight 
training device. This paragraph applies 
after March 19, 1997. 

(b) The observation check required 

by paragraph (a)(2) of this section is 
considered to have been completed in 
the month required if completed in the 
calendar month before or the calendar 
month after the month in which it is 
due. 

(c) The initial ground training for 

check airmen must include the fol-
lowing: 

(1) Check airman duties, functions, 

and responsibilities. 

(2) The applicable Code of Federal 

Regulations and the certificate hold-
er’s policies and procedures. 

(3) The applicable methods, proce-

dures, and techniques for conducting 
the required checks. 

(4) Proper evaluation of student per-

formance including the detection of— 

(i) Improper and insufficient train-

ing; and 

(ii) Personal characteristics of an ap-

plicant that could adversely affect 
safety. 

(5) The corrective action in the case 

of unsatisfactory checks. 

(6) The approved methods, proce-

dures, and limitations for performing 
the required normal, abnormal, and 
emergency procedures in the aircraft. 

(d) The transition ground training for 

check airmen must include the ap-
proved methods, procedures, and limi-
tations for performing the required 
normal, abnormal, and emergency pro-
cedures applicable to the aircraft to 
which the check airman is in transi-
tion. 

(e) The initial and transition flight 

training for check airmen (aircraft) 
must include the following— 

(1) The safety measures for emer-

gency situations that are likely to de-
velop during a check; 

(2) The potential results of improper, 

untimely, or nonexecution of safety 
measures during a check; 

(3) Training and practice in con-

ducting flight checks from the left and 
right pilot seats in the required nor-
mal, abnormal, and emergency proce-
dures to ensure competence to conduct 
the pilot flight checks required by this 
part; and 

(4) The safety measures to be taken 

from either pilot seat for emergency 
situations that are likely to develop 
during checking. 

(f) The requirements of paragraph (e) 

of this section may be accomplished in 
full or in part in flight, in a flight sim-
ulator, or in a flight training device, as 
appropriate. 

(g) The initial and transition flight 

training for check airmen (simulator) 
must include the following: 

(1) Training and practice in con-

ducting flight checks in the required 
normal, abnormal, and emergency pro-
cedures to ensure competence to con-
duct the flight checks required by this 
part. This training and practice must 
be accomplished in a flight simulator 
or in a flight training device. 

(2) Training in the operation of flight 

simulators, flight training devices, or 
both, to ensure competence to conduct 
the flight checks required by this part. 

[Doc. No. 28471, 61 FR 30745, June 17, 1996; 62 
FR 3739, Jan. 24, 1997] 

§ 135.340 Initial and transition train-

ing and checking: Flight instructors 

(aircraft), flight instructors (simu-

lator). 

(a) No certificate holder may use a 

person nor may any person serve as a 
flight instructor unless— 

(1) That person has satisfactorily 

completed initial or transition flight 
instructor training; and 

(2) Within the preceding 24 calendar 

months, that person satisfactorily con-
ducts instruction under the observa-
tion of an FAA inspector, an operator 
check airman, or an aircrew designated 
examiner employed by the operator. 

background image

495 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.341 

The observation check may be accom-
plished in part or in full in an aircraft, 
in a flight simulator, or in a flight 
training device. This paragraph applies 
after March 19, 1997. 

(b) The observation check required 

by paragraph (a)(2) of this section is 
considered to have been completed in 
the month required if completed in the 
calendar month before, or the calendar 
month after, the month in which it is 
due. 

(c) The initial ground training for 

flight instructors must include the fol-
lowing: 

(1) Flight instructor duties, func-

tions, and responsibilities. 

(2) The applicable Code of Federal 

Regulations and the certificate hold-
er’s policies and procedures. 

(3) The applicable methods, proce-

dures, and techniques for conducting 
flight instruction. 

(4) Proper evaluation of student per-

formance including the detection of— 

(i) Improper and insufficient train-

ing; and 

(ii) Personal characteristics of an ap-

plicant that could adversely affect 
safety. 

(5) The corrective action in the case 

of unsatisfactory training progress. 

(6) The approved methods, proce-

dures, and limitations for performing 
the required normal, abnormal, and 
emergency procedures in the aircraft. 

(7) Except for holders of a flight in-

structor certificate— 

(i) The fundamental principles of the 

teaching-learning process; 

(ii) Teaching methods and proce-

dures; and 

(iii) The instructor-student relation-

ship. 

(d) The transition ground training for 

flight instructors must include the ap-
proved methods, procedures, and limi-
tations for performing the required 
normal, abnormal, and emergency pro-
cedures applicable to the type, class, or 
category aircraft to which the flight 
instructor is in transition. 

(e) The initial and transition flight 

training for flight instructors (aircraft) 
must include the following— 

(1) The safety measures for emer-

gency situations that are likely to de-
velop during instruction; 

(2) The potential results of improper 

or untimely safety measures during in-
struction; 

(3) Training and practice from the 

left and right pilot seats in the re-
quired normal, abnormal, and emer-
gency maneuvers to ensure competence 
to conduct the flight instruction re-
quired by this part; and 

(4) The safety measures to be taken 

from either the left or right pilot seat 
for emergency situations that are like-
ly to develop during instruction. 

(f) The requirements of paragraph (e) 

of this section may be accomplished in 
full or in part in flight, in a flight sim-
ulator, or in a flight training device, as 
appropriate. 

(g) The initial and transition flight 

training for a flight instructor (simu-
lator) must include the following: 

(1) Training and practice in the re-

quired normal, abnormal, and emer-
gency procedures to ensure competence 
to conduct the flight instruction re-
quired by this part. These maneuvers 
and procedures must be accomplished 
in full or in part in a flight simulator 
or in a flight training device. 

(2) Training in the operation of flight 

simulators, flight training devices, or 
both, to ensure competence to conduct 
the flight instruction required by this 
part. 

[Doc. No. 28471, 61 FR 30745, June 17, 1996; 61 
FR 34927, July 3, 1996; 62 FR 3739, Jan. 24, 
1997] 

§ 135.341 Pilot and flight attendant 

crewmember training programs. 

(a) Each certificate holder, other 

than one who uses only one pilot in the 
certificate holder’s operations, shall 
establish and maintain an approved 
pilot training program, and each cer-
tificate holder who uses a flight at-
tendant crewmember shall establish 
and maintain an approved flight at-
tendant training program, that is ap-
propriate to the operations to which 
each pilot and flight attendant is to be 
assigned, and will ensure that they are 
adequately trained to meet the appli-
cable knowledge and practical testing 
requirements of §§ 135.293 through 
135.301. However, the Administrator 
may authorize a deviation from this 
section if the Administrator finds that, 
because of the limited size and scope of 

background image

496 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.343 

the operation, safety will allow a devi-
ation from these requirements. This 
deviation authority does not extend to 
the training provided under § 135.336. 

(b) Each certificate holder required 

to have a training program by para-
graph (a) of this section shall include 
in that program ground and flight 
training curriculums for— 

(1) Initial training; 
(2) Transition training; 
(3) Upgrade training; 
(4) Differences training; and 
(5) Recurrent training. 
(c) Each certificate holder required 

to have a training program by para-
graph (a) of this section shall provide 
current and appropriate study mate-
rials for use by each required pilot and 
flight attendant. 

(d) The certificate holder shall fur-

nish copies of the pilot and flight at-
tendant crewmember training program, 
and all changes and additions, to the 
assigned representative of the Admin-
istrator. If the certificate holder uses 
training facilities of other persons, a 
copy of those training programs or ap-
propriate portions used for those facili-
ties shall also be furnished. Curricula 
that follow FAA published curricula 
may be cited by reference in the copy 
of the training program furnished to 
the representative of the Adminis-
trator and need not be furnished with 
the program. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–18, 47 FR 33396, Aug. 2, 
1982; Amdt. 135–127, 78 FR 42379, July 15, 2013; 
Amdt. 135–127A, 78 FR 77574, Dec. 24, 2013] 

§ 135.343 Crewmember initial and re-

current training requirements. 

No certificate holder may use a per-

son, nor may any person serve, as a 
crewmember in operations under this 
part unless that crewmember has com-
pleted the appropriate initial or recur-
rent training phase of the training pro-
gram appropriate to the type of oper-
ation in which the crewmember is to 
serve since the beginning of the 12th 
calendar month before that service. 
This section does not apply to a certifi-
cate holder that uses only one pilot in 
the certificate holder’s operations. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–18, 47 FR 33396, Aug. 2, 
1982] 

§ 135.345 Pilots: Initial, transition, and 

upgrade ground training. 

Initial, transition, and upgrade 

ground training for pilots must include 
instruction in at least the following, as 
applicable to their duties: 

(a) General subjects— 
(1) The certificate holder’s flight lo-

cating procedures; 

(2) Principles and methods for deter-

mining weight and balance, and run-
way limitations for takeoff and land-
ing; 

(3) Enough meteorology to ensure a 

practical knowledge of weather phe-
nomena, including the principles of 
frontal systems, icing, fog, thunder-
storms, windshear and, if appropriate, 
high altitude weather situations; 

(4) Air traffic control systems, proce-

dures, and phraseology; 

(5) Navigation and the use of naviga-

tional aids, including instrument ap-
proach procedures; 

(6) Normal and emergency commu-

nication procedures; 

(7) Visual cues before and during de-

scent below DA/DH or MDA; 

(8) ETOPS, if applicable; 
(9) After August 13, 2008, passenger 

recovery plan for any passenger-car-
rying operation (other than intrastate 
operations wholly within the state of 
Alaska) in the North Polar area; and 

(10) Other instructions necessary to 

ensure the pilot’s competence. 

(b) For each aircraft type— 
(1) A general description; 
(2) Performance characteristics; 
(3) Engines and propellers; 
(4) Major components; 
(5) Major aircraft systems (

i.e.

, flight 

controls, electrical, and hydraulic), 
other systems, as appropriate, prin-
ciples of normal, abnormal, and emer-
gency operations, appropriate proce-
dures and limitations; 

(6) Knowledge and procedures for— 
(i) Recognizing and avoiding severe 

weather situations; 

(ii) Escaping from severe weather sit-

uations, in case of inadvertent encoun-
ters, including low-altitude windshear 
(except that rotorcraft pilots are not 
required to be trained in escaping from 
low-altitude windshear); 

(iii) Operating in or near thunder-

storms (including best penetrating al-
titudes), turbulent air (including clear 

background image

497 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.351 

air turbulence), icing, hail, and other 
potentially hazardous meteorological 
conditions; and 

(iv) Operating airplanes during 

ground icing conditions, (

i.e.

, any time 

conditions are such that frost, ice, or 
snow may reasonably be expected to 
adhere to the airplane), if the certifi-
cate holder expects to authorize take-
offs in ground icing conditions, includ-
ing: 

(A) The use of holdover times when 

using deicing/anti-icing fluids; 

(B) Airplane deicing/anti-icing proce-

dures, including inspection and check 
procedures and responsibilities; 

(C) Communications; 
(D) Airplane surface contamination 

(

i.e.

, adherence of frost, ice, or snow) 

and critical area identification, and 
knowledge of how contamination ad-
versely affects airplane performance 
and flight characteristics; 

(E) Types and characteristics of deic-

ing/anti-icing fluids, if used by the cer-
tificate holder; 

(F) Cold weather preflight inspection 

procedures; 

(G) Techniques for recognizing con-

tamination on the airplane; 

(7) Operating limitations; 
(8) Fuel consumption and cruise con-

trol; 

(9) Flight planning; 
(10) Each normal and emergency pro-

cedure; and 

(11) The approved Aircraft Flight 

Manual, or equivalent. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–27, 53 FR 37697, Sept. 
27, 1988; Amdt. 135–46, 58 FR 69630, Dec. 30, 
1993; Amdt. 135–108, 72 FR 1885, Jan. 16, 2007; 
Amdt. 135–110, 72 FR 31685, June 7, 2007; 
Amdt. 135–112, 73 FR 8798, Feb. 15, 2008] 

§ 135.347 Pilots: Initial, transition, up-

grade, and differences flight train-

ing. 

(a) Initial, transition, upgrade, and 

differences training for pilots must in-
clude flight and practice in each of the 
maneuvers and procedures in the ap-
proved training program curriculum. 

(b) The maneuvers and procedures re-

quired by paragraph (a) of this section 
must be performed in flight, except to 
the extent that certain maneuvers and 
procedures may be performed in an air-
craft simulator, or an appropriate 

training device, as allowed by this sub-
part. 

(c) If the certificate holder’s ap-

proved training program includes a 
course of training using an aircraft 
simulator or other training device, 
each pilot must successfully com-
plete— 

(1) Training and practice in the simu-

lator or training device in at least the 
maneuvers and procedures in this sub-
part that are capable of being per-
formed in the aircraft simulator or 
training device; and 

(2) A flight check in the aircraft or a 

check in the simulator or training de-
vice to the level of proficiency of a 
pilot in command or second in com-
mand, as applicable, in at least the ma-
neuvers and procedures that are capa-
ble of being performed in an aircraft 
simulator or training device. 

§ 135.349 Flight attendants: Initial and 

transition ground training. 

Initial and transition ground train-

ing for flight attendants must include 
instruction in at least the following— 

(a) General subjects— 
(1) The authority of the pilot in com-

mand; and 

(2) Passenger handling, including pro-

cedures to be followed in handling de-
ranged persons or other persons whose 
conduct might jeopardize safety. 

(b) For each aircraft type— 
(1) A general description of the air-

craft emphasizing physical characteris-
tics that may have a bearing on ditch-
ing, evacuation, and inflight emer-
gency procedures and on other related 
duties; 

(2) The use of both the public address 

system and the means of commu-
nicating with other flight crew-
members, including emergency means 
in the case of attempted hijacking or 
other unusual situations; and 

(3) Proper use of electrical galley 

equipment and the controls for cabin 
heat and ventilation. 

§ 135.351 Recurrent training. 

(a) Each certificate holder must en-

sure that each crewmember receives 
recurrent training and is adequately 
trained and currently proficient for the 
type aircraft and crewmember position 
involved. 

background image

498 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.353 

(b) Recurrent ground training for 

crewmembers must include at least the 
following: 

(1) A quiz or other review to deter-

mine the crewmember’s knowledge of 
the aircraft and crewmember position 
involved. 

(2) Instruction as necessary in the 

subjects required for initial ground 
training by this subpart, as appro-
priate, including low-altitude 
windshear training and training on op-
erating during ground icing conditions 
as prescribed in § 135.341 and described 
in § 135.345, crew resource management 
training as prescribed in § 135.330, and 
emergency training as prescribed in 
§ 135.331. 

(c) Recurrent flight training for pi-

lots must include, at least, flight train-
ing in the maneuvers or procedures in 
this subpart, except that satisfactory 
completion of the check required by 
§ 135.293 within the preceding 12 cal-
endar months may be substituted for 
recurrent flight training. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–27, 53 FR 37698, Sept. 
27, 1988; Amdt. 135–46, 58 FR 69630, Dec. 30, 
1993; Amdt. 135–122, 76 FR 3837, Jan. 21, 2011] 

§ 135.353 [Reserved] 

Subpart I—Airplane Performance 

Operating Limitations 

§ 135.361 Applicability. 

(a) This subpart prescribes airplane 

performance operating limitations ap-
plicable to the operation of the cat-
egories of airplanes listed in § 135.363 
when operated under this part. 

(b) For the purpose of this subpart, 

effective length of the runway, 

for land-

ing means the distance from the point 
at which the obstruction clearance 
plane associated with the approach end 
of the runway intersects the centerline 
of the runway to the far end of the run-
way. 

(c) For the purpose of this subpart, 

obstruction clearance plane 

means a 

plane sloping upward from the runway 
at a slope of 1:20 to the horizontal, and 
tangent to or clearing all obstructions 
within a specified area surrounding the 
runway as shown in a profile view of 
that area. In the plan view, the center-
line of the specified area coincides with 

the centerline of the runway, beginning 
at the point where the obstruction 
clearance plane intersects the center-
line of the runway and proceeding to a 
point at least 1,500 feet from the begin-
ning point. After that the centerline 
coincides with the takeoff path over 
the ground for the runway (in the case 
of takeoffs) or with the instrument ap-
proach counterpart (for landings), or, 
where the applicable one of these paths 
has not been established, it proceeds 
consistent with turns of at least 4,000- 
foot radius until a point is reached be-
yond which the obstruction clearance 
plane clears all obstructions. This area 
extends laterally 200 feet on each side 
of the centerline at the point where the 
obstruction clearance plane intersects 
the runway and continues at this width 
to the end of the runway; then it in-
creases uniformly to 500 feet on each 
side of the centerline at a point 1,500 
feet from the intersection of the ob-
struction clearance plane with the run-
way; after that it extends laterally 500 
feet on each side of the centerline. 

§ 135.363 General. 

(a) Each certificate holder operating 

a reciprocating engine powered large 
transport category airplane shall com-
ply with §§ 135.365 through 135.377. 

(b) Each certificate holder operating 

a turbine engine powered large trans-
port category airplane shall comply 
with §§ 135.379 through 135.387, except 
that when it operates a turbopropeller- 
powered large transport category air-
plane certificated after August 29, 1959, 
but previously type certificated with 
the same number of reciprocating en-
gines, it may comply with §§ 135.365 
through 135.377. 

(c) Each certificate holder operating 

a large nontransport category airplane 
shall comply with §§ 135.389 through 
135.395 and any determination of com-
pliance must be based only on approved 
performance data. For the purpose of 
this subpart, a large nontrans- port 
category airplane is an airplane that 
was type certificated before July 1, 
1942. 

(d) Each certificate holder operating 

a small transport category airplane 
shall comply with § 135.397. 

background image

499 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.367 

(e) Each certificate holder operating 

a small nontransport category airplane 
shall comply with § 135.399. 

(f) The performance data in the Air-

plane Flight Manual applies in deter-
mining compliance with §§ 135.365 
through 135.387. Where conditions are 
different from those on which the per-
formance data is based, compliance is 
determined by interpolation or by com-
puting the effects of change in the spe-
cific variables, if the results of the in-
terpolation or computations are sub-
stantially as accurate as the results of 
direct tests. 

(g) No person may take off a recipro-

cating engine powered large transport 
category airplane at a weight that is 
more than the allowable weight for the 
runway being used (determined under 
the runway takeoff limitations of the 
transport category operating rules of 
this subpart) after taking into account 
the temperature operating correction 
factors in section 4a.749a-T or section 
4b.117 of the Civil Air Regulations in 
effect on January 31, 1965, and in the 
applicable Airplane Flight Manual. 

(h) The Administrator may author- 

ize in the operations specifications de-
viations from this subpart if special 
circumstances make a literal observ- 
ance of a requirement unnecessary for 
safety. 

(i) The 10-mile width specified in 

§§ 135.369 through 135.373 may be re-
duced to 5 miles, for not more than 20 
miles, when operating under VFR or 
where navigation facilities furnish reli-
able and accurate identification of high 
ground and obstructions located out-
side of 5 miles, but within 10 miles, on 
each side of the intended track. 

(j) Each certificate holder operating 

a commuter category airplane shall 
comply with § 135.398. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–21, 52 FR 1836, Jan. 15, 
1987] 

§ 135.364 Maximum flying time outside 

the United States. 

After August 13, 2008, no certificate 

holder may operate an airplane, other 
than an all-cargo airplane with more 
than two engines, on a planned route 
that exceeds 180 minutes flying time 
(at the one-engine-inoperative cruise 
speed under standard conditions in still 

air) from an Adequate Airport outside 
the continental United States unless 
the operation is approved by the FAA 
in accordance with Appendix G of this 
part, Extended Operations (ETOPS). 

[Doc. No. FAA–1999–6717, 73 FR 8798, Feb. 15, 
2008] 

§ 135.365 Large transport category air-

planes: Reciprocating engine pow-

ered: Weight limitations. 

(a) No person may take off a recipro-

cating engine powered large transport 
category airplane from an airport lo-
cated at an elevation outside of the 
range for which maximum takeoff 
weights have been determined for that 
airplane. 

(b) No person may take off a recipro-

cating engine powered large transport 
category airplane for an airport of in-
tended destination that is located at an 
elevation outside of the range for 
which maximum landing weights have 
been determined for that airplane. 

(c) No person may specify, or have 

specified, an alternate airport that is 
located at an elevation outside of the 
range for which maximum landing 
weights have been determined for the 
reciprocating engine powered large 
transport category airplane concerned. 

(d) No person may take off a recipro-

cating engine powered large transport 
category airplane at a weight more 
than the maximum authorized takeoff 
weight for the elevation of the airport. 

(e) No person may take off a recipro-

cating engine powered large transport 
category airplane if its weight on ar-
rival at the airport of destination will 
be more than the maximum authorized 
landing weight for the elevation of that 
airport, allowing for normal consump-
tion of fuel and oil en route. 

§ 135.367 Large transport category air-

planes: Reciprocating engine pow-

ered: Takeoff limitations. 

(a) No person operating a recipro-

cating engine powered large transport 
category airplane may take off that 
airplane unless it is possible— 

(1) To stop the airplane safely on the 

runway, as shown by the accelerate- 
stop distance data, at any time during 
takeoff until reaching critical-engine 
failure speed; 

background image

500 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.369 

(2) If the critical engine fails at any 

time after the airplane reaches crit-
ical-engine failure speed V

1

, to con-

tinue the takeoff and reach a height of 
50 feet, as indicated by the takeoff path 
data, before passing over the end of the 
runway; and 

(3) To clear all obstacles either by at 

least 50 feet vertically (as shown by the 
takeoff path data) or 200 feet hori-
zontally within the airport boundaries 
and 300 feet horizontally beyond the 
boundaries, without banking before 
reaching a height of 50 feet (as shown 
by the takeoff path data) and after 
that without banking more than 15 de-
grees. 

(b) In applying this section, correc-

tions must be made for any runway 
gradient. To allow for wind effect, 
takeoff data based on still air may be 
corrected by taking into account not 
more than 50 percent of any reported 
headwind component and not less than 
150 percent of any reported tailwind 
component. 

§ 135.369 Large transport category air-

planes: Reciprocating engine pow-

ered: En route limitations: All en-

gines operating. 

(a) No person operating a recipro-

cating engine powered large transport 
category airplane may take off that 
airplane at a weight, allowing for nor-
mal consumption of fuel and oil, that 
does not allow a rate of climb (in feet 
per minute), with all engines oper-
ating, of at least 6.90 Vs

o

(that is, the 

number of feet per minute obtained by 
multiplying the number of knots by 
6.90) at an altitude of a least 1,000 feet 
above the highest ground or obstruc-
tion within ten miles of each side of 
the intended track. 

(b) This section does not apply to 

large transport category airplanes cer-
tificated under part 4a of the Civil Air 
Regulations. 

§ 135.371 Large transport category air-

planes: Reciprocating engine pow-

ered: En route limitations: One en-

gine inoperative. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b) of this section, no person operating 
a reciprocating engine powered large 
transport category airplane may take 
off that airplane at a weight, allowing 
for normal consumption of fuel and oil, 

that does not allow a rate of climb (in 
feet per minute), with one engine inop-
erative, of at least (0.079

¥

0.106/N) Vs

o

(where N is the number of engines in-
stalled and Vs

o

is expressed in knots) 

at an altitude of least 1,000 feet above 
the highest ground or obstruction 
within 10 miles of each side of the in-
tended track. However, for the pur-
poses of this paragraph the rate of 
climb for transport category airplanes 
certificated under part 4a of the Civil 
Air Regulations is 0.026 Vs

o

2. 

(b) In place of the requirements of 

paragraph (a) of this section, a person 
may, under an approved procedure, op-
erate a reciprocating engine powered 
large transport category airplane at an 
all-engines-operating altitude that al-
lows the airplane to continue, after an 
engine failure, to an alternate airport 
where a landing can be made under 
§ 135.377, allowing for normal consump-
tion of fuel and oil. After the assumed 
failure, the flight path must clear the 
ground and any obstruction within five 
miles on each side of the intended 
track by at least 2,000 feet. 

(c) If an approved procedure under 

paragraph (b) of this section is used, 
the certificate holder shall comply 
with the following: 

(1) The rate of climb (as prescribed in 

the Airplane Flight Manual for the ap-
propriate weight and altitude) used in 
calculating the airplane’s flight path 
shall be diminished by an amount in 
feet per minute, equal to (0.079

¥

0.106/ 

N) Vs

o

2 (when N is the number of en-

gines installed and Vs

o

is expressed in 

knots) for airplanes certificated under 
part 25 of this chapter and by 0.026 Vs

o

for airplanes certificated under part 4a 
of the Civil Air Regulations. 

(2) The all-engines-operating altitude 

shall be sufficient so that in the event 
the critical engine becomes inoperative 
at any point along the route, the flight 
will be able to proceed to a predeter-
mined alternate airport by use of this 
procedure. In determining the takeoff 
weight, the airplane is assumed to pass 
over the critical obstruction following 
engine failure at a point no closer to 
the critical obstruction than the near-
est approved navigational fix, unless 
the Administrator approves a proce-
dure established on a different basis 

background image

501 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.375 

upon finding that adequate operational 
safeguards exist. 

(3) The airplane must meet the provi-

sions of paragraph (a) of this section at 
1,000 feet above the airport used as an 
alternate in this procedure. 

(4) The procedure must include an ap-

proved method of accounting for winds 
and temperatures that would otherwise 
adversely affect the flight path. 

(5) In complying with this procedure, 

fuel jettisoning is allowed if the certifi-
cate holder shows that it has an ade-
quate training program, that proper in-
structions are given to the flight crew, 
and all other precautions are taken to 
ensure a safe procedure. 

(6) The certificate holder and the 

pilot in command shall jointly elect an 
alternate airport for which the appro-
priate weather reports or forecasts, or 
any combination of them, indicate that 
weather conditions will be at or above 
the alternate weather minimum speci-
fied in the certificate holder’s oper-
ations specifications for that airport 
when the flight arrives. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–110, 72 FR 31685, June 
7, 2007] 

§ 135.373 Part 25 transport category 

airplanes with four or more en-

gines: Reciprocating engine pow-

ered: En route limitations: Two en-

gines inoperative. 

(a) No person may operate an air-

plane certificated under part 25 and 
having four or more engines unless— 

(1) There is no place along the in-

tended track that is more than 90 min-
utes (with all engines operating at 
cruising power) from an airport that 
meets § 135.377; or 

(2) It is operated at a weight allowing 

the airplane, with the two critical en-
gines inoperative, to climb at 0.013 Vs

o

feet per minute (that is, the number of 
feet per minute obtained by multi-
plying the number of knots squared by 
0.013) at an altitude of 1,000 feet above 
the highest ground or obstruction 
within 10 miles on each side of the in-
tended track, or at an altitude of 5,000 
feet, whichever is higher. 

(b) For the purposes of paragraph 

(a)(2) of this section, it is assumed 
that— 

(1) The two engines fail at the point 

that is most critical with respect to 
the takeoff weight; 

(2) Consumption of fuel and oil is nor-

mal with all engines operating up to 
the point where the two engines fail 
with two engines operating beyond 
that point; 

(3) Where the engines are assumed to 

fail at an altitude above the prescribed 
minimum altitude, compliance with 
the prescribed rate of climb at the pre-
scribed minimum altitude need not be 
shown during the descent from the 
cruising altitude to the prescribed min-
imum altitude, if those requirements 
can be met once the prescribed min-
imum altitude is reached, and assum-
ing descent to be along a net flight 
path and the rate of descent to be 0.013 
Vs

o

2 greater than the rate in the ap-

proved performance data; and 

(4) If fuel jettisoning is provided, the 

airplane’s weight at the point where 
the two engines fail is considered to be 
not less than that which would include 
enough fuel to proceed to an airport 
meeting § 135.377 and to arrive at an al-
titude of at least 1,000 feet directly 
over that airport. 

§ 135.375 Large transport category air-

planes: Reciprocating engine pow-

ered: Landing limitations: Destina-

tion airports. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b) of this section, no person operating 
a reciprocating engine powered large 
transport category airplane may take 
off that airplane, unless its weight on 
arrival, allowing for normal consump-
tion of fuel and oil in flight, would 
allow a full stop landing at the in-
tended destination within 60 percent of 
the effective length of each runway de-
scribed below from a point 50 feet di-
rectly above the intersection of the ob-
struction clearance plane and the run-
way. For the purposes of determining 
the allowable landing weight at the 
destination airport the following is as-
sumed: 

(1) The airplane is landed on the most 

favorable runway and in the most fa-
vorable direction in still air. 

(2) The airplane is landed on the most 

suitable runway considering the prob-
able wind velocity and direction (fore-
cast for the expected time of arrival), 

background image

502 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.377 

the ground handling characteristics of 
the type of airplane, and other condi-
tions such as landing aids and terrain, 
and allowing for the effect of the land-
ing path and roll of not more than 50 
percent of the headwind component or 
not less than 150 percent of the tail-
wind component. 

(b) An airplane that would be prohib-

ited from being taken off because it 
could not meet paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section may be taken off if an alter-
nate airport is selected that meets all 
of this section except that the airplane 
can accomplish a full stop landing 
within 70 percent of the effective 
length of the runway. 

§ 135.377 Large transport category air-

planes: Reciprocating engine pow-

ered: Landing limitations: Alternate 

airports. 

No person may list an airport as an 

alternate airport in a flight plan unless 
the airplane (at the weight anticipated 
at the time of arrival at the airport), 
based on the assumptions in § 135.375(a) 
(1) and (2), can be brought to a full stop 
landing within 70 percent of the effec-
tive length of the runway. 

§ 135.379 Large transport category air-

planes: Turbine engine powered: 

Takeoff limitations. 

(a) No person operating a turbine en-

gine powered large transport category 
airplane may take off that airplane at 
a weight greater than that listed in the 
Airplane Flight Manual for the ele-
vation of the airport and for the ambi-
ent temperature existing at take- off. 

(b) No person operating a turbine en-

gine powered large transport category 
airplane certificated after August 26, 
1957, but before August 30, 1959 (SR422, 
422A), may take off that airplane at a 
weight greater than that listed in the 
Airplane Flight Manual for the min-
imum distance required for takeoff. In 
the case of an airplane certificated 
after September 30, 1958 (SR422A, 422B), 
the takeoff distance may include a 
clearway distance but the clearway dis-
tance included may not be greater than 
one-half of the takeoff run. 

(c) No person operating a turbine en-

gine powered large transport category 
airplane certificated after August 29, 
1959 (SR422B), may take off that air-
plane at a weight greater than that 

listed in the Airplane Flight Manual at 
which compliance with the following 
may be shown: 

(1) The accelerate-stop distance, as 

defined in § 25.109 of this chapter, must 
not exceed the length of the runway 
plus the length of any stopway. 

(2) The takeoff distance must not ex-

ceed the length of the runway plus the 
length of any clearway except that the 
length of any clearway included must 
not be greater than one-half the length 
of the runway. 

(3) The takeoff run must not be 

greater than the length of the runway. 

(d) No person operating a turbine en-

gine powered large transport category 
airplane may take off that airplane at 
a weight greater than that listed in the 
Airplane Flight Manual— 

(1) For an airplane certificated after 

August 26, 1957, but before October 1, 
1958 (SR422), that allows a takeoff path 
that clears all obstacles either by at 
least (35 + 0.01 D) feet vertically (D is 
the distance along the intended flight 
path from the end of the runway in 
feet), or by at least 200 feet hori-
zontally within the airport boundaries 
and by at least 300 feet horizontally 
after passing the boundaries; or 

(2) For an airplane certificated after 

September 30, 1958 (SR422A, 422B), that 
allows a net takeoff flight path that 
clears all obstacles either by a height 
of at least 35 feet vertically, or by at 
least 200 feet horizontally within the 
airport boundaries and by at least 300 
feet horizontally after passing the 
boundaries. 

(e) In determining maximum 

weights, minimum distances, and flight 
paths under paragraphs (a) through (d) 
of this section, correction must be 
made for the runway to be used, the 
elevation of the airport, the effective 
runway gradient, the ambient tempera-
ture and wind component at the time 
of takeoff, and, if operating limitations 
exist for the minimum distances re-
quired for takeoff from wet runways, 
the runway surface condition (dry or 
wet). Wet runway distances associated 
with grooved or porous friction course 
runways, if provided in the Airplane 
Flight Manual, may be used only for 
runways that are grooved or treated 
with a porous friction course (PFC) 

background image

503 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.383 

overlay, and that the operator deter-
mines are designed, constructed, and 
maintained in a manner acceptable to 
the Administrator. 

(f) For the purposes of this section, it 

is assumed that the airplane is not 
banked before reaching a height of 50 
feet, as shown by the takeoff path or 
net takeoff flight path data (as appro-
priate) in the Airplane Flight Manual, 
and after that the maximum bank is 
not more than 15 degrees. 

(g) For the purposes of this section, 

the terms, 

takeoff distance, takeoff run, 

net takeoff flight path, 

have the same 

meanings as set forth in the rules 
under which the airplane was certifi-
cated. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–71, 63 FR 8321, Feb. 18, 
1998] 

§ 135.381 Large transport category air-

planes: Turbine engine powered: En 

route limitations: One engine inop-

erative. 

(a) No person operating a turbine en-

gine powered large transport category 
airplane may take off that airplane at 
a weight, allowing for normal con-
sumption of fuel and oil, that is greater 
than that which (under the approved, 
one engine inoperative, en route net 
flight path data in the Airplane Flight 
Manual for that airplane) will allow 
compliance with paragraph (a) (1) or (2) 
of this section, based on the ambient 
temperatures expected en route. 

(1) There is a positive slope at an al-

titude of at least 1,000 feet above all 
terrain and obstructions within five 
statute miles on each side of the in-
tended track, and, in addition, if that 
airplane was certificated after August 
29, 1958 (SR422B), there is a positive 
slope at 1,500 feet above the airport 
where the airplane is assumed to land 
after an engine fails. 

(2) The net flight path allows the air-

plane to continue flight from the cruis-
ing altitude to an airport where a land-
ing can be made under § 135.387 clearing 
all terrain and obstructions within five 
statute miles of the intended track by 
at least 2,000 feet vertically and with a 
positive slope at 1,000 feet above the 
airport where the airplane lands after 
an engine fails, or, if that airplane was 
certificated after September 30, 1958 

(SR422A, 422B), with a positive slope at 
1,500 feet above the airport where the 
airplane lands after an engine fails. 

(b) For the purpose of paragraph 

(a)(2) of this section, it is assumed 
that— 

(1) The engine fails at the most crit-

ical point en route; 

(2) The airplane passes over the crit-

ical obstruction, after engine failure at 
a point that is no closer to the obstruc-
tion than the approved navigation fix, 
unless the Administrator authorizes a 
different procedure based on adequate 
operational safeguards; 

(3) An approved method is used to 

allow for adverse winds; 

(4) Fuel jettisoning will be allowed if 

the certificate holder shows that the 
crew is properly instructed, that the 
training program is adequate, and that 
all other precautions are taken to en-
sure a safe procedure; 

(5) The alternate airport is selected 

and meets the prescribed weather mini-
mums; and 

(6) The consumption of fuel and oil 

after engine failure is the same as the 
consumption that is allowed for in the 
approved net flight path data in the 
Airplane Flight Manual. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–110, 72 FR 31685, June 
7, 2007] 

§ 135.383 Large transport category air-

planes: Turbine engine powered: En 

route limitations: Two engines inop-

erative. 

(a) Airplanes certificated after Au-

gust 26, 1957, but before October 1, 1958 
(SR422). No person may operate a tur-
bine engine powered large transport 
category airplane along an intended 
route unless that person complies with 
either of the following: 

(1) There is no place along the in-

tended track that is more than 90 min-
utes (with all engines operating at 
cruising power) from an airport that 
meets § 135.387. 

(2) Its weight, according to the two- 

engine-inoperative, en route, net flight 
path data in the Airplane Flight Man-
ual, allows the airplane to fly from the 
point where the two engines are as-
sumed to fail simultaneously to an air-
port that meets § 135.387, with a net 
flight path (considering the ambient 

background image

504 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.383 

temperature anticipated along the 
track) having a positive slope at an al-
titude of at least 1,000 feet above all 
terrain and obstructions within five 
statute miles on each side of the in-
tended track, or at an altitude of 5,000 
feet, whichever is higher. 

For the purposes of paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section, it is assumed that the two 
engines fail at the most critical point 
en route, that if fuel jettisoning is pro-
vided, the airplane’s weight at the 
point where the engines fail includes 
enough fuel to continue to the airport 
and to arrive at an altitude of at least 
1,000 feet directly over the airport, and 
that the fuel and oil consumption after 
engine failure is the same as the con-
sumption allowed for in the net flight 
path data in the Airplane Flight Man-
ual. 

(b) Airplanes certificated after Sep-

tember 30, 1958, but before August 30, 
1959 (SR422A). No person may operate a 
turbine engine powered large transport 
category airplane along an intended 
route unless that person complies with 
either of the following: 

(1) There is no place along the in-

tended track that is more than 90 min-
utes (with all engines operating at 
cruising power) from an airport that 
meets § 135.387. 

(2) Its weight, according to the two- 

engine-inoperative, en route, net flight 
path data in the Airplane Flight Man-
ual allows the airplane to fly from the 
point where the two engines are as-
sumed to fail simultaneously to an air-
port that meets § 135.387 with a net 
flight path (considering the ambient 
temperatures anticipated along the 
track) having a positive slope at an al-
titude of at least 1,000 feet above all 
terrain and obstructions within five 
statute miles on each side of the in-
tended track, or at an altitude of 2,000 
feet, whichever is higher. 

For the purpose of paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section, it is assumed that the two 
engines fail at the most critical point 
en route, that the airplane’s weight at 
the point where the engines fail in-
cludes enough fuel to continue to the 
airport, to arrive at an altitude of at 
least 1,500 feet directly over the air-
port, and after that to fly for 15 min-
utes at cruise power or thrust, or both, 

and that the consumption of fuel and 
oil after engine failure is the same as 
the consumption allowed for in the net 
flight path data in the Airplane Flight 
Manual. 

(c) Aircraft certificated after August 

29, 1959 (SR422B). No person may oper-
ate a turbine engine powered large 
transport category airplane along an 
intended route unless that person com-
plies with either of the following: 

(1) There is no place along the in-

tended track that is more than 90 min-
utes (with all engines operating at 
cruising power) from an airport that 
meets § 135.387. 

(2) Its weight, according to the two- 

engine-inoperative, en route, net flight 
path data in the Airplane Flight Man-
ual, allows the airplane to fly from the 
point where the two engines are as-
sumed to fail simultaneously to an air-
port that meets § 135.387, with the net 
flight path (considering the ambient 
temperatures anticipated along the 
track) clearing vertically by at least 
2,000 feet all terrain and obstructions 
within five statute miles on each side 
of the intended track. For the purposes 
of this paragraph, it is assumed that— 

(i) The two engines fail at the most 

critical point en route; 

(ii) The net flight path has a positive 

slope at 1,500 feet above the airport 
where the landing is assumed to be 
made after the engines fail; 

(iii) Fuel jettisoning will be approved 

if the certificate holder shows that the 
crew is properly instructed, that the 
training program is adequate, and that 
all other precautions are taken to en-
sure a safe procedure; 

(iv) The airplane’s weight at the 

point where the two engines are as-
sumed to fail provides enough fuel to 
continue to the airport, to arrive at an 
altitude of at least 1,500 feet directly 
over the airport, and after that to fly 
for 15 minutes at cruise power or 
thrust, or both; and 

(v) The consumption of fuel and oil 

after the engines fail is the same as the 
consumption that is allowed for in the 
net flight path data in the Airplane 
Flight Manual. 

background image

505 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.385 

§ 135.385 Large transport category air-

planes: Turbine engine powered: 

Landing limitations: Destination 

airports. 

(a) No person operating a turbine en-

gine powered large transport category 
airplane may take off that airplane at 
a weight that (allowing for normal con-
sumption of fuel and oil in flight to the 
destination or alternate airport) the 
weight of the airplane on arrival would 
exceed the landing weight in the Air-
plane Flight Manual for the elevation 
of the destination or alternate airport 
and the ambient temperature antici-
pated at the time of landing. 

(b) Except as provided in paragraph 

(c), (d), (e), or (f) of this section, no per-
son operating a turbine engine powered 
large transport category airplane may 
take off that airplane unless its weight 
on arrival, allowing for normal con-
sumption of fuel and oil in flight (in 
accordance with the landing distance 
in the Airplane Flight Manual for the 
elevation of the destination airport and 
the wind conditions expected there at 
the time of landing), would allow a full 
stop landing at the intended destina-
tion airport within 60 percent of the ef-
fective length of each runway described 
below from a point 50 feet above the 
intersection of the obstruction clear-
ance plane and the runway. For the 
purpose of determining the allowable 
landing weight at the destination air-
port the following is assumed: 

(1) The airplane is landed on the most 

favorable runway and in the most fa-
vorable direction, in still air. 

(2) The airplane is landed on the most 

suitable runway considering the prob-
able wind velocity and direction and 
the ground handling characteristics of 
the airplane, and considering other 
conditions such as landing aids and ter-
rain. 

(c) A turbopropeller powered airplane 

that would be prohibited from being 
taken off because it could not meet 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section, may be 
taken off if an alternate airport is se-
lected that meets all of this section ex-
cept that the airplane can accomplish a 
full stop landing within 70 percent of 
the effective length of the runway. 

(d) Unless, based on a showing of ac-

tual operating landing techniques on 
wet runways, a shorter landing dis-

tance (but never less than that re-
quired by paragraph (b) of this section) 
has been approved for a specific type 
and model airplane and included in the 
Airplane Flight Manual, no person may 
take off a turbojet airplane when the 
appropriate weather reports or fore-
casts, or any combination of them, in-
dicate that the runways at the destina-
tion airport may be wet or slippery at 
the estimated time of arrival unless 
the effective runway length at the des-
tination airport is at least 115 percent 
of the runway length required under 
paragraph (b) of this section. 

(e) A turbojet airplane that would be 

prohibited from being taken off be-
cause it could not meet paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section may be taken off if 
an alternate airport is selected that 
meets all of paragraph (b) of this sec-
tion. 

(f) An eligible on-demand operator 

may take off a turbine engine powered 
large transport category airplane on an 
on-demand flight if all of the following 
conditions exist: 

(1) The operation is permitted by an 

approved Destination Airport Analysis 
in that person’s operations manual. 

(2) The airplane’s weight on arrival, 

allowing for normal consumption of 
fuel and oil in flight (in accordance 
with the landing distance in the Air-
plane Flight Manual for the elevation 
of the destination airport and the wind 
conditions expected there at the time 
of landing), would allow a full stop 
landing at the intended destination air-
port within 80 percent of the effective 
length of each runway described below 
from a point 50 feet above the intersec-
tion of the obstruction clearance plane 
and the runway. For the purpose of de-
termining the allowable landing weight 
at the destination airport, the fol-
lowing is assumed: 

(i) The airplane is landed on the most 

favorable runway and in the most fa-
vorable direction, in still air. 

(ii) The airplane is landed on the 

most suitable runway considering the 
probable wind velocity and direction 
and the ground handling characteris-
tics of the airplane, and considering 
other conditions such as landing aids 
and terrain. 

background image

506 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.387 

(3) The operation is authorized by op-

erations specifications. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–91, 68 FR 54588, Sept. 
17, 2003] 

§ 135.387 Large transport category air-

planes: Turbine engine powered: 

Landing limitations: Alternate air-

ports. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b) of this section, no person may se-
lect an airport as an alternate airport 
for a turbine engine powered large 
transport category airplane unless 
(based on the assumptions in 
§ 135.385(b)) that airplane, at the weight 
expected at the time of arrival, can be 
brought to a full stop landing within 70 
percent of the effective length of the 
runway for turbo-propeller-powered 
airplanes and 60 percent of the effec-
tive length of the runway for turbojet 
airplanes, from a point 50 feet above 
the intersection of the obstruction 
clearance plane and the runway. 

(b) Eligible on-demand operators may 

select an airport as an alternate air-
port for a turbine engine powered large 
transport category airplane if (based 
on the assumptions in § 135.385(f)) that 
airplane, at the weight expected at the 
time of arrival, can be brought to a full 
stop landing within 80 percent of the 
effective length of the runway from a 
point 50 feet above the intersection of 
the obstruction clearance plane and 
the runway. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2001–10047, 68 FR 54588, Sept. 
17, 2003] 

§ 135.389 Large nontransport category 

airplanes: Takeoff limitations. 

(a) No person operating a large non-

transport category airplane may take 
off that airplane at a weight greater 
than the weight that would allow the 
airplane to be brought to a safe stop 
within the effective length of the run-
way, from any point during the takeoff 
before reaching 105 percent of min-
imum control speed (the minimum 
speed at which an airplane can be safe-
ly controlled in flight after an engine 
becomes inoperative) or 115 percent of 
the power off stalling speed in the 
takeoff configuration, whichever is 
greater. 

(b) For the purposes of this section— 

(1) It may be assumed that takeoff 

power is used on all engines during the 
acceleration; 

(2) Not more than 50 percent of the 

reported headwind component, or not 
less than 150 percent of the reported 
tailwind component, may be taken into 
account; 

(3) The average runway gradient (the 

difference between the elevations of 
the endpoints of the runway divided by 
the total length) must be considered if 
it is more than one-half of one percent; 

(4) It is assumed that the airplane is 

operating in standard atmosphere; and 

(5) For takeoff, 

effective length of the 

runway 

means the distance from the 

end of the runway at which the takeoff 
is started to a point at which the ob-
struction clearance plane associated 
with the other end of the runway inter-
sects the runway centerline. 

§ 135.391 Large nontransport category 

airplanes: En route limitations: One 
engine inoperative. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b) of this section, no person operating 
a large nontransport category airplane 
may take off that airplane at a weight 
that does not allow a rate of climb of 
at least 50 feet a minute, with the crit-
ical engine inoperative, at an altitude 
of at least 1,000 feet above the highest 
obstruction within five miles on each 
side of the intended track, or 5,000 feet, 
whichever is higher. 

(b) Without regard to paragraph (a) 

of this section, if the Administrator 
finds that safe operations are not im-
paired, a person may operate the air-
plane at an altitude that allows the 
airplane, in case of engine failure, to 
clear all obstructions within five miles 
on each side of the intended track by 
1,000 feet. If this procedure is used, the 
rate of descent for the appropriate 
weight and altitude is assumed to be 50 
feet a minute greater than the rate in 
the approved performance data. Before 
approving such a procedure, the Ad-
ministrator considers the following for 
the route, route segement, or area con-
cerned: 

(1) The reliability of wind and weath-

er forecasting. 

(2) The location and kinds of naviga-

tion aids. 

background image

507 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.398 

(3) The prevailing weather condi-

tions, particularly the frequency and 
amount of turbulence normally en-
countered. 

(4) Terrain features. 
(5) Air traffic problems. 
(6) Any other operational factors 

that affect the operations. 

(c) For the purposes of this section, it 

is assumed that— 

(1) The critical engine is inoperative; 
(2) The propeller of the inoperative 

engine is in the minimum drag posi-
tion; 

(3) The wing flaps and landing gear 

are in the most favorable position; 

(4) The operating engines are oper-

ating at the maximum continuous 
power available; 

(5) The airplane is operating in stand-

ard atmosphere; and 

(6) The weight of the airplane is pro-

gressively reduced by the anticipated 
consumption of fuel and oil. 

§ 135.393 Large nontransport category 

airplanes: Landing limitations: Des-

tination airports. 

(a) No person operating a large non-

transport category airplane may take 
off that airplane at a weight that— 

(1) Allowing for anticipated consump-

tion of fuel and oil, is greater than the 
weight that would allow a full stop 
landing within 60 percent of the effec-
tive length of the most suitable run-
way at the destination airport; and 

(2) Is greater than the weight allow-

able if the landing is to be made on the 
runway— 

(i) With the greatest effective length 

in still air; and 

(ii) Required by the probable wind, 

taking into account not more than 50 
percent of the headwind component or 
not less than 150 percent of the tail-
wind component. 

(b) For the purpose of this section, it 

is assumed that— 

(1) The airplane passes directly over 

the intersection of the obstruction 
clearance plane and the runway at a 
height of 50 feet in a steady gliding ap-
proach at a true indicated airspeed of 
at least 1.3 V

so

(2) The landing does not require ex-

ceptional pilot skill; and 

(3) The airplane is operating in stand-

ard atmosphere. 

§ 135.395 Large nontransport category 

airplanes: Landing limitations: Al-
ternate airports. 

No person may select an airport as 

an alternate airport for a large non-
transport category airplane unless that 
airplane (at the weight anticipated at 
the time of arrival), based on the as-
sumptions in § 135.393(b), can be 
brought to a full stop landing within 70 
percent of the effective length of the 
runway. 

§ 135.397 Small transport category air-

plane performance operating limi-
tations. 

(a) No person may operate a recipro-

cating engine powered small transport 
category airplane unless that person 
complies with the weight limitations 
in § 135.365, the takeoff limitations in 
§ 135.367 (except paragraph (a)(3)), and 
the landing limitations in §§ 135.375 and 
135.377. 

(b) No person may operate a turbine 

engine powered small transport cat-
egory airplane unless that person com-
plies with the takeoff limitations in 
§ 135.379 (except paragraphs (d) and (f)) 
and the landing limitations in §§ 135.385 
and 135.387. 

§ 135.398 Commuter category airplanes 

performance operating limitations. 

(a) No person may operate a com-

muter category airplane unless that 
person complies with the takeoff 
weight limitations in the approved Air-
plane Flight Manual. 

(b) No person may take off an air-

plane type certificated in the com-
muter category at a weight greater 
than that listed in the Airplane Flight 
Manual that allows a net takeoff flight 
path that clears all obstacles either by 
a height of at least 35 feet vertically, 
or at least 200 feet horizontally within 
the airport boundaries and by at least 
300 feet horizontally after passing the 
boundaries. 

(c) No person may operate a com-

muter category airplane unless that 
person complies with the landing limi-
tations prescribed in §§ 135.385 and 
135.387 of this part. For purposes of this 

background image

508 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.399 

paragraph, §§ 135.385 and 135.387 are ap-
plicable to all commuter category air-
planes notwithstanding their stated ap-
plicability to turbine-engine-powered 
large transport category airplanes. 

(d) In determining maximum 

weights, minimum distances and flight 
paths under paragraphs (a) through (c) 
of this section, correction must be 
made for the runway to be used, the 
elevation of the airport, the effective 
runway gradient, and ambient tem-
perature, and wind component at the 
time of takeoff. 

(e) For the purposes of this section, 

the assumption is that the airplane is 
not banked before reaching a height of 
50 feet as shown by the net takeoff 
flight path data in the Airplane Flight 
Manual and thereafter the maximum 
bank is not more than 15 degrees. 

[Doc. No. 23516, 52 FR 1836, Jan. 15, 1987] 

§ 135.399 Small nontransport category 

airplane performance operating 
limitations. 

(a) No person may operate a recipro-

cating engine or turbopropeller-pow-
ered small airplane that is certificated 
under § 135.169(b) (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) 
unless that person complies with the 
takeoff weight limitations in the ap-
proved Airplane Flight Manual or 
equivalent for operations under this 
part, and, if the airplane is certificated 
under § 135.169(b) (4) or (5) with the 
landing weight limitations in the Ap-
proved Airplane Flight Manual or 
equivalent for operations under this 
part. 

(b) No person may operate an air-

plane that is certificated under 
§ 135.169(b)(6) unless that person com-
plies with the landing limitations pre-
scribed in §§ 135.385 and 135.387 of this 
part. For purposes of this paragraph, 
§§ 135.385 and 135.387 are applicable to 
reciprocating and turbopropeller-pow-
ered small airplanes notwithstanding 
their stated applicability to turbine en-
gine powered large transport category 
airplanes. 

[44 FR 53731, Sept. 17, 1979] 

Subpart J—Maintenance, Preven-

tive Maintenance, and Alter-
ations 

§ 135.411 Applicability. 

(a) This subpart prescribes rules in 

addition to those in other parts of this 
chapter for the maintenance, preven-
tive maintenance, and alterations for 
each certificate holder as follows: 

(1) Aircraft that are type certificated 

for a passenger seating configuration, 
excluding any pilot seat, of nine seats 
or less, shall be maintained under parts 
91 and 43 of this chapter and §§ 135.415, 
135.417, 135.421 and 135.422. An approved 
aircraft inspection program may be 
used under § 135.419. 

(2) Aircraft that are type certificated 

for a passenger seating configuration, 
excluding any pilot seat, of ten seats or 
more, shall be maintained under a 
maintenance program in §§ 135.415, 
135.417, 135.423 through 135.443. 

(b) A certificate holder who is not 

otherwise required, may elect to main-
tain its aircraft under paragraph (a)(2) 
of this section. 

(c) Single engine aircraft used in pas-

senger-carrying IFR operations shall 
also be maintained in accordance with 
§ 135.421 (c), (d), and (e). 

(d) A certificate holder who elects to 

operate in accordance with § 135.364 
must maintain its aircraft under para-
graph (a)(2) of this section and the ad-
ditional requirements of Appendix G of 
this part. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–70, 62 FR 42374, Aug. 6, 
1997; Amdt. 135–78, 65 FR 60556, Oct. 11, 2000; 
Amdt. 135–92, 68 FR 69308, Dec. 12, 2003; Amdt. 
135–81, 70 FR 5533, Feb. 2, 2005; Amdt. 135–108, 
72 FR 1885, Jan. 16, 2007; 72 FR 53114, Sept. 18, 
2007] 

§ 135.413 Responsibility for airworthi-

ness. 

(a) Each certificate holder is pri-

marily responsible for the airworthi-
ness of its aircraft, including air-
frames, aircraft engines, propellers, ro-
tors, appliances, and parts, and shall 
have its aircraft maintained under this 
chapter, and shall have defects repaired 
between required maintenance under 
part 43 of this chapter. 

background image

509 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.415 

(b) Each certificate holder who main-

tains its aircraft under § 135.411(a)(2) 
shall— 

(1) Perform the maintenance, preven-

tive maintenance, and alteration of its 
aircraft, including airframe, aircraft 
engines, propellers, rotors, appliances, 
emergency equipment and parts, under 
its manual and this chapter; or 

(2) Make arrangements with another 

person for the performance of mainte-
nance, preventive maintenance, or al-
teration. However, the certificate hold-
er shall ensure that any maintenance, 
preventive maintenance, or alteration 
that is performed by another person is 
performed under the certificate hold-
er’s manual and this chapter. 

§ 135.415 Service difficulty reports. 

(a) Each certificate holder shall re-

port the occurrence or detection of 
each failure, malfunction, or defect in 
an aircraft concerning— 

(1) Fires during flight and whether 

the related fire-warning system func-
tioned properly; 

(2) Fires during flight not protected 

by related fire-warning system; 

(3) False fire-warning during flight; 
(4) An exhaust system that causes 

damage during flight to the engine, ad-
jacent structure, equipment, or compo-
nents; 

(5) An aircraft component that 

causes accumulation or circulation of 
smoke, vapor, or toxic or noxious 
fumes in the crew compartment or pas-
senger cabin during flight; 

(6) Engine shutdown during flight be-

cause of flameout; 

(7) Engine shutdown during flight 

when external damage to the engine or 
aircraft structure occurs; 

(8) Engine shutdown during flight due 

to foreign object ingestion or icing; 

(9) Shutdown of more than one en-

gine during flight; 

(10) A propeller feathering system or 

ability of the system to control over-
speed during flight; 

(11) A fuel or fuel-dumping system 

that affects fuel flow or causes haz-
ardous leakage during flight; 

(12) An unwanted landing gear exten-

sion or retraction or opening or closing 
of landing gear doors during flight; 

(13) Brake system components that 

result in loss of brake actuating force 

when the aircraft is in motion on the 
ground; 

(14) Aircraft structure that requires 

major repair; 

(15) Cracks, permanent deformation, 

or corrosion of aircraft structures, if 
more than the maximum acceptable to 
the manufacturer or the FAA; and 

(16) Aircraft components or systems 

that result in taking emergency ac-
tions during flight (except action to 
shut-down an engine). 

(b) For the purpose of this section, 

during flight 

means the period from the 

moment the aircraft leaves the surface 
of the earth on takeoff until it touches 
down on landing. 

(c) In addition to the reports required 

by paragraph (a) of this section, each 
certificate holder shall report any 
other failure, malfunction, or defect in 
an aircraft that occurs or is detected at 
any time if, in its opinion, the failure, 
malfunction, or defect has endangered 
or may endanger the safe operation of 
the aircraft. 

(d) Each certificate holder shall sub-

mit each report required by this sec-
tion, covering each 24-hour period be-
ginning at 0900 local time of each day 
and ending at 0900 local time on the 
next day, to the FAA offices in Okla-
homa City, Oklahoma. Each report of 
occurrences during a 24-hour period 
shall be submitted to the collection 
point within the next 96 hours. How-
ever, a report due on Saturday or Sun-
day may be submitted on the following 
Monday, and a report due on a holiday 
may be submitted on the next work-
day. 

(e) The certificate holder shall trans-

mit the reports required by this section 
on a form and in a manner prescribed 
by the Administrator, and shall include 
as much of the following as is avail-
able: 

(1) The type and identification num-

ber of the aircraft. 

(2) The name of the operator. 
(3) The date. 
(4) The nature of the failure, mal-

function, or defect. 

(5) Identification of the part and sys-

tem involved, including available infor-
mation pertaining to type designation 
of the major component and time since 
last overhaul, if known. 

background image

510 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.417 

(6) Apparent cause of the failure, 

malfunction or defect (e.g., wear, 
crack, design deficiency, or personnel 
error). 

(7) Other pertinent information nec-

essary for more complete identifica-
tion, determination of seriousness, or 
corrective action. 

(f) A certificate holder that is also 

the holder of a type certificate (includ-
ing a supplemental type certificate), a 
Parts Manufacturer Approval, or a 
Technical Standard Order Authoriza-
tion, or that is the licensee of a type 
certificate need not report a failure, 
malfunction, or defect under this sec-
tion if the failure, malfunction, or de-
fect has been reported by it under § 21.3 
or § 37.17 of this chapter or under the 
accident reporting provisions of 49 CFR 
part 830 of the regulations of the Na-
tional Transportation Safety Board. 

(g) No person may withhold a report 

required by this section even though 
all information required by this section 
is not available. 

(h) When the certificate holder gets 

additional information, including in-
formation from the manufacturer or 
other agency, concerning a report re-
quired by this section, it shall expedi-
tiously submit it as a supplement to 
the first report and reference the date 
and place of submission of the first re-
port. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–102, 70 FR 76979, Dec. 
29, 2005; Doc. No. FAA–2022–1355; Amdt. Nos. 
135–143; 87 FR 75848, Dec. 9, 2022] 

§ 135.417 Mechanical interruption 

summary report. 

Each certificate holder shall mail or 

deliver, before the end of the 10th day 
of the following month, a summary re-
port of the following occurrences in 
multiengine aircraft for the preceding 
month to the responsible Flight Stand-
ards office: 

(a) Each interruption to a flight, un-

scheduled change of aircraft en route, 
or unscheduled stop or diversion from a 
route, caused by known or suspected 
mechanical difficulties or malfunctions 
that are not required to be reported 
under § 135.415. 

(b) The number of propeller 

featherings in flight, listed by type of 
propeller and engine and aircraft on 

which it was installed. Propeller 
featherings for training, demonstra-
tion, or flight check purposes need not 
be reported. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–60, 61 FR 2616, Jan. 26, 
1996; Docket FAA–2018–0119, Amdt. 135–139, 83 
FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.419 Approved aircraft inspection 

program. 

(a) Whenever the Administrator finds 

that the aircraft inspections required 
or allowed under part 91 of this chapter 
are not adequate to meet this part, or 
upon application by a certificate hold-
er, the Administrator may amend the 
certificate holder’s operations speci-
fications under § 119.51, to require or 
allow an approved aircraft inspection 
program for any make and model air-
craft of which the certificate holder 
has the exclusive use of at least one 
aircraft (as defined in § 135.25(b)). 

(b) A certificate holder who applies 

for an amendment of its operations 
specifications to allow an approved air-
craft inspection program must submit 
that program with its application for 
approval by the Administrator. 

(c) Each certificate holder who is re-

quired by its operations specifications 
to have an approved aircraft inspection 
program shall submit a program for ap-
proval by the Administrator within 30 
days of the amendment of its oper-
ations specifications or within any 
other period that the Administrator 
may prescribe in the operations speci-
fications. 

(d) The aircraft inspection program 

submitted for approval by the Adminis-
trator must contain the following: 

(1) Instructions and procedures for 

the conduct of aircraft inspections 
(which must include necessary tests 
and checks), setting forth in detail the 
parts and areas of the airframe, en-
gines, propellers, rotors, and appli-
ances, including emergency equipment, 
that must be inspected. 

(2) A schedule for the performance of 

the aircraft inspections under para-
graph (d)(1) of this section expressed in 
terms of the time in service, calendar 
time, number of system operations, or 
any combination of these. 

(3) Instructions and procedures for 

recording discrepancies found during 

background image

511 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.422 

inspections and correction or deferral 
of discrepancies including form and 
disposition of records. 

(e) After approval, the certificate 

holder shall include the approved air-
craft inspection program in the manual 
required by § 135.21. 

(f) Whenever the Administrator finds 

that revisions to an approved aircraft 
inspection program are necessary for 
the continued adequacy of the pro-
gram, the certificate holder shall, after 
notification by the Administrator, 
make any changes in the program 
found by the Administrator to be nec-
essary. The certificate holder may pe-
tition the Administrator to reconsider 
the notice to make any changes in a 
program. The petition must be filed 
with the representatives of the Admin-
istrator assigned to it within 30 days 
after the certificate holder receives the 
notice. Except in the case of an emer-
gency requiring immediate action in 
the interest of safety, the filing of the 
petition stays the notice pending a de-
cision by the Administrator. 

(g) Each certificate holder who has 

an approved aircraft inspection pro-
gram shall have each aircraft that is 
subject to the program inspected in ac-
cordance with the program. 

(h) The registration number of each 

aircraft that is subject to an approved 
aircraft inspection program must be in-
cluded in the operations specifications 
of the certificate holder. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–104, 71 FR 536, Jan. 4, 
2006] 

§ 135.421 Additional maintenance re-

quirements. 

(a) Each certificate holder who oper-

ates an aircraft type certificated for a 
passenger seating configuration, ex-
cluding any pilot seat, of nine seats or 
less, must comply with the manufac-
turer’s recommended maintenance pro-
grams, or a program approved by the 
Administrator, for each aircraft en-
gine, propeller, rotor, and each item of 
emergency equipment required by this 
chapter. 

(b) For the purpose of this section, a 

manufacturer’s maintenance program 
is one which is contained in the main-
tenance manual or maintenance in-
structions set forth by the manufac-

turer as required by this chapter for 
the aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, 
rotor or item of emergency equipment. 

(c) For each single engine aircraft to 

be used in passenger-carrying IFR op-
erations, each certificate holder must 
incorporate into its maintenance pro-
gram either: 

(1) The manufacturer’s recommended 

engine trend monitoring program, 
which includes an oil analysis, if appro-
priate, or 

(2) An FAA approved engine trend 

monitoring program that includes an 
oil analysis at each 100 hour interval or 
at the manufacturer’s suggested inter-
val, whichever is more frequent. 

(d) For single engine aircraft to be 

used in passenger-carrying IFR oper-
ations, written maintenance instruc-
tions containing the methods, tech-
niques, and practices necessary to 
maintain the equipment specified in 
§§ 135.105, and 135.163 (f) and (h) are re-
quired. 

(e) No certificate holder may operate 

a single engine aircraft under IFR, car-
rying passengers, unless the certificate 
holder records and maintains in the en-
gine maintenance records the results of 
each test, observation, and inspection 
required by the applicable engine trend 
monitoring program specified in (c) (1) 
and (2) of this section. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–70, 62 FR 42374, Aug. 6, 
1997] 

§ 135.422 Aging airplane inspections 

and records reviews for multien-

gine airplanes certificated with 

nine or fewer passenger seats. 

(a) 

Applicability. 

This section applies 

to multiengine airplanes certificated 
with nine or fewer passenger seats, op-
erated by a certificate holder in a 
scheduled operation under this part, 
except for those airplanes operated by 
a certificate holder in a scheduled op-
eration between any point within the 
State of Alaska and any other point 
within the State of Alaska. 

(b) 

Operation after inspections and 

records review. 

After the dates specified 

in this paragraph, a certificate holder 
may not operate a multiengine air-
plane in a scheduled operation under 
this part unless the Administrator has 
notified the certificate holder that the 

background image

512 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.423 

Administrator has completed the aging 
airplane inspection and records review 
required by this section. During the in-
spection and records review, the cer-
tificate holder must demonstrate to 
the Administrator that the mainte-
nance of age-sensitive parts and com-
ponents of the airplane has been ade-
quate and timely enough to ensure the 
highest degree of safety. 

(1) 

Airplanes exceeding 24 years in serv-

ice on December 8, 2003; initial and repet-
itive inspections and records reviews. 

For 

an airplane that has exceeded 24 years 
in service on December 8, 2003, no later 
than December 5, 2007, and thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 7 years. 

(2) 

Airplanes exceeding 14 years in serv-

ice but not 24 years in service on Decem-
ber 8, 2003; initial and repetitive inspec-
tions and records reviews. 

For an air-

plane that has exceeded 14 years in 
service, but not 24 years in service, on 
December 8, 2003, no later than Decem-
ber 4, 2008, and thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 7 years. 

(3) 

Airplanes not exceeding 14 years in 

service on December 8, 2003; initial and re-
petitive inspections and records reviews. 

For an airplane that has not exceeded 
14 years in service on December 8, 2003, 
no later than 5 years after the start of 
the airplane’s 15th year in service and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7 
years. 

(c) 

Unforeseen schedule conflict. 

In the 

event of an unforeseen scheduling con-
flict for a specific airplane, the Admin-
istrator may approve an extension of 
up to 90 days beyond an interval speci-
fied in paragraph (b) of this section. 

(d) 

Airplane and records availability. 

The certificate holder must make 
available to the Administrator each 
airplane for which an inspection and 
records review is required under this 
section, in a condition for inspection 
specified by the Administrator, to-
gether with the records containing the 
following information: 

(1) Total years in service of the air-

plane; 

(2) Total time in service of the air-

frame; 

(3) Date of the last inspection and 

records review required by this section; 

(4) Current status of life-limited 

parts of the airframe; 

(5) Time since the last overhaul of all 

structural components required to be 
overhauled on a specific time basis; 

(6) Current inspection status of the 

airplane, including the time since the 
last inspection required by the inspec-
tion program under which the airplane 
is maintained; 

(7) Current status of applicable air-

worthiness directives, including the 
date and methods of compliance, and, 
if the airworthiness directive involves 
recurring action, the time and date 
when the next action is required; 

(8) A list of major structural alter-

ations; and 

(9) A report of major structural re-

pairs and the current inspection status 
for these repairs. 

(e) 

Notification to the Administrator. 

Each certificate holder must notify the 
Administrator at least 60 days before 
the date on which the airplane and air-
plane records will be made available 
for the inspection and records review. 

[Doc. No. FAA–1999–5401, 70 FR 5533, Feb. 2, 
2005] 

§ 135.423 Maintenance, preventive 

maintenance, and alteration organi-

zation. 

(a) Each certificate holder that per-

forms any of its maintenance (other 
than required inspections), preventive 
maintenance, or alterations, and each 
person with whom it arranges for the 
performance of that work, must have 
an organization adequate to perform 
the work. 

(b) Each certificate holder that per-

forms any inspections required by its 
manual under § 135.427(b) (2) or (3), (in 
this subpart referred to as 

required in-

spections

), and each person with whom 

it arranges for the performance of that 
work, must have an organization ade-
quate to perform that work. 

(c) Each person performing required 

inspections in addition to other main-
tenance, preventive maintenance, or 
alterations, shall organize the perform-
ance of those functions so as to sepa-
rate the required inspection functions 
from the other maintenance, preven-
tive maintenance, and alteration func-
tions. The separation shall be below 
the level of administrative control at 
which overall responsibility for the re-
quired inspection functions and other 

background image

513 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.426 

maintenance, preventive maintenance, 
and alteration functions is exercised. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978. Re-
designated by Amdt. 135–81, 67 FR 72765, Dec. 
6, 2002. Redesignated by Amdt. 135–81, 70 FR 
5533, Feb. 2, 2005] 

§ 135.425 Maintenance, preventive 

maintenance, and alteration pro-

grams. 

Each certificate holder shall have an 

inspection program and a program cov-
ering other maintenance, preventive 
maintenance, and alterations, that en-
sures that— 

(a) Maintenance, preventive mainte-

nance, and alterations performed by it, 
or by other persons, are performed 
under the certificate holder’s manual; 

(b) Competent personnel and ade-

quate facilities and equipment are pro-
vided for the proper performance of 
maintenance, preventive maintenance, 
and alterations; and 

(c) Each aircraft released to service 

is airworthy and has been properly 
maintained for operation under this 
part. 

§ 135.426 Contract maintenance. 

(a) A certificate holder may arrange 

with another person for the perform-
ance of maintenance, preventive main-
tenance, and alterations as authorized 
in § 135.437(a) only if the certificate 
holder has met all the requirements in 
this section. For purposes of this sec-
tion— 

(1) A 

maintenance provider 

is any per-

son who performs maintenance, preven-
tive maintenance, or an alteration for 
a certificate holder other than a person 
who is trained by and employed di-
rectly by that certificate holder. 

(2) 

Covered work 

means any of the fol-

lowing: 

(i) Essential maintenance that could 

result in a failure, malfunction, or de-
fect endangering the safe operation of 
an aircraft if not performed properly or 
if improper parts or materials are used; 

(ii) Regularly scheduled mainte-

nance; or 

(iii) A required inspection item on an 

aircraft. 

(3) 

Directly in charge 

means having re-

sponsibility for covered work per-
formed by a maintenance provider. A 
representative of the certificate holder 

directly in charge of covered work does 
not need to physically observe and di-
rect each maintenance provider con-
stantly, but must be available for con-
sultation on matters requiring instruc-
tion or decision. 

(b) Each certificate holder must be 

directly in charge of all covered work 
done for it by a maintenance provider. 

(c) Each maintenance provider must 

perform all covered work in accordance 
with the certificate holder’s mainte-
nance manual. 

(d) No maintenance provider may 

perform covered work unless that work 
is carried out under the supervision 
and control of the certificate holder. 

(e) Each certificate holder who con-

tracts for maintenance, preventive 
maintenance, or alterations must de-
velop and implement policies, proce-
dures, methods, and instructions for 
the accomplishment of all contracted 
maintenance, preventive maintenance, 
and alterations. These policies, proce-
dures, methods, and instructions must 
provide for the maintenance, preven-
tive maintenance, and alterations to be 
performed in accordance with the cer-
tificate holder’s maintenance program 
and maintenance manual. 

(f) Each certificate holder who con-

tracts for maintenance, preventive 
maintenance, or alterations must en-
sure that its system for the continuing 
analysis and surveillance of the main-
tenance, preventive maintenance, and 
alterations carried out by a mainte-
nance provider, as required by 
§ 135.431(a), contains procedures for 
oversight of all contracted covered 
work. 

(g) The policies, procedures, methods, 

and instructions required by para-
graphs (e) and (f) of this section must 
be acceptable to the FAA and included 
in the certificate holder’s maintenance 
manual, as required by § 135.427(b)(10). 

(h) Each certificate holder who con-

tracts for maintenance, preventive 
maintenance, or alterations must pro-
vide to its responsible Flight Standards 
office, in a format acceptable to the 
FAA, a list that includes the name and 
physical (street) address, or addresses, 
where the work is carried out for each 
maintenance provider that performs 
work for the certificate holder, and a 
description of the type of maintenance, 

background image

514 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.427 

preventive maintenance, or alteration 
that is to be performed at each loca-
tion. The list must be updated with 
any changes, including additions or de-
letions, and the updated list provided 
to the FAA in a format acceptable to 
the FAA by the last day of each cal-
endar month. 

[Docket FAA–2011–1136, Amdt. 135–132, 80 FR 
11547, Mar. 4, 2015, as amended by Docket 
FAA–2018–0119, Amdt. 135–139, 83 FR 9175, 
Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.427 Manual requirements. 

(a) Each certificate holder shall put 

in its manual the chart or description 
of the certificate holder’s organization 
required by § 135.423 and a list of per-
sons with whom it has arranged for the 
performance of any of its required in-
spections, other maintenance, preven-
tive maintenance, or alterations, in-
cluding a general description of that 
work. 

(b) Each certificate holder shall put 

in its manual the programs required by 
§ 135.425 that must be followed in per-
forming maintenance, preventive 
maintenance, and alterations of that 
certificate holder’s aircraft, including 
airframes, aircraft engines, propellers, 
rotors, appliances, emergency equip-
ment, and parts, and must include at 
least the following: 

(1) The method of performing routine 

and nonroutine maintenance (other 
than required inspections), preventive 
maintenance, and alterations. 

(2) A designation of the items of 

maintenance and alteration that must 
be inspected (required inspections) in-
cluding at least those that could result 
in a failure, malfunction, or defect en-
dangering the safe operation of the air-
craft, if not performed properly or if 
improper parts or materials are used. 

(3) The method of performing re-

quired inspections and a designation by 
occupational title of personnel author-
ized to perform each required inspec-
tion. 

(4) Procedures for the reinspection of 

work performed under previous re-
quired inspection findings (

buy-back 

procedures

). 

(5) Procedures, standards, and limits 

necessary for required inspections and 
acceptance or rejection of the items re-
quired to be inspected and for periodic 

inspection and calibration of precision 
tools, measuring devices, and test 
equipment. 

(6) Procedures to ensure that all re-

quired inspections are performed. 

(7) Instructions to prevent any per-

son who performs any item of work 
from performing any required inspec-
tion of that work. 

(8) Instructions and procedures to 

prevent any decision of an inspector re-
garding any required inspection from 
being countermanded by persons other 
than supervisory personnel of the in-
spection unit, or a person at the level 
of administrative control that has 
overall responsibility for the manage-
ment of both the required inspection 
functions and the other maintenance, 
preventive maintenance, and alter-
ations functions. 

(9) Procedures to ensure that re-

quired inspections, other maintenance, 
preventive maintenance, and alter-
ations that are not completed as a re-
sult of work interruptions are properly 
completed before the aircraft is re-
leased to service. 

(10) Policies, procedures, methods, 

and instructions for the accomplish-
ment of all maintenance, preventive 
maintenance, and alterations carried 
out by a maintenance provider. These 
policies, procedures, methods, and in-
structions must be acceptable to the 
FAA and ensure that, when followed by 
the maintenance provider, the mainte-
nance, preventive maintenance, and al-
terations are performed in accordance 
with the certificate holder’s mainte-
nance program and maintenance man-
ual. 

(c) Each certificate holder shall put 

in its manual a suitable system (which 
may include a coded system) that pro-
vides for the retention of the following 
information— 

(1) A description (or reference to data 

acceptable to the Administrator) of the 
work performed; 

(2) The name of the person per-

forming the work if the work is per-
formed by a person outside the organi-
zation of the certificate holder; and 

(3) The name or other positive identi-

fication of the individual approving the 
work. 

(d) For the purposes of this part, the 

certificate holder must prepare that 

background image

515 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.431 

part of its manual containing mainte-
nance information and instructions, in 
whole or in part, in printed form or 
other form, acceptable to the Adminis-
trator, that is retrievable in the 
English language. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–66, 62 FR 13257, Mar. 
19, 1997; 69 FR 18472, Apr. 8, 2004; Amdt. 135– 
118, 74 FR 38522, Aug. 4, 2009; Docket FAA– 
2011–1136, Amdt. 135–132, 80 FR 11547, Mar. 4, 
2015] 

§ 135.429 Required inspection per-

sonnel. 

(a) No person may use any person to 

perform required inspections unless the 
person performing the inspection is ap-
propriately certificated, properly 
trained, qualified, and authorized to do 
so. 

(b) No person may allow any person 

to perform a required inspection un-
less, at the time, the person performing 
that inspection is under the super-
vision and control of an inspection 
unit. 

(c) No person may perform a required 

inspection if that person performed the 
item of work required to be inspected. 

(d) In the case of rotorcraft that op-

erate in remote areas or sites, the Ad-
ministrator may approve procedures 
for the performance of required inspec-
tion items by a pilot when no other 
qualified person is available, pro-
vided— 

(1) The pilot is employed by the cer-

tificate holder; 

(2) It can be shown to the satisfaction 

of the Administrator that each pilot 
authorized to perform required inspec-
tions is properly trained and qualified; 

(3) The required inspection is a result 

of a mechanical interruption and is not 
a part of a certificate holder’s contin-
uous airworthiness maintenance pro-
gram; 

(4) Each item is inspected after each 

flight until the item has been inspected 
by an appropriately certificated me-
chanic other than the one who origi-
nally performed the item of work; and 

(5) Each item of work that is a re-

quired inspection item that is part of 
the flight control system shall be flight 
tested and reinspected before the air-
craft is approved for return to service. 

(e) Each certificate holder shall 

maintain, or shall determine that each 
person with whom it arranges to per-
form its required inspections main-
tains, a current listing of persons who 
have been trained, qualified, and au-
thorized to conduct required inspec-
tions. The persons must be identified 
by name, occupational title and the in-
spections that they are authorized to 
perform. The certificate holder (or per-
son with whom it arranges to perform 
its required inspections) shall give 
written information to each person so 
authorized, describing the extent of 
that person’s responsibilities, authori-
ties, and inspectional limitations. The 
list shall be made available for inspec-
tion by the Administrator upon re-
quest. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–20, 51 FR 40710, Nov. 7, 
1986] 

§ 135.431 Continuing analysis and sur-

veillance. 

(a) Each certificate holder shall es-

tablish and maintain a system for the 
continuing analysis and surveillance of 
the performance and effectiveness of 
its inspection program and the pro-
gram covering other maintenance, pre-
ventive maintenance, and alterations 
and for the correction of any deficiency 
in those programs, regardless of wheth-
er those programs are carried out by 
the certificate holder or by another 
person. 

(b) Whenever the Administrator finds 

that either or both of the programs de-
scribed in paragraph (a) of this section 
does not contain adequate procedures 
and standards to meet this part, the 
certificate holder shall, after notifica-
tion by the Administrator, make 
changes in those programs requested 
by the Administrator. 

(c) A certificate holder may petition 

the Administrator to reconsider the 
notice to make a change in a program. 
The petition must be filed with the re-
sponsible Flight Standards office with-
in 30 days after the certificate holder 
receives the notice. Except in the case 
of an emergency requiring immediate 
action in the interest of safety, the fil-
ing of the petition stays the notice 

background image

516 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.433 

pending a decision by the Adminis-
trator. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–60, 61 FR 2617, Jan. 26, 
1996; Docket FAA–2018–0119, Amdt. 135–139, 83 
FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018] 

§ 135.433 Maintenance and preventive 

maintenance training program. 

Each certificate holder or a person 

performing maintenance or preventive 
maintenance functions for it shall have 
a training program to ensure that each 
person (including inspection personnel) 
who determines the adequacy of work 
done is fully informed about procedures 
and techniques and new equipment in 
use and is competent to perform that 
person’s duties. 

§ 135.435 Certificate requirements. 

(a) Except for maintenance, preven-

tive maintenance, alterations, and re-
quired inspections performed by a cer-
tificated repair station that is located 
outside the United States, each person 
who is directly in charge of mainte-
nance, preventive maintenance, or al-
terations, and each person performing 
required inspections must hold an ap-
propriate airman certificate. 

(b) For the purpose of this section, a 

person 

directly in charge 

is each person 

assigned to a position in which that 
person is responsible for the work of a 
shop or station that performs mainte-
nance, preventive maintenance, alter-
ations, or other functions affecting air-
worthiness. A person who is 

directly in 

charge 

need not physically observe and 

direct each worker constantly but 
must be available for consultation and 
decision on matters requiring instruc-
tion or decision from higher authority 
than that of the person performing the 
work. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–82, 66 FR 41117, Aug. 6, 
2001] 

§ 135.437 Authority to perform and ap-

prove maintenance, preventive 

maintenance, and alterations. 

(a) A certificate holder may perform 

or make arrangements with other per-
sons to perform maintenance, preven-
tive maintenance, and alterations as 
provided in its maintenance manual. In 
addition, a certificate holder may per-

form these functions for another cer-
tificate holder as provided in the main-
tenance manual of the other certificate 
holder. 

(b) A certificate holder may approve 

any airframe, aircraft engine, pro-
peller, rotor, or appliance for return to 
service after maintenance, preventive 
maintenance, or alterations that are 
performed under paragraph (a) of this 
section. However, in the case of a 
major repair or alteration, the work 
must have been done in accordance 
with technical data approved by the 
Administrator. 

§ 135.439 Maintenance recording re-

quirements. 

(a) Each certificate holder shall keep 

(using the system specified in the man-
ual required in § 135.427) the following 
records for the periods specified in 
paragraph (b) of this section: 

(1) All the records necessary to show 

that all requirements for the issuance 
of an airworthiness release under 
§ 135.443 have been met. 

(2) Records containing the following 

information: 

(i) The total time in service of the 

airframe, engine, propeller, and rotor. 

(ii) The current status of life-limited 

parts of each airframe, engine, pro-
peller, rotor, and appliance. 

(iii) The time since last overhaul of 

each item installed on the aircraft 
which are required to be overhauled on 
a specified time basis. 

(iv) The identification of the current 

inspection status of the aircraft, in-
cluding the time since the last inspec-
tions required by the inspection pro-
gram under which the aircraft and its 
appliances are maintained. 

(v) The current status of applicable 

airworthiness directives, including the 
date and methods of compliance, and, 
if the airworthiness directive involves 
recurring action, the time and date 
when the next action is required. 

(vi) A list of current major alter-

ations and repairs to each airframe, en-
gine, propeller, rotor, and appliance. 

(b) Each certificate holder shall re-

tain the records required to be kept by 
this section for the following periods: 

(1) Except for the records of the last 

complete overhaul of each airframe, 
engine, propeller, rotor, and appliance 

background image

517 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.443 

the records specified in paragraph (a)(1) 
of this section shall be retained until 
the work is repeated or superseded by 
other work or for one year after the 
work is performed. 

(2) The records of the last complete 

overhaul of each airframe, engine, pro-
peller, rotor, and appliance shall be re-
tained until the work is superseded by 
work of equivalent scope and detail. 

(3) The records specified in paragraph 

(a)(2) of this section shall be retained 
and transferred with the aircraft at the 
time the aircraft is sold. 

(c) The certificate holder shall make 

all maintenance records required to be 
kept by this section available for in-
spection by the Administrator or any 
representative of the National Trans-
portation Safety Board. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978; 43 
FR 49975, Oct. 26, 1978] 

§ 135.441 Transfer of maintenance 

records. 

Each certificate holder who sells a 

United States registered aircraft shall 
transfer to the purchaser, at the time 
of the sale, the following records of 
that aircraft, in plain language form or 
in coded form which provides for the 
preservation and retrieval of informa-
tion in a manner acceptable to the Ad-
ministrator: 

(a) The records specified in 

§ 135.439(a)(2). 

(b) The records specified in 

§ 135.439(a)(1) which are not included in 
the records covered by paragraph (a) of 
this section, except that the purchaser 
may allow the seller to keep physical 
custody of such records. However, cus-
tody of records by the seller does not 
relieve the purchaser of its responsi-
bility under § 135.439(c) to make the 
records available for inspection by the 
Administrator or any representative of 
the National Transportation Safety 
Board. 

§ 135.443 Airworthiness release or air-

craft maintenance log entry. 

(a) No certificate holder may operate 

an aircraft after maintenance, preven-
tive maintenance, or alterations are 
performed on the aircraft unless the 
certificate holder prepares, or causes 
the person with whom the certificate 
holder arranges for the performance of 

the maintenance, preventive mainte-
nance, or alterations, to prepare— 

(1) An airworthiness release; or 
(2) An appropriate entry in the air-

craft maintenance log. 

(b) The airworthiness release or log 

entry required by paragraph (a) of this 
section must— 

(1) Be prepared in accordance with 

the procedure in the certificate hold-
er’s manual; 

(2) Include a certification that— 
(i) The work was performed in ac-

cordance with the requirements of the 
certificate holder’s manual; 

(ii) All items required to be inspected 

were inspected by an authorized person 
who determined that the work was sat-
isfactorily completed; 

(iii) No known condition exists that 

would make the aircraft unairworthy; 
and 

(iv) So far as the work performed is 

concerned, the aircraft is in condition 
for safe operation; and 

(3) Be signed by an authorized certifi-

cated mechanic or repairman, except 
that a certificated repairman may sign 
the release or entry only for the work 
for which that person is employed and 
for which that person is certificated. 

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(3) 

of this section, after maintenance, pre-
ventive maintenance, or alterations 
performed by a repair station located 
outside the United States , the air-
worthiness release or log entry re-
quired by paragraph (a) of this section 
may be signed by a person authorized 
by that repair station. 

(d) Instead of restating each of the 

conditions of the certification required 
by paragraph (b) of this section, the 
certificate holder may state in its 
manual that the signature of an au-
thorized certificated mechanic or re-
pairman constitutes that certification. 

[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as 
amended by Amdt. 135–29, 53 FR 47375, Nov. 
22, 1988; Amdt. 135–82, 66 FR 41117, Aug. 6, 
2001] 

Subpart K—Hazardous Materials 

Training Program 

S

OURCE

: Docket No. FAA–2003–15085, 70 FR 

58829, Oct. 7, 2005, unless otherwise noted. 

background image

518 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.501 

§ 135.501 Applicability and definitions. 

(a) This subpart prescribes the re-

quirements applicable to each certifi-
cate holder for training each crew-
member and person performing or di-
rectly supervising any of the following 
job functions involving any item for 
transport on board an aircraft: 

(1) Acceptance; 
(2) Rejection; 
(3) Handling; 
(4) Storage incidental to transport; 
(5) Packaging of company material; 

or 

(6) Loading. 
(b) 

Definitions. 

For purposes of this 

subpart, the following definitions 
apply: 

(1) 

Company material (COMAT)

—Mate-

rial owned or used by a certificate 
holder. 

(2) 

Initial hazardous materials train-

ing

—The basic training required for 

each newly hired person, or each per-
son changing job functions, who per-
forms or directly supervises any of the 
job functions specified in paragraph (a) 
of this section. 

(3) 

Recurrent hazardous materials 

training

—The training required every 

24 months for each person who has sat-
isfactorily completed the certificate 
holder’s approved initial hazardous ma-
terials training program and performs 
or directly supervises any of the job 
functions specified in paragraph (a) of 
this section. 

§ 135.503 Hazardous materials train-

ing: General. 

(a) Each certificate holder must es-

tablish and implement a hazardous ma-
terials training program that: 

(1) Satisfies the requirements of Ap-

pendix O of part 121 of this part; 

(2) Ensures that each person per-

forming or directly supervising any of 
the job functions specified in § 135.501(a) 
is trained to comply with all applicable 
parts of 49 CFR parts 171 through 180 
and the requirements of this subpart; 
and 

(3) Enables the trained person to rec-

ognize items that contain, or may con-
tain, hazardous materials regulated by 
49 CFR parts 171 through 180. 

(b) Each certificate holder must pro-

vide initial hazardous materials train-
ing and recurrent hazardous materials 

training to each crewmember and per-
son performing or directly supervising 
any of the job functions specified in 
§ 135.501(a). 

(c) Each certificate holder’s haz-

ardous materials training program 
must be approved by the FAA prior to 
implementation. 

§ 135.505 Hazardous materials training 

required. 

(a) 

Training requirement. 

Except as 

provided in paragraphs (b), (c) and (f) of 
this section, no certificate holder may 
use any crewmember or person to per-
form any of the job functions or direct 
supervisory responsibilities, and no 
person may perform any of the job 
functions or direct supervisory respon-
sibilities, specified in § 135.501(a) unless 
that person has satisfactorily com-
pleted the certificate holder’s FAA-ap-
proved initial or recurrent hazardous 
materials training program within the 
past 24 months. 

(b) 

New hire or new job function. 

A per-

son who is a new hire and has not yet 
satisfactorily completed the required 
initial hazardous materials training, or 
a person who is changing job functions 
and has not received initial or recur-
rent training for a job function involv-
ing storage incidental to transport, or 
loading of items for transport on an 
aircraft, may perform those job func-
tions for not more than 30 days from 
the date of hire or a change in job func-
tion, if the person is under the direct 
visual supervision of a person who is 
authorized by the certificate holder to 
supervise that person and who has suc-
cessfully completed the certificate 
holder’s FAA-approved initial or recur-
rent training program within the past 
24 months. 

(c) 

Persons who work for more than one 

certificate holder. 

A certificate holder 

that uses or assigns a person to per-
form or directly supervise a job func-
tion specified in § 135.501(a), when that 
person also performs or directly super-
vises the same job function for another 
certificate holder, need only train that 
person in its own policies and proce-
dures regarding those job functions, if 
all of the following are met: 

(1) The certificate holder using this 

exception receives written verification 
from the person designated to hold the 

background image

519 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.507 

training records representing the other 
certificate holder that the person has 
satisfactorily completed hazardous ma-
terials training for the specific job 
function under the other certificate 
holder’s FAA approved hazardous ma-
terial training program under appendix 
O of part 121 of this chapter; and 

(2) The certificate holder who trained 

the person has the same operations 
specifications regarding the accept-
ance, handling, and transport of haz-
ardous materials as the certificate 
holder using this exception. 

(d) 

Recurrent hazardous materials 

training—Completion date. 

A person who 

satisfactorily completes recurrent haz-
ardous materials training in the cal-
endar month before, or the calendar 
month after, the month in which the 
recurrent training is due, is considered 
to have taken that training during the 
month in which it is due. If the person 
completes this training earlier than 
the month before it is due, the month 
of the completion date becomes his or 
her new anniversary month. 

(e) 

Repair stations. 

A certificate hold-

er must ensure that each repair station 
performing work for, or on the certifi-
cate holder’s behalf is notified in writ-
ing of the certificate holder’s policies 
and operations specification authoriza-
tion permitting or prohibition against 
the acceptance, rejection, handling, 
storage incidental to transport, and 
transportation of hazardous materials, 
including company material. This noti-
fication requirement applies only to re-
pair stations that are regulated by 49 
CFR parts 171 through 180. 

(f) 

Certificate holders operating at for-

eign locations. 

This exception applies if 

a certificate holder operating at a for-
eign location where the country re-
quires the certificate holder to use per-
sons working in that country to load 
aircraft. In such a case, the certificate 
holder may use those persons even if 
they have not been trained in accord-
ance with the certificate holder’s FAA 
approved hazardous materials training 
program. Those persons, however, must 
be under the direct visual supervision 
of someone who has successfully com-
pleted the certificate holder’s approved 
initial or recurrent hazardous mate-
rials training program in accordance 
with this part. This exception applies 

only to those persons who load air-
craft. 

§ 135.507 Hazardous materials training 

records. 

(a) 

General requirement. 

Each certifi-

cate holder must maintain a record of 
all training required by this part re-
ceived within the preceding three years 
for each person who performs or di-
rectly supervises a job function speci-
fied in § 135.501(a). The record must be 
maintained during the time that the 
person performs or directly supervises 
any of those job functions, and for 90 
days thereafter. These training records 
must be kept for direct employees of 
the certificate holder, as well as inde-
pendent contractors, subcontractors, 
and any other person who performs or 
directly supervises these job functions 
for the certificate holder. 

(b) 

Location of records. 

The certificate 

holder must retain the training records 
required by paragraph (a) of this sec-
tion for all initial and recurrent train-
ing received within the preceding 3 
years for all persons performing or di-
rectly supervising the job functions 
listed in Appendix O of part 121 of this 
chapter at a designated location. The 
records must be available upon request 
at the location where the trained per-
son performs or directly supervises the 
job function specified in § 135.501(a). 
Records may be maintained electroni-
cally and provided on location elec-
tronically. When the person ceases to 
perform or directly supervise a haz-
ardous materials job function, the cer-
tificate holder must retain the haz-
ardous materials training records for 
an additional 90 days and make them 
available upon request at the last loca-
tion where the person worked. 

(c) 

Content of records. 

Each record 

must contain the following: 

(1) The individual’s name; 
(2) The most recent training comple-

tion date; 

(3) A description, copy or reference to 

training materials used to meet the 
training requirement; 

(4) The name and address of the orga-

nization providing the training; and 

(5) A copy of the certification issued 

when the individual was trained, which 
shows that a test has been completed 
satisfactorily. 

background image

520 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.601 

(d) 

New hire or new job function. 

Each 

certificate holder using a person under 
the exception in § 135.505(b) must main-
tain a record for that person. The 
records must be available upon request 
at the location where the trained per-
son performs or directly supervises the 
job function specified in § 135.501(a). 
Records may be maintained electroni-
cally and provided on location elec-
tronically. The record must include the 
following: 

(1) A signed statement from an au-

thorized representative of the certifi-
cate holder authorizing the use of the 
person in accordance with the excep-
tion; 

(2) The date of hire or change in job 

function; 

(3) The person’s name and assigned 

job function; 

(4) The name of the supervisor of the 

job function; and 

(5) The date the person is to complete 

hazardous materials training in accord-
ance with Appendix O of part 121 of this 
chapter. 

Subpart L—Helicopter Air Ambu-

lance Equipment, Operations, 
and Training Requirements 

S

OURCE

: Docket No. FAA–2010–0982, 79 FR 

9975, Feb. 21, 2014, unless otherwise noted. 

§ 135.601 Applicability and definitions. 

(a) 

Applicability. 

This subpart pre-

scribes the requirements applicable to 
each certificate holder conducting heli-
copter air ambulance operations. 

(b) 

Definitions. 

For purposes of this 

subpart, the following definitions 
apply: 

(1) 

Helicopter air ambulance operation 

means a flight, or sequence of flights, 
with a patient or medical personnel on 
board, for the purpose of medical trans-
portation, by a part 135 certificate 
holder authorized by the Administrator 
to conduct helicopter air ambulance 
operations. A helicopter air ambulance 
operation includes, but is not limited 
to— 

(i) Flights conducted to position the 

helicopter at the site at which a pa-
tient or donor organ will be picked up. 

(ii) Flights conducted to reposition 

the helicopter after completing the pa-
tient, or donor organ transport. 

(iii) Flights initiated for the trans-

port of a patient or donor organ that 
are terminated due to weather or other 
reasons. 

(2) 

Medical personnel 

means a person 

or persons with medical training, in-
cluding but not limited to flight physi-
cians, flight nurses, or flight para-
medics, who are carried aboard a heli-
copter during helicopter air ambulance 
operations in order to provide medical 
care. 

(3) 

Mountainous 

means designated 

mountainous areas as listed in part 95 
of this chapter. 

(4) 

Nonmountainous 

means areas 

other than mountainous areas as listed 
in part 95 of this chapter. 

§ 135.603 Pilot-in-command instrument 

qualifications. 

After April 24, 2017, no certificate 

holder may use, nor may any person 
serve as, a pilot in command of a heli-
copter air ambulance operation unless 
that person meets the requirements of 
§ 135.243 and holds a helicopter instru-
ment rating or an airline transport 
pilot certificate with a category and 
class rating for that aircraft, that is 
not limited to VFR. 

§ 135.605 Helicopter terrain awareness 

and warning system (HTAWS). 

(a) After April 24, 2017, no person may 

operate a helicopter in helicopter air 
ambulance operations unless that heli-
copter is equipped with a helicopter 
terrain awareness and warning system 
(HTAWS) that meets the requirements 
in TSO–C194 and Section 2 of RTCA 
DO–309. 

(b) The certificate holder’s Rotor-

craft Flight Manual must contain ap-
propriate procedures for— 

(1) The use of the HTAWS; and 
(2) Proper flight crew response to 

HTAWS audio and visual warnings. 

(c) Certificate holders with HTAWS 

required by this section with an ap-
proved deviation under § 21.618 of this 
chapter are in compliance with this 
section. 

(d) The standards required in this 

section are incorporated by reference 
into this section with the approval of 
the Director of the Federal Register 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
To enforce any edition other than that 

background image

521 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.609 

specified in this section, the FAA must 
publish notice of change in the F

ED

-

ERAL

R

EGISTER

and the material must 

be available to the public. All approved 
material is available for inspection at 
the FAA’s Office of Rulemaking (ARM– 
1), 800 Independence Avenue SW., Wash-
ington, DC 20591 (telephone (202) 267– 
9677) and from the sources indicated 
below. It is also available for inspec-
tion at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call (202) 741–6030 or 
go to 

http://www.archives.gov/fed-

eral

_

register/code

_

of

_

federal

_

regulations/ 

ibr

_

locations.html. 

(1) U.S. Department of Transpor-

tation, Subsequent Distribution Office, 
DOT Warehouse M30, Ardmore East 
Business Center, 3341 Q 75th Avenue, 
Landover, MD 20785; telephone (301) 
322–5377. Copies are also available on 
the FAA’s Web site. Use the following 
link and type the TSO number in the 
search box: 

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regu-

latory

_

and

_

Guidance

_

Library/rgTSO.nsf/

Frameset?OpenPage. 

(i) TSO C–194, Helicopter Terrain 

Awareness and Warning System 
(HTAWS), Dec. 17, 2008. 

(ii) [Reserved] 
(2) RTCA, Inc., 1150 18th Street NW., 

Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036, tele-
phone (202) 833–9339, and are also avail-

able on RTCA’s Web site at 

http:// 

www.rtca.org/onlinecart/index.cfm. 

(i) RTCA DO–309, Minimum Oper-

ational Performance Standards 
(MOPS) for Helicopter Terrain Aware-
ness and Warning System (HTAWS) 
Airborne Equipment, Mar. 13, 2008. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

§ 135.607 Flight Data Monitoring Sys-

tem. 

After April 23, 2018, no person may 

operate a helicopter in air ambulance 
operations unless it is equipped with an 
approved flight data monitoring sys-
tem capable of recording flight per-
formance data. This system must: 

(a) Receive electrical power from the 

bus that provides the maximum reli-
ability for operation without jeopard-
izing service to essential or emergency 
loads, and 

(b) Be operated from the application 

of electrical power before takeoff until 
the removal of electrical power after 
termination of flight. 

§ 135.609 VFR ceiling and visibility re-

quirements for Class G airspace. 

(a) Unless otherwise specified in the 

certificate holder’s operations speci-
fications, when conducting VFR heli-
copter air ambulance operations in 
Class G airspace, the weather mini-
mums in the following table apply: 

background image

522 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.611 

(b) A certificate holder may des-

ignate local flying areas in a manner 
acceptable to the Administrator, that 
must— 

(1) Not exceed 50 nautical miles in 

any direction from each designated lo-
cation; 

(2) Take into account obstacles and 

terrain features that are easily identi-
fiable by the pilot in command and 
from which the pilot in command may 
visually determine a position; and 

(3) Take into account the operating 

environment and capabilities of the 
certificate holder’s helicopters. 

(c) A pilot must demonstrate a level 

of familiarity with the local flying 
area by passing an examination given 
by the certificate holder within the 12 
calendar months prior to using the 
local flying area. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2010–0982, 79 FR 9975, Feb. 21, 
2014; Amdt. 135–129A, 79 FR 41126, July 15, 
2014] 

§ 135.611 IFR operations at locations 

without weather reporting. 

(a) If a certificate holder is author-

ized to conduct helicopter IFR oper-
ations, the Administrator may author-
ize the certificate holder to conduct 
IFR helicopter air ambulance oper-
ations at airports with an instrument 
approach procedure and at which a 
weather report is not available from 
the U.S. National Weather Service 
(NWS), a source approved by the NWS, 
or a source approved by the FAA, sub-
ject to the following limitations: 

(1) The certificate holder must obtain 

a weather report from a weather re-
porting facility operated by the NWS, a 
source approved by the NWS, or a 
source approved by the FAA, that is lo-
cated within 15 nautical miles of the 
airport. If a weather report is not 
available, the certificate holder may 
obtain weather reports, forecasts, or 
any combination of them from the 
NWS, a source approved by the NWS, 
or a source approved by the FAA, for 
information regarding the weather ob-
served in the vicinity of the airport; 

(2) Flight planning for IFR flights 

conducted under this paragraph must 
include selection of an alternate air-
port that meets the requirements of 
§§ 135.221 and 135.223; 

(3) In Class G airspace, IFR depar-

tures with visual transitions are au-
thorized only after the pilot in com-
mand determines that the weather con-
ditions at the departure point are at or 
above takeoff minimums depicted in a 
published departure procedure or VFR 
minimum ceilings and visibilities in 
accordance with § 135.609. 

(4) All approaches must be conducted 

at Category A approach speeds as es-
tablished in part 97 or those required 
for the type of approach being used. 

(b) Each helicopter air ambulance op-

erated under this section must be 
equipped with functioning severe 
weather detection equipment, unless 
the pilot in command reasonably deter-
mines severe weather will not be en-
countered at the destination, the alter-
nate destination, or along the route of 
flight. 

(c) Pilots conducting operations pur-

suant to this section may use the 
weather information obtained in para-
graph (a) to satisfy the weather report 
and forecast requirements of § 135.213 
and § 135.225(a). 

(d) After completing a landing at the 

airport at which a weather report is 
not available, the pilot in command is 
authorized to determine if the weather 
meets the takeoff requirements of part 
97 of this chapter or the certificate 
holder’s operations specification, as ap-
plicable. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2010–0982, 79 FR 9975, Feb. 21, 
2014, as amended by Amdt. 135–131, 79 FR 
43622, July 28, 2014; Amdt. 135–141, 84 FR 
35823, July 25, 2019] 

§ 135.613 Approach/departure IFR 

transitions. 

(a) 

Approaches. 

When conducting an 

authorized instrument approach and 
transitioning from IFR to VFR flight, 
upon transitioning to VFR flight the 
following weather minimums apply— 

(1) For Point-in-Space (PinS) Copter 

Instrument approaches annotated with 
a ‘‘Proceed VFR’’ segment, if the dis-
tance from the missed approach point 
to the landing area is 1 NM or less, 
flight visibility must be at least 1 stat-
ute mile and the ceiling on the ap-
proach chart applies; 

(2) For all instrument approaches, in-

cluding PinS when paragraph (a)(1) of 

background image

523 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.617 

this section does not apply, if the dis-
tance from the missed approach point 
to the landing area is 3 NM or less, the 
applicable VFR weather minimums 
are— 

(i) For Day Operations: No less than 

a 600-foot ceiling and 2 statute miles 
flight visibility; 

(ii) For Night Operations: No less 

than a 600-foot ceiling and 3 statute 
miles flight visibility; or 

(3) For all instrument approaches, in-

cluding PinS, if the distance from the 
missed approach point to the landing 
area is greater than 3 NM, the VFR 
weather minimums required by the 
class of airspace. 

(b) 

Departures. 

For transitions from 

VFR to IFR upon departure— 

(1) The VFR weather minimums of 

paragraph (a) of this section apply if— 

(i) An FAA-approved obstacle depar-

ture procedure is followed; and 

(ii) An IFR clearance is obtained on 

or before reaching a predetermined lo-
cation that is not more than 3 NM from 
the departure location. 

(2) If the departure does not meet the 

requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, the VFR weather minimums 
required by the class of airspace apply. 

§ 135.615 VFR flight planning. 

(a) 

Pre-flight. 

Prior to conducting 

VFR operations, the pilot in command 
must— 

(1) Determine the minimum safe 

cruise altitude by evaluating the ter-
rain and obstacles along the planned 
route of flight; 

(2) Identify and document the highest 

obstacle along the planned route of 
flight; and 

(3) Using the minimum safe cruise al-

titudes in paragraphs (b)(1)–(2) of this 
section, determine the minimum re-
quired ceiling and visibility to conduct 
the planned flight by applying the 
weather minimums appropriate to the 
class of airspace for the planned flight. 

(b) 

Enroute. 

While conducting VFR 

operations, the pilot in command must 
ensure that all terrain and obstacles 
along the route of flight are cleared 
vertically by no less than the fol-
lowing: 

(1) 300 feet for day operations. 
(2) 500 feet for night operations. 

(c) 

Rerouting the planned flight path. 

pilot in command may deviate from 
the planned flight path for reasons 
such as weather conditions or oper-
ational considerations. Such deviations 
do not relieve the pilot in command of 
the weather requirements or the re-
quirements for terrain and obstacle 
clearance contained in this part and in 
part 91 of this chapter. Rerouting, 
change in destination, or other changes 
to the planned flight that occur while 
the helicopter is on the ground at an 
intermediate stop require evaluation of 
the new route in accordance with para-
graph (a) of this section. 

(d) 

Operations manual. 

Each certifi-

cate holder must document its VFR 
flight planning procedures in its oper-
ations manual. 

§ 135.617 Pre-flight risk analysis. 

(a) Each certificate holder con-

ducting helicopter air ambulance oper-
ations must establish, and document in 
its operations manual, an FAA-ap-
proved preflight risk analysis that in-
cludes at least the following— 

(1) Flight considerations, to include 

obstacles and terrain along the planned 
route of flight, landing zone conditions, 
and fuel requirements; 

(2) Human factors, such as crew fa-

tigue, life events, and other stressors; 

(3) Weather, including departure, en 

route, destination, and forecasted; 

(4) A procedure for determining 

whether another helicopter air ambu-
lance operator has refused or rejected a 
flight request; and 

(5) Strategies and procedures for 

mitigating identified risks, including 
procedures for obtaining and docu-
menting approval of the certificate 
holder’s management personnel to re-
lease a flight when a risk exceeds a 
level predetermined by the certificate 
holder. 

(b) Each certificate holder must de-

velop a preflight risk analysis work-
sheet to include, at a minimum, the 
items in paragraph (a) of this section. 

(c) Prior to the first leg of each heli-

copter air ambulance operation, the 
pilot in command must conduct a pre-
flight risk analysis and complete the 
preflight risk analysis worksheet in ac-
cordance with the certificate holder’s 
FAA-approved procedures. The pilot in 

background image

524 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.619 

command must sign the preflight risk 
analysis worksheet and specify the 
date and time it was completed. 

(d) The certificate holder must retain 

the original or a copy of each com-
pleted preflight risk analysis work-
sheet at a location specified in its oper-
ations manual for at least 90 days from 
the date of the operation. 

§ 135.619 Operations control centers. 

(a) 

Operations control center. 

After 

April 22, 2016, certificate holders au-
thorized to conduct helicopter air am-
bulance operations, with 10 or more 
helicopter air ambulances assigned to 
the certificate holder’s operations 
specifications, must have an operations 
control center. The operations control 
center must be staffed by operations 
control specialists who, at a min-
imum— 

(1) Provide two-way communications 

with pilots; 

(2) Provide pilots with weather brief-

ings, to include current and forecasted 
weather along the planned route of 
flight; 

(3) Monitor the progress of the flight; 

and 

(4) Participate in the preflight risk 

analysis required under § 135.617 to in-
clude the following: 

(i) Ensure the pilot has completed all 

required items on the preflight risk 
analysis worksheet; 

(ii) Confirm and verify all entries on 

the preflight risk analysis worksheet; 

(iii) Assist the pilot in mitigating 

any identified risk prior to takeoff; and 

(iv) Acknowledge in writing, speci-

fying the date and time, that the pre-
flight risk analysis worksheet has been 
accurately completed and that, accord-
ing to their professional judgment, the 
flight can be conducted safely. 

(b) 

Operations control center staffing. 

Each certificate holder conducting hel-
icopter air ambulance operations must 
provide enough operations control spe-
cialists at each operations control cen-
ter to ensure the certificate holder 
maintains operational control of each 
flight. 

(c) 

Documentation of duties and respon-

sibilities. 

Each certificate holder must 

describe in its operations manual the 
duties and responsibilities of oper-
ations control specialists, including 

preflight risk mitigation strategies and 
control measures, shift change check-
list, and training and testing proce-
dures to hold the position, including 
procedures for retesting. 

(d) 

Training requirements. 

No certifi-

cate holder may use, nor may any per-
son perform the duties of, an oper-
ations control specialist unless the op-
erations control specialist has satisfac-
torily completed the training require-
ments of this paragraph. 

(1) 

Initial training. 

Before performing 

the duties of an operations control spe-
cialist, each person must satisfactorily 
complete the certificate holder’s FAA- 
approved operations control specialist 
initial training program and pass an 
FAA-approved knowledge and practical 
test given by the certificate holder. 
Initial training must include a min-
imum of 80 hours of training on the 
topics listed in paragraph (f) of this 
section. A certificate holder may re-
duce the number of hours of initial 
training to a minimum of 40 hours for 
persons who have obtained, at the time 
of beginning initial training, a total of 
at least 2 years of experience during 
the last 5 years in any one or in any 
combination of the following areas— 

(i) In military aircraft operations as 

a pilot, flight navigator, or meteorolo-
gist; 

(ii) In air carrier operations as a 

pilot, flight engineer, certified aircraft 
dispatcher, or meteorologist; or 

(iii) In aircraft operations as an air 

traffic controller or a flight service 
specialist. 

(2) 

Recurrent training. 

Every 12 

months after satisfactory completion 
of the initial training, each operations 
control specialist must complete a 
minimum of 40 hours of recurrent 
training on the topics listed in para-
graph (f) of this section and pass an 
FAA-approved knowledge and practical 
test given by the certificate holder on 
those topics. 

(e) 

Training records. 

The certificate 

holder must maintain a training record 
for each operations control specialist 
employed by the certificate holder for 
the duration of that individual’s em-
ployment and for 90 days thereafter. 
The training record must include a 
chronological log for each training 

background image

525 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.619 

course, including the number of train-
ing hours and the examination dates 
and results. 

(f) 

Training topics. 

Each certificate 

holder must have an FAA-approved op-
erations control specialist training 
program that covers at least the fol-
lowing topics— 

(1) Aviation weather, including: 
(i) General meteorology; 
(ii) Prevailing weather; 
(iii) Adverse and deteriorating weath-

er; 

(iv) Windshear; 
(v) Icing conditions; 
(vi) Use of aviation weather products; 
(vii) Available sources of informa-

tion; and 

(viii) Weather minimums; 
(2) Navigation, including: 
(i) Navigation aids; 
(ii) Instrument approach procedures; 
(iii) Navigational publications; and 
(iv) Navigation techniques; 
(3) Flight monitoring, including: 
(i) Available flight-monitoring proce-

dures; and 

(ii) Alternate flight-monitoring pro-

cedures; 

(4) Air traffic control, including: 
(i) Airspace; 
(ii) Air traffic control procedures; 
(iii) Aeronautical charts; and 
(iv) Aeronautical data sources; 
(5) Aviation communication, includ-

ing: 

(i) Available aircraft communica-

tions systems; 

(ii) Normal communication proce-

dures; 

(iii) Abnormal communication proce-

dures; and 

(iv) Emergency communication pro-

cedures; 

(6) Aircraft systems, including: 
(i) Communications systems; 
(ii) Navigation systems; 
(iii) Surveillance systems; 
(iv) Fueling systems; 
(v) Specialized systems; 
(vi) General maintenance require-

ments; and 

(vii) Minimum equipment lists; 
(7) Aircraft limitations and perform-

ance, including: 

(i) Aircraft operational limitations; 
(ii) Aircraft performance; 
(iii) Weight and balance procedures 

and limitations; and 

(iv) Landing zone and landing facility 

requirements; 

(8) Aviation policy and regulations, 

including: 

(i) 14 CFR Parts 1, 27, 29, 61, 71, 91, 

and 135; 

(ii) 49 CFR Part 830; 
(iii) Company operations specifica-

tions; 

(iv) Company general operations poli-

cies; 

(v) Enhanced operational control 

policies; 

(vi) Aeronautical decision making 

and risk management; 

(vii) Lost aircraft procedures; and 
(viii) Emergency and search and res-

cue procedures, including plotting co-
ordinates in degrees, minutes, seconds 
format, and degrees, decimal minutes 
format; 

(9) Crew resource management, in-

cluding: 

(i) Concepts and practical applica-

tion; 

(ii) Risk management and risk miti-

gation; and 

(iii) Pre-flight risk analysis proce-

dures required under § 135.617; 

(10) Local flying area orientation, in-

cluding: 

(i) Terrain features; 
(ii) Obstructions; 
(iii) Weather phenomena for local 

area; 

(iv) Airspace and air traffic control 

facilities; 

(v) Heliports, airports, landing zones, 

and fuel facilities; 

(vi) Instrument approaches; 
(vii) Predominant air traffic flow; 
(viii) Landmarks and cultural fea-

tures, including areas prone to flat- 
light, whiteout, and brownout condi-
tions; and 

(ix) Local aviation and safety re-

sources and contact information; and 

(11) Any other requirements as deter-

mined by the Administrator to ensure 
safe operations. 

(g) 

Operations control specialist duty 

time limitations. 

(1) Each certificate 

holder must establish the daily duty 
period for an operations control spe-
cialist so that it begins at a time that 
allows that person to become thor-
oughly familiar with operational con-
siderations, including existing and an-
ticipated weather conditions in the 

background image

526 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 135.621 

area of operations, helicopter oper-
ations in progress, and helicopter 
maintenance status, before performing 
duties associated with any helicopter 
air ambulance operation. The oper-
ations control specialist must remain 
on duty until relieved by another 
qualified operations control specialist 
or until each helicopter air ambulance 
monitored by that person has com-
pleted its flight or gone beyond that 
person’s jurisdiction. 

(2) Except in cases where cir-

cumstances or emergency conditions 
beyond the control of the certificate 
holder require otherwise— 

(i) No certificate holder may sched-

ule an operations control specialist for 
more than 10 consecutive hours of 
duty; 

(ii) If an operations control specialist 

is scheduled for more than 10 hours of 
duty in 24 consecutive hours, the cer-
tificate holder must provide that per-
son a rest period of at least 8 hours at 
or before the end of 10 hours of duty; 

(iii) If an operations control spe-

cialist is on duty for more than 10 con-
secutive hours, the certificate holder 
must provide that person a rest period 
of at least 8 hours before that person’s 
next duty period; 

(iv) Each operations control spe-

cialist must be relieved of all duty with 
the certificate holder for at least 24 
consecutive hours during any 7 con-
secutive days. 

(h) 

Drug and alcohol testing. 

Oper-

ations control specialists must be test-
ed for drugs and alcohol according to 
the certificate holder’s Drug and Alco-
hol Testing Program administered 
under part 120 of this chapter. 

§ 135.621 Briefing of medical per-

sonnel. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b) of this section, prior to each heli-
copter air ambulance operation, each 
pilot in command, or other flight crew-
member designated by the certificate 
holder, must ensure that all medical 
personnel have been briefed on the fol-
lowing— 

(1) Passenger briefing requirements 

in § 135.117(a) and (b); and 

(2) Physiological aspects of flight; 
(3) Patient loading and unloading; 

(4) Safety in and around the heli-

copter; 

(5) In-flight emergency procedures; 
(6) Emergency landing procedures; 
(7) Emergency evacuation proce-

dures; 

(8) Efficient and safe communica-

tions with the pilot; and 

(9) Operational differences between 

day and night operations, if appro-
priate. 

(b) The briefing required in para-

graphs (a)(2) through (9) of this section 
may be omitted if all medical per-
sonnel on board have satisfactorily 
completed the certificate holder’s 
FAA-approved medical personnel train-
ing program within the preceding 24 
calendar months. Each training pro-
gram must include a minimum of 4 
hours of ground training, and 4 hours of 
training in and around an air ambu-
lance helicopter, on the topics set forth 
in paragraph (a)(2) through (9) of this 
section. 

(c) Each certificate holder must 

maintain a record for each person 
trained under this section that— 

(1) Contains the individual’s name, 

the most recent training completion 
date, and a description, copy, or ref-
erence to training materials used to 
meet the training requirement. 

(2) Is maintained for 24 calendar 

months following the individual’s com-
pletion of training. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2010–0982, 79 FR 9975, Feb. 21, 
2014; Amdt. 135–129A, 79 FR 41126, July 15, 
2014] 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—A

DDITIONAL

 

A

IRWORTHINESS

S

TANDARDS FOR

10 

OR

M

ORE

P

ASSENGER

A

IRPLANES

 

Applicability 

1. 

Applicability. 

This appendix prescribes 

the additional airworthiness standards re-
quired by § 135.169. 

2. 

References. 

Unless otherwise provided, 

references in this appendix to specific sec-
tions of part 23 of the Federal Aviation Reg-
ulations (FAR part 23) are to those sections 
of part 23 in effect on March 30, 1967. 

Flight Requirements 

3. 

General. 

Compliance must be shown with 

the applicable requirements of subpart B of 

background image

527 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. A 

FAR part 23, as supplemented or modified in 
§§ 4 through 10. 

Performance 

4. 

General. 

(a) Unless otherwise prescribed 

in this appendix, compliance with each appli-
cable performance requirement in sections 4 
through 7 must be shown for ambient atmos-
pheric conditions and still air. 

(b) The performance must correspond to 

the propulsive thrust available under the 
particular ambient atmospheric conditions 
and the particular flight condition. The 
available propulsive thrust must correspond 
to engine power or thrust, not exceeding the 
approved power or thrust less— 

(1) Installation losses; and 
(2) The power or equivalent thrust ab-

sorbed by the accessories and services appro-
priate to the particular ambient atmospheric 
conditions and the particular flight condi-
tion. 

(c) Unless otherwise prescribed in this ap-

pendix, the applicant must select the take- 
off, en route, and landing configurations for 
the airplane. 

(d) The airplane configuration may vary 

with weight, altitude, and temperature, to 
the extent they are compatible with the op-
erating procedures required by paragraph (e) 
of this section. 

(e) Unless otherwise prescribed in this ap-

pendix, in determining the critical engine in-
operative takeoff performance, the accel-
erate-stop distance, takeoff distance, 
changes in the airplane’s configuration, 
speed, power, and thrust must be made under 
procedures established by the applicant for 
operation in service. 

(f) Procedures for the execution of balked 

landings must be established by the appli-
cant and included in the Airplane Flight 
Manual. 

(g) The procedures established under para-

graphs (e) and (f) of this section must— 

(1) Be able to be consistently executed in 

service by a crew of average skill; 

(2) Use methods or devices that are safe 

and reliable; and 

(3) Include allowance for any time delays, 

in the execution of the procedures, that may 
reasonably be expected in service. 

5. 

Takeoff. 

(a) 

General. 

Takeoff speeds, the 

accelerate-stop distance, the takeoff dis-
tance, and the one-engine-inoperative take-
off flight path data (described in paragraphs 
(b), (c), (d), and (f) of this section), must be 
determined for— 

(1) Each weight, altitude, and ambient 

temperature within the operational limits 
selected by the applicant; 

(2) The selected configuration for takeoff; 
(3) The center of gravity in the most unfa-

vorable position; 

(4) The operating engine within approved 

operating limitations; and 

(5) Takeoff data based on smooth, dry, 

hard-surface runway. 

(b) 

Takeoff speeds. 

(1) The decision speed 

V

1

 

is the calibrated airspeed on the ground at 
which, as a result of engine failure or other 
reasons, the pilot is assumed to have made a 
decision to continue or discontinue the take-
off. The speed 

V

1

must be selected by the ap-

plicant but may not be less than— 

(i) 1.10

V

S1

(ii) 1.10

V

MC

(iii) A speed that allows acceleration to 

V

1

 

and stop under paragraph (c) of this section; 
or 

(iv) A speed at which the airplane can be 

rotated for takeoff and shown to be adequate 
to safely continue the takeoff, using normal 
piloting skill, when the critical engine is 
suddenly made inoperative. 

(2) The initial climb out speed 

V

2

, in terms 

of calibrated airspeed, must be selected by 
the applicant so as to allow the gradient of 
climb required in section 6(b)(2), but it must 
not be less than 

V

1

or less than 1.2

V

S1

(3) Other essential take off speeds nec-

essary for safe operation of the airplane. 

(c) 

Accelerate-stop distance. 

(1) The accel-

erate-stop distance is the sum of the dis-
tances necessary to— 

(i) Accelerate the airplane from a standing 

start to 

V

1

; and 

(ii) Come to a full stop from the point at 

which 

V

1

is reached assuming that in the 

case of engine failure, failure of the critical 
engine is recognized by the pilot at the speed 

V

1

(2) Means other than wheel brakes may be 

used to determine the accelerate-stop dis-
tance if that means is available with the 
critical engine inoperative and— 

(i) Is safe and reliable; 
(ii) Is used so that consistent results can 

be expected under normal operating condi-
tions; and 

(iii) Is such that exceptional skill is not re-

quired to control the airplane. 

(d) 

All engines operating takeoff distance. 

The all engine operating takeoff distance is 
the horizontal distance required to takeoff 
and climb to a height of 50 feet above the 
takeoff surface under the procedures in FAR 
23.51(a). 

(e) 

One-engine-inoperative takeoff. 

Deter-

mine the weight for each altitude and tem-
perature within the operational limits estab-
lished for the airplane, at which the airplane 
has the capability, after failure of the crit-
ical engine at 

V

1

determined under para-

graph (b) of this section, to take off and 
climb at not less than 

V

2

, to a height 1,000 

feet above the takeoff surface and attain the 
speed and configuration at which compliance 
is shown with the en route one-engine-inop-
erative gradient of climb specified in section 
6(c). 

(f) 

One-engine-inoperative takeoff flight path 

data. 

The one-engine-inoperative takeoff 

background image

528 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. A 

flight path data consist of takeoff flight 
paths extending from a standing start to a 
point in the takeoff at which the airplane 
reaches a height 1,000 feet above the takeoff 
surface under paragraph (e) of this section. 

6. 

Climb. 

(a) 

Landing climb: All-engines-oper-

ating. 

The maximum weight must be deter-

mined with the airplane in the landing con-
figuration, for each altitude, and ambient 
temperature within the operational limits 
established for the airplane, with the most 
unfavorable center of gravity, and out-of- 
ground effect in free air, at which the steady 
gradient of climb will not be less than 3.3 
percent, with: 

(1) The engines at the power that is avail-

able 8 seconds after initiation of movement 
of the power or thrust controls from the 
minimum flight idle to the takeoff position. 

(2) A climb speed not greater than the ap-

proach speed established under section 7 and 
not less than the greater of 1.05

V

MC

or 

1.10

V

S1

(b) 

Takeoff climb: one-engine-inoperative. 

The maximum weight at which the airplane 
meets the minimum climb performance spec-
ified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this para-
graph must be determined for each altitude 
and ambient temperature within the oper-
ational limits established for the airplane, 
out of ground effect in free air, with the air-
plane in the takeoff configuration, with the 
most unfavorable center of gravity, the crit-
ical engine inoperative, the remaining en-
gines at the maximum takeoff power or 
thrust, and the propeller of the inoperative 
engine windmilling with the propeller con-
trols in the normal position except that, if 
an approved automatic feathering system is 
installed, the propellers may be in the feath-
ered position: 

(1) 

Takeoff: landing gear extended. 

The min-

imum steady gradient of climb must be 
measurably positive at the speed 

V

1

(2) 

Takeoff: landing gear retracted. 

The min-

imum steady gradient of climb may not be 
less than 2 percent at speed 

V

2

. For airplanes 

with fixed landing gear this requirement 
must be met with the landing gear extended. 

(c) 

En route climb: one-engine-inoperative. 

The maximum weight must be determined 
for each altitude and ambient temperature 
within the operational limits established for 
the airplane, at which the steady gradient of 
climb is not less 1.2 percent at an altitude 
1,000 feet above the takeoff surface, with the 
airplane in the en route configuration, the 
critical engine inoperative, the remaining 
engine at the maximum continuous power or 
thrust, and the most unfavorable center of 
gravity. 

7. 

Landing. 

(a) The landing field length de-

scribed in paragraph (b) of this section must 
be determined for standard atmosphere at 
each weight and altitude within the oper-
ational limits established by the applicant. 

(b) The landing field length is equal to the 

landing distance determined under FAR 
23.75(a) divided by a factor of 0.6 for the des-
tination airport and 0.7 for the alternate air-
port. Instead of the gliding approach speci-
fied in FAR 23.75(a)(1), the landing may be 
preceded by a steady approach down to the 
50-foot height at a gradient of descent not 
greater than 5.2 percent (3

°

) at a calibrated 

airspeed not less than 1.3

V

S1

Trim 

8. 

Trim. 

(a) 

Lateral and directional trim. 

The 

airplane must maintain lateral and direc-
tional trim in level flight at a speed of 

V

H

or 

V

MO

/

M

MO,

whichever is lower, with landing 

gear and wing flaps retracted. 

(b) 

Longitudinal trim. 

The airplane must 

maintain longitudinal trim during the fol-
lowing conditions, except that it need not 
maintain trim at a speed greater than 

V

MO

M

MO

(1) In the approach conditions specified in 

FAR 23.161(c) (3) through (5), except that in-
stead of the speeds specified in those para-
graphs, trim must be maintained with a 
stick force of not more than 10 pounds down 
to a speed used in showing compliance with 
section 7 or 1.4

V

S1

whichever is lower. 

(2) In level flight at any speed from 

V

H

or 

V

MO

/

M

MO

, whichever is lower, to either 

V

x

or 

1.4

V

S1

, with the landing gear and wing flaps 

retracted. 

Stability 

9. 

Static longitudinal stability. 

(a) In showing 

compliance with FAR 23.175(b) and with 
paragraph (b) of this section, the airspeed 
must return to within 

±

7

1

2

percent of the 

trim speed. 

(b) 

Cruise stability. 

The stick force curve 

must have a stable slope for a speed range of 

±

50 knots from the trim speed except that 

the speeds need not exceed 

V

FC

/

M

FC

or be less 

than 1.4

V

S1

. This speed range will be consid-

ered to begin at the outer extremes of the 
friction band and the stick force may not ex-
ceed 50 pounds with— 

(1) Landing gear retracted; 
(2) Wing flaps retracted; 
(3) The maximum cruising power as se-

lected by the applicant as an operating limi-
tation for turbine engines or 75 percent of 
maximum continuous power for recipro-
cating engines except that the power need 
not exceed that required at 

V

MO

/

M

MO

(4) Maximum takeoff weight; and 
(5) The airplane trimmed for level flight 

with the power specified in paragraph (3) of 
this paragraph. 

V

FC

/

M

FC

may not be less than a speed mid-

way between 

V

MO

/

M

MO

and 

V

DF

/

M

DF,

except 

that, for altitudes where Mach number is the 
limiting factor, 

M

FC

need not exceed the 

Mach number at which effective speed warn-
ing occurs. 

background image

529 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. A 

(c) 

Climb stability (turbopropeller powered 

airplanes only). 

In showing compliance with 

FAR 23.175(a), an applicant must, instead of 
the power specified in FAR 23.175(a)(4), use 
the maximum power or thrust selected by 
the applicant as an operating limitation for 
use during climb at the best rate of climb 
speed, except that the speed need not be less 
than 1.4

V

S1

Stalls 

10. 

Stall warning. 

If artificial stall warning 

is required to comply with FAR 23.207, the 
warning device must give clearly distin-
guishable indications under expected condi-
tions of flight. The use of a visual warning 
device that requires the attention of the 
crew within the cockpit is not acceptable by 
itself. 

Control Systems 

11. 

Electric trim tabs. 

The airplane must 

meet FAR 23.677 and in addition it must be 
shown that the airplane is safely control-
lable and that a pilot can perform all the 
maneuvers and operations necessary to ef-
fect a safe landing following any probable 
electric trim tab runaway which might be 
reasonably expected in service allowing for 
appropriate time delay after pilot recogni-
tion of the runaway. This demonstration 
must be conducted at the critical airplane 
weights and center of gravity positions. 

Instruments: Installation 

12. 

Arrangement and visibility. 

Each instru-

ment must meet FAR 23.1321 and in addition: 

(a) Each flight, navigation, and powerplant 

instrument for use by any pilot must be 
plainly visible to the pilot from the pilot’s 
station with the minimum practicable devi-
ation from the pilot’s normal position and 
line of vision when the pilot is looking for-
ward along the flight path. 

(b) The flight instruments required by FAR 

23.1303 and by the applicable operating rules 
must be grouped on the instrument panel 
and centered as nearly as practicable about 
the vertical plane of each pilot’s forward vi-
sion. In addition— 

(1) The instrument that most effectively 

indicates the attitude must be in the panel 
in the top center position; 

(2) The instrument that most effectively 

indicates the airspeed must be on the panel 
directly to the left of the instrument in the 
top center position; 

(3) The instrument that most effectively 

indicates altitude must be adjacent to and 
directly to the right of the instrument in the 
top center position; and 

(4) The instrument that most effectively 

indicates direction of flight must be adjacent 
to and directly below the instrument in the 
top center position. 

13. 

Airspeed indicating system. 

Each airspeed 

indicating system must meet FAR 23.1323 
and in addition: 

(a) Airspeed indicating instruments must 

be of an approved type and must be cali-
brated to indicate true airspeed at sea level 
in the standard atmosphere with a minimum 
practicable instrument calibration error 
when the corresponding pitot and static 
pressures are supplied to the instruments. 

(b) The airspeed indicating system must be 

calibrated to determine the system error, 
i.e., the relation between IAS and CAS, in 
flight and during the accelerate-takeoff 
ground run. The ground run calibration must 
be obtained between 0.8 of the minimum 
value of 

V

1

and 1.2 times the maximum value 

of 

V

1

, considering the approved ranges of al-

titude and weight. The ground run calibra-
tion is determined assuming an engine fail-
ure at the minimum value of 

V

1

(c) The airspeed error of the installation 

excluding the instrument calibration error, 
must not exceed 3 percent or 5 knots which-
ever is greater, throughout the speed range 
from 

V

MO

to 1.3

V

S1

with flaps retracted and 

from 1.3

V

SO

to 

V

FE

with flaps in the landing 

position. 

(d) Information showing the relationship 

between IAS and CAS must be shown in the 
Airplane Flight manual. 

14. 

Static air vent system. 

The static air vent 

system must meet FAR 23.1325. The altim-
eter system calibration must be determined 
and shown in the Airplane Flight Manual. 

Operating Limitations and Information 

15. 

Maximum operating limit speed V

MO

/

M

MO.

 

Instead of establishing operating limitations 
based on 

V

NE

and 

V

NO,

the applicant must es-

tablish a maximum operating limit speed 

V

MO

/

M

MO

as follows: 

(a) The maximum operating limit speed 

must not exceed the design cruising speed 

V

C

 

and must be sufficiently below 

V

D

/

M

D

or 

V

DF

M

DF

to make it highly improbable that the 

latter speeds will be inadvertently exceeded 
in flight. 

(b) The speed 

V

MO

must not exceed 0.8

V

D

M

D

or 0.8

V

DF

/

M

DF

unless flight demonstra-

tions involving upsets as specified by the Ad-
ministrator indicates a lower speed margin 
will not result in speeds exceeding 

V

D

/

M

D

or 

V

DF.

Atmospheric variations, horizontal 

gusts, system and equipment errors, and air-
frame production variations are taken into 
account. 

16. 

Minimum flight crew. 

In addition to 

meeting FAR 23.1523, the applicant must es-
tablish the minimum number and type of 
qualified flight crew personnel sufficient for 
safe operation of the airplane considering— 

(a) Each kind of operation for which the 

applicant desires approval; 

(b) The workload on each crewmember con-

sidering the following: 

(1) Flight path control. 

background image

530 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. A 

(2) Collision avoidance. 
(3) Navigation. 
(4) Communications. 
(5) Operation and monitoring of all essen-

tial aircraft systems. 

(6) Command decisions; and 
(c) The accessibility and ease of operation 

of necessary controls by the appropriate 
crewmember during all normal and emer-
gency operations when at the crewmember 
flight station. 

17. 

Airspeed indicator. 

The airspeed indi-

cator must meet FAR 23.1545 except that, the 
airspeed notations and markings in terms of 

V

NO

and 

V

NH

must be replaced by the 

V

MO

M

MO

notations. The airspeed indicator mark-

ings must be easily read and understood by 
the pilot. A placard adjacent to the airspeed 
indicator is an acceptable means of showing 
compliance with FAR 23.1545(c). 

Airplane Flight Manual 

18. 

General. 

The Airplane Flight Manual 

must be prepared under FARs 23.1583 and 
23.1587, and in addition the operating limita-
tions and performance information in sec-
tions 19 and 20 must be included. 

19. 

Operating limitations. 

The Airplane 

Flight Manual must include the following 
limitations— 

(a) 

Airspeed limitations. 

(1) The maximum 

operating limit speed 

V

MO

/

M

MO

and a state-

ment that this speed limit may not be delib-
erately exceeded in any regime of flight 
(climb, cruise, or descent) unless a higher 
speed is authorized for flight test or pilot 
training; 

(2) If an airspeed limitation is based upon 

compressibility effects, a statement to this 
effect and information as to any symptoms, 
the probable behavior of the airplane, and 
the recommended recovery procedures; and 

(3) The airspeed limits, shown in terms of 

V

MO

/M

MO

instead of 

V

NO

and 

V

NE.

 

(b) 

Takeoff weight limitations. 

The max-

imum takeoff weight for each airport ele-
vation ambient temperature and available 
takeoff runway length within the range se-
lected by the applicant may not exceed the 
weight at which— 

(1) The all-engine-operating takeoff dis-

tance determined under section 5(b) or the 
accelerate-stop distance determined under 
section 5(c), whichever is greater, is equal to 
the available runway length; 

(2) The airplane complies with the one-en-

gine-inoperative takeoff requirements speci-
fied in section 5(e); and 

(3) The airplane complies with the one-en-

gine-inoperative takeoff and en route climb 
requirements specified in sections 6 (b) and 
(c). 

(c) 

Landing weight limitations. 

The max-

imum landing weight for each airport ele-
vation (standard temperature) and available 
landing runway length, within the range se-
lected by the applicant. This weight may not 

exceed the weight at which the landing field 
length determined under section 7(b) is equal 
to the available runway length. In showing 
compliance with this operating limitation, it 
is acceptable to assume that the landing 
weight at the destination will be equal to the 
takeoff weight reduced by the normal con-
sumption of fuel and oil en route. 

20. 

Performance information. 

The Airplane 

Flight Manual must contain the performance 
information determined under the perform-
ance requirements of this appendix. The in-
formation must include the following: 

(a) Sufficient information so that the take-

off weight limits specified in section 19(b) 
can be determined for all temperatures and 
altitudes within the operation limitations 
selected by the applicant. 

(b) The conditions under which the per-

formance information was obtained, includ-
ing the airspeed at the 50-foot height used to 
determine landing distances. 

(c) The performance information (deter-

mined by extrapolation and computed for the 
range of weights between the maximum 
landing and takeoff weights) for— 

(1) Climb in the landing configuration; and 
(2) Landing distance. 
(d) Procedure established under section 4 

related to the limitations and information 
required by this section in the form of guid-
ance material including any relevant limita-
tions or information. 

(e) An explanation of significant or un-

usual flight or ground handling characteris-
tics of the airplane. 

(f) Airspeeds, as indicated airspeeds, cor-

responding to those determined for takeoff 
under section 5(b). 

21. 

Maximum operating altitudes. 

The max-

imum operating altitude to which operation 
is allowed, as limited by flight, structural, 
powerplant, functional, or equipment char-
acteristics, must be specified in the Airplane 
Flight Manual. 

22. 

Stowage provision for airplane flight man-

ual. 

Provision must be made for stowing the 

Airplane Flight Manual in a suitable fixed 
container which is readily accessible to the 
pilot. 

23. 

Operating procedures. 

Procedures for re-

starting turbine engines in flight (including 
the effects of altitude) must be set forth in 
the Airplane Flight Manual. 

Airframe Requirements 

Flight Loads 

24. 

Engine torque. 

(a) Each turbopropeller 

engine mount and its supporting structure 
must be designed for the torque effects of: 

(1) The conditions in FAR 23.361(a). 
(2) The limit engine torque corresponding 

to takeoff power and propeller speed multi-
plied by a factor accounting for propeller 
control system malfunction, including quick 
feathering action, simultaneously with 1

background image

531 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. A 

level flight loads. In the absence of a ration- 
al analysis, a factor of 1.6 must be used. 

(b) The limit torque is obtained by multi-

plying the mean torque by a factor of 1.25. 

25. 

Turbine engine gyroscopic loads. 

Each 

turbopropeller engine mount and its sup-
porting structure must be designed for the 
gyroscopic loads that result, with the en-
gines at maximum continuous r.p.m., under 
either— 

(a) The conditions in FARs 23.351 and 

23.423; or 

(b) All possible combinations of the fol-

lowing: 

(1) A yaw velocity of 2.5 radians per second. 
(2) A pitch velocity of 1.0 radians per sec-

ond. 

(3) A normal load factor of 2.5. 
(4) Maximum continuous thrust. 
26. 

Unsymmetrical loads due to engine failure. 

(a) Turbopropeller powered airplanes must 
be designed for the unsymmet- rical loads re-
sulting from the failure of the critical engine 
including the following conditions in com-
bination with a single malfunction of the 
propeller drag limiting system, considering 
the probable pilot corrective action on the 
flight controls: 

(1) At speeds between 

V

mo

and 

V

D,

the loads 

resulting from power failure because of fuel 
flow interruption are considered to be limit 
loads. 

(2) At speeds between 

V

mo

and 

V

c,

the loads 

resulting from the disconnection of the en-
gine compressor from the turbine or from 
loss of the turbine blades are considered to 
be ultimate loads. 

(3) The time history of the thrust decay 

and drag buildup occurring as a result of the 
prescribed engine failures must be substan-
tiated by test or other data applicable to the 
particular engine-propeller combination. 

(4) The timing and magnitude of the prob-

able pilot corrective action must be conserv- 
atively estimated, considering the character-
istics of the particular engine-propeller-air-
plane combination. 

(b) Pilot corrective action may be assumed 

to be initiated at the time maximum yawing 
velocity is reached, but not earlier than 2 
seconds after the engine failure. The mag-
nitude of the corrective action may be based 
on the control forces in FAR 23.397 except 
that lower forces may be assumed where it is 
shown by analysis or test that these forces 
can control the yaw and roll resulting from 
the prescribed engine failure conditions. 

Ground Loads 

27. 

Dual wheel landing gear units. 

Each dual 

wheel landing gear unit and its supporting 
structure must be shown to comply with the 
following: 

(a) 

Pivoting. 

The airplane must be assumed 

to pivot about one side of the main gear with 
the brakes on that side locked. The limit 
vertical load factor must be 1.0 and the coef-

ficient of friction 0.8. This condition need 
apply only to the main gear and its sup-
porting structure. 

(b) 

Unequal tire inflation. 

A 60–40 percent 

distribution of the loads established under 
FAR 23.471 through FAR 23.483 must be ap-
plied to the dual wheels. 

(c) 

Flat tire. 

(1) Sixty percent of the loads 

in FAR 23.471 through FAR 23.483 must be ap-
plied to either wheel in a unit. 

(2) Sixty percent of the limit drag and side 

loads and 100 percent of the limit vertical 
load established under FARs 23.493 and 23.485 
must be applied to either wheel in a unit ex-
cept that the vertical load need not exceed 
the maximum vertical load in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section. 

Fatigue Evaluation 

28. 

Fatigue evaluation of wing and associated 

structure. 

Unless it is shown that the struc-

ture, operating stress levels, materials and 
expected use are comparable from a fatigue 
standpoint to a similar design which has had 
substantial satisfactory service experience, 
the strength, detail design, and the fabrica-
tion of those parts of the wing, wing carry-
through, and attaching structure whose fail-
ure would be catastrophic must be evaluated 
under either— 

(a) A fatigue strength investigation in 

which the structure is shown by analysis, 
tests, or both to be able to withstand the re-
peated loads of variable magnitude expected 
in service; or 

(b) A fail-safe strength investigation in 

which it is shown by analysis, tests, or both 
that catastrophic failure of the structure is 
not probable after fatigue, or obvious partial 
failure, of a principal structural element, 
and that the remaining structure is able to 
withstand a static ultimate load factor of 75 
percent of the critical limit load factor at 

V

C.

 

These loads must be multiplied by a factor of 
1.15 unless the dynamic effects of failure 
under static load are otherwise considered. 

Design and Construction 

29. 

Flutter. 

For multiengine turbopropeller 

powered airplanes, a dynamic evaluation 
must be made and must include— 

(a) The significant elastic, inertia, and aer-

odynamic forces associated with the rota-
tions and displacements of the plane of the 
propeller; and 

(b) Engine-propeller-nacelle stiffness and 

damping variations appropriate to the par-
ticular configuration. 

Landing Gear 

30. 

Flap operated landing gear warning de-

vice. 

Airplanes having retractable landing 

gear and wing flaps must be equipped with a 
warning device that functions continuously 
when the wing flaps are extended to a flap 
position that activates the warning device to 

background image

532 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. A 

give adequate warning before landing, using 
normal landing procedures, if the landing 
gear is not fully extended and locked. There 
may not be a manual shut off for this warn-
ing device. The flap position sensing unit 
may be installed at any suitable location. 
The system for this device may use any part 
of the system (including the aural warning 
device) provided for other landing gear warn-
ing devices. 

Personnel and Cargo Accommodations 

31. 

Cargo and baggage compartments. 

Cargo 

and baggage compartments must be designed 
to meet FAR 23.787 (a) and (b), and in addi-
tion means must be provided to protect pas-
sengers from injury by the contents of any 
cargo or baggage compartment when the ul-
timate forward inertia force is 9

g. 

32. 

Doors and exits. 

The airplane must meet 

FAR 23.783 and FAR 23.807 (a)(3), (b), and (c), 
and in addition: 

(a) There must be a means to lock and 

safeguard each external door and exit 
against opening in flight either inadvert-
ently by persons, or as a result of mechan-
ical failure. Each external door must be op-
erable from both the inside and the outside. 

(b) There must be means for direct visual 

inspection of the locking mechanism by 
crewmembers to determine whether external 
doors and exits, for which the initial opening 
movement is outward, are fully locked. In 
addition, there must be a visual means to 
signal to crewmembers when normally used 
external doors are closed and fully locked. 

(c) The passenger entrance door must qual-

ify as a floor level emergency exit. Each ad-
ditional required emergency exit except floor 
level exits must be located over the wing or 
must be provided with acceptable means to 
assist the occupants in descending to the 
ground. In addition to the passenger en-
trance door: 

(1) For a total seating capacity of 15 or 

less, an emergency exit as defined in FAR 
23.807(b) is required on each side of the cabin. 

(2) For a total seating capacity of 16 

through 23, three emergency exits as defined 
in FAR 23.807(b) are required with one on the 
same side as the door and two on the side op-
posite the door. 

(d) An evacuation demonstration must be 

conducted utilizing the maximum number of 
occupants for which certification is desired. 
It must be conducted under simulated night 
conditions utilizing only the emergency 
exits on the most critical side of the aircraft. 
The participants must be representative of 
average airline passengers with no previous 
practice or rehearsal for the demonstration. 
Evacuation must be completed within 90 sec-
onds. 

(e) Each emergency exit must be marked 

with the word ‘‘Exit’’ by a sign which has 
white letters 1 inch high on a red back-
ground 2 inches high, be self-illuminated or 

independently internally electrically illumi-
nated, and have a minimum luminescence 
(brightness) of at least 160 microlamberts. 
The colors may be reversed if the passenger 
compartment illumination is essentially the 
same. 

(f) Access to window type emergency exits 

must not be obstructed by seats or seat 
backs. 

(g) The width of the main passenger aisle 

at any point between seats must equal or ex-
ceed the values in the following table: 

Total seating capacity 

Minimum main passenger 

aisle width 

Less than 25 

inches from 

floor 

25 inches 
and more 
from floor 

10 through 23 .........................

9 inches .......

15 inches. 

Miscellaneous 

33. 

Lightning strike protection. 

Parts that 

are electrically insulated from the basic air-
frame must be connected to it through light-
ning arrestors unless a lightning strike on 
the insulated part— 

(a) Is improbable because of shielding by 

other parts; or 

(b) Is not hazardous. 
34. 

Ice protection. 

If certification with ice 

protection provisions is desired, compliance 
with the following must be shown: 

(a) The recommended procedures for the 

use of the ice protection equipment must be 
set forth in the Airplane Flight Manual. 

(b) An analysis must be performed to es-

tablish, on the basis of the airplane’s oper-
ational needs, the adequacy of the ice protec-
tion system for the various components of 
the airplane. In addition, tests of the ice pro-
tection system must be conducted to dem-
onstrate that the airplane is capable of oper-
ating safely in continuous maximum and 
intermittent maximum icing conditions as 
described in appendix C of part 25 of this 
chapter. 

(c) Compliance with all or portions of this 

section may be accomplished by reference, 
where applicable because of similarity of the 
designs, to analysis and tests performed by 
the applicant for a type certificated model. 

35. 

Maintenance information. 

The applicant 

must make available to the owner at the 
time of delivery of the airplane the informa-
tion the applicant considers essential for the 
proper maintenance of the airplane. That in-
formation must include the following: 

(a) Description of systems, including elec-

trical, hydraulic, and fuel controls. 

(b) Lubrication instructions setting forth 

the frequency and the lubricants and fluids 
which are to be used in the various systems. 

(c) Pressures and electrical loads applica-

ble to the various systems. 

(d) Tolerances and adjustments necessary 

for proper functioning. 

background image

533 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. A 

(e) Methods of leveling, raising, and tow-

ing. 

(f) Methods of balancing control surfaces. 
(g) Identification of primary and secondary 

structures. 

(h) Frequency and extent of inspections 

necessary to the proper operation of the air-
plane. 

(i) Special repair methods applicable to the 

airplane. 

(j) Special inspection techniques, such as 

X-ray, ultrasonic, and magnetic particle in-
spection. 

(k) List of special tools. 

Propulsion 

General 

36. 

Vibration characteristics. 

For turbo-

propeller powered airplanes, the engine in-
stallation must not result in vibration char-
acteristics of the engine exceeding those es-
tablished during the type certification of the 
engine. 

37. 

In flight restarting of engine. 

If the en-

gine on turbopropeller powered airplanes 
cannot be restarted at the maximum cruise 
altitude, a determination must be made of 
the altitude below which restarts can be con-
sistently accomplished. Restart information 
must be provided in the Airplane Flight 
Manual. 

38. 

Engines. 

(a) 

For turbopropeller powered 

airplanes. 

The engine installation must com-

ply with the following: 

(1) 

Engine isolation. 

The powerplants must 

be arranged and isolated from each other to 
allow operation, in at least one configura-
tion, so that the failure or malfunction of 
any engine, or of any system that can affect 
the engine, will not— 

(i) Prevent the continued safe operation of 

the remaining engines; or 

(ii) Require immediate action by any crew-

member for continued safe operation. 

(2) 

Control of engine rotation. 

There must be 

a means to individually stop and restart the 
rotation of any engine in flight except that 
engine rotation need not be stopped if con-
tinued rotation could not jeopardize the safe-
ty of the airplane. Each component of the 
stopping and restarting system on the engine 
side of the firewall, and that might be ex-
posed to fire, must be at least fire resistant. 
If hydraulic propeller feathering systems are 
used for this purpose, the feathering lines 
must be at least fire resistant under the op-
erating conditions that may be expected to 
exist during feathering. 

(3) 

Engine speed and gas temperature control 

devices. 

The powerplant systems associated 

with engine control devices, systems, and in-
strumentation must provide reasonable as-
surance that those engine operating limita-
tions that adversely affect turbine rotor 
structural integrity will not be exceeded in 
service. 

(b) 

For reciprocating engine powered air-

planes. 

To provide engine isolation, the pow-

erplants must be arranged and isolated from 
each other to allow operation, in at least one 
configuration, so that the failure or malfunc-
tion of any engine, or of any system that can 
affect that engine, will not— 

(1) Prevent the continued safe operation of 

the remaining engines; or 

(2) Require immediate action by any crew-

member for continued safe operation. 

39. 

Turbopropeller reversing systems. 

(a) Tur-

bopropeller reversing systems intended for 
ground operation must be designed so that 
no single failure or malfunction of the sys-
tem will result in unwanted reverse thrust 
under any expected operating condition. 
Failure of structural elements need not be 
considered if the probability of this kind of 
failure is extremely remote. 

(b) Turbopropeller reversing systems in-

tended for in flight use must be designed so 
that no unsafe condition will result during 
normal operation of the system, or from any 
failure (or reasonably likely combination of 
failures) of the reversing system, under any 
anticipated condition of operation of the air-
plane. Failure of structural elements need 
not be considered if the probability of this 
kind of failure is extremely remote. 

(c) Compliance with this section may be 

shown by failure analysis, testing, or both 
for propeller systems that allow propeller 
blades to move from the flight low-pitch po-
sition to a position that is substantially less 
than that at the normal flight low-pitch stop 
position. The analysis may include or be sup-
ported by the analysis made to show compli-
ance with the type certification of the pro-
peller and associated installation compo-
nents. Credit will be given for pertinent 
analysis and testing completed by the engine 
and propeller manufacturers. 

40. 

Turbopropeller drag-limiting systems. 

Tur-

bopropeller drag-limiting systems must be 
designed so that no single failure or malfunc-
tion of any of the systems during normal or 
emergency operation results in propeller 
drag in excess of that for which the airplane 
was designed. Failure of structural elements 
of the drag-limiting systems need not be con-
sidered if the probability of this kind of fail-
ure is extremely remote. 

41. 

Turbine engine powerplant operating 

characteristics. 

For turbopropeller powered 

airplanes, the turbine engine powerplant op-
erating characteristics must be investigated 
in flight to determine that no adverse char-
acteristics (such as stall, surge, or flameout) 
are present to a hazardous degree, during 
normal and emergency operation within the 
range of operating limitations of the air-
plane and of the engine. 

42. 

Fuel flow. 

(a) For turbopropeller pow-

ered airplanes— 

background image

534 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. A 

(1) The fuel system must provide for con-

tinuous supply of fuel to the engines for nor-
mal operation without interruption due to 
depletion of fuel in any tank other than the 
main tank; and 

(2) The fuel flow rate for turbopropeller en-

gine fuel pump systems must not be less 
than 125 percent of the fuel flow required to 
develop the standard sea level atmospheric 
conditions takeoff power selected and in-
cluded as an operating limitation in the Air-
plane Flight Manual. 

(b) For reciprocating engine powered air-

planes, it is acceptable for the fuel flow rate 
for each pump system (main and reserve sup-
ply) to be 125 percent of the takeoff fuel con-
sumption of the engine. 

Fuel System Components 

43. 

Fuel pumps. 

For turbopropeller powered 

airplanes, a reliable and independent power 
source must be provided for each pump used 
with turbine engines which do not have pro-
visions for mechanically driving the main 
pumps. It must be demonstrated that the 
pump installations provide a reliability and 
durability equivalent to that in FAR 
23.991(a). 

44. 

Fuel strainer or filter. 

For turbopropeller 

powered airplanes, the following apply: 

(a) There must be a fuel strainer or filter 

between the tank outlet and the fuel meter-
ing device of the engine. In addition, the fuel 
strainer or filter must be— 

(1) Between the tank outlet and the en-

gine-driven positive displacement pump 
inlet, if there is an engine-driven positive 
displacement pump; 

(2) Accessible for drainage and cleaning 

and, for the strainer screen, easily remov-
able; and 

(3) Mounted so that its weight is not sup-

ported by the connecting lines or by the 
inlet or outlet connections of the strainer or 
filter itself. 

(b) Unless there are means in the fuel sys-

tem to prevent the accumulation of ice on 
the filter, there must be means to automati-
cally maintain the fuel-flow if ice-clogging 
of the filter occurs; and 

(c) The fuel strainer or filter must be of 

adequate capacity (for operating limitations 
established to ensure proper service) and of 
appropriate mesh to insure proper engine op-
eration, with the fuel contaminated to a de-
gree (for particle size and density) that can 
be reasonably expected in service. The de-
gree of fuel filtering may not be less than 
that established for the engine type certifi-
cation. 

45. 

Lightning strike protection. 

Protection 

must be provided against the ignition of 
flammable vapors in the fuel vent system 
due to lightning strikes. 

Cooling 

46. 

Cooling test procedures for turbopropeller 

powered airplanes. 

(a) Turbopropeller powered 

airplanes must be shown to comply with 
FAR 23.1041 during takeoff, climb, en route, 
and landing stages of flight that correspond 
to the applicable performance requirements. 
The cooling tests must be conducted with 
the airplane in the configuration, and oper-
ating under the conditions that are critical 
relative to cooling during each stage of 
flight. For the cooling tests a temperature is 
‘‘stabilized’’ when its rate of change is less 
than 2 

°

F. per minute. 

(b) Temperatures must be stabilized under 

the conditions from which entry is made into 
each stage of flight being investigated unless 
the entry condition is not one during which 
component and engine fluid temperatures 
would stabilize, in which case, operation 
through the full entry condition must be 
conducted before entry into the stage of 
flight being investigated to allow tempera-
tures to reach their natural levels at the 
time of entry. The takeoff cooling test must 
be preceded by a period during which the 
powerplant component and engine fluid tem-
peratures are stabilized with the engines at 
ground idle. 

(c) Cooling tests for each stage of flight 

must be continued until— 

(1) The component and engine fluid tem-

peratures stabilize; 

(2) The stage of flight is completed; or 
(3) An operating limitation is reached. 

Induction System 

47. 

Air induction. 

For turbopropeller pow-

ered airplanes— 

(a) There must be means to prevent haz-

ardous quantities of fuel leakage or overflow 
from drains, vents, or other components of 
flammable fluid systems from entering the 
engine intake systems; and 

(b) The air inlet ducts must be located or 

protected so as to minimize the ingestion of 
foreign matter during takeoff, landing, and 
taxiing. 

48. 

Induction system icing protection. 

For 

turbopropeller powered airplanes, each tur-
bine engine must be able to operate through-
out its flight power range without adverse 
effect on engine operation or serious loss of 
power or thrust, under the icing conditions 
specified in appendix C of part 25 of this 
chapter. In addition, there must be means to 
indicate to appropriate flight crewmembers 
the functioning of the powerplant ice protec-
tion system. 

49. 

Turbine engine bleed air systems. 

Turbine 

engine bleed air systems of turbopropeller 
powered airplanes must be investigated to 
determine— 

(a) That no hazard to the airplane will re-

sult if a duct rupture occurs. This condition 
must consider that a failure of the duct can 

background image

535 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. A 

occur anywhere between the engine port and 
the airplane bleed service; and 

(b) That, if the bleed air system is used for 

direct cabin pressurization, it is not possible 
for hazardous contamination of the cabin air 
system to occur in event of lubrication sys-
tem failure. 

Exhaust System 

50. 

Exhaust system drains. 

Turbopropeller 

engine exhaust systems having low spots or 
pockets must incorporate drains at those lo-
cations. These drains must discharge clear of 
the airplane in normal and ground attitudes 
to prevent the accumulation of fuel after the 
failure of an attempted engine start. 

Powerplant Controls and Accessories 

51. 

Engine controls. 

If throttles or power le-

vers for turbopropeller powered airplanes are 
such that any position of these controls will 
reduce the fuel flow to the engine(s) below 
that necessary for satisfactory and safe idle 
operation of the engine while the airplane is 
in flight, a means must be provided to pre-
vent inadvertent movement of the control 
into this position. The means provided must 
incorporate a positive lock or stop at this 
idle position and must require a separate and 
distinct operation by the crew to displace 
the control from the normal engine oper-
ating range. 

52. 

Reverse thrust controls. 

For turbo-

propeller powered airplanes, the propeller re-
verse thrust controls must have a means to 
prevent their inadvertent operation. The 
means must have a positive lock or stop at 
the idle position and must require a separate 
and distinct operation by the crew to dis-
place the control from the flight regime. 

53. 

Engine ignition systems. 

Each turbo-

propeller airplane ignition system must be 
considered an essential electrical load. 

54. 

Powerplant accessories. 

The powerplant 

accessories must meet FAR 23.1163, and if 
the continued rotation of any accessory re-
motely driven by the engine is hazardous 
when malfunctioning occurs, there must be 
means to prevent rotation without inter-
fering with the continued operation of the 
engine. 

Powerplant Fire Protection 

55. 

Fire detector system. 

For turbopropeller 

powered airplanes, the following apply: 

(a) There must be a means that ensures 

prompt detection of fire in the engine com-
partment. An overtemperature switch in 
each engine cooling air exit is an acceptable 
method of meeting this requirement. 

(b) Each fire detector must be constructed 

and installed to withstand the vibration, in-
ertia, and other loads to which it may be 
subjected in operation. 

(c) No fire detector may be affected by any 

oil, water, other fluids, or fumes that might 
be present. 

(d) There must be means to allow the flight 

crew to check, in flight, the functioning of 
each fire detector electric circuit. 

(e) Wiring and other components of each 

fire detector system in a fire zone must be at 
least fire resistant. 

56. 

Fire protection, cowling and nacelle skin. 

For reciprocating engine powered airplanes, 
the engine cowling must be designed and 
constructed so that no fire originating in the 
engine compartment can enter either 
through openings or by burn through, any 
other region where it would create addi-
tional hazards. 

57. 

Flammable fluid fire protection. 

If flam-

mable fluids or vapors might be liberated by 
the leakage of fluid systems in areas other 
than engine compartments, there must be 
means to— 

(a) Prevent the ignition of those fluids or 

vapors by any other equipment; or 

(b) Control any fire resulting from that ig-

nition. 

Equipment 

58. 

Powerplant instruments. 

(a) The fol-

lowing are required for turbopropeller air-
planes: 

(1) The instruments required by FAR 

23.1305 (a) (1) through (4), (b) (2) and (4). 

(2) A gas temperature indicator for each 

engine. 

(3) Free air temperature indicator. 
(4) A fuel flowmeter indicator for each en-

gine. 

(5) Oil pressure warning means for each en-

gine. 

(6) A torque indicator or adequate means 

for indicating power output for each engine. 

(7) Fire warning indicator for each engine. 
(8) A means to indicate when the propeller 

blade angle is below the low-pitch position 
corresponding to idle operation in flight. 

(9) A means to indicate the functioning of 

the ice protection system for each engine. 

(b) For turbopropeller powered airplanes, 

the turbopropeller blade position indicator 
must begin indicating when the blade has 
moved below the flight low-pitch position. 

(c) The following instruments are required 

for reciprocating engine powered airplanes: 

(1) The instruments required by FAR 

23.1305. 

(2) A cylinder head temperature indicator 

for each engine. 

(3) A manifold pressure indicator for each 

engine. 

Systems and Equipments 

General 

59. 

Function and installation. 

The systems 

and equipment of the airplane must meet 
FAR 23.1301, and the following: 

background image

536 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. A 

(a) Each item of additional installed equip-

ment must— 

(1) Be of a kind and design appropriate to 

its intended function; 

(2) Be labeled as to its identification, func-

tion, or operating limitations, or any appli-
cable combination of these factors, unless 
misuse or inadvertent actuation cannot cre-
ate a hazard; 

(3) Be installed according to limitations 

specified for that equipment; and 

(4) Function properly when installed. 
(b) Systems and installations must be de-

signed to safeguard against hazards to the 
aircraft in the event of their malfunction or 
failure. 

(c) Where an installation, the functioning 

of which is necessary in showing compliance 
with the applicable requirements, requires a 
power supply, that installation must be con-
sidered an essential load on the power sup-
ply, and the power sources and the distribu-
tion system must be capable of supplying the 
following power loads in probable operation 
combinations and for probable durations: 

(1) All essential loads after failure of any 

prime mover, power converter, or energy 
storage device. 

(2) All essential loads after failure of any 

one engine on two-engine airplanes. 

(3) In determining the probable operating 

combinations and durations of essential 
loads for the power failure conditions de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this para-
graph, it is permissible to assume that the 
power loads are reduced in accordance with a 
monitoring procedure which is consistent 
with safety in the types of operations au-
thorized. 

60. 

Ventilation. 

The ventilation system of 

the airplane must meet FAR 23.831, and in 
addition, for pressurized aircraft, the ven-
tilating air in flight crew and passenger com-
partments must be free of harmful or haz-
ardous concentrations of gases and vapors in 
normal operation and in the event of reason-
ably probable failures or malfunctioning of 
the ventilating, heating, pressurization, or 
other systems, and equipment. If accumula-
tion of hazardous quantities of smoke in the 
cockpit area is reasonably probable, smoke 
evacuation must be readily accomplished. 

Electrical Systems and Equipment 

61. 

General. 

The electrical systems and 

equipment of the airplane must meet FAR 
23.1351, and the following: 

(a) 

Electrical system capacity. 

The required 

generating capacity, and number and kinds 
of power sources must— 

(1) Be determined by an electrical load 

analysis; and 

(2) Meet FAR 23.1301. 
(b) 

Generating system. 

The generating sys-

tem includes electrical power sources, main 
power busses, transmission cables, and asso-
ciated control, regulation and protective de-
vices. It must be designed so that— 

(1) The system voltage and frequency (as 

applicable) at the terminals of all essential 
load equipment can be maintained within 
the limits for which the equipment is de-
signed, during any probable operating condi-
tions; 

(2) System transients due to switching, 

fault clearing, or other causes do not make 
essential loads inoperative, and do not cause 
a smoke or fire hazard; 

(3) There are means, accessible in flight to 

appropriate crewmembers, for the individual 
and collective disconnection of the electrical 
power sources from the system; and 

(4) There are means to indicate to appro-

priate crewmembers the generating system 
quantities essential for the safe operation of 
the system, including the voltage and cur-
rent supplied by each generator. 

62. 

Electrical equipment and installation. 

Electrical equipment, controls, and wiring 
must be installed so that operation of any 
one unit or system of units will not ad-
versely affect the simultaneous operation of 
any other electrical unit or system essential 
to the safe operation. 

63. 

Distribution system. 

(a) For the purpose 

of complying with this section, the distribu-
tion system includes the distribution busses, 
their associated feeders, and each control 
and protective device. 

(b) Each system must be designed so that 

essential load circuits can be supplied in the 
event of reasonably probable faults or open 
circuits, including faults in heavy current 
carrying cables. 

(c) If two independent sources of electrical 

power for particular equipment or systems 
are required under this appendix, their elec-
trical energy supply must be ensured by 
means such as duplicate electrical equip-
ment, throwover switching, or multichannel 
or loop circuits separately routed. 

64. 

Circuit protective devices. 

The circuit 

protective devices for the electrical circuits 
of the airplane must meet FAR 23.1357, and 
in addition circuits for loads which are es-
sential to safe operation must have indi-
vidual and exclusive circuit protection. 

background image

537 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. C 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—A

IRPLANE

F

LIGHT

R

ECORDER

S

PECIFICATIONS

 

Parameters 

Range 

Installed system

1

minimum 

accuracy (to recovered data) 

Sampling inter-

val (per second) 

Resolution

4

 

read out 

Relative time (from recorded 

on prior to takeoff).

25 hr minimum ...............

±

0.125% per hour .................

1 ........................

1 sec. 

Indicated airspeed ..................

V

so

to V

D

(KIAS) .............

±

5% or 

±

10 kts., whichever is 

greater. Resolution 2 kts. 
below 175 KIAS.

1 ........................

1%

3

Altitude ....................................

¥

1,000 ft. to max cert. 
alt. of A/C.

±

100 to 

±

700 ft. (see Table 1, 

TSO C51–a).

1 ........................

25 to 150 

Magnetic heading ...................

360

°

................................

±

5

°

.........................................

1 ........................

1

° 

Vertical acceleration ...............

¥

3g to + 6g ...................

±

0.2g in addition to 

±

0.3g 

maximum datum.

4 (or 1 per sec-

ond where 
peaks, ref. to 
1g are re-
corded).

0.03g. 

Longitudinal acceleration ........

±

1.0g ...............................

±

1.5% max. range excluding 

datum error of 

±

5%.

2 ........................

0.01g. 

Pitch attitude ...........................

100% of usable ..............

±

2

°

.........................................

1 ........................

0.8

° 

Roll attitude ............................

±

60

° 

or 100% of usable 

range, whichever is 
greater.

±

2

°

.........................................

1 ........................

0.8

° 

Stabilizer trim position ............

Full range .......................

±

3% unless higher uniquely 

required.

1 ........................

1%

3

Or 

Pitch control position ..............

Full range .......................

±

3% unless higher uniquely 

required.

1 ........................

1%

3

Engine Power, Each Engine 

Fan or N

1

speed or EPR or 

cockpit indications used for 
aircraft certification.

Maximum range ..............

±

5% .......................................

1 ........................

1%

3

Or 

Prop. speed and torque (sam-

ple once/sec as close to-
gether as practicable).

.........................................

................................................

1 (prop speed), 

1 (torque).

Altitude rate

2

(need depends 

on altitude resolution).

±

8,000 fpm .....................

±

10%. Resolution 250 fpm 

below 12,000 ft. indicated.

1 ........................

250 fpm Below 

12,000 

Angle of attack

2

(need de-

pends on altitude resolu-
tion).

¥

20

° 

to 40

° 

or of usable 

range.

±

2

°

.........................................

1 ........................

0.8%

3

 

Radio transmitter keying (dis-

crete).

On/off ..............................

................................................

1.

TE flaps (discrete or analog) ..

Each discrete position 

(U, D, T/O, AAP).

................................................

1.

Or.

Analog 0–100% range ....

±

3

°

.........................................

1 ........................

1%

3

 

LE flaps (discrete or analog) ..

Each discrete position 

(U, D, T/O, AAP).

................................................

1.

Or.

Analog 0–100% range ....

±

3

°

.........................................

1 ........................

1%

3

Thrust reverser, each engine 

(Discrete).

Stowed or full reverse ....

................................................

1.

Spoiler/speedbrake (discrete) 

Stowed or out .................

................................................

1.

Autopilot engaged (discrete) ..

Engaged or disengaged

................................................

1.

1

When data sources are aircraft instruments (except altimeters) of acceptable quality to fly the aircraft the recording system 

excluding these sensors (but including all other characteristics of the recording system) shall contribute no more than half of the 
values in this column. 

2

If data from the altitude encoding altimeter (100 ft. resolution) is used, then either one of these parameters should also be re-

corded. If however, altitude is recorded at a minimum resolution of 25 feet, then these two parameters can be omitted. 

3

Per cent of full range. 

4

This column applies to aircraft manufacturing after October 11, 1991. 

[Doc. No. 25530, 53 FR 26152, July 11, 1988; 53 FR 30906, Aug. 16, 1988, as amended by Amdt. 135– 
69, 62 FR 38397, July 17, 1997] 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—H

ELICOPTER

F

LIGHT

R

ECORDER

S

PECIFICATIONS

 

Parameters 

Range 

Installed system

1

minimum 

accuracy (to recovered data) 

Sampling inter-

val (per second) 

Resolution

3

 

read out 

Relative time (from recorded 

on prior to takeoff).

25 hr minimum ...............

±

0.125% per hour .................

1 ........................

1 sec. 

background image

538 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. D 

Parameters 

Range 

Installed system

1

minimum 

accuracy (to recovered data) 

Sampling inter-

val (per second) 

Resolution

3

 

read out 

Indicated airspeed ..................

V

m

in to V

D

(KIAS) (min-

imum airspeed signal 
attainable with installed 
pilot-static system).

±

5% or 

±

10 kts., whichever is 

greater.

1 ........................

1 kt. 

Altitude ....................................

¥

1,000 ft. to 20,000 ft. 
pressure altitude.

±

100 to 

±

700 ft. (see Table 1, 

TSO C51–a).

1 ........................

25 to 150 ft. 

Magnetic heading ...................

360

°

................................

±

5

°

.........................................

1 ........................

1

°

Vertical acceleration ...............

¥

3g to + 6g ...................

±

0.2g in addition to 

±

0.3g 

maximum datum.

4 (or 1 per sec-

ond where 
peaks, ref. to 
1g are re-
corded).

0.05g. 

Longitudinal acceleration ........

±

1.0g ...............................

±

1.5% max. range excluding 

datum error of 

±

5%.

2 ........................

0.03g. 

Pitch attitude ...........................

100% of usable range ....

±

2

°

.........................................

1 ........................

0.8

°

Roll attitude ............................

±

60

° 

or 100% of usable 

range, whichever is 
greater.

±

2

°

.........................................

1 ........................

0.8

°

Altitude rate ............................

±

8,000 fpm .....................

±

10% Resolution 250 fpm 

below 12,000 ft. indicated.

1 ........................

250 fpm below 

12,000. 

Engine Power, Each Engine 

Main rotor speed ....................

Maximum range ..............

±

5% .......................................

1 ........................

1%

2

 

Free or power turbine .............

Maximum range ..............

+ 5% ......................................

1 ........................

1%

2

 

Engine torque .........................

Maximum range ..............

±

5% .......................................

1 ........................

1%

2

 

Flight Control—Hydraulic 

Pressure 

Primary (discrete) ...................

High/low ..........................

................................................

1.

Secondary—if applicable (dis-

crete).

High/low ..........................

................................................

1.

Radio transmitter keying (dis-

crete).

On/off ..............................

................................................

1.

Autopilot engaged (discrete) ..

Engaged or disengaged

................................................

1.

SAS status—engaged (dis-

crete).

Engaged/disengaged ......

................................................

1.

SAS fault status (discrete) .....

Fault/OK .........................

................................................

1.

Flight Controls 

Collective

4

..............................

Full range .......................

±

3% .......................................

2 ........................

1%

2

 

Pedal Position

4

......................

Full range .......................

±

3% .......................................

2 ........................

1%

2

 

Lat. Cyclic

4

.............................

Full range .......................

±

3% .......................................

2 ........................

1%

2

 

Long. Cyclic

4

..........................

Full range .......................

±

3% .......................................

2 ........................

1%

2

 

Controllable Stabilator Posi-

tion

4

.

Full range .......................

±

3% .......................................

2 ........................

1%

2

 

1

When data sources are aircraft instruments (except altimeters) of acceptable quality to fly the aircraft the recording system 

excluding these sensors (but including all other characteristics of the recording system) shall contribute no more than half of the 
values in this column. 

2

Per cent of full range. 

3

This column applies to aircraft manufactured after October 11, 1991. 

4

For all aircraft manufactured on or after December 6, 2010, the sampling interval per second is 4. 

[Doc. No. 25530, 53 FR 26152, July 11, 1988; 53 FR 30906, Aug. 16, 1988, as amended by Amdt. 135– 
69, 62 FR 38397, July 17, 1997; Amdt. 135–113, 73 FR 12570, Mar. 7, 2008; 73 FR 15281, Mar. 21, 2008; 
Amdt. 135–121, 75 FR 17047, Apr. 5, 2010] 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—A

IRPLANE

F

LIGHT

R

ECORDER

S

PECIFICATION

 

Parameters 

Range 

Accuracy sensor input to 

DFDR readout 

Sampling inter-

val (per second) 

resolution

4

read 

out 

Time (GMT or Frame 

Counter) (range 0 to 4095, 
sampled 1 per frame).

24 Hrs .............................

±

0.125% Per Hour ................

0.25 (1 per 4 

seconds).

1 sec. 

Altitude ....................................

¥

1,000 ft to max certifi-
cated altitude of air-
craft.

±

100 to 

±

700 ft (See Table 1, 

TSO-C51a).

1 ........................

5

′ 

to 35

1

Airspeed .................................

50 KIAS to V

so

, and V

so

 

to 1.2 V

D

.

±

5%, 

±

3% ..............................

1 ........................

1kt 

Heading ..................................

360

°

................................

±

2

°

.........................................

1 ........................

0.5

° 

Normal Acceleration (Vertical) 

¥

3g to + 6g ...................

±

1% of max range excluding 

datum error of 

±

5%.

8 ........................

0.01g 

Pitch Attitude ..........................

±

75

°

................................

±

2

°

.........................................

1 ........................

0.5

° 

background image

539 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. D 

Parameters 

Range 

Accuracy sensor input to 

DFDR readout 

Sampling inter-

val (per second) 

resolution

4

read 

out 

Roll Attitude ............................

±

180

°

..............................

±

2

°

.........................................

1 ........................

0.5

°

Radio Transmitter Keying .......

On-Off (Discrete) ............

................................................

1 ........................

Thrust/Power on Each Engine 

Full range forward ..........

±

2% .......................................

1 (per engine) ...

0.2%

2

Trailing Edge Flap or Cockpit 

Control Selection.

Full range or each dis-

crete position.

±

3

° 

or as pilot’s indicator ......

0.5 .....................

0.5%

2

Leading Edge Flap on or 

Cockpit Control Selection.

Full range or each dis-

crete position.

±

3

° 

or as pilot’s indicator ......

0.5 .....................

0.5%

2

Thrust Reverser Position ........

Stowed, in transit, and 

reverse (discretion).

................................................

1 (per 4 sec-

onds per en-
gine).

Ground Spoiler Position/ 

Speed Brake Selection.

Full range or each dis-

crete position.

±

2% unless higher accuracy 

uniquely required.

1 ........................

0.22

2

Marker Beacon Passage ........

Discrete ..........................

................................................

1 ........................

Autopilot Engagement ............

Discrete ..........................

................................................

1 ........................

Longitudinal Acceleration .......

±

1g ..................................

±

1.5% max range excluding 

datum error of 

±

5%.

4 ........................

0.01g. 

Pilot Input And/or Surface Po-

sition-Primary Controls 
(Pitch, Roll, Yaw)

3

.

Full range .......................

±

2

° 

unless higher accuracy 

uniquely required.

1 ........................

0.2%

2

Lateral Acceleration ................

±

1g ..................................

±

1.5% max range excluding 

datum error of 

±

5%.

4 ........................

0.01g. 

Pitch Trim Position .................

Full range .......................

±

3% unless higher accuracy 

uniquely required.

1 ........................

0.3%

2

Glideslope Deviation ..............

±

400 Microamps .............

±

3% .......................................

1 ........................

0.3%

2

Localizer Deviation .................

±

400 Microamps .............

±

3% .......................................

1 ........................

0.3%

2

AFCS Mode And Engagement 

Status.

Discrete ..........................

................................................

1 ........................

Radio Altitude .........................

¥

20 ft to 2,500 ft ...........

±

2 Ft or 

±

3% whichever is 

greater below 500 ft and 

±

5% above 500 ft.

1 ........................

1 ft + 5%

2

 

above 500

Master Warning ......................

Discrete ..........................

................................................

1 ........................

Main Gear Squat Switch Sta-

tus.

Discrete ..........................

................................................

1 ........................

Angle of Attack (if recorded 

directly).

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

2 ........................

0.3%

2

Outside Air Temperature or 

Total Air Temperature.

¥

50 

°

C to + 90 

°

C .........

±

2

° 

c ......................................

0.5 .....................

0.3

° 

Hydraulics, Each System Low 

Pressure.

Discrete ..........................

................................................

0.5 .....................

or 0.5%

2

Groundspeed ..........................

As installed .....................

Most accurate systems in-

stalled (IMS equipped air-
craft only).

1 ........................

0.2%

2

If additional recording capacity is available, recording of the following parameters is recommended. The parameters are listed in 

order of significance: 

Drift Angle ...............................

When available. As in-

stalled.

As installed ............................

4 ........................

Wind Speed and Direction .....

When available. As in-

stalled.

As installed ............................

4 ........................

Latitude and Longitude ...........

When available. As in-

stalled.

As installed ............................

4 ........................

Brake pressure/Brake pedal 

position.

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

1 ........................

Additional engine parameters: 

EPR .................................

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

1 (per engine) ...

N

1

....................................

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

1 (per engine) ...

N

2

....................................

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

1 (per engine) ...

EGT ........................................

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

1 (per engine) ...

Throttle Lever Position ...........

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

1 (per engine) ...

Fuel Flow ................................

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

1 (per engine) ...

TCAS: 

TA ....................................

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

1 ........................

RA ...................................

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

1 ........................

Sensitivity level (as se-

lected by crew).

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

2 ........................

GPWS (ground proximity 

warning system).

Discrete ..........................

................................................

1 ........................

Landing gear or gear selector 

position.

Discrete ..........................

................................................

0.25 (1 per 4 

seconds).

DME 1 and 2 Distance ...........

0–200 NM; ......................

As installed ............................

0.25 ...................

1mi. 

background image

540 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. E 

Parameters 

Range 

Accuracy sensor input to 

DFDR readout 

Sampling inter-

val (per second) 

resolution

4

read 

out 

Nav 1 and 2 Frequency Se-

lection.

Full range .......................

As installed ............................

0.25.

1

When altitude rate is recorded. Altitude rate must have sufficient resolution and sampling to permit the derivation of altitude to 

5 feet. 

2

Per cent of full range. 

3

For airplanes that can demonstrate the capability of deriving either the control input on control movement (one from the 

other) for all modes of operation and flight regimes, the ‘‘or’’ applies. For airplanes with non-mechanical control systems (fly-by- 
wire) the ‘‘and’’ applies. In airplanes with split surfaces, suitable combination of inputs is acceptable in lieu of recording each sur-
face separately. 

4

This column applies to aircraft manufactured after October 11, 1991. 

[Doc. No. 25530, 53 FR 26153, July 11, 1988; 53 FR 30906, Aug. 16, 1988] 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—H

ELICOPTER

F

LIGHT

R

ECORDER

S

PECIFICATIONS

 

Parameters 

Range 

Accuracy sensor input to 

DFDR readout 

Sampling inter-

val (per second) 

Resolution

2

 

read out 

Time (GMT) ............................

24 Hrs .............................

±

0.125% Per Hour ................

0.25 (1 per 4 

seconds).

1 sec 

Altitude ....................................

¥

1,000 ft to max certifi-
cated altitude of air-
craft.

±

100 to 

±

700 ft (See Table 1, 

TSO-C51a).

1 ........................

5

′ 

to 30

Airspeed .................................

As the installed meas-

uring system.

±

3% .......................................

1 ........................

1 kt 

Heading ..................................

360

°

................................

±

2

°

.........................................

1 ........................

0.5

°

Normal Acceleration (Vertical) 

¥

3g to + 6g ...................

±

1% of max range excluding 

datum error of 

±

5%.

8 ........................

0.01g 

Pitch Attitude ..........................

±

75

°

................................

±

2

°

.........................................

2 ........................

0.5

° 

Roll Attitude ............................

±

180

°

..............................

±

2

°

.........................................

2 ........................

0.5

°

Radio Transmitter Keying .......

On-Off (Discrete) ............

................................................

1 ........................

0.25 sec 

Power in Each Engine: Free 

Power Turbine Speed and 
Engine Torque.

0–130% (power Turbine 

Speed) Full range 
(Torque).

±

2% .......................................

1 speed 1 

torque (per 
engine).

0.2%

1

to 0.4%

1

 

Main Rotor Speed ..................

0–130% ..........................

±

2% .......................................

2 ........................

0.3%

1

 

Altitude Rate ...........................

±

6,000 ft/min ...................

As installed ............................

2 ........................

0.2%

1

 

Pilot Input—Primary Controls 

(Collective, Longitudinal Cy-
clic, Lateral Cyclic, Pedal)

3

.

Full range .......................

±

3% .......................................

2 ........................

0.5%

1

 

Flight Control Hydraulic Pres-

sure Low.

Discrete, each circuit ......

................................................

1 ........................

Flight Control Hydraulic Pres-

sure Selector Switch Posi-
tion, 1st and 2nd stage.

Discrete ..........................

................................................

1 ........................

AFCS Mode and Engagement 

Status.

Discrete (5 bits nec-

essary).

................................................

1 ........................

Stability Augmentation System 

Engage.

Discrete ..........................

................................................

1 ........................

SAS Fault Status ....................

Discrete ..........................

................................................

0.25 ...................

Main Gearbox Temperature 

Low.

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

0.25 ...................

0.5%

1

 

Main Gearbox Temperature 

High.

As installed .....................

As installed ............................

0.5 .....................

0.5%

1

 

Controllable Stabilator Posi-

tion.

Full Range ......................

±

3% .......................................

2 ........................

0.4%

1

Longitudinal Acceleration .......

±

1g ..................................

±

1.5% max range excluding 

datum error of 

±

5%.

4 ........................

0.01g. 

Lateral Acceleration ................

±

1g ..................................

±

1.5% max range excluding 

datum of 

±

5%.

4 ........................

0.01g. 

Master Warning ......................

Discrete ..........................

................................................

1 ........................

Nav 1 and 2 Frequency Se-

lection.

Full range .......................

As installed ............................

0.25 ...................

Outside Air Temperature ........

¥

50 

°

C to + 90 

°

C .........

±

2

° 

c ......................................

0.5 .....................

0.3

° 

1

Per cent of full range. 

2

This column applies to aircraft manufactured after October 11, 1991. 

3

For all aircraft manufactured on or after December 6, 2010, the sampling interval per second is 4. 

[Doc. No. 25530, 53 FR 26154, July 11, 1988; 53 FR 30906, Aug. 16, 1988; Amdt. 135–113, 73 FR 12571, 
Mar. 7, 2008; 73 FR 15281, Mar. 21, 2008; Amdt. 135–121, 75 FR 17047, Apr. 5, 2010] 

background image

541 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. F 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—A

IRPLANE

F

LIGHT

R

ECORDER

S

PECIFICATION

 

The recorded values must meet the designated range, resolution and accuracy requirements during static and dynamic condi-

tions. Dynamic condition means the parameter is experiencing change at the maximum rate attainable, including the maximum 
rate of reversal. All data recorded must be correlated in time to within one second. 

Parameters 

Range 

Accuracy (sensor 

input) 

Seconds per 

sampling interval 

Resolution 

Remarks 

1. Time or Rel-

ative Time 
Counts

1

.

24 Hrs, 0 to 

4095.

±

0.125% Per 

Hour.

4 ........................

1 sec .................

UTC time preferred when 

available. Counter incre-
ments each 4 seconds of 
system operation. 

2. Pressure Alti-

tude.

¥

1000 ft to max 
certificated alti-
tude of aircraft. 
+ 5000 ft.

±

100 to 

±

700 ft 

(see table, 
TSO C124a or 
TSO C51a).

1 ........................

5

′ 

to 35

.............

Data should be obtained 

from the air data computer 
when practicable. 

3. Indicated air-

speed or Cali-
brated airspeed.

50 KIAS or min-

imum value to 
Max V

so

ü

and 

V

so

to 1.2 V.

D

.

±

5% and 

±

3% ....

1 ........................

1 kt ....................

Data should be obtained 

from the air data computer 
when practicable. 

4. Heading (Pri-

mary flight crew 
reference).

0

¥

360

° 

and Dis-

crete ‘‘true’’ or 
‘‘mag’’.

±

2

°

.....................

1 ........................

0.5

°

....................

When true or magnetic head-

ing can be selected as the 
primary heading reference, 
a discrete indicating selec-
tion must be recorded. 

5. Normal Accel-

eration 
(Vertical)

9

.

¥

3g to + 6g ......

±

1% of max 

range exclud-
ing datum 
error of 

±

5%.

0.125 .................

0.004g 

6. Pitch Attitude ..

±

75% .................

±

2

°

.....................

1 or 0.25 for air-

planes oper-
ated under 
§ 135.152(j).

0.5

°

....................

A sampling rate of 0.25 is 

recommended. 

7. Roll Attitude

2

..

±

180

°

.................

±

2

°

.....................

1 or 0.5 0.5 air-

planes oper-
ated under 
§ 135.152(j).

0.5

°

....................

A sampling rate of 0.5 is rec-

ommended. 

8. Manual Radio 

Transmitter 
Keying or CVR/ 
DFDR synchro-
nization ref-
erence.

On-Off (Discrete) 
None ..................

...........................

1 ........................

...........................

Preferably each crew mem-

ber but one discrete ac-
ceptable for all trans-
mission provided the CVR/ 
FDR system complies with 
TSO C124a CVR synchro-
nization requirements 
(paragraph 4.2.1 ED–55). 

9. Thrust/Power 

on each en-
gine—primary 
flight crew ref-
erence.

Full Range For-

ward.

±

2% ...................

1 (per engine) ...

0.3% of full 

range.

Sufficient parameters (e.g. 

EPR, N1 or Torque, NP) 
as appropriate to the par-
ticular engine being re-
corded to determine power 
in forward and reverse 
thrust, including potential 
overspeed condition. 

10. Autopilot En-

gagement.

Discrete ‘‘on’’ or 

‘‘off’’.

...........................

1 ........................

11. Longitudinal 

Acceleration.

±

1g ....................

±

1.5% max. 

range exclud-
ing datum 
error of 

±

5%.

0.25 ...................

0.004g. 

12a. Pitch con-

trol(s) position 
(nonfly-by-wire 
systems)

18

.

Full Range .........

±

2

° 

unless high-

er accuracy 
uniquely re-
quired.

0.5 or 0.25 for 

airplanes oper-
ated under 
§ 135.152(j).

0.5% of full 

range.

For airplanes that have a 

flight control breakaway 
capability that allows either 
pilot to operate the controls 
independently, record both 
control inputs. The control 
inputs may be sampled al-
ternately once per second 
to produce the sampling in-
terval of 0.5 or 0.25, as ap-
plicable. 

12b. Pitch con-

trol(s) position 
(fly-by-wire sys-
tems)

318

.

Full Range .........

±

2

° 

unless high-

er accuracy 
uniquely re-
quired.

0.5 or 0.25 for 

airplanes oper-
ated under 
§ 135.152(j).

0.2% of full 

range.

background image

542 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. F 

The recorded values must meet the designated range, resolution and accuracy requirements during static and dynamic condi-

tions. Dynamic condition means the parameter is experiencing change at the maximum rate attainable, including the maximum 
rate of reversal. All data recorded must be correlated in time to within one second. 

Parameters 

Range 

Accuracy (sensor 

input) 

Seconds per 

sampling interval 

Resolution 

Remarks 

13a. Lateral con-

trol position(s) 
(nonfly-by- 
wire)

18

.

Full Range .........

±

2

° 

unless high-

er accuracy 
uniquely re-
quired.

0.5 or 0.25 for 

airplanes oper-
ated under 
§ 135.152(j).

0.2% of full 

range.

For airplanes that have a 

flight control breakaway 
capability that allows either 
pilot to operate the controls 
independently, record both 
control inputs. The control 
inputs may be sampled al-
ternately once per second 
to produce the sampling in-
terval of 0.5 or 0.25, as ap-
plicable. 

13b. Lateral con-

trol position(s) 
(fly-by-wire)

418

.

Full Range .........

±

2

° 

unless high-

er accuracy 
uniquely re-
quired.

0.5 or 0.25 for 

airplanes oper-
ated under 
§ 135.152(j).

0.2% of full 

range.

14a. Yaw control 

position(s) 
(nonfly-by- 
wire)

518

.

Full Range .........

±

2

° 

unless high-

er accuracy 
uniquely re-
quired.

0.5 .....................

0.3% of full 

range.

For airplanes that have a 

flight control breakaway 
capability that allows either 
pilot to operate the controls 
independently, record both 
control inputs. The control 
inputs may be sampled al-
ternately once per second 
to produce the sampling of 
0.5 or 0.25, as applicable. 

14b. Yaw control 

position(s) (fly- 
by-wire)

18

.

Full Range .........

±

2

° 

unless high-

er accuracy 
uniquely re-
quired.

0.5 .....................

0.2% of full 

range.

15. Pitch control 

surface(s) posi-
tion

618

.

Full Range .........

±

2

° 

unless high-

er accuracy 
uniquely re-
quired.

0.5 or 0.25 for 

airplanes oper-
ated under 
§ 135.152(j)..

0.3% of full 

range.

For airplanes fitted with mul-

tiple or split surfaces, a 
suitable combination of in-
puts is acceptable in lieu of 
recording each surface 
separately. The control 
surfaces may be sampled 
alternately to produce the 
sampling interval of 0.5 or 
0.25, as applicable. 

16. Lateral control 

surface(s) posi-
tion

718

.

Full Range .........

±

2

° 

unless high-

er accuracy 
uniquely re-
quired.

0.5 or 0.25 for 

airplanes oper-
ated under 
§ 135.152(j).

0.2% of full 

range.

A suitable combination of 

surface position sensors is 
acceptable in lieu of re-
cording each surface sepa-
rately. The control surfaces 
may be sampled alter-
nately to produce the sam-
pling interval of 0.5 or 
0.25, as applicable. 

17. Yaw control 

surface(s) posi-
tion

818

.

Full Range .........

±

2

° 

unless high-

er accuracy 
uniquely re-
quired.

0.5 .....................

0.2% of full 

range.

For airplanes with multiple or 

split surfaces, a suitable 
combination of surface po-
sition sensors is accept-
able in lieu of recording 
each surface separately. 
The control surfaces may 
be sampled alternately to 
produce the sampling inter-
val of 0.5. 

18. Lateral Accel-

eration.

±

1g ....................

±

1.5% max. 

range exclud-
ing datum 
error of 

±

5%.

0.25 ...................

0.004g.

19. Pitch Trim 

Surface Posi-
tion.

Full Range .........

±

3

° 

Unless High-

er Accuracy 
Uniquely Re-
quired.

1 ........................

0.6% of full 

range 

background image

543 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. F 

The recorded values must meet the designated range, resolution and accuracy requirements during static and dynamic condi-

tions. Dynamic condition means the parameter is experiencing change at the maximum rate attainable, including the maximum 
rate of reversal. All data recorded must be correlated in time to within one second. 

Parameters 

Range 

Accuracy (sensor 

input) 

Seconds per 

sampling interval 

Resolution 

Remarks 

20. Trailing Edge 

Flap or Cockpit 
Control Selec-
tion

10

.

Full Range or 

Each Position 
(discrete).

±

3

° 

or as Pilot’s 

Indicator.

2 ........................

0.5% of full 

range.

Flap position and cockpit 

control may each be sam-
pled alternately at 4 sec-
ond intervals, to give a 
data point every 2 sec-
onds. 

21. Leading Edge 

Flap or Cockpit 
Control Selec-
tion

11

.

Full Range or 

Each Discrete 
Position.

±

3

° 

or as Pilot’s 

Indicator and 
sufficient to 
determine 
each discrete 
position.

2 ........................

0.5% of full 

range.

Left and right sides, of flap 

position and cockpit control 
may each be sampled at 4 
second intervals, so as to 
give a data point to every 
2 seconds. 

22. Each Thrust 

reverser Posi-
tion (or equiva-
lent for pro-
peller airplane).

Stowed, In Tran-

sit, and re-
verse (Dis-
crete).

...........................

1 (per engine .....

...........................

Turbo-jet—2 discretes enable 

the 3 states to be deter-
mined 

Turbo-prop—1 discrete 

23. Ground Spoil-

er Position or 
Speed Brake 
Selection

12

.

Full Range or 

Each Position 
(discrete).

±

2

° 

Unless High-

er Accuracy 
Uniquely Re-
quired.

1 or 0.5 for air-

planes oper-
ated under 
§ 135.152(j).

0.5% of full 

range 

24. Outside Air 

Temperature or 
Total Air Tem-
perature

13

.

¥

50 

°

C to + 90 

°

C.

±

°

C .................

2 ........................

0.3 

°

25. Autopilot/ 

Autothrottle/ 
AFCS Mode 
and Engage-
ment Status.

A suitable com-

bination of 
discretes.

...........................

1 ........................

...........................

Discretes should show which 

systems are engaged and 
which primary modes are 
controlling the flight path 
and speed of the aircraft. 

26. Radio Alti-

tude

14

.

¥

20 ft to 2,500 
ft.

±

2 ft or 

±

3% 

Whichever is 
Greater Below 
500 ft and 

±

5% Above 

500 ft.

1 ........................

1 ft + 5% above 

500 ft.

For autoland/category 3 op-

erations. Each radio altim-
eter should be recorded, 
but arranged so that at 
least one is recorded each 
second. 

27. Localizer De-

viation, MLS 
Azimuth, or 
GPS Lateral 
Deviation.

±

400 Microamps 

or available 
sensor range 
as installed 

±

62

°

.

As installed 

±

3% 

recommended..

1 ........................

0.3% of full 

range.

For autoland/category 3 op-

erations. Each system 
should be recorded but ar-
ranged so that at least one 
is recorded each second. It 
is not necessary to record 
ILS and MLS at the same 
time, only the approach aid 
in use need be recorded. 

28. Glideslope 

Deviation, MLS 
Elevation, or 
GPS Vertical 
Deviation.

±

400 Microamps 

or available 
sensor range 
as installed.

0.9 to + 30

°

.......

As installed 

±

3% 

recommended.

1 ........................

0.3% of full 

range.

For autoland/category 3 op-

erations. Each system 
should be recorded but ar-
ranged so that at least one 
is recorded each second. It 
is not necessary to record 
ILS and MLS at the same 
time, only the approach aid 
in use need be recorded. 

29. Marker Bea-

con Passage.

Discrete ‘‘on’’ or 

‘‘off’’.

...........................

1 ........................

...........................

A single discrete is accept-

able for all markers. 

30. Master Warn-

ing.

Discrete .............

...........................

1 ........................

...........................

Record the master warning 

and record each ‘‘red’’ 
warning that cannot be de-
termined from other pa-
rameters or from the cock-
pit voice recorder. 

31. Air/ground 

sensor (primary 
airplane system 
reference nose 
or main gear).

Discrete ‘‘air’’ or 

‘‘ground’’.

...........................

1 (0.25 rec-

ommended.).

background image

544 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. F 

The recorded values must meet the designated range, resolution and accuracy requirements during static and dynamic condi-

tions. Dynamic condition means the parameter is experiencing change at the maximum rate attainable, including the maximum 
rate of reversal. All data recorded must be correlated in time to within one second. 

Parameters 

Range 

Accuracy (sensor 

input) 

Seconds per 

sampling interval 

Resolution 

Remarks 

32. Angle of At-

tack (If meas-
ured directly).

As installed ........

As installed ........

2 or 0.5 for air-

planes oper-
ated under 
§ 135.152(j).

0.3% of full 

range.

If left and right sensors are 

available, each may be re-
corded at 4 or 1 second in-
tervals, as appropriate, so 
as to give a data point at 2 
seconds or 0.5 second, as 
required. 

33. Hydraulic 

Pressure Low, 
Each System.

Discrete or avail-

able sensor 
range, ‘‘low’’ or 
‘‘normal’’.

±

5% ...................

2 ........................

0.5% of full 

range. 

34. Groundspeed 

As installed ........

Most Accurate 

Systems In-
stalled.

1 ........................

0.2% of full 

range. 

35. GPWS 

(ground prox-
imity warning 
system).

Discrete ‘‘warn-

ing’’ or ‘‘off’’.

...........................

1 ........................

...........................

A suitable combination of 

discretes unless recorder 
capacity is limited in which 
case a single discrete for 
all modes is acceptable. 

36. Landing Gear 

Position or 
Landing gear 
cockpit control 
selection.

Discrete .............

...........................

4 ........................

...........................

A suitable combination of 

discretes should be re-
corded. 

37. Drift Angle

15

As installed ........

As installed ........

4 ........................

0.1

° 

38. Wind Speed 

and Direction.

As installed ........

As installed ........

1 knot, and 1.0

°

39. Latitude and 

Longitude.

As installed ........

As installed ........

4 ........................

0.002

°

, or as in-

stalled.

Provided by the Primary 

Navigation System Ref-
erence. Where capacity 
permits latitude/longitude 
resolution should be 
0.0002

°

40. Stick shaker 

and pusher acti-
vation.

Discrete(s) ‘‘on’’ 

or ‘‘off’’.

...........................

1 ........................

...........................

A suitable combination of 

discretes to determine acti-
vation. 

41. Windshear 

Detection.

Discrete ‘‘warn-

ing’’ or ‘‘off’’.

...........................

1. 

42. Throttle/power 

lever position

16

.

Full Range .........

±

2% ...................

1 for each lever

2% of full range

For airplanes with non-me-

chanically linked cockpit 
engine controls. 

43. Additional En-

gine Param-
eters.

As installed ........

As installed ........

Each engine 

each second.

2% of full range

Where capacity permits, the 

preferred priority is indi-
cated vibration level, N2, 
EGT, Fuel Flow, Fuel Cut- 
off lever position and N3, 
unless engine manufac-
turer recommends other-
wise. 

44. Traffic Alert 

and Collision 
Avoidance Sys-
tem (TCAS).

Discretes ...........

As installed ........

1 ........................

...........................

A suitable combination of 

discretes should be re-
corded to determine the 
status of—Combined Con-
trol, Vertical Control, Up 
Advisory, and down advi-
sory. (ref. ARINC Char-
acteristic 735 Attachment 
6E, TCAS VERTICAL RA 
DATA OUTPUT WORD.) 

45. DME 1 and 2 

Distance.

0–200 NM; ........

As installed ........

4 ........................

1 NM .................

1 mile. 

46. Nav 1 and 2 

Selected Fre-
quency.

Full range ..........

As installed ........

4 ........................

...........................

Sufficient to determine se-

lected frequency. 

47. Selected baro-

metric setting.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

(1 per 64 sec.) ..

0.2% of full 

range. 

48. Selected alti-

tude.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

100 ft. 

background image

545 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. F 

The recorded values must meet the designated range, resolution and accuracy requirements during static and dynamic condi-

tions. Dynamic condition means the parameter is experiencing change at the maximum rate attainable, including the maximum 
rate of reversal. All data recorded must be correlated in time to within one second. 

Parameters 

Range 

Accuracy (sensor 

input) 

Seconds per 

sampling interval 

Resolution 

Remarks 

49. Selected 

speed.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

1 knot. 

50. Selected 

Mach.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

.01. 

51. Selected 

vertical speed.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

100 ft./min. 

52. Selected 

heading.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

1

°

53. Selected flight 

path.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

1

°

54. Selected deci-

sion height.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

64 ......................

1 ft. 

55. EFIS display 

format.

Discrete(s) .........

...........................

4 ........................

...........................

Discretes should show the 

display system status (e.g., 
off, normal, fail, composite, 
sector, plan, nav aids, 
weather radar, range, 
copy. 

56. Multi-function/ 

Engine Alerts 
Display format.

Discrete(s) .........

...........................

4 ........................

...........................

Discretes should show the 

display system status (e.g., 
off, normal, fail, and the 
identity of display pages 
for emergency procedures, 
need not be recorded. 

57. Thrust 

comand

17

.

Full Range .........

±

2% ...................

2 ........................

2% of full range 

58. Thrust target

Full Range .........

±

2% ...................

4 ........................

2% of full range. 

59. Fuel quantity 

in CG trim tank.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

(1 per 64 sec.) ..

1% of full range. 

60. Primary Navi-

gation System 
Reference.

Discrete GPS, 

INS, VOR/ 
DME, MLS, 
Localizer 
Glideslope.

...........................

4 ........................

...........................

A suitable combination of 

discretes to determine the 
Primary Navigation System 
reference. 

61. Ice Detection

Discrete ‘‘ice’’ or 

‘‘no ice’’.

...........................

4. 

62. Engine warn-

ing each engine 
vibration.

Discrete .............

...........................

1. 

63. Engine warn-

ing each engine 
over temp..

Discrete .............

...........................

1. 

64. Engine warn-

ing each engine 
oil pressure low.

Discrete .............

...........................

1. 

65. Engine warn-

ing each engine 
over speed.

Discrete .............

...........................

1. 

66. Yaw Trim Sur-

face Position.

Full Range .........

±

3% Unless 

Higher Accu-
racy Uniquely 
Required.

2 ........................

0.3% of full 

range. 

67. Roll Trim Sur-

face Position.

Full Range .........

±

3% Unless 

Higher Accu-
racy Uniquely 
Required.

2 ........................

0.3% of full 

range. 

68. Brake Pres-

sure (left and 
right).

As installed ........

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

...........................

To determine braking effort 

applied by pilots or by 
autobrakes. 

69. Brake Pedal 

Application (left 
and right).

Discrete or Ana-

log ‘‘applied’’ 
or ‘‘off’’.

±

5% (Analog) ....

1 ........................

...........................

To determine braking applied 

by pilots. 

70. Yaw or side-

slip angle.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

0.5

°

71. Engine bleed 

valve position.

Discrete ‘‘open’’ 

or ‘‘closed’’.

...........................

4. 

72. De-icing or 

anti-icing sys-
tem selection.

Discrete ‘‘on’’ or 

‘‘off’’.

...........................

4. 

background image

546 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. F 

The recorded values must meet the designated range, resolution and accuracy requirements during static and dynamic condi-

tions. Dynamic condition means the parameter is experiencing change at the maximum rate attainable, including the maximum 
rate of reversal. All data recorded must be correlated in time to within one second. 

Parameters 

Range 

Accuracy (sensor 

input) 

Seconds per 

sampling interval 

Resolution 

Remarks 

73. Computed 

center of gravity.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

(1 per 64 sec.) ..

1% of full range. 

74. AC electrical 

bus status.

Discrete ‘‘power’’ 

or ‘‘off’’.

...........................

4 ........................

...........................

Each bus. 

75. DC electrical 

bus status.

Discrete ‘‘power’’ 

or ‘‘off’’.

...........................

4 ........................

...........................

Each bus. 

76. APU bleed 

valve position.

Discrete ‘‘open’’ 

or ‘‘closed’’.

...........................

4. 

77. Hydraulic 

Pressure (each 
system).

Full range ..........

±

5% ...................

2 ........................

100 psi. 

78. Loss of cabin 

pressure.

Discrete ‘‘loss’’ 

or ‘‘normal’’.

...........................

1. 

79. Computer fail-

ure (critical 
flight and en-
gine control 
systems).

Discrete ‘‘fail’’ or 

‘‘normal’’.

...........................

4. 

80. Heads-up dis-

play (when an 
information 
source is in-
stalled).

Discrete(s) ‘‘on’’ 

or ‘‘off’’.

...........................

4. 

81. Para-visual 

display (when 
an information 
source is in-
stalled).

Discrete(s) ‘‘on’’ 

or ‘‘off’’.

...........................

1. 

82. Cockpit trim 

control input po-
sition—pitch.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

0.2% of full 

range.

Where mechanical means for 

control inputs are not avail-
able, cockpit display trim 
positions should be re-
corded. 

83. Cockpit trim 

control input po-
sition—roll.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

0.7% of full 

range.

Where mechanical means for 

control inputs are not avail-
able, cockpit display trim 
position should be re-
corded. 

84. Cockpit trim 

control input po-
sition—yaw.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

0.3% of full 

range.

Where mechanical means for 

control input are not avail-
able, cockpit display trim 
positions should be re-
corded. 

85. Trailing edge 

flap and cockpit 
flap control po-
sition.

Full Range .........

±

5% ...................

2 ........................

0.5% of full 

range.

Trailing edge flaps and cock-

pit flap control position 
may each be sampled al-
ternately at 4 second inter-
vals to provide a sample 
each 0.5 second. 

86. Leading edge 

flap and cockpit 
flap control po-
sition.

Full Range or 

Discrete.

±

5% ...................

1 ........................

0.5% of full 

range. 

87. Ground spoil-

er position and 
speed brake se-
lection.

Full Range or 

Discrete.

±

5% ...................

0.5 .....................

0.3% of full 

range 

background image

547 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. G 

The recorded values must meet the designated range, resolution and accuracy requirements during static and dynamic condi-

tions. Dynamic condition means the parameter is experiencing change at the maximum rate attainable, including the maximum 
rate of reversal. All data recorded must be correlated in time to within one second. 

Parameters 

Range 

Accuracy (sensor 

input) 

Seconds per 

sampling interval 

Resolution 

Remarks 

88. All cockpit 

flight control 
input forces 
(control wheel, 
control column, 
rudder pedal)

18

.

Full Range Con-

trol wheel 

±

70 

lbs. Control 
column 

±

85 

lbs. Rudder 
pedal 

±

165 lbs.

±

5

°

.....................

1 ........................

0.3% of full 

range.

For fly-by-wire flight control 

systems, where flight con-
trol surface position is a 
function of the displace-
ment of the control input 
device only, it is not nec-
essary to record this pa-
rameter. For airplanes that 
have a flight control break-
away capability that allows 
either pilot to operate the 
control independently, 
record both control force 
inputs. The control force 
inputs may be sampled al-
ternately once per 2 sec-
onds to produce the sam-
pling interval of 1. 

1

For A300 B2/B4 airplanes, resolution = 6 seconds. 

2

For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution = 0.703

°

3

For A318/A319/A320/A321 series airplanes, resolution = 0.275% (0.088

°

>0.064

°

). For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution 

= 2.20% (0.703

°

>0.064

°

). 

4

For A318/A319/A320/A321 series airplanes, resolution = 0.22% (0.088

°

>0.080

°

). For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution 

= 1.76% (0.703

°

>0.080

°

). 

5

For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution = 1.18% (0.703

°

>0.120

°

). 

6

For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution = 0.783% (0.352

°

>0.090

°

). 

7

For A330/A340 series airplanes, aileron resolution = 0.704% (0.352

°

>0.100

°

). For A330/A340 series airplanes, spoiler resolu-

tion = 1.406% (0.703

°

>0.100

°

). 

8

For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution = 0.30% (0.176

°

>0.12

°

). For A330/A340 series airplanes, seconds per sampling 

interval = 1. 

9

For B–717 series airplanes, resolution = .005g. For Dassault F900C/F900EX airplanes, resolution = .007g. 

10

For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution = 1.05% (0.250

°

>0.120

°

). 

11

For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution = 1.05% (0.250

°

>0.120

°

). For A300 B2/B4 series airplanes, resolution = 0.92% 

(0.230

°

>0.125

°

). 

12

For A330/A340 series airplanes, spoiler resolution = 1.406% (0.703

°

>0.100

°

). 

13

For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution = 0.5 

°

C. 

14

For Dassault F900C/F900EX airplanes, Radio Altitude resolution = 1.25 ft. 

15

For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution = 0.352 degrees. 

16

For A318/A319/A320/A321 series airplanes, resolution = 4.32%. For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution is 3.27% of full 

range for throttle lever angle (TLA); for reverse thrust, reverse throttle lever angle (RLA) resolution is nonlinear over the active 
reverse thrust range, which is 51.54 degrees to 96.14 degrees. The resolved element is 2.8 degrees uniformly over the entire ac-
tive reverse thrust range, or 2.9% of the full range value of 96.14 degrees. 

17

For A318/A319/A320/A321 series airplanes, with IAE engines, resolution = 2.58%. 

18

For all aircraft manufactured on or after December 6, 2010, the seconds per sampling interval is 0.125. Each input must be 

recorded at this rate. Alternately sampling inputs (interleaving) to meet this sampling interval is prohibited. 

[Doc. No. 28109, 62 FR 38398, July 17, 1997; 62 FR 48135, Sept. 12, 1997; Amdt. 135–85, 67 FR 54323, 
Aug. 21, 2002; Amdt. 135–89, 68 FR 42939, July 18, 2003; 68 FR 50069, Aug. 20, 2003; Amdt. 135– 
113, 73 FR 12570, Mar. 7, 2008; Amdt. 135–121, 75 FR 17047, Apr. 5, 2010; Amdt. 135–120, 75 FR 7357, 
Feb. 19, 2010; Docket FAA–2017–0733, Amdt. 135–137, 82 FR 34399, July 25, 2017] 

A

PPENDIX

TO

P

ART

135—E

XTENDED

 

O

PERATIONS

(ETOPS) 

G135.1

Definitions. 

G135.1.1

Adequate Airport 

means an airport 

that an airplane operator may list with ap-
proval from the FAA because that airport 
meets the landing limitations of § 135.385 or 
is a military airport that is active and oper-
ational. 

G135.1.2

ETOPS Alternate Airport 

means an 

adequate airport that is designated in a dis-
patch or flight release for use in the event of 
a diversion during ETOPS. This definition 
applies to flight planning and does not in 
any way limit the authority of the pilot in 
command during flight. 

G135.1.3

ETOPS Entry Point 

means the 

first point on the route of an ETOPS flight, 
determined using a one-engine inoperative 
cruise speed under standard conditions in 
still air, that is more than 180 minutes from 
an adequate airport. 

G135.1.4

ETOPS Qualified Person 

means a 

person, performing maintenance for the cer-
tificate holder, who has satisfactorily com-
pleted the certificate holder’s ETOPS train-
ing program. 

G135.2

Requirements. 

G135.2.1

General. 

After August 13, 2008, no 

certificate holder may operate an airplane, 
other than an all-cargo airplane with more 
than two engines, outside the continental 
United States more than 180 minutes flying 

background image

548 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. G 

time (at the one-engine-inoperative cruise 
speed under standard conditions in still air) 
from an airport described in § 135.364 unless— 

(a) The certificate holder receives ETOPS 

approval from the FAA; 

(b) The operation is conducted in a multi- 

engine transport category turbine-powered 
airplane; 

(c) The operation is planned to be no more 

than 240 minutes flying time (at the one en-
gine inoperative cruise speed under standard 
conditions in still air) from an airport de-
scribed in § 135.364; and 

(d) The certificate holder meets the re-

quirements of this appendix. 

G135.2.2 

Required certificate holder experience 

prior to conducting ETOPS. 

Before applying for ETOPS approval, the 

certificate holder must have at least 12 
months experience conducting international 
operations (excluding Canada and Mexico) 
with multi-engine transport category tur-
bine-engine powered airplanes. The certifi-
cate holder may consider the following expe-
rience as international operations: 

(a) Operations to or from the State of Ha-

waii. 

(b) For certificate holders granted ap-

proval to operate under part 135 or part 121 
before February 15, 2007, up to 6 months of 
domestic operating experience and oper-
ations in Canada and Mexico in multi-engine 
transport category turbojet-powered air-
planes may be credited as part of the re-
quired 12 months of international experience 
required by paragraph G135.2.2(a) of this ap-
pendix. 

(c) ETOPS experience with other aircraft 

types to the extent authorized by the FAA. 

G135.2.3

Airplane requirements. 

No certifi-

cate holder may conduct ETOPS in an air-
plane that was manufactured after February 
17, 2015 unless the airplane meets the stand-
ards of § 25.1535. 

G135.2.4

Crew information requirements. 

The 

certificate holder must ensure that flight 
crews have in-flight access to current weath-
er and operational information needed to 
comply with § 135.83, § 135.225, and § 135.229. 
This includes information on all ETOPS Al-
ternate Airports, all destination alternates, 
and the destination airport proposed for each 
ETOPS flight. 

G135.2.5

Operational Requirements. 

(a) No person may allow a flight to con-

tinue beyond its ETOPS Entry Point un-
less— 

(1) The weather conditions at each ETOPS 

Alternate Airport are forecast to be at or 
above the operating minima in the certifi-
cate holder’s operations specifications for 
that airport when it might be used (from the 
earliest to the latest possible landing time), 
and 

(3) All ETOPS Alternate Airports within 

the authorized ETOPS maximum diversion 

time are reviewed for any changes in condi-
tions that have occurred since dispatch. 

(b) In the event that an operator cannot 

comply with paragraph G135.2.5(a)(1) of this 
appendix for a specific airport, another 
ETOPS Alternate Airport must be sub-
stituted within the maximum ETOPS diver-
sion time that could be authorized for that 
flight with weather conditions at or above 
operating minima. 

(c) Pilots must plan and conduct ETOPS 

under instrument flight rules. 

(d) 

Time-Limited Systems. 

(1) Except as pro-

vided in paragraph G135.2.5(d)(3) of this ap-
pendix, the time required to fly the distance 
to each ETOPS Alternate Airport (at the all- 
engines-operating cruise speed, corrected for 
wind and temperature) may not exceed the 
time specified in the Airplane Flight Manual 
for the airplane’s most limiting fire suppres-
sion system time required by regulation for 
any cargo or baggage compartments (if in-
stalled), minus 15 minutes. 

(2) Except as provided in G135.2.5(d)(3) of 

this appendix, the time required to fly the 
distance to each ETOPS Alternate Airport 
(at the approved one-engine-inoperative 
cruise speed, corrected for wind and tem-
perature) may not exceed the time specified 
in the Airplane Flight Manual for the air-
plane’s most time limited system time 
(other than the airplane’s most limiting fire 
suppression system time required by regula-
tion for any cargo or baggage compart-
ments), minus 15 minutes. 

(3) A certificate holder operating an air-

plane without the Airplane Flight Manual 
information needed to comply with para-
graphs G135.2.5(d)(1) and (d)(2) of this appen-
dix, may continue ETOPS with that airplane 
until February 17, 2015. 

G135.2.6

Communications Requirements. 

(a) No person may conduct an ETOPS 

flight unless the following communications 
equipment, appropriate to the route to be 
flown, is installed and operational: 

(1) Two independent communication trans-

mitters, at least one of which allows voice 
communication. 

(2) Two independent communication re-

ceivers, at least one of which allows voice 
communication. 

(3) Two headsets, or one headset and one 

speaker. 

(b) In areas where voice communication fa-

cilities are not available, or are of such poor 
quality that voice communication is not pos-
sible, communication using an alternative 
system must be substituted. 

G135.2.7

Fuel Requirements. 

No person may 

dispatch or release for flight an ETOPS 
flight unless, considering wind and other 
weather conditions expected, it has the fuel 
otherwise required by this part and enough 
fuel to satisfy each of the following require-
ments: 

background image

549 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 135, App. G 

(a) 

Fuel to fly to an ETOPS Alternate Airport. 

(1) Fuel to account for rapid decompression 
and engine failure. The airplane must carry 
the greater of the following amounts of fuel: 

(i) Fuel sufficient to fly to an ETOPS Al-

ternate Airport assuming a rapid decompres-
sion at the most critical point followed by 
descent to a safe altitude in compliance with 
the oxygen supply requirements of § 135.157; 

(ii) Fuel sufficient to fly to an ETOPS Al-

ternate Airport (at the one-engine-inoper-
ative cruise speed under standard conditions 
in still air) assuming a rapid decompression 
and a simultaneous engine failure at the 
most critical point followed by descent to a 
safe altitude in compliance with the oxygen 
requirements of § 135.157; or 

(iii) Fuel sufficient to fly to an ETOPS Al-

ternate Airport (at the one-engine-inoper-
ative cruise speed under standard conditions 
in still air) assuming an engine failure at the 
most critical point followed by descent to 
the one engine inoperative cruise altitude. 

(2) Fuel to account for errors in wind fore-

casting. In calculating the amount of fuel re-
quired by paragraph G135.2.7(a)(1) of this ap-
pendix, the certificate holder must increase 
the actual forecast wind speed by 5% (result-
ing in an increase in headwind or a decrease 
in tailwind) to account for any potential er-
rors in wind forecasting. If a certificate hold-
er is not using the actual forecast wind based 
on a wind model accepted by the FAA, the 
airplane must carry additional fuel equal to 
5% of the fuel required by paragraph 
G135.2.7(a) of this appendix, as reserve fuel to 
allow for errors in wind data. 

(3) Fuel to account for icing. In calculating 

the amount of fuel required by paragraph 
G135.2.7(a)(1) of this appendix, (after com-
pleting the wind calculation in G135.2.7(a)(2) 
of this appendix), the certificate holder must 
ensure that the airplane carries the greater 
of the following amounts of fuel in anticipa-
tion of possible icing during the diversion: 

(i) Fuel that would be burned as a result of 

airframe icing during 10 percent of the time 
icing is forecast (including the fuel used by 
engine and wing anti-ice during this period). 

(ii) Fuel that would be used for engine 

anti-ice, and if appropriate wing anti-ice, for 
the entire time during which icing is fore-
cast. 

(4) Fuel to account for engine deteriora-

tion. In calculating the amount of fuel re-
quired by paragraph G135.2.7(a)(1) of this ap-
pendix (after completing the wind calcula-
tion in paragraph G135.2.7(a)(2) of this appen-
dix), the certificate holder must ensure the 
airplane also carries fuel equal to 5% of the 
fuel specified above, to account for deterio-
ration in cruise fuel burn performance unless 
the certificate holder has a program to mon-
itor airplane in-service deterioration to 
cruise fuel burn performance. 

(b) 

Fuel to account for holding, approach, 

and landing. 

In addition to the fuel required 

by paragraph G135.2.7 (a) of this appendix, 
the airplane must carry fuel sufficient to 
hold at 1500 feet above field elevation for 15 
minutes upon reaching the ETOPS Alternate 
Airport and then conduct an instrument ap-
proach and land. 

(c) 

Fuel to account for APU use. 

If an APU 

is a required power source, the certificate 
holder must account for its fuel consumption 
during the appropriate phases of flight. 

G135.2.8 

Maintenance Program Requirements. 

In order to conduct an ETOPS flight under 
§ 135.364, each certificate holder must develop 
and comply with the ETOPS maintenance 
program as authorized in the certificate 
holder’s operations specifications for each 
two-engine airplane-engine combination 
used in ETOPS. This provision does not 
apply to operations using an airplane with 
more than two engines. The certificate hold-
er must develop this ETOPS maintenance 
program to supplement the maintenance pro-
gram currently approved for the operator. 
This ETOPS maintenance program must in-
clude the following elements: 

(a) 

ETOPS maintenance document. 

The cer-

tificate holder must have an ETOPS mainte-
nance document for use by each person in-
volved in ETOPS. The document must— 

(1) List each ETOPS Significant System, 
(2) Refer to or include all of the ETOPS 

maintenance elements in this section, 

(3) Refer to or include all supportive pro-

grams and procedures, 

(4) Refer to or include all duties and re-

sponsibilities, and 

(5) Clearly state where referenced material 

is located in the certificate holder’s docu-
ment system. 

(b) 

ETOPS pre-departure service check. 

The 

certificate holder must develop a pre-depar-
ture check tailored to their specific oper-
ation. 

(1) The certificate holder must complete a 

pre-departure service check immediately be-
fore each ETOPS flight. 

(2) At a minimum, this check must: 
(i) Verify the condition of all ETOPS Sig-

nificant Systems; 

(ii) Verify the overall status of the air-

plane by reviewing applicable maintenance 
records; and 

(iii) Include an interior and exterior in-

spection to include a determination of en-
gine and APU oil levels and consumption 
rates. 

(3) An appropriately trained maintenance 

person, who is ETOPS qualified must accom-
plish and certify by signature ETOPS spe-
cific tasks. Before an ETOPS flight may 
commence, an ETOPS pre-departure service 
check (PDSC) Signatory Person, who has 
been authorized by the certificate holder, 
must certify by signature, that the ETOPS 
PDSC has been completed. 

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph (b) 

only, the following definitions apply: 

background image

550 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

Pt. 135, App. G 

(i) ETOPS qualified person: A person is 

ETOPS qualified when that person satisfac-
torily completes the operator’s ETOPS 
training program and is authorized by the 
certificate holder. 

(ii) ETOPS PDSC Signatory Person: A per-

son is an ETOPS PDSC Signatory Person 
when that person is ETOPS Qualified and 
that person: 

(A) When certifying the completion of the 

ETOPS PDSC in the United States: 

(

1

) Works for an operator authorized to en-

gage in part 135 or 121 operation or works for 
a part 145 repair station; and 

(

2

) Holds a U.S. Mechanic’s Certificate 

with airframe and powerplant ratings. 

(B) When certifying the completion of the 

ETOPS PDSC outside of the U.S. holds a cer-
tificate in accordance with § 43.17(c)(1) of this 
chapter; or 

(C) When certifying the completion of the 

ETOPS PDSC outside the U.S. holds the cer-
tificates needed or has the requisite experi-
ence or training to return aircraft to service 
on behalf of an ETOPS maintenance entity. 

(iii) ETOPS maintenance entity: An entity 

authorized to perform ETOPS maintenance 
and complete ETOPS pre-departure service 
checks and that entity is: 

(A) Certificated to engage in part 135 or 121 

operations; 

(B) Repair station certificated under part 

145 of this title; or 

(C) Entity authorized pursuant to 

§ 43.17(c)(2) of this chapter. 

(c) 

Limitations on dual maintenance. 

(1) Ex-

cept as specified in paragraph G135.2.8(c)(2) 
of this appendix, the certificate holder may 
not perform scheduled or unscheduled dual 
maintenance during the same maintenance 
visit on the same or a substantially similar 
ETOPS Significant System listed in the 
ETOPS maintenance document, if the im-
proper maintenance could result in the fail-
ure of an ETOPS Significant System. 

(2) In the event dual maintenance as de-

fined in paragraph G135.2.8(c)(1) of this ap-
pendix cannot be avoided, the certificate 
holder may perform maintenance provided: 

(i) The maintenance action on each af-

fected ETOPS Significant System is per-
formed by a different technician, or 

(ii) The maintenance action on each af-

fected ETOPS Significant System is per-
formed by the same technician under the di-
rect supervision of a second qualified indi-
vidual; and 

(iii) For either paragraph G135.2.8(c)(2)(i) 

or (ii) of this appendix, a qualified individual 
conducts a ground verification test and any 
in-flight verification test required under the 
program developed pursuant to paragraph 
G135.2.8(d) of this appendix. 

(d) 

Verification program. 

The certificate 

holder must develop a program for the reso-
lution of discrepancies that will ensure the 
effectiveness of maintenance actions taken 

on ETOPS Significant Systems. The 
verification program must identify potential 
problems and verify satisfactory corrective 
action. The verification program must in-
clude ground verification and in-flight 
verification policy and procedures. The cer-
tificate holder must establish procedures to 
clearly indicate who is going to initiate the 
verification action and what action is nec-
essary. The verification action may be per-
formed on an ETOPS revenue flight provided 
the verification action is documented as sat-
isfactorily completed upon reaching the 
ETOPS entry point. 

(e) 

Task identification. 

The certificate hold-

er must identify all ETOPS-specific tasks. 
An ETOPS qualified person must accomplish 
and certify by signature that the ETOPS- 
specific task has been completed. 

(f) 

Centralized maintenance control proce-

dures. 

The certificate holder must develop 

procedures for centralized maintenance con-
trol for ETOPS. 

(g) 

ETOPS parts control program. 

The cer-

tificate holder must develop an ETOPS parts 
control program to ensure the proper identi-
fication of parts used to maintain the con-
figuration of airplanes used in ETOPS. 

(h) 

Enhanced Continuing Analysis and Sur-

veillance System (E–CASS) program. 

A certifi-

cate holder’s existing CASS must be en-
hanced to include all elements of the ETOPS 
maintenance program. In addition to the re-
porting requirements of § 135.415 and § 135.417, 
the program includes reporting procedures, 
in the form specified in § 135.415(e), for the 
following significant events detrimental to 
ETOPS within 96 hours of the occurrence to 
the responsible Flight Standards office: 

(1) IFSDs, except planned IFSDs performed 

for flight training. 

(2) Diversions and turnbacks for failures, 

malfunctions, or defects associated with any 
airplane or engine system. 

(3) Uncommanded power or thrust changes 

or surges. 

(4) Inability to control the engine or obtain 

desired power or thrust. 

(5) Inadvertent fuel loss or unavailability, 

or uncorrectable fuel imbalance in flight. 

(6) Failures, malfunctions or defects asso-

ciated with ETOPS Significant Systems. 

(7) Any event that would jeopardize the 

safe flight and landing of the airplane on an 
ETOPS flight. 

(i) 

Propulsion system monitoring. 

The certifi-

cate holder, in coordination with the respon-
sible Flight Standards office, must— 

(1) Establish criteria as to what action is 

to be taken when adverse trends in propul-
sion system conditions are detected, and 

(2) Investigate common cause effects or 

systemic errors and submit the findings to 
the responsible Flight Standards office with-
in 30 days. 

background image

551 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

Pt. 136 

(j) 

Engine condition monitoring. 

(1) The cer-

tificate holder must establish an engine-con-
dition monitoring program to detect deterio-
ration at an early stage and to allow for cor-
rective action before safe operation is af-
fected. 

(2) This program must describe the param-

eters to be monitored, the method of data 
collection, the method of analyzing data, and 
the process for taking corrective action. 

(3) The program must ensure that engine 

limit margins are maintained so that a pro-
longed engine-inoperative diversion may be 
conducted at approved power levels and in 
all expected environmental conditions with-
out exceeding approved engine limits. This 
includes approved limits for items such as 
rotor speeds and exhaust gas temperatures. 

(k) 

Oil consumption monitoring. 

The certifi-

cate holder must develop an engine oil con-
sumption monitoring program to ensure that 
there is enough oil to complete each ETOPS 
flight. APU oil consumption must be in-
cluded if an APU is required for ETOPS. The 
operator’s consumption limit may not ex-
ceed the manufacturer’s recommendation. 
Monitoring must be continuous and include 
oil added at each ETOPS departure point. 
The program must compare the amount of 
oil added at each ETOPS departure point 
with the running average consumption to 
identify sudden increases. 

(l) 

APU in-flight start program. 

If an APU is 

required for ETOPS, but is not required to 
run during the ETOPS portion of the flight, 
the certificate holder must have a program 
acceptable to the FAA for cold soak in-flight 
start and run reliability. 

(m) 

Maintenance training. 

For each air-

plane-engine combination, the certificate 
holder must develop a maintenance training 
program to ensure that it provides training 
adequate to support ETOPS. It must include 
ETOPS specific training for all persons in-
volved in ETOPS maintenance that focuses 
on the special nature of ETOPS. This train-
ing must be in addition to the operator’s 
maintenance training program used to qual-
ify individuals for specific airplanes and en-
gines. 

(n) 

Configuration, maintenance, and proce-

dures (CMP) document. 

The certificate holder 

must use a system to ensure compliance 
with the minimum requirements set forth in 
the current version of the CMP document for 
each airplane-engine combination that has a 
CMP. 

(o) 

Reporting. 

The certificate holder must 

report quarterly to the responsible Flight 
Standards office and the airplane and engine 
manufacturer for each airplane authorized 
for ETOPS. The report must provide the op-
erating hours and cycles for each airplane. 

G135.2.9

Delayed compliance date for all air-

planes. 

A certificate holder need not comply 

with this appendix for any airplane until Au-
gust 13, 2008. 

[Doc. No. FAA–2002–6717, 72 FR 1885, Jan. 16, 
2007, as amended by Amdt. 135–108, 72 FR 
7348, Feb. 15, 2007; 72 FR 26542, May 10, 2007; 
Amdt. 135–112, 73 FR 8798, Feb. 15, 2008; Amdt. 
135–115, 73 FR 33882, June 16, 2008; Docket 
FAA–2018–0119, Amdt. 135–139, 83 FR 9175, 
Mar. 5, 2018] 

PART 136—COMMERCIAL AIR 

TOURS AND NATIONAL PARKS 
AIR TOUR MANAGEMENT 

Subpart A—National Air Tour Safety 

Standards 

Sec. 
136.1

Applicability and definitions. 

136.3

Letters of Authorization. 

136.5

Additional requirements for Hawaii. 

136.7

Passenger briefings. 

136.9

Life preservers for operations over 

water. 

136.11

Rotorcraft floats for over water. 

136.13

Performance plan. 

136.15–136.29

[Reserved] 

Subpart B—National Parks Air Tour 

Management 

136.31

Applicability. 

136.33

Definitions. 

136.35

Prohibition of commercial air tour 

operations over the Rocky Mountain Na-
tional Park. 

136.37

Overflights of national parks and 

tribal lands. 

136.39

Air tour management plans (ATMP). 

136.41

Interim operating authority. 

136.43–136.49

[Reserved] 

Subpart C—Grand Canyon National Park 

136.51–136.69

[Reserved] 

Subpart D—Special Operating Rules for Air 

Tour Operators in the State of Hawaii 

136.71

Applicability. 

136.73

Definitions. 

136.75

Equipment and requirements. 

A

UTHORITY

: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 

40119, 44101, 44701–44702, 44705, 44709–44711, 
44713, 44716–44717, 44722, 44901, 44903–44904, 
44912, 46105. 

S

OURCE

: Docket No. FAA–2001–8690, 67 FR 

65667, Oct. 25, 2002, unless otherwise noted.