part 121 operating requirements domestic, flag, and supplemental operations subpart a general

Part 121Operating Requirements

Domestic, Flag, and Supplemental Operations

Subpart A

General

Part 121Subpart A: General

Subpart E: Approval of Routes

Domestic and Flag Operations

Subpart F: Approval of Areas and Routes

Supplemental Operations

Subpart G: Manual Requirements

Subpart H: Aircraft Requirements

Subpart J: Special Airworthiness Requirement

121.1 Applicability (Rules governing)• Domestic, flag, supplemental operations

who hold or required to hold– Air Carrier Certificate– Operating Certificate

• Each person employed or used by certificate holder– Maintenance– Preventive maintenance– Alteration of aircraft

121.1 Manual Requirements• Each person applying for provisional

approval of an Advanced Qualification Program– Curriculum– Curriculum segment– Portion of curriculum segment

• Each person employed performing– Training– Qualification functions– Evaluation functions

121.2 Compliance Schedule• (Pre Jan 19, 1996) Certificate holder

conducting passenger-carrying operations with– Nontransport turbopropeller airplanes

• Passenger seat configuration 10 – 19 seats

– Transport turbopropeller airplanes• Passenger seat configuration 20 – 30 seats

– Turbojet engine airplanes• Passenger seat configuration 1 – 30 seats

121.2 Compliance Schedule

• See web page

121.7 Definitions• Adequate Airport– Airplane operator may list with approval from

FAA– Meets landing limitations of 121.197– Airport is either

• Meeting requirements of Part 139• Military airport that is active and operational

• ETOPS Alternate Airport– Listed in certificate holder’s operations

specifications– Designated in flight release for used in event of

diversion during ETOPS

121.7 Definitions• ETOPS– Extended Operations– Allows twin-engine airlines to fly long-distance

routes previously off-limits

• ETOPS: Turbine powered twin engine– Area beyond 60 minutes from an adequate

airport• Computed using one-engine inoperative

• ETOPS: Turbine powered more than 2 engine– Area beyond 180 minutes from an adequate

airport• Computed using one-engine inoperative

121.7 Definitions• Maximum Diversion Time– ETOPS planning– Longest diversion time authorized for flight

121.15 Carriage of Drugs• Certificate holder in violation of – 91.19(a)– Operation is basis for suspension or revoking of

certificate



Subpart E

Approval of Routes:

Domestic and Flag Operations

121.93 Route Requirements: Gen• Each certificate holder must show:– Able to conduct satisfactorily scheduled

operations between each:• Regular• Provisional

– Airport approved by the Administrator for use by the certificate holder for the purpose of providing service to a community when the regular airport is not available

• Refueling airport

– Facilities are available and adequate for proposed operation

121.93 Route Requirements: Gen– Does not require actual flight over route or route

segment, considering• Availability/adequacy of airports• Lighting• Maintenance• Communication• Navigation• Fueling• Ground/airplane radio facilities• Ability of personnel to be used in proposed operation

121.95 Route Width• Approved routes/segments on U.S.

Federal/foreign airways:– Meets minimum requirements

• Other routes considerations:– Terrain clearance– Minimum en route altitudes– Ground/airborne navigation aids– Air traffic density– ATC procedures– Specified in operations specifications

121.97 Airports: Required Data• Each route has enough airports– Properly equipped– Adequate for proposed operation

• Size• Surface• Obstructions• Facilities• Public protection• Lighting• Navigational/communication aids

121.97 Airports: Required Data• Certificate holder has approved system to

obtain, maintain, and distribute current aeronautical data for:– Airports

• Facilities• Public protection• Navigation/communication aids• Construction affecting takeoff, landing, ground ops• Air traffic facilities

– Runways, clearways, stopways• Dimensions• Surface• Marking and lighting systems• Elevation and gradient

121.97 Airports: Required Data– Displaced Thresholds

• Location• Dimensions• Takeoff or landing or both• Obstacles

– Obstacles• Those affecting takeoff/landing performance• Controlling obstacles• Instrument flight procedures• Departure procedure• Approach procedure• Missed approach procedure

– Special information• RVR equipment• Prevailing winds under low visibility conditions

121.97 Airports: Revisions• Necessary for continued adequacy• Certificate holder has 30 days to reconsider

notice

121.99 Communications Facilities• Certificate holder must show:– Two way system or– Other means approved by FSDO office– Independent of any system operated in US

• ETOPS operations– If voice communication not possible– Another communication system must be

substituted

• ETOPS beyond 180 minutes– Must have another communication system

• Provide immediate satellite-based voice communications of landline-telephone fidelity

– Must consider potential routes/altitudes needed for diversion to ETOPS alternates

121.101 Weather Facilities• Reporting services available along route:– US National Weather service or– Source approved by

• US National Weather Service (within 48 contiguous states)

• Administrator (outside 48 contiguous states)

• NAVAIDs– Suitable aids are available– Not required if

• Day VFR operations can be conducted• Night VFR operations have reliable landmarks

121.105 Maintenance/ETOPS• Competent personnel• Adequate facilities/equipment

• ETOPS Alternate airport (rescue/fire fighting)– ETOPS up to 180 minutes

• Category 4 or higher

– ETOPS beyond180 minutes• Category 7 or higher• Aircraft must remain within diversion time of airport

that has Category 7 or higher



Subpart F

Approval of Areas and Routes:

Supplemental Operations

121.113 Area/Route Requirements• Each certificate holder must show:– Equipped/able to conduct operations over

• Navigational facilities associated with– Federal airways– Foreign airways– Advisory routes (ADR’s)

– Conduct all IFR and night VFR over• Federal airways• Foreign airways• Controlled airspace• Advisory routes (ADR’s)

121.115 Route Width• Approved routes/segments on U.S.

Federal/foreign airways:– Meets minimum requirements

• Other routes:– Terrain clearance– Minimum en route altitudes– Ground/airborne navigation aids– Air traffic density– ATC procedures– Specified in operations specifications

121.117 Airports: Required Data• Each airport used must be– Properly equipped– Adequate for proposed operation

• Size• Surface• Obstructions• Facilities• Public protection• Lighting• Navigational/communication aids

121.117 Airports: Required Data• Certificate holder has approved system to

obtain, maintain, and distribute current aeronautical data for:– Airports

• Facilities• Public protection• Navigation/communication aids• Construction affecting takeoff, landing, ground ops• Air traffic facilities

– Runways, clearways, stopways• Dimensions• Surface• Marking and lighting systems• Elevation and gradient

121.117 Airports: Required Data– Displaced Thresholds

• Location• Dimensions• Takeoff or landing or both• Obstacles

– Obstacles• Those affecting takeoff/landing performance• Controlling obstacles• Instrument flight procedures• Departure procedure• Approach procedure• Missed approach procedure

– Special information• RVR equipment• Prevailing winds under low visibility conditions

121.117 Airports: Revisions• Necessary for continued adequacy• Certificate holder has 30 days to reconsider

notice

121.119 Weather Facilities• Reporting services available along route:– US National Weather service or– Source approved by

• US National Weather Service (within 48 contiguous states)

• Administrator (outside 48 contiguous states)

• NAVAIDs– Suitable aids are available– Not required if

• Day VFR operations can be conducted• Night VFR operations have reliable landmarks

121.122 Communication Facilities• Certificate holder must show:– Two way system or– Other means approved by FSDO office– Reliable and rapid communications under

normal operating procedure

• ETOPS operations– If voice communication not possible– Another communication system must be

substituted

• ETOPS beyond 180 minutes– Must have another communication system

• Provide immediate satellite-based voice communications of landline-telephone fidelity

121.123 Maintenance• Competent personnel• Adequate facilities/equipment

121.125 Flight Following• Certificate holder must show:– Approved flight following system– Flight following centers located at

• Necessary points ensuring proper monitoring of flight progress

• All information necessary for safety of flight– Flight crew of aircraft (PIC)– Persons designated to perform operational control function

– Adequate facilities/personnel• Provide necessary information for initiation and safe

conduct of each flight to:– Flight crew of each aircraft– Persons designated to perform operational control of aircraft

– Communications to monitor progress of each flight

121.135 Manual Contents• Instructions and information necessary:– Personnel to perform duties and responsibilities– Easy to revise– Date of last revision on each page concerned– Not contrary to any FAR or foreign regulation– 2 or more separate parts

• General policies• Duties/responsibilities of each crewmember• Reference appropriate FARs• Flight dispatch and operational control procedures• Enroute, navigation and communication procedures• Domestic or flag operations

– Approved routes– Types of airplanes authorized– Type of operations (VFR, IFR, Day, Night, etc)

121.135 Manual Contents• Supplemental operations

– Areas of operations– Types of airplanes authorized– Type of operations (VFR, IFR, Day, Night, etc)

– Airport operations• Location (domestic/flag only)• Designation

(regular/provisional/refueling--domestic/flag only)• Types of airplane authorized (domestic/flag only)• Instrument approach procedures• Landing/takeoff minimums• Other pertinent information• Duties/responsibilities of each crewmember• List continues (see regulation)

121.137 Manual Availability• Copies to– Appropriate ground operations– Maintenance personnel– Crewmembers– Representatives of Administrator– All required to

• Keep it up-to-date with changes and additions

121.139 Manual Aboard Aircraft• Supplemental operations– Appropriate parts on each airplane when away

from principal base of operations

• 121.141 Airplane Flight Manual– Current approved flight manual for each type of

aircraft• Each aircraft required to have flight manual• May revise operating procedures if

– Approved by Administrator– Clearly identified as airplane flight manual requirements



Subpart H

Aircraft Requirements

121.153 Aircraft Requirements• Registered as civil aircraft of U.S.– Carries appropriate current airworthiness

certificate– Airworthy condition– Meets applicable airworthiness requirements

• Identification• Equipment

–Weight and balance (based on)• Average• Assumed• Estimated weight

121.157 Aircraft Certification• See website

121.159 Single-engine airplanes• Prohibited

121.161 Limitations: Routes• Turbine-engine powered airplane– Farther from Adequate Airport

• 60 minutes for two-engine• 180 minutes – more than 2 engine

– Within North Polar Area– Within South Polar Area– Overwater

• Certificated/approved for ditching

121.162 ETOPS Approval• Two-engine (ETOPS up to 180 minutes)– Airplane priors to Feb 14, 2007

• FAA approval for ETOPS up to 180 minutes

– Airplanes after Feb 14, 2007• CMP document for that model airplane

• Two-engine (ETOPS beyond 180 minutes)– Airplane priors to Feb 14, 2007

• CMP document for that model airplane

– Airplanes after Feb 14, 2007• CMP document for that model airplane

121.163 Aircraft Proving Tests• 100 hours of proving test– At least 10 hours at night– Acceptable to the Administrator

• 100 hours may be reduced by Administrator if satisfactory level of proficiency is demonstrated

– Representative number of flights• CMP document for that model airplane

• Materially altered– At least 50 hours acceptable to Administrator– Installation of power plants

• Other than type similar which is certificated

– Flight characteristics• Component alterations

• No passengers on proving tests



Subpart I

Airplane Performance Operating Limitations

Look at Website



Subpart J

Special Airworthiness Requirements

121.215 Cabin Interiors• Flash resistant materials– Walls/ceiling linings– Upholstery /floors/furnishings

• Flame resistant

– Smoking• Compartment equipped with self-contained ash trays

– Receptacles• Fire-resistant material• Cover/other means of containing possible fires

• Suitably ventilated– Crew has convenient means for closing air flow

when necessary

121.221 Fire Precautions• Compartment designed for storage– Cannot include controls which affect safe

operation of airplane unless• Adequately shielded• Isolated• Otherwise protected

– Flame resistant

• Class A:– Readily discernible to crewmember while at his

station and all parts are easily accessible inflight– Must have hand-held fire extinguisher

121.221 Fire Precautions• Class B:– Enough access to effectively reach all of

compartment with fire extinguisher– Separate approved smoke/fire detector system– Must have hand-held fire extinguisher– Lined with fire-resistant material

• Class C:– Does not conform to Class A,B,D, or E– Separate approved smoke/fire detector system– Approved built-in fire extinguishing system– Exclude smoke, flames, extinguishing agent

from crew or passenger compartment– Lined with fire resistant material

121.221 Fire Precautions• Class D:– Completely confine fire with endangering safety

of airplane or occupants– Means to exclude smoke, flames, gases from

entering crew or passenger compartment– Completely lined with fire-resistant material

• Class E (Cargo only):– Does not conform to Class A,B,D, or E– Separate approved smoke/fire detector system– Shut off air flow to compartment– Exclude smoke, flames, extinguishing agent

from crew compartment– Lined with fire resistant material

121.223 – 121.295• See Website for more



Subpart L

Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations

121.363 Airworthiness • Certificate holder responsible– Airworthiness of aircraft– Performance of maintenance– Other person performing maintenance

121.365 Maintenance• Maintenance personnel– Organization adequate to perform work– Inspections by organization adequate to perform

work

121.369 Manual Requirements • List of persons arranged to perform

required inspections or maintenance• Programs followed for maintenance and:– Method of routine or non-routine maintenance– Designate items of maintenance and alteration– Method of performing inspections and personnel

authorized by occupational title– Procedures for re-inspection of work performed– Procedures, standards, limits for inspection

acceptance or rejection– Procedures to ensure required inspections are

performed– Prevention of person performing work from

performing inspection of work

121.369 Manual Requirements • Programs followed for maintenance and:– Work interruption instructions for inspection

completion

• Suitable system providing preservation and retrieval of information– Acceptable to Administrator– Description of work performed– Name of person performing work– Name of person approving work

121.371 Inspection Personnel • Approved, certificated, properly trained,

qualified, and authorized• Inspector– Performing inspection under supervision and

control of inspection unit

• Current list of people– Trained– Qualified– Authorized to conduct inspections– Identified by name, occupational title and

inspections authorized to perform– Written information to each person authorizing

responsibilities, authorities, limitations

121.373 Continuing Analysis • Maintain system for inspection analysis and

surveillance– Performance and effectiveness of inspection– Correction of any deficiencies

• Make changes as noted by Administrator– Can petition within 30 days of notice

121.374 CAMP ETOPS• Maintenance document– List each ETOPS significant system– Include maintenance elements– Include supportive programs/procedures– Include duties and responsibilities– Clearly state where reference material is located

• Pre-departure service check (PDSC)– Verify condition of ETOPS significant system– Verify overall status (maintenance records

review) of airplane– Interior/exterior inspection

• Determine engine/APU oil levels/consumption rates

• Signature to certify PDSC complete

121.375 Training Program• Required– Ensure inspection personnel are fully informed

on procedures, techniques, new equipment

121.377 Duty Time Limitations• Relieve of duty of at least 24 hours during

any 7 consecutive days

121.378 Certificate Requirements• Person directly in charge– Hold appropriate airman certificate– Directly in charge – need not perform work or

physically observe, but be available for consultation or decisions

121.380 Recording Requirements• All records necessary for issuance of

airworthiness release• Records contain following information– Total time in service of airframe– Total time in service of each engine, propeller– Current status of life-limited parts– Time since last overhaul of all items required to

be overhauled– ID of current inspection status of aircraft– Current status of airworthiness directives

• Date of compliance• Method of compliance

– List of current major alterations

121.380a Transfer of Records• See previous slide



Subpart M

Airman and Crewmember Requirements

121.383 Airmen Limitations• Must hold appropriate current certificate– Certificates in possession while operating– Otherwise qualified

• Cannot fly upon reaching 65th birthday– If over 60, another pilot must be on flight deck

under 60– Total time in service of each engine, propeller

121.385 Composition of Aircrew• Cannot operate airplane with less than

minimum flight crew requirement– One person cannot perform multiple functions– Minimum crew of 2 – one PIC, one SIC

121.391 Flight Attendants• Payload and seat capacity

Maximum payload >7,500 lbs

Passengers > 9 but < 51

1 flight attendant

Maximum payload 7,500 lbs or less


1 flight attendant


2 flight attendants

Passengers more than 100

2 flight attendants plus 1 for every 50

Uniformly distributed throughout airplane

121.393 Passengers on Board• Person qualified for emergency evacuation

procedures remains:– On board the airplane– Nearby the airplane

• Engines are shut down• One floor level remains open for deplaning passengers

121.394 Passenger Boarding• Boarding– Reduce required flight attendants by one

• Remains within vicinity of door• Only conduct safety duties related to flight• Airplane engines are shut down

– Substitute pilot or flight engineer• Described in manual• Not assigned to operate flight• Trained on flight attendant duties• Meets emergency training requirements• Located in passenger cabin• Identified to pilots• Airplane engines are shut down

121.395 Aircraft Dispatcher• Provide enough qualified dispatchers to

ensure proper control of each flight

121.397 Emergency Evacuation Duties• Necessary functions are:– Realistic– Practically accomplished– Meet any reasonably anticipated emergency– Manual describes functions of required

crewmembers



Subpart N

Training Program

121.400 Terms• Group I– Propeller driven including

• Reciprocating powered• Turbopropeller powered

• Group II– Turbojet powered

• Initial Training– Have not qualified/served in same capacity of

another airplane

• Transition Training– Qualified/served in same capacity of another

airplane

121.400 Terms• Upgrade Training– Qualified/served as SIC or flight engineer

• Differences Training– Qualified/served in particular type airplane and

training on a particular variation of that airplane

• Programmed hours– Hours of training prescribed– May be reduced by Administrator

• Requalification Training– Previously qualified/trained

121.401 Training Program• Whenever a crewmember takes a

competence check in the calendar month before or after the calendar month in which that training or check is required, he is considered to have taken or completed it in the calendar month in which it was required

121.404 CRM• All flight crewmembers and flight attendants

must complete crew resource management before certificate holder can use them

121.402 Special Rules• Part 142 certificated flight training center

eligible to provide training– Holds applicable training specifications– Has facilities, training equipment, courseware– Approved curriculums, curriculum segments,

and portions of curriculum segments– Has sufficient instructor and check airmen

qualified to provide training, testing, and checks

• Detailed descriptions of approved normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures

• List of airplane simulators• Programmed hours of training

121.403 Curriculum• List of principal ground training subjects– Including emergency training subjects

• List of all training devices– System trainers– Procedures trainers– Other training aids

• Detailed descriptions of approved normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures

• List of airplane simulators• Programmed hours of training• Administrator grants final approval of

training programs/revisions

121.417 Emergency Training• Each crewmember must accomplish

emergency training during initial training and once each 24 calendar months during recurrent training– Each type of emergency exit– Each type of installed hand fire extinguisher– Each type of emergency oxygen system– Donning, use, and inflation of individual flotation– Ditching

121.433 Training Required• Recurrent Training– Flight Crewmembers

• No person may serve as a required crewmember unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, satisfactorily complete recurrent and flight training for that airplane and a flight check as applicable

– Pilot in Command• No person may serve as a pilot in command unless,

within the preceding 6 calendar months, satisfactorily complete recurrent flight training in addition to the training required above

121.440 Line Checks• Pilot in Command (Domestic/Flag)– Within preceding 12 calendar months, pass a line

check– Over typical part of route, airway, direct route

• Pilot in Command (Supplemental)– Within preceding 12 calendar months, pass a line

check– Part or airway or advisory route

121.441 Proficiency checks• Pilot in Command– With preceding 12 calendar months– Within preceding 6 calendar months either

• Proficiency• Approved simulator course of training

• Other pilots– Within the preceding 24 calendar months, pass a

proficiency check or line-oriented simulator training course

– Within the preceding 12 calendar months, pass a proficiency check or any simulator training course

121.471 Flight Time Limitations• (Domestic) Total flight time cannot exceed:– 1,000 hours in any calendar year– 100 hours in any calendar month– 30 hours in any 7 consecutive days– 8 hours between required rest periods

• (Flag) Total flight time cannot exceed:– 1,000 hours in any calendar year– 100 hours in any calendar month– 32 hours in any 7 consecutive days

121.503 Flight Time Limitations• (Supp) Total flight time cannot exceed:– 1,000 hours in any calendar year– 100 hours in any 30 consecutive days

part 121 operating requirements domestic, flag, and supplemental operations subpart a general

Documents

certificate slide

etops slide

flight slide

general slide

engine inoperative slide

route requirements

proposed operation slide

flag operations subpart