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14CFR 135 index
(a) Each certificate holder shall keep at its principal business office or
at other places approved by the Administrator, and shall make available for
inspection by the Administrator the following--
(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,
including 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 experience in sufficient detail to determine
the pilot's qualifications to pilot aircraft 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 required by this part and the type of
aircraft flown during that test or check.
(vii) The pilot's flight time in sufficient detail to determine compliance
with the flight time limitations of this part.
(viii) The pilot's check pilot authorization, if any.
(ix) Any action taken concerning the pilot's release from employment for
physical or professional disqualification.
(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 detail 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
required 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
information concerning the loading of the aircraft. The manifest must be
prepared before each takeoff and must include:
(1) The number of passengers;
(2) The total weight of the loaded aircraft;
(3) The maximum allowable takeoff weight for that flight;
(4) The center of gravity limits;
(5) The center of gravity of the loaded aircraft, except that the actual
center 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
entry shall be made on the manifest indicating 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 aircraft for which a load manifest must be
prepared shall carry a copy of the completed 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.
Each commercial operator who conducts intrastate operations for
compensation or hire shall keep a copy of each written contract under which
it provides services as a commercial operator for a period of at least one
year after the date of execution of the contract. 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.
(a) Each certificate holder shall provide an aircraft maintenance log to be
carried on board each aircraft for recording or deferring mechanical
irregularities and their correction.
(b) The pilot in command shall enter or have entered in the aircraft
maintenance log each mechanical irregularity that comes to the pilot's
attention during 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
reported or observed failure or malfunction of an airframe, powerplant,
propeller, rotor, or applicance, shall record the action taken in the
aircraft maintenance log under the applicable maintenance requirements of
this chapter.
(d) Each certificate holder shall establish a procedure for keeping copies
of the aircraft maintenance log required by this section in the aircraft for
access by appropriate personnel and shall include that procedure in the
manual required by 135.21.
Whenever a pilot encounters a potentially hazardous meteorological
condition or an irregularity in a ground communications or navigational
facility 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 practicable.
(a) During operations under this part, if a certificate holder or pilot in
command knows of conditions, including airport and runway conditions, that
are a hazard to safe operations, the certificate holder or pilot in command,
as the case may be, shall restrict or suspend 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 conditions 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, unless there is no safer procedure. In the
latter event, the continuation toward that airport is an emergency situation
under 135.19.
The pilot in command may not begin a flight unless the pilot determines
that the airworthiness inspections required by 91.409 of this chapter,
or 135.419, whichever is applicable, have been made.
Each certificate holder and each person 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
certificate holder's operating certificate, and operations specifications.
(a) Whenever, in performing the duties 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 provided 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.
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 authorized by it to exercise operational control.
(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
(3) Provide the certificate holder with the location, date, and estimated
time for reestablishing radio or telephone communications, 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 procedures, until the completion of
the flight.
(c) Each certificate holder shall furnish the representative of the
Administrator assigned to it with a copy of its flight locating procedures
and any changes or additions, unless those procedures are included in a
manual required under this part.
Each certificate holder shall inform each person in its employment of the
operations specifications that apply to that person's duties and
responsibilities 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 Pacific
Chart Supplement in Pacific-Asia Regions) or a commercial publication that
contains the same information.
(b) This part and Part 91 of this chapter.
(c) Aircraft Equipment Manuals, and Aircraft Flight Manual or equivalent.
(d) For foreign operations, the International Flight Information Manual or
a commercial publication that contains the same information concerning the
pertinent operational and entry requirements of the foreign country or
countries involved.
(a) The operator of an aircraft must provide the following materials, in
current 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 containing the procedures required by
paragraph (c) of this section, as appropriate.
(3) Pertinent aeronautical charts.
(4) For IFR operations, each pertinent navigational en route, terminal
area, and approach and letdown chart.
(5) For multiengine aircraft, one-engine-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
section must contain the following procedures, as appropriate:
(1) Emergency operation of fuel, hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical
systems.
(2) Emergency operation of instruments and controls.
(3) Engine inoperative procedures.
(4) Any other emergency procedures necessary for safety.
The following persons may be carried aboard an aircraft without complying
with the passenger-carrying requirements 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
defined in Subchapter C of Title 49 CFR).
(d) A person performing duty as a security or honor guard accompanying a
shipment made by or under the authority of the U.S. Government.
(e) A military courier or a military route supervisor carried by a military
cargo contract air carrier or commercial operator in operations under a
military cargo contract, if that carriage 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 Administrator, who is performing a duty
connected with a cargo operation of the certificate holder.
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
having enough strength to eliminate the possibility of shifting under all
normally anticipated flight and ground conditions, or for carry-on baggage,
it is restrained so as to prevent its movement 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
exceeds 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 located in a position that
obscures any passenger's view of the "seat belt" sign, "no smoking" sign, or
any required exit sign, unless an auxiliary sign or other approved means for
proper notification of the passengers is provided.
(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, paragraph (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 regulations under which the aircraft was
type certificated.
(e) When cargo is carried in cargo compartments that are designed to
require the physical entry of a crewmember to extinguish any fire that may
occur during flight, the cargo must be loaded so as to allow a crewmember to
effectively reach all parts of the compartment with the contents of a hand
fire extinguisher.
(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
comply 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
oxygen mask that either supplies oxygen at all times or automatically
supplies oxygen whenever the cabin pressure altitude 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 supply, located so as to allow immediate
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 oxygen mask required by paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section.
(4) If one pilot leaves a pilot duty station of an aircraft when operating
at altitudes above 25,000 feet MSL, the remaining 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.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, no
certificate holder may allow the carriage or operation of equipment for the
storage, generation or dispensing of medical oxygen unless the unit to be
carried is constructed so that all valves, fittings, and gauges are protected
from damage during that carriage or operation and unless the following
conditions are met--
(1) The equipment must be--
(i) Of an approved type or in conformity with the manufacturing, packaging,
marking, labeling, and maintenance 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 certificate
holder's approved maintenance program;
(iii) Free of flammable contaminants on all exterior surfaces; and
(iv) 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 173.300(a)--
(i) When owned by the certificate holder, it must be maintained under its
approved maintenance program; and
(ii) The pressure in any oxygen cylinder must not exceed the rated cylinder
pressure.
(4) The pilot in command must be advised 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 access to or use of any required emergency
or regular exit, or of the aisle in the passenger compartment.
(b) No person may smoke and no certificate holder may allow any person to
smoke within 10 feet of oxygen storage and dispensing equipment carried under
paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) No certificate holder may allow any person other than a person trained
in the use of medical oxygen equipment to connect or disconnect oxygen
bottles or any other ancillary component 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
transportation (including any other properly equipped certificate holder) is
reasonably available and the person carried under the medical emergency is
accompanied 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, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and
Federal holidays, after the deviation, send to the certificate-holding
district office a complete report of the operation involved, including a
description of the deviation and the reasons for it.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this
section, no person may use an autopilot at an altitude above the terrain
which is less than 500 feet or less than twice the maximum altitude loss
specified in the approved Aircraft Flight Manual or equivalent for a
malfunction of the autopilot, whichever is higher.
(b) When using an instrument approach facility other than ILS, no person
may use an autopilot at an altitude above the terrain that is less than 50
feet below the approved minimum descent altitude for that procedure, or less
than twice the maximum loss specified in the approved Airplane Flight Manual
or equivalent for a malfunction of the autopilot under approach conditions,
whichever is higher.
(c) For ILS approaches, when reported weather conditions are less than the
basic weather conditions in 91.155 of this chapter, no person may use an
autopilot with an approach coupler at an altitude above the terrain that is
less than 50 feet above the terrain, or the maximum altitude loss specified
in the approved Airplane Flight Manual or equivalent for the malfunction of
the autopilot with approach coupler, whichever is higher.
(d) Without regard to paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this section, the
Administrator may issue operations specifications to allow the use, to
touchdown, of an approved flight control guidance system with automatic
capability, if--
(1) The system does not contain any altitude loss (above zero) specified in
the approved Aircraft Flight Manual or equivalent for malfunction of the
autopilot with approach coupler; and
(2) The Administrator finds that the use of the system to touchdown will
not otherwise adversely affect the safety standards of this section.
(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, the Administrator issues
operations specifications to allow the use of an approved autopilot system
with automatic capability during the takeoff and initial climb phase of
flight provided:
(1) The Airplane Flight Manual specifies a minimum altitude engagement
certification restriction;
(2) The system is not engaged prior to the minimum engagement certification
restriction specified in the Airplane Flight Manual, or an altitude specified
by the Administrator, whichever is higher; and
(3) The Administrator finds that the use of the system will not otherwise
affect the safety standards required by this section.
(f) This section does not apply to operations conducted in rotorcraft.
(a) No certificate holder may operate an aircraft with less than the
minimum flight crew specified in the aircraft operating limitations or the
Aircraft 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
command if that aircraft has a passenger seating configuration, excluding any
pilot seat, of ten seats or more.
(a) No certificate holder shall require, nor may any flight crewmember
perform, any duties during a critical phase of flight except those duties
required for the safe operation of the aircraft. 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 engage in, nor may any pilot in command
permit, any activity during a critical phase of flight which could distract
any flight crewmember from the performance of his or her duties or which
could interfere in any way with the proper conduct of those duties.
Activities such as eating meals, engaging in nonessential conversations
within the cockpit and nonessential communications between the cabin and
cockpit crews, and reading publications not related to the proper conduct of
the flight are not required for the safe operation of the aircraft.
(c) For the purposes of this section, critical phases of flight includes
all ground operations involving taxi, takeoff and landing, and all other
flight operations conducted below 10,000 feet, except cruise flight.
Note: Taxi is defined as "movement of an airplane under its own power on
the surface of an airport."
(a) Except as provided in Secs. 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 operations specifications. No certificate holder may use any
person, nor may any person serve, as a pilot in command under this section of
an aircraft operated in a commuter operation as defined in part 119 of this
chapter unless 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 requirements 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
second in command.
(c) The Administrator issues an amendment to the operations specifications
authorizing the use of an autopilot system, in place of a second in command,
if--
(1) The autopilot is capable of operating 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 conditions or limitations on the use of the
autopilot system that the Administrator determines are needed in the interest
of safety.
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.
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 second in command, a company check airman, or an authorized
representative of the Administrator, the National Transportation Safety
Board, or the United States Postal Service occupies a pilot seat.
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(a) Before each takeoff each pilot in command of an aircraft carrying
passengers 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 (including, but not limited to, any
applicable requirements of part 252 of this title). This briefing shall
include a statement that the Federal Aviation Regulations require passenger
compliance with the lighted passenger information signs (if such signs are
required), posted placards, areas designated for safety purposes as no
smoking areas, and crewmember instructions with regard to these items. The
briefing shall also include a statement (if the aircraft is equipped with a
lavatory) that Federal law prohibits: tampering with, disabling, or
destroying any smoke detector installed in an aircraft lavatory; smoking in
lavatories; and, when applicable, smoking in passenger compartments.
(2) The use of safety belts, including instructions on how to fasten and
unfasten 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 concerning 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 emergency
exits;
(5) Location of survival equipment;
(6) If the flight involves extended overwater operation, ditching
procedures 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 extinguishers.
(b) Before each takeoff the pilot in command shall ensure that each person
who may need the assistance of another person to move expeditiously to an
exit if an emergency occurs and that person's attendant, if any, has received
a briefing as to the procedures to be followed if an evacuation occurs. This
paragraph does not apply to a person who has been given a briefing before 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
aircraft 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 crewmember, or other qualified person designated by the
certificate holder and approved by the Administrator.
(e) The oral briefing required by paragraph (a) shall be supplemented by
printed cards which must be carried in the aircraft in locations 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; and
(3) Contain other instructions necessary for the use of emergency equipment
on board the aircraft.
(f) The briefing required by paragraph (a) may be delivered by means of an
approved recording playback device that is audible to each passenger under
normal noise levels.