Part 135 Operating Requirements Commuter and On Demand Operations Subpart A General

Part 135Operating Requirements

Commuter and On Demand Operations

Subpart A

General

135.4 Flight Crew Experience• Pilot in Command

– Minimum of 1,500 hours– ATP and applicable type ratings

• Second in Command– Minimum of 500 hours– Commercial pilot and instrument ratings

135.21 Manual Requirements• Certificate holder will maintain a current

copy and must be used by– Flight personnel– Ground personnel– Maintenance personnel

• One copy at principal base of operations

135.23 Manual Contents• Will have date of last revision on each page• Manual will include following procedures:

– Comply with accident notification requirements– Ensuring PIC knows required airworthiness

inspections have been made– Reporting/recording mechanical irregularities– Refueling aircraft and protecting passengers

during refueling– Approved aircraft inspection program– Evacuation of persons who may need assistance



Subpart B

Flight Operations

.63 Recordkeeping Requirements• Kept at principal business office:

– Operating certificate– Operations specifications– Current list of aircraft use or available– Individual record of each pilot– Individual record of each flight attendant

.63 Recordkeeping Requirements• Pilot record

– Full name– Pilot certificate and ratings– Aeronautical experience– Current duties/date of assignment of duties– Medical certificate effective date– Results of each initial/recurrent checks– Flight time experience– Pilot’s check pilots authorization– Any action taken concerning pilot’s release from

employment• Physical• Professional

– Dates of initial/recurrent phase training

.63 Recordkeeping Requirements• Load manifest

– Number of passengers– Total weight of loaded aircraft– Max allowable takeoff weight for that flight– Center of gravity (CG) limits– CG of loaded aircraft– Registration number of aircraft or flight number– Origin and destination– ID of crew members and position assignments

• Copies of completed load manifests kept for 30 days at its principal operations base or another location used by it and approved by Administrator

135.65 Mechanical Irregularities• PIC will enter irregularities that come to his

attention during flight time.• Before each flight, PIC will determine status

of each irregularity in maintenance log from preceding flight.

135.77 Operational Control• Manual shall have name and title of each

person authorized to exercise operational control

135.85 Carriage of Persons• Following may be carried aboard an aircraft

without complying with passenger-carrying requirements– Crewmember/other employee of certificate

holder– Person necessary for safe handling of animals– Person necessary for safe handling of hazardous

materials– Person performing duty as security or honor

guard accompanying shipment of the U.S. government

– Military courier/military route supervisor carried by military cargo contract

135.85 Carriage of Persons– Authorized representative of Administrator

conducting an en route inspection– Person authorized by Administrator who is

performing duty connected with a cargo operation

– DoD commercial air carrier evaluator conducting en route evaluation

135.87 Carriage of Cargo• No person may carry cargo, including carry-

on baggage, in or on any aircraft unless– Carried in approved cargo rack, bin, or

compartment installed in or on the aircraft– Secured by approved means– Carried:

• Properly secured by safety belt or tie-down to prevent movement during air turbulence.

• Packaged or covered to avoid possible injury to pax• Does not exceed load limits for seats/floors• Not carried directly above passengers

135.89 Pilot oxygen Requirements• Pressurized aircraft

– Whenever cabin altitude pressure is more than 10,000 feet MSL, pilots will use oxygen continuously if:• Altitude is between 10,000 and 12,000 feet and duration

is more than 30 minutes• Above 12,000 feet MSL

– 25,000 feet through 35,000 feet MSL• Each pilot has an approved quick-donning oxygen

mask, if not this then– One pilot wears oxygen mask supplies oxygen at all times or – Automatically supplies oxygen when cabin pressure altitude

exceeds 12,000 MSL

– Above 35,000 feet MSL• One pilot shall wear oxygen mask

135.91 Oxygen for medical use• Oxygen equipment

– Appropriately secured– Free of flammable contaminants on exterior

surfaces– PIC must be advised equipment is on board and

when intended for use– Must stowed and not restrict access to or use of

any required emergency equipment or emergency exit

– Only person trained in use of medical oxygen equipment may connect or disconnect• Altitude is between 10,000 and 12,000 feet and duration

is more than 30 minutes• Above 12,000 feet MSL

135.93 Autopilot: Min Altitudes• May not use when

– Above the terrain which is less than 500 feet or less than twice max altitude loss specified in aircraft manual

– Other than ILS • Less than 50 feet below approved MDA for that

procedure• Less than twice max loss specified

– ILS: may not use autopilot with an approach coupler• Less than 50 feet above the terrain• Max altitude loss in manual equivalent for the

malfunction of the autopilot with approach coupler

135.99 Composition of Crew• Must have second in command when

– Aircraft has passenger seating configuration, excluding any pilot seat, of ten seats or more

135.100 Flight Crew Duties• Critical phases of flight. No duties except

those required for safe flight– All ground operations involving

• Taxi• Takeoff• Landing

– Flight operations conducted below 10,000 feet, except cruise altitude

135.101 SIC under IFR• Must have second in command when

– Carrying passengers under IFR

135.105 SIC Exception• May have an operative approved autopilot

system– Autopilot capable of operating aircraft controls

to maintain flight and maneuver about the three axes

– Operations of autopilot can be conducted safely

135.107 Flight Attendant Requirement

• Required if • Aircraft passenger seating configuration of more

than 19• Does not include any pilot seat

135.117 Passenger Briefing• Orally briefed on

– Smoking is prohibited– Use of safety belts– Placement of seat backs– Location and means for opening passenger entry

door and emergency exits– Location of survival equipment– Extended overwater operation, ditching

procedures and flotation equipment– Normal/emergency oxygen use above 12,000 ft– Location/operation of fire extinguishers

135.119 Carriage of Weapons• Deadly/dangerous weapon prohibited

unless authorized to carry arms– Officials/Employees

• State• United States

– Crewmembers– Other persons authorized

135.120 Crewmember InterferenceNo person may assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with a crewmember

135.121 Alcoholic Beverages• No person may drink alcoholic beverage

unless served by certificate holder• Certificate holder may not serve anyone

appearing intoxicated• Certificate holder may not allow anyone

aboard who appears intoxicated



Subpart D

VFR/IFR Operating Limitations and Weather Requirements

135.203 VFR: Min Altitudes• No person may operate under VFR

– Day• Below 500 above surface or less than 500 feet

horizontally from any obstacle

– Night• Less than 1,000 feet above highest obstacle within

horizontal distance of 5 NM from intended course• Mountainous terrain – less than 2,000 feet above

highest obstacle

135.205 VFR: Visibility • No person may operate under VFR

– Uncontrolled airspace• Ceiling less than 1,000 feet unless flight visibility is at

least 2 miles

– Class G airspace at 1,200 feet or less above surface unless visibility is • Day – ½ mile• Night – 1 mile

135.209 VFR: Fuel Supply • Consider wind/forecast weather conditions

– Enough to fly to first point of intended landing• Day – fly after that for at least 30 minutes• Night – fly after that for at least 45 minutes

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 authorized IFR landing minimums unless– An alternate airport within 1 hour’s flying time

(normal cruise) of departure airport

135.219 IFR: Destination WX Minimums• Weather conditions at ETA at the next

airport of intended landing will be at or above authorized IFR landing minimums

135.221 IFR: Alternate WX Minimums• Weather conditions will be at or above

authorized alternate airport landing minimums at the ETA

135.223 IFR: Alternate Airport• Complete flight to first point of intended

landing• Fly from that airport to the alternate airport

– Does not apply if• Ceiling will be at least 1,500 feet above the

lowest circling approach MDA• Ceiling at least 1,500 feet above lowest

published minimum or 2,000 feet above the airport elevation, whichever is higher

• Visibility – At least 3 miles or 2 miles more than lowest visibility minimums, whichever is greater

• Fly after that for 45 minutes at normal cruising speed

135.225 IFR: Takeoff Minimums• No pilot may takeoff

– Under IFR when the visibility is less than 1 mile– Unless 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 instrument approach

• No pilot may– Make an instrument approach when the visibility

is less than ½ mile– Initiate an instrument approach unless weather

conditions are at or above authorized IFR landing minimums for that procedure



Subpart E

Flight Crewmember Requirements

135.243 PIC Requirements• Aircraft having passenger seat

configuration of 10 seats or more– PIC holds an ATP certificate

• Under VFR conditions, PIC has– At least commercial pilot certificate– At least 500 hours as pilot

• Including 100 hours cross-country flight time• At least 25 hours at night

135.243 PIC Requirements• Under IFR conditions, PIC has

– At least commercial pilot certificate– At least 1,200 hours as pilot

• Including 500 hours cross-country flight time• At least 100 hours at night• 75 hours actual or simulated instrument

– At least 50 hours actual flight

– Hold an instrument rating or an ATP

135.244 Operating Experience• PIC must have

– Single engine – 10 hours– Multiengine (reciprocating)– 15 hours– Multiengine (Turbine)– 20 hours– Multiengine (Turbojet powered)– 25 hours

135.247 PIC Recent Experience• PIC must have within preceding 90 days

– 3 takeoffs and 3 landings as the sole manipulator

– 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise made 3 takeoffs and 3 landings

– Hold at least a commercial certificate• Logged at least 1,500 hours as a pilot• Accomplish/log at least 15 hours of flight time• 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop



Subpart F

Crewmember Flight Time and Duty Period Limitations

135.263 Rest Requirements• No duty during any required rest period• Time spent in transportation is not

considered part of a rest period

135.265 Limitations• Total flight time will not exceed

– 1,200 hours in any calendar year– 120 hours in any calendar month– 34 hours in any 7 consecutive days– 8 hours during any 24 consecutive hours for a

flight crew consisting of 1 pilot– 8 hours between required rest periods for a flight

crew consisting of 2 pilots

135.267 Limitations• Unscheduled one- and two- pilot crews

– 500 hours in any calendar quarter– 800 hours in any two consecutive calendar

quarters– 1,400 hours in any calendar year

135.269 Limitations• Unscheduled three- and four- pilot crews

– 500 hours in any calendar quarter– 800 hours in any two consecutive calendar

quarters– 1,400 hours in any calendar year

135.273 Duty period limitations• Calendar day

– Period of elapsed time that begins at midnight and ends 24 hours later at the next midnight

• Duty period– Elapsed time between reporting for an

assignment involving flight time and release from that assignment

• Rest period– Period free of all responsibility for work or duty

should the occasion arise



Subpart G

Crewmember Testing Requirements

135.293 Pilot Testing• Beginning 12th calendar month before that

service– Pilot passed written and oral exam in areas:

• Parts 61, 91, and 135 and operations specifications and manual

• Aircraft powerplant, major components & systems, performance & ops limitations, emergency procedures

• Compliance with weight and balance limitations• Navigation/use of navigation aids• Air traffic control procedures• Meteorology• New equipment procedures• Recognizing/avoiding severe weather situations

135.295 Flight Attendant Testing• Beginning 12th calendar month before that

service– Flight attendant is knowledgeable & competent:

• Authority of pilot in command• Passenger handling• Crewmember assignments during ditching &

evacuation• Briefing of passengers• Location/operation of emergency equipment• Proper use of cabin controls• Location/operation of passenger oxygen equipment• Location/operation of normal/emergency exits

135.297 PIC Check Requirements• Beginning 6th calendar month before that

service– Pilot passed instrument proficiency check

• Oral or written equipment test– Questions on emergency procedures– Engine operation, fuel & lubrication systems– Power settings, stall speeds, engine-out speed– Hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical systems

• Flight check under simulated or actual IFR conditions– Navigation by instruments– Recovery from simulated emergencies– Standard instrument approaches involving navigational aids

135.297 PIC Check Requirements• Beginning 6th calendar month before that

service– Precision approach

• Demonstrate approach procedure in order to use precision instrument approach procedure under IFR

– Non-precision approach• Demonstrate either that approach or any two different

non-precision approach procedures

– Procedures must include at least:• One straight-in approach• One circling approach• One missed approach

135.297 PIC Check Requirements• Instrument proficiency check must

– Include procedures and maneuvers for an ATP certificate and

– Include procedures and maneuvers for a commercial pilot certificate

• Assigned to more than 1 type aircraft– Check required in each type– Assigned to both single-engine & multi-engine

• Initially take check in multi-engine aircraft• Succeeding check alternately in single-engine and

multi-engine• Portions may be given in a flight simulator

135.299 PIC Line Checks• Beginning 12th calendar month before that

service– Passed flight check in one of types aircraft to fly

• Given by approved check pilot or Administrator• At least one flight over one route segment• Include takeoffs and landings at one or more

representative airports• For IFR operations, one flight shall be flown over a civil

airway, approved off-airway, or a portion of either

135.301 Test Grace Provisions• If test or flight check is completed in

calendar month before or after calendar month it is required– Considered to be completed in calendar month it

was required

• Pilot fails any required maneuvers– Check pilot may give additional training during

check– Pilot repeats failed maneuvers, and other

maneuvers necessary to determine proficiency– Failure means pilot cannot fly



Subpart H

Training

135.321 Terms• Initial Training

– Required for crewmembers who have not qualified and served in the same capacity in the aircraft

• Transition Training– Required for crewmembers who have qualified

and served in the same capacity on another aircraft

• Upgrade Training– Required for crewmembers who have qualified

and served as second in command before they serve as pilot in command

135.321 Terms• Differences Training

– Required for crewmembers who qualified and served on particular type aircraft before serving same capacity on particular version of aircraft

• Recurrent Training– Required for crewmembers to remain adequately

trained and currently proficient for each aircraft

• Requalification Training– Required for crewmembers previously trained

and qualified, but become unqualified due to • Recurrent pilot testing• Instrument proficiency check requirements• Line

135.327 Training Program• Includes ground and flight training

– List of principal ground training subjects, including emergency training subjects

– List of all training devices, mockups, system trainers, procedures trainers, or other training aids

135.331 Emergency Training• Must provide instruction in

– Emergency assignments/procedures– Location, function, and operation of emergency

equipment– Emergency situations

• Rapid decompression• Fire in flight or on surface• Ditching and evacuation• Illness, injury, or other abnormal situation with pax• Hijacking

– Review of previous accidents and incidents


– Perform emergency drills• Ditching• Emergency evacuation• Fire extinguisher and smoke control• Operation and use of emergency exits• Use of crew and passenger oxygen• Removal of life rafts from aircraft, inflation, use of life

lines and boarding• Donning and inflation of life vests


– Crewmember operations above 25,000 feet• Respiration• Hypoxia• Duration of consciousness without supplemental

oxygen at altitude• Gas expansion• Gas bubble formation• Physical phenomena and incidents of decompression

135.351 Recurrent Training• Must provide instruction in

– Quiz/review to determine knowledge of aircraft and crewmember position involved

– Instruction required by initial ground training and emergency training

– Flight training in maneuvers or procedures of this part

– Satisfactory completion of check required within preceding 12 calendar months may be substituted for recurrent flight training



Subpart J

Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations

135.411 Applicability• Type certificated for:

– Passenger seating configuration of 9 seats or less• Maintained under parts:

– 91– 43– 135.415, 417, 421, 422

– Passenger seating configuration of 10 seats or more• Maintained under parts:

– 135.415, 417, 423, 443

– Single-engine aircraft in passenger-carrying IFR operations• 135.421 )c)(d)(e)

135.413 Airworthiness Responsibility

• Certificate holder responsible for airworthiness:– Aircraft

• Airframes• Engines• Appliances• Parts

– Performance of maintenance or– Make arrangements for another to perform

135.415 Service Difficulty Reports– See Website

135.417 Mechanical Interruption Report

• Before 10th day of following month:– Summary report of occurrences in multiengine

aircraft (not reported under 135.415)– Known or suspected mechanical difficulties or

malfunctions• Interruption to flight• Unscheduled change of aircraft en route• Unscheduled stop or diversion from route• Caused by known or suspected mechanical

135.419 Approved Aircraft Inspection Program

• Part 91 not adequate– Amend certificate to require/allow allowed

aircraft inspection program– Submit program to Administrator– Within 30 days of amendment

• Submit program for approval• Instructions/procedures for inspections

– Detailed parts and areas

• Schedule for inspections• Instructions/procedures for recording

discrepancies found– Correction/deferral of discrepancies

• Program placed in manual (upon approval)

135.421 Additional Maintenance Requirements

• Passenger seating configuration <9– Comply with manufacturers recommended

maintenance programs– Approved program by Administrator

• Contained in maintenance manual

135.422 Aging Aircraft Inspection/Records Review

• >24 years service on 8 Dec 2003• >14 years <24 service on 8 Dec 2003• <14 years on 8 Dec 2003

– Intervals not to exceed 7 years

• Unforeseen schedule conflict– Administrator – extend up to 90 days

• Notify Administrator at least 60 days before date records available for inspection and records review

135.422 Aging Aircraft Inspection/Records Review

• Required information– Total years in service of airplane– Total time in service of airframe– Date of last inspection/records review– Current status of life-limited part– Time since last overhaul of structural parts– Current inspection status– Current status of applicable airworthiness

directives– List of major structural alterations– Report of major structural repairs

135.425 Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alteration Program

• Inspection program– Performed under certificate holder’s manual– Competent personnel, adequate

facilities/equipment are provided– Aircraft released is airworthy and properly

maintained

135.427 Manual Requirements• Maintenance/inspection programs

– Outlined in manual– Programs required

• Method of performing maintenance• Items that must be inspected• Method of performing required inspections• Procedures for reinspection of work performed• Procedures, standards, limits necessary for required

inspections and acceptance• Procedures to ensure required inspections are

performed• How to prevent person who performed work from

inspecting• How to prevent countermanding decision of inspector• How to complete inspections that are interrupted

135.429 Required Inspection Personnel

– Inspection personnel• Certified• Properly trained• Qualified• Authorized • Under supervision and control of inspection unit• Did not perform work to be inspected

135.431 Continuing Analysis– Maintain system of program

• Performance • Effectiveness • Corrections of any deficiencies

– Make changes as requested by Administrator

135.433 Training Program– Ensure each person is fully informed about

• Procedures • Techniques • New equipment

– Each person is competent

135.439 Maintenance Recording– All records necessary for airworthiness release

• Total time in service (airframe, engine, appliance)• Current status of life-limited parts• Time since last overhaul of each item installed• Current inspection status (time since last inspection)• Current status of applicable airworthiness directives• List of current major alterations/repairs

– Retention of records• Records of last complete overhaul until superseded by

work of equivalent scope/detail• One year after work is performed or work is repeated or

superseded by other work• Retained/transferred with aircraft at time of sale• Available for inspection

– Administrator– NTSB

135.443 Airworthiness Release– After maintenance

• Airworthiness release• Appropriate entry in aircraft maintenance log

– Certification that• Work was performed in accordance with requirements• Work was inspected by authorized person• No known condition that makes aircraft unairworthy• Aircraft is in condition for safe operation• Signed by authorized certificated mechanic/repairman



Subpart H

Hazardous Materials Training Program

135.501 Hazardous Material• Must train job functions

– Acceptance– Rejection– Handling– Storage incidental to transport– Packaging of company material– Loading

• Training good for 24 months– FAA-approved initial or recurrent hazardous

materials training program– New hire

• Direct supervision of authorized person• Not more than 30 days after hire

135.507 HAZMAT Training Record• Must maintain for 3 years at designated

location– Name – Most recent training completion date– Description of training materials– Storage incidental to transport– Name/address of organization providing training– Copy of certificate

• New hire– Date of hire or change in job function– Name and assigned job function– Supervisor name– Date of expected training completion

Documents

Part 135 Operating Requirements Commuter and On Demand Operations Subpart A General