Does Part 121 require 2 pilots?

§ 121.481 Flight time limitations: One or two pilot crews. (a) A certificate holder conducting flag operations may schedule a pilot to fly in an airplane that has a crew of one or two pilots for eight hours or less during any 24 consecutive hours without a rest period during these eight hours.



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Part 121 is scheduled air carrier (airliners). Part 133 is external load (helicopter) operations. Part 135 is a set of rules with more stringent standards for commuter and on-demand operations. Part 135 operator rules govern commercial aircraft.

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(d) No pilot may fly more than 32 hours during any seven consecutive days, and each pilot must be relieved from all duty for at least 24 consecutive hours at least once during any seven consecutive days. (e) No pilot may fly as a member of a crew more than 100 hours during any one calendar month.

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Simply put, there must be at least two people in the cockpit at all times when the aircraft is airborne. Indeed, when flying below 10,000 ft, the sterile cockpit rule applies, which prohibits all unnecessary conversation and activities. This includes leaving the cockpit for reasons other than absolutely necessary.

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires two pilots at all times for most aircraft that exceed 12,500 pounds. Other factors, such as flight length may also demand more than one pilot. One of the biggest reasons two pilots are required for commercial flights and private jets is safety.

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A single pilot may be unable to manage critical circumstances alone. While flying, one pilot is usually handling the controls and steering the plane while the other is monitoring for any issues or anomalies. This also allows each pilot to take breaks and avoid fatigue, which can have fatal consequences.

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14 CFR Part 121 permits landing or takeoff by domestic scheduled air carriers where a local surface restriction to visibility is not less than 1/2 statute mile, provided all turns after takeoff or before landing and all flights beyond 1 statute mile from the airport boundary can be accomplished above or outside the ...

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“Safety considerations drove the establishment of the current international standard of age 65 mandatory retirement, and raising the pilot retirement age would introduce additional risk into commercial aviation,” said Capt. Ed Sicher, the Allied Pilots Association's president.

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In late 1959, the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) released its “Age 60 Rule,” which provided that pilots over 60 could not participate in “part 121 operations.” These operations include piloting large commercial passenger aircraft, smaller propeller aircraft with 10 or more passenger seats, and common carriage operations ...

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A single-pilot operator is a certificate holder that is limited to using only one pilot for all part 135 operations. That specific pilot is listed by name and certificate number on the FAA issued Operations Specification (OpSpec) A040.

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Aviation regulations state that two pilots are required onboard a commercial aircraft, but they don't typically state that two pilots must remain in the cockpit at all times. However, airlines are free to implement their procedures, above and beyond what the regulator requires.

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They can take off in “zero-zero” conditions. Commercial Part 121/135 operators have the following standard takeoff minimums: One and two engines: one-mile visibility (1 mile) Three or more engines: one-half mile visibility (1/2 mile)

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Currently, the bragging rights for the longest flight in the world belong to Singapore Airlines' New York City to Singapore route. Its longest flight path, which connects Singapore's Changi Airport with New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, 9,585 miles away, takes 18 hours and 40 minutes.

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