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This Subpart prescribes the rules governing the assignment of crew members on an aeroplane conducting an air operation under the authority of an air operator certificate.
(a) A holder of an air operator certificate must, for each aeroplane type operated under the authority of the certificate, assign in writing to each crew member, the operational and safety functions that each crew member is to perform during an air operation.
(b) The certificate holder must ensure that a person is not assigned to perform the function of a crew member on an aeroplane operating under the authority of the certificate unless that person—
(1) has completed the applicable training programme under Subpart I and is assessed as competent for the crew member position under Subpart J; or
(2) if a pilot acting as a flight crew member, completing the pilot line training under rule 121.567 or pilot consolidation under rule 121.569,—
(i) has completed the applicable segments of the training programme under Subpart I; and
(ii) is assessed as competent for the flight crew member position under Subpart J; or
(3) is participating in, and is assessed as competent in accordance with an advanced qualification programme under Subpart M.
(c) The certificate holder must not require a crew member to perform any duty during a critical phase of a flight that is not required for the safe operation of the aeroplane.
(d) For the purpose of paragraph (c), a critical phase of a flight includes—
(1) for flight crew members, all operations involving push back, taxi, take-off, approach and landing, and any other period when the aeroplane is operated below a height of 10 000 feet above ground level except when in cruise flight; and
(2) for flight attendants, all ground operations after leaving the apron area to join a main taxiway, take-off until passing a height of 1000 feet above ground level on climb, and the approach and landing phase of flight after the aeroplane has descended below a height of 5000 feet above ground level.
(a) A holder of an air operator certificate must, for an air operation conducted under the authority of the certificate, assign in writing—
(1) a pilot who meets the requirements referred to in rule 121.507 as the designated pilot-in-command; and
(2) any additional pilot who is required by the flight manual for the operation of the aeroplane and who must meet the requirements referred to in rule 121.507 or rule 121.509; and
(3) any other pilot, qualified to act as pilot-in-command or as an additional pilot under paragraph (a)(2), who is required by the type of operation to be performed to augment the minimum flight crew specified in the aeroplane flight manual; and
(4) if required by the type of operation, either—
(i) a flight engineer who meets the requirements referred to in rule 121.513; or
(ii) a cruise relief pilot who meets the requirements referred to in rule 121.511; or
(iii) both a flight engineer, and a cruise relief pilot.
(b) If the number of pilots required by paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) is more than 2, the certificate holder must assign in writing which of the pilots required by paragraphs (a)(2) or (3) will act as pilot-in-command if the designated pilot-in-command becomes incapacitated.
A holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a pilot to act as pilot-in- command of an aeroplane conducting an air operation under the authority of the certificate unless the pilot—
(1) holds a current airline transport pilot licence (aeroplane) with an applicable aircraft type rating; and
(2) holds a current instrument rating; and
(3) has successfully completed the applicable training and competency requirements specified in Subparts I and J, or is participating in, and is assessed as competent in accordance with an advanced qualification programme specified in Subpart M; and
(4) has at least 1500 hours of flight time experience as a pilot, including—
(i) 500 hours in the type of operations to which this Part applies or in equivalent operations that are acceptable to the Director; and
(ii) 100 hours of instrument time of which at least 50 hours must be acquired in actual flight; and
(5) for night operations, has acquired at least 100 hours of night-flight time experience.
A holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a pilot to act as second-in-command of an aeroplane conducting an air operation under the authority of the certificate unless the pilot—
(1) holds at least a current commercial pilot licence (aeroplane) with an applicable aircraft type rating; and
(2) holds a current instrument rating; and
(3) has successfully completed—
(i) the applicable training and competency requirements specified in Subparts I and J, or is participating in, and is assessed as competent in accordance with an advanced qualification programme specified in Subpart M; or
(ii) the applicable introduction, transition, or upgrade segment of the flight crew member training programme required by Subpart I and is assessed as competent for the flight crew member position under Subpart J, and is completing the pilot line training or pilot consolidation referred to in rules 121.567 or 121.569; and
(4) is capable, if the pilot-in-command becomes incapacitated—
(i) of operating the aeroplane safely under the prevailing and anticipated forecast weather conditions; and
(ii) of performing the functions of the pilot-in-command; and
(iii) of landing the aeroplane at the intended destination aerodrome or at a suitable alternate aerodrome.
A holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a pilot to act as cruise relief pilot conducting an air operation under the authority of the certificate unless the pilot—
(1) holds at least a current commercial pilot licence (aeroplane) with an applicable aircraft type rating; and
(2) holds a current instrument rating; and
(3) has completed the applicable training and competency requirements specified in Subparts I and J; and
(4) is capable of operating the aeroplane safely in the cruise phase referred to in rule 121.533(b) until—
(i) the second-in-command is summoned to the flight deck, if the pilot-in-command becomes incapacitated; or
(ii) the pilot-in-command is summoned to the flight deck, if the second-in-command becomes incapacitated.
A holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a person to act as a flight engineer on an aeroplane conducting an air operation under the authority of the certificate unless the person holds—
(1) a current flight engineer licence with an applicable aircraft type rating and has successfully completed the applicable training and competency requirements specified in Subparts I and J; or
(2) a current cadet flight engineer licence and is under the direct supervision of a flight engineer who holds a current flight engineer instructor rating with an applicable aircraft type rating and who has successfully completed the applicable training and competency requirements specified in Subparts I and J.
A holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a person to perform the functions of a flight attendant on an aeroplane operating under the authority of the certificate unless the person has satisfactorily completed the appropriate segments of the crew member training programme required by rule 121.553 for the aeroplane type and the assigned crew member position.
A holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a person to perform the functions of a line supervisory pilot unless that person—
(1) is qualified to act as pilot-in-command of the aeroplane type performing an air operation under the authority of the certificate; and
(2) holds a Category D flight instructor rating or an airline flight instructor rating referred to in Part 61; and
(3) has acquired at least 2000 hours of flight time experience as a pilot including—
(i) 200 hours line operating flight time experience for the particular aeroplane type involved; or
(ii) 100 hours exercising the privileges of an airline flight instructor rating, referred to in Part 61, supervising pilots completing consolidation in an air operation on another aeroplane type under Subpart I or Subpart M; and
(4) has completed a training course in the methods for assessing crew member competency in the technical and non-technical aspects of aircraft operation including human factors and crew resource management.
A holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a pilot to perform the function of a pilot instructor in the flight crew member training programme required by this Part unless that pilot—
(1) is qualified to act as pilot-in-command of the aeroplane type performing the air operation under the authority of the certificate; and
(2) holds a Category D flight instructor rating, or an airline flight instructor rating referred to in Part 61; and
(3) has acquired at least 3000 hours of flight time experience as a pilot, including—
(i) 500 hours line operating flight time experience for the particular aeroplane type involved; or
(ii) 100 hours exercising the privileges of a Category D flight instructor or an airline flight instructor rating, referred to in Part 61,instructing pilots on another aeroplane type under Subpart I or Subpart M; and
(4) has completed a training course in the methods for assessing crew member competency in the technical and non-technical aspects of aircraft operation including human factors and crew resource management.
A holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a pilot to perform the function of a flight examiner in a route check required by rule 121.567(e)(3), rule 121.569(a)(3), or in a competency assessment programme required by Subpart J unless that pilot—
(1) holds a current airline flight examiner rating referred to in Part 61; and
(2) is qualified to act as pilot-in-command of the aeroplane type performing an air operation under the authority of the certificate; and
(3) has acquired—
(i) 200 hours exercising the privileges of Category D flight instructor rating or an airline flight instructor rating, referred to in Part 61, for the particular aeroplane type involved; or
(ii) 100 hours exercising the privileges of an airline flight examiner rating, referred to in Part 61, on an aeroplane type to which this Part applies; or
(iii) other suitable experience on an aeroplane type applicable to this Part or Part 125 as acceptable to the Director; and
(4) has completed a training course in the methods for assessing crew member competency in the technical and non-technical aspects of aircraft operation including human factors and crew resource management.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a pilot to perform the function of a pilot instructor, or flight examiner for the purpose of giving flight instruction or conducting a flight crew member competency assessment in a flight simulator unless the pilot—
(1) meets the appropriate requirements referred to in rule 121.519 or 121.521; and
(2) demonstrates competency as pilot-in-command in the flight simulator to the standard required by Subpart J; and
(3) has received proficiency training in the operation of the flight simulator; and
(4) has completed a training course in the methods for assessing crew member competency in the technical and non-technical aspects of aircraft operation including human factors and crew resource management.
(b) A pilot who has previously met the requirements referred to in paragraph (a) but who no longer holds a current medical certificate may act as a pilot instructor or flight examiner in a flight simulator if the pilot maintains competency by—
(1) undergoing training as a flight crew member in a flight simulator in accordance with the training programme required by rule 121.553; and
(2) completing a competency assessment under Subpart J; and
(3) completing the applicable training requirements which are otherwise necessary to maintain the currency of an airline instructor rating, or flight examiner rating, under Part 61 and this Part.
(c) Despite paragraph (a), if the certificate holder applies to the Director in writing, the Director may approve a pilot, who does not hold a medical certificate and who has not previously met the requirements referred to in rules 121.519 or 121.521, to exercise the functions of a pilot instructor or flight examiner in a flight simulator if the pilot—
(1) has at least 5000 hours flight time experience in air operations; and
(2) satisfactorily completes the training and competency requirements of Subpart I and J in a flight simulator of the aeroplane type; and
(3) satisfactorily completes a course in flight instruction or flight examination that is acceptable to the Director; and
(4) receives proficiency training in the operation of the flight simulator; and
(5) continues to maintain competency as specified in paragraph (b).
A holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a flight attendant to perform the function of a flight attendant trainer in the flight crew member training programme required by this Part unless that flight attendant—
(1) has completed applicable training segments of the crew member training programme specified in rule 121.553; and
(2) has completed a training course in the methods for assessing flight attendant competency in the technical and non-technical aspects of aircraft operation including human factors and crew resource management.
A holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a flight attendant to perform the function of a flight attendant assessor for the purpose of rule 121.611 unless the flight attendant— (1) has completed the training segments and course referred to in rule 121.525; and (2) is qualified as specified in rule 121.575.
A holder of an air operator certificate must not designate a person to perform the functions of a ground instructor in its crew member training programme required by rule 121.553, unless that person has completed—
(1) an instructional techniques course acceptable to the Director; and
(2) a human factors course acceptable to the Director; and
(3) a comprehensive training course in the subject matter area in which instruction is being provided.
(a) Except if authorised under paragraph (b), a holder of an air operator certificate must ensure that an air operation is not conducted unless at least one of the flight crew members has accumulated the following flight time experience after completing the training and consolidation requirements of Subpart I—
(1) 75 hours in the aeroplane type that is being operated; or
(2) 75 operating cycles in the aeroplane type that is being operated.
(b) If a certificate holder applies to the Director in writing, the Director may authorise the certificate holder to deviate from the requirements of paragraph (a) by amending the operations specifications as appropriate in any of the following circumstances:
(1) a new certificate holder who cannot meet the minimum requirements prescribed in paragraph (a):
(2) an existing certificate holder acquires an aeroplane type not previously authorised by the Director for use in its operations.
(c) If a flight crew member is participating in an advanced qualification programme required by Subpart M, the flight time experience referred to in paragraph (a) apply.
(a) A holder of an air operator certificate must ensure that for an air operation conducted under the authority of the certificate, the pilot flying during each take-off and each landing is—
(1) the pilot-in-command; or
(2) subject to paragraph (c), a pilot other than the pilot-in-command.
(b) If a cruise relief pilot is designated for an air operation under rule 121.505(a)(4), the holder of the air operator certificate must ensure that the cruise relief pilot does not occupy a flight crew seat—
(1) at any time when the aeroplane is operating below FL200 or below the transition level, whichever is higher; or
(2) at any other time during the flight unless the other flight crew seat is occupied by a pilot who is—
(i) the pilot-in-command; or
(ii) designated by the pilot-in-command and qualified by the holder to act as pilot-in-command in the cruise phase of the flight while supervising a cruise relief pilot.
(c) The holder of an air operator certificate must establish procedures for ensuring that a pilot, other than the pilot-in-command, acting as pilot flying during the take-off or landing of an aeroplane is—
(1) competent to perform the particular take-off or landing; and
(2) supervised by the pilot-in-command.
(d) The procedures required by paragraph (a) must be based on risk management principles and take into account—
(1) pilot-in-command qualifications:
(2) pilot training and experience:
(3) aircraft status and performance:
(4) runway dimensions and conditions:
(5) cloud ceiling:
(6) prevailing visibility:
(7) crosswind component.
(a) If a holder of an air operator certificate assigns a flight crew member to operate more than one aeroplane type or more than one variant of an aeroplane type, the certificate holder must—
(1) ensure that the flight crew member is trained and qualified to operate each aeroplane type or variant; and
(2) establish training and competency assessment procedures acceptable to the Director.
(b) The holder of an air operator certificate must ensure that the procedures required by paragraph (a)(2) provide for the following—
(1) before the flight crew member is assigned to operate more than one aeroplane type or variant, the flight crew member has the relevant experience necessary to operate the aeroplane type or variant taking into account the aircraft manufacturer’s recommendations; and
(2) a flight crew member has the sufficient experience required on one aeroplane type or variant before beginning training for another aeroplane type or variant, taking into account the manufacturer’s recommendations; and
(3) the flight crew member who is qualified on one aeroplane type or variant is trained and qualified on another aeroplane type or variant; and
(4) the flight crew member—
(i) has the applicable competency and recent flight experience requirements for each aeroplane type or variant; or
(ii) satisfactorily completes a competency assessment on one specified aeroplane type or variant that is deemed to meet the competency standard on another specified aeroplane type or variant; and
(iii) for the purpose of paragraph (ii), the specified aeroplane types or variants must be recommended by the aeroplane manufacturer.
(c) The relevant experience referred to in paragraph (b)(1) must include the minimum flight time experience or operating cycles a flight crew member must complete in air operations to which this Part applies.
(d) The experience referred to in paragraph (b)(2) must include—
(1) the minimum flight time experience or operating cycles a flight crew member must complete in the aeroplane type already flown to which this Part applies; and
(2) the minimum number of hours a flight crew member must complete exclusively on the new aeroplane type or variant after commencing training for the new aeroplane type or variant.
(e) The training and competency assessment procedures required by paragraph (a)(2) for a flight crew member to operate on more than one aeroplane type or different types of aeroplane with similar characteristics, must take into account at least the following:
(1) the aeroplane operating procedures; and
(2) the aeroplane systems; and
(3) the aeroplane performance limitations; and
(4) the aeroplane handling characteristics.
(f) Despite rule 61.37, a holder of an air operator certificate must ensure that a flight crew member other than a cruise relief pilot, assigned to act as a flight crew member on multiple aeroplane types or variants, meets—
(1) the recent flight experience required by Part 61 for each aeroplane type or variant; or
(2) the recent flight experience requirements for each aeroplane type or variant as specified in the procedures required by paragraph (a)(2).
(a) A holder of an air operator certificate must ensure that the pilots of an aeroplane conducting an air operation under the authority of the certificate do not perform a Category II or Category III precision approach procedure, or a departure with reduced take-off minima, unless both the pilot-in-command and the pilot acting as second-in-command are qualified to perform the particular approach procedure or departure.
(b) For the purpose of paragraph (a)—
(1) where the pilot-in-command is qualified only as pilot flying for the Category II or III precision approach and reduced take-off minima, the pilot-in-command must conduct the particular approach procedure and reduced take-off minima departure as pilot flying; and
(2) where the second-in-command is qualified only as the pilot nonflying for the Category II or III precision approach and reduced take-off minima, the pilot-in-command must conduct the particular approach procedure and reduced take-off minima departure as pilot flying.
(c) Despite paragraph (b), the pilot of an aeroplane may perform a Category II or III precision approach procedure or a departure with reduced take-off minima as pilot flying or pilot non-flying for the particular approach and take-off if —
(1) the pilot-in-command and the second-in-command are qualified as specified in paragraph (a); and
(2) the pilot-in-command is—
(i) a line supervisory pilot qualified as specified in rule 121.517; or
(ii) a pilot instructor qualified as specified in rule 121.519; or
(iii) a flight examiner qualified as specified in rule 121.521.
(a) A holder of an air operator certificate must ensure that an aeroplane is not operated on an air operation carrying passengers under the authority of the certificate unless the minimum number of flight attendants carried as crew members—
(1) is as specified by the manufacturer’s recommended emergency evacuation procedures for the aeroplane configuration being used; and
(2) is as specified by the certified design criteria for the aeroplane; and
(3) will ensure at least 1 flight attendant is present in each occupied compartment; and
(4) is in accordance with the minimum number specified in Table 3.
Table 3. Required flight attendants
| Aeroplane Passenger Capacity: | Flight Attendants required |
|---|---|
| 15 through 50 | 1 |
| 51 through 100 | 2 |
| 101 through 150 | 3 |
| 151 through 200 | 4 |
| 201 through 250 | 6 |
| 251 through 300 | 7 |
| 301 through 350 | 9 |
| 351 through 400 | 10 |
| 401 through 450 | 11 |
| 451 through 500 | 12 |
| More than 500 | 12 plus 1 for every additional 50 passengers or component of 50 passengers in excess of 500 |
(b) The certificate holder must designate—
(1) for each air operation requiring 2 or more flight attendants, a senior flight attendant responsible to the pilot-in-command for the operational and safety functions of each flight attendant; and
(2) for each air operation requiring 6 or more flight attendants, a deputy senior flight attendant.
(c) Despite paragraph (a)(4), the number of flight attendants required by Table 3 may be reduced by 1 to allow an air operation to continue if a required flight attendant becomes unfit because of sickness or injury during a duty period, if —
(1) the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) can be met; and
(2) the remaining flight attendants are trained and competent to operate safely with one less flight attendant in accordance with the procedures specified in the certificate holder’s exposition; and
(3) a flight attendant meeting the requirements referred to in rule 121.515 is available to replace the unfit flight attendant at the first aerodrome of landing.
