[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 14, Volume 2]

[Revised as of January 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 14CFR135.93]



[Page 752]

 

                     TITLE 14--AERONAUTICS AND SPACE

 

CHAPTER I--FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

                               (CONTINUED)

 

PART 135_OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: COMMUTER AND ON DEMAND OPERATIONS 

AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT--Table of Contents

 

                       Subpart B_Flight Operations

 

Sec. 135.93  Autopilot: Minimum altitudes for use.



    (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 Sec. 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.



[Doc. No. 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, as amended by Amdt. 135-32, 

54 FR 34332, Aug. 18, 1989; Amdt. 135-68, 62 FR 27923, May 21, 1997]