[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 14, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 14CFR121.99]

[Page 739-740]
 
                     TITLE 14--AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
 
CHAPTER I--FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
PART 121_OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: DOMESTIC, FLAG, AND SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONS--
 
       Subpart E_Approval of Routes: Domestic and Flag Operations
 
Sec. 121.99  Communications facilities--domestic and flag operations.

    (a) Each certificate holder conducting domestic or flag operations 
must show that a two-way communication system, or other means of 
communication approved by the FAA certificate holding district office, 
is available over the entire route. The communications may be direct 
links or via an approved communication link that will provide reliable 
and rapid communications under normal operating conditions between each 
airplane and the appropriate dispatch office, and between each airplane 
and the appropriate air traffic control unit.
    (b) Except in an emergency, for all flag and domestic kinds of 
operations, the communications systems between each airplane and the 
dispatch office must be independent of any system operated by the United 
States.
    (c) Each certificate holder conducting flag operations must provide 
voice communications for ETOPS where voice communication facilities are 
available. In determining whether facilities are available, the 
certificate holder must consider potential routes and altitudes needed 
for diversion to ETOPS Alternate Airports. Where facilities are not 
available or are of such poor quality that voice communication is not 
possible, another communication system must be substituted.
    (d) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, after 
February 15, 2008 for ETOPS beyond 180 minutes,

[[Page 740]]

each certificate holder conducting flag operations must have a second 
communication system in addition to that required by paragraph (c) of 
this section. That system must be able to provide immediate satellite-
based voice communications of landline-telephone fidelity. The system 
must be able to communicate between the flight crew and air traffic 
services, and the flight crew and the certificate holder. In determining 
whether such communications are available, the certificate holder must 
consider potential routes and altitudes needed for diversion to ETOPS 
Alternate Airports. Where immediate, satellite-based voice 
communications are not available, or are of such poor quality that voice 
communication is not possible, another communication system must be 
substituted.
    (e) Operators of two-engine turbine-powered airplanes with 207 
minute ETOPS approval in the North Pacific Area of Operation must comply 
with the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section as of February 
15, 2007.

[Doc. No. 28154, 62 FR 13256, Mar. 19, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 121-
329, 72 FR 1878, Jan. 16, 2007; Amdt. 121-333, 72 FR 31680, June 7, 
2007]