---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 121.389"
title: "14"
number: "121.389"
heading: "Flight navigator and specialized navigation equipment."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/121.389"
---

# §121.389. Flight navigator and specialized navigation equipment.

- (a) No certificate holder may operate an airplane outside the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia, when its position cannot be reliably fixed for a period of more than 1 hour, without—
  - (1) A flight crewmember who holds a current flight navigator certificate; or
  - (2) Specialized means of navigation approved in accordance with [§ 121.355](/cfr/14/121.355.md) which enables a reliable determination to be made of the position of the airplane by each pilot seated at his duty station.
- (b) Notwithstanding [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section, the Administrator may also require a flight navigator or special navigation equipment, or both, when specialized means of navigation are necessary for 1 hour or less. In making this determination, the Administrator considers—
  - (1) The speed of the airplane;
  - (2) Normal weather conditions en route;
  - (3) Extent of air traffic control;
  - (4) Traffic congestion;
  - (5) Area of navigational radio coverage at destination;
  - (6) Fuel requirements;
  - (7) Fuel available for return to point of departure or alternates;
  - (8) Predication of flight upon operation beyond the point of no return; and
  - (9) **Any other factors he determines are relevant in the interest of safety.**
- (c) Operations where a flight navigator or special navigation equipment, or both, are required are specified in the operations specifications of the air carrier or commercial operator.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Docket 10204, 37 FR 6464, Mar. 30, 1972, as amended by Amdt. 121-178, 47 FR 13316, Mar. 29, 1982]

### Source

Source: Docket 6258, 29 FR 19212, Dec. 31, 1964, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40103, 40113, 40119, 41706, 42301 preceding note added by Pub. L. 112-95, sec. 412, 126 Stat. 89, 44101, 44701-44702, 44705, 44709-44711, 44713, 44716-44717, 44722, 44729, 44732; 46105; Pub. L. 111-216, 124 Stat. 2348 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note); Pub. L. 112-95, 126 Stat. 62 (49 U.S.C. 44732 note); Pub. L. 115-254, 132 Stat. 3186 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note).

### Amendments

[Docket 10204, 37 FR 6464, Mar. 30, 1972, as amended by Amdt. 121-178, 47 FR 13316, Mar. 29, 1982]