---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 121.435"
title: "14"
number: "121.435"
heading: "Pilots: Operations Familiarization."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/121.435"
---

# §121.435. Pilots: Operations Familiarization.

- (a) **Applicability.** The operations familiarization requirements in [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section apply to all persons newly hired by the certificate holder to serve as a pilot in [part 121](/cfr/14/part121.md) operations and who began the certificate holder's basic indoctrination ground training on or after April 27, 2022. The requirements in [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section also apply to all certificate holders required to comply with this subpart, except for those certificate holders operating under [part 135](/cfr/14/part135.md) of this chapter that have been authorized to comply with this subpart instead of the requirements of [part 135](/cfr/14/part135.md), subparts [E](/cfr/14/subpartE.md), [G](/cfr/14/subpartG.md), and H, pursuant to [§ 135.3(c)](/cfr/14/135.3.md?p=c), and those fractional ownership program managers operating under [part 91](/cfr/14/part91.md), [subpart K](/cfr/14/subpartK.md), of this chapter that have been authorized to comply with this subpart instead of [§§ 91.1065 through 91.1107](/cfr/14/91.1065..91.1107.md), pursuant to [§ 91.1063(b)](/cfr/14/91.1063.md?p=b) of this chapter.
- (b) **Operations familiarization requirements.**
  - (1) No certificate holder may use, and no person may serve as, a pilot in operations under this part unless that person has completed the operations familiarization required by this [paragraph (b)](#b). Operations familiarization may be completed during or after basic indoctrination training, but must be completed before the pilot begins operating experience under [§ 121.434](/cfr/14/121.434.md).
  - (2) Operations familiarization must include at least two operating cycles conducted by the certificate holder in accordance with the operating rules of this part.
  - (3) All pilots completing operations familiarization must occupy the observer seat on the flight deck and have access to and use an operational headset.
- (c) **Deviation.**
  - (1) A certificate holder who operates an aircraft that does not have an observer seat on the flight deck may submit a request to the Administrator for approval of a deviation from the requirements of paragraphs [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b) of this section.
  - (2) A request for deviation from any of the requirements in paragraphs [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b) of this section must include the following information:
    - (i) The total number and types of aircraft operated by the certificate holder in operations under this part that do not have an observer seat on the flight deck;
    - (ii) The total number and types of aircraft operated by the certificate holder in operations under this part that do have an observer seat on the flight deck; and
    - (iii) **Alternative methods for achieving the objectives of this section.**
  - (3) A certificate holder may request an extension of a deviation issued under this section.
  - (4) Deviations or extensions to deviations will be issued for a period not to exceed 12 months.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Amdt. 121-382, 85 FR 10925, Feb. 25, 2020]

### 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

[Amdt. 121-382, 85 FR 10925, Feb. 25, 2020]