---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 121.440"
title: "14"
number: "121.440"
heading: "Line checks."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/121.440"
---

# §121.440. Line checks.

- (a) No certificate holder may use any person nor may any person serve as pilot in command of an airplane unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, that person has passed a line check in which he satisfactorily performs the duties and responsibilities of a pilot in command in one of the types of airplanes he is to fly.
- (b) **A pilot in command line check for domestic and flag operations must—**
  - (1) Be given by a check pilot who is currently qualified on both the route and the airplane; and
  - (2) Consist of at least one flight over a typical part of the certificate holder's route, or over a foreign or Federal airway, or over a direct route.
- (c) **A pilot in command line check for supplemental operations must—**
  - (1) Be given by a check pilot who is currently qualified on the airplane; and
  - (2) Consist of at least one flight over a part of a Federal airway, foreign airway, or advisory route over which the pilot may be assigned.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Docket 9509, 35 FR 96, Jan. 3, 1970, as amended by Amdt. 121-143, 43 FR 22642, May 25, 1978; Amdt. 121-253, 61 FR 2612, Jan. 26, 1996; Amdt. 121-344, 74 FR 34235, July 15, 2009; Amdt. 121-359, 77 FR 34785, June 12, 2012; Docket FAA-2019-0360, Amdt. 121-392, 89 FR 51428, June 18, 2024]

### 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 9509, 35 FR 96, Jan. 3, 1970, as amended by Amdt. 121-143, 43 FR 22642, May 25, 1978; Amdt. 121-253, 61 FR 2612, Jan. 26, 1996; Amdt. 121-344, 74 FR 34235, July 15, 2009; Amdt. 121-359, 77 FR 34785, June 12, 2012; Docket FAA-2019-0360, Amdt. 121-392, 89 FR 51428, June 18, 2024]