14 CFR 135: Commuter & On Demand Operations

Question 1

Three examples of personnel to whom the provisions of Part 135 are applicable?

Answer 1

Personnel employed by a commuter or on-demand operations certificate holder to include: (FAR 135.1.a (2))

• Pilots
• Maintainers
• Crew

Question 2

Are PIC responsibilities pertaining to a/c airworthiness covered in the Ops Manual?

Answer 2

Yes / GOM 1.5.13 (FAR 135.23 (e)):

Procedures for ensuring that the pilot in command knows that required airworthiness inspections have been made and that the aircraft has been approved for return to service in compliance with applicable maintenance requirements

Question 3

Other than required for medical concern of the patient, is Air Methods allowed to carry any Narcotic drug, depressant drug, or stimulant drug on board any aircraft it operates?

Answer 3

No

It’s a violation of FAR Part 91.19(a)
(FAR 135.41)

Question 4

While inflight you encounter a potentially hazardous meteorological condition or irregularity with a ground facility that you consider essential to the safety of flight.

What is your responsibility with respect to the issue?

Answer 4

Knowledge of which the pilot considers essential to the safety of other flights, the pilot shall notify an appropriate ground radio station as soon as practicable. (FAR 135.67)

Question 5

When an unsafe condition occurs at a destination, and there is no acceptable alternative but to continue to that destination, is that considered a normal operation or an emergency situation?

Answer 5

If the conditions that are a hazard to safe operations may reasonably be expected to be corrected by the ETA, it is considered a normal operation. If there is no safer procedure, the continuation toward that airport is an emergency situation under §135.19.. (FAR 135.69)

Question 6

By regulation, what credential must an FAA inspector present to the PIC in order to gain access to the pilot compartment of the aircraft?

Answer 6

Aviation Safety Inspector credential, FAA Form 110A

(FAR 135.75)

Question 7

What current materials are Air Methods required to provide to you as the pilot?

Answer 7

For IFR Ops: Pertinent navigational en route, terminal area, and approach and letdown chart. For multiengine aircraft, one-engine-inoperative climb performance data and if the aircraft is approved for use in IFR or over-the-top operations, that data must be sufficient to enable the pilot to determine compliance with with § 135.181(a)(2).

For complete breakdown, see FAR 135.83

Summary: Checklists, charts, plates, emergency procedures, and degraded performance data / guides.

Question 8

In an unpressurized aircraft, ____ percentage of the occupants, other than the pilot, must be supplied oxygen for flights between ____ and _______ feet lasting longer than 30 minutes?

Answer 8

10% between 10,000 and 15,000 feet MSL, other than the pilot, for that part of the flight at those altitudes that is of more than 30 minutes duration (135.157)

Question 9

Is there an exception to the shoulder harness rule requiring a shoulder harness to be worn?

Answer 9

Except that the shoulder harness may be unfastened if the crewmember cannot perform the required duties with the shoulder harness fastened. (135.171(b))

Question 10

What values are used to determine the current empty weight and balance at 36 month intervals?

Answer 10

14 CFR 135.185 requires all Air Methods multi-engine aircraft be weighed every 36 calendar months. Aviation personnel may determine whether an aircraft complies with this regulation by checking the aircraft maintenance logbook in the aircraft. Single engine aircraft are not subject to this regulation however Air Methods will reweigh these aircraft within the preceding 36 calendar months, matching the regulation for multi-engine aircraft.}

Question 11

Is Air Methods authorized to assign any specific non-flying duties to an employed PIC during any required rest period?

Answer 11

No. No certificate holder may assign any flight crewmember to any duty with the certificate holder during any required rest period. (135.263(b))

Question 12

If you as a PIC are required by Air Methods to travel to a base other than your regularly assigned base for duty as a PIC, may you consider that travel time, either to or from that base, as part of a required rest period?

Answer 12

Time spent in transportation, not local in character, that a certificate holder requires of a flight crewmember…is not considered part of a rest. (135.263(c))

Question 13

Under “normal flight planning” is there an allowance for exceeding flight time limitations?

Answer 13

NO. A flight crewmember is not considered to be assigned flight time in excess of flight time limitations if the flights to which he is assigned normally terminate within the limitations, but due to circumstances beyond the control of the certificate holder or PIC (such as adverse weather). (per 135.263(d))

Question 14

As a PIC for Air Methods, is your flight time limitation concerned only with flight time incurred while in the employ of Air Methods?

Answer 14

No. At least not if if that crewmember’s total flight time for all commercial flying will exceed:

• 500 hrs per quarter
• 800 hrs per two consecutive quarters.

(per 135.267(a))

Question 15

To operate PIC under IFR for the certificate holder what must you pass every 6 months?

Answer 15

A PIC of an aircraft under IFR…must pass an instrument proficiency check. (per 135.297(a) known as a “297”)

Question 16

For single pilot PICs, is an autopilot check required every 6 months?

Answer 16

The autopilot check need only be demonstrated once every 12 calendar months. (135.297(g)(3))

Question 17

If a required checkride is given in the month before or after the month the checkride is due, how does that change when the next checkride is given?

Answer 17

It doesn’t.

“…completes the test or flight check in the calendar month before or after the calendar month in which it is required…considered to have completed the test or check in the calendar month in which it is required. ( 135.301(a) )