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  4. Part 121
  5. § 121.533
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14 CFR · Part 121

14 CFR § 121.533

Responsibility for operational control: Domestic operations.

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Read in Subpart T
Part 121 Contents
  • Subpart A: General
  • Subpart E: Approval of Routes: Domestic and Flag Operations
  • Subpart F: Approval of Areas and Routes for Supplemental Operations
  • Subpart G: Manual Requirements
  • Subpart H: Aircraft Requirements
  • Subpart I: Airplane Performance Operating Limitations
  • Subpart J: Special Airworthiness Requirements
  • Subpart K: Instrument and Equipment Requirements
  • Subpart L: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations
  • Subpart M: Airman and Crewmember Requirements
  • Subpart N: Training Program
  • Subpart O: Crewmember Qualifications
  • Subpart P: Aircraft Dispatcher Qualifications and Duty Time
  • Subpart Q: Flight Time Limitations and Rest Requirements: Domestic Operations
  • Subpart R: Flight Time Limitations: Flag Operations
  • Subpart S: Flight Time Limitations: Supplemental Operations
  • Subpart T: Flight Operations
  • Subpart U: Dispatching and Flight Release Rules
  • Subpart V: Records and Reports
  • Subpart W: Crewmember Certificate: International
  • Subpart X: Emergency Medical Equipment and Training
  • Subpart Y: Advanced Qualification Program
  • Subpart Z: Hazardous Materials Training Program
  • Subpart AA: Continued Airworthiness and Safety Improvements
  • Subpart DD: Special Federal Aviation Regulations
  • Appendix A to Part 121: First Aid Kits and Emergency Medical Kits
  • Appendix B to Part 121: Airplane Flight Recorder Specification
  • Appendix C to Part 121: C-46 Nontransport Category Airplanes
  • Appendix D to Part 121: Criteria for Demonstration of Emergency Evacuation Procedures Under § 121.291
  • Appendix E to Part 121: Flight Training Requirements
  • Appendix F to Part 121: Proficiency Check Requirements
  • Appendix G to Part 121: Doppler Radar and Inertial Navigation System (INS): Request for Evaluation; Equipment and Equipment Installation; Training Program; Equipment Accuracy and Reliability; Evaluation Program
  • Appendix H to Part 121: Advanced Simulation
  • Appendix K to Part 121: Performance Requirements for Certain Turbopropeller Powered Airplanes
  • Appendix L to Part 121: Type Certification Regulations Made Previously Effective
  • Appendix M to Part 121: Airplane Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix O to Part 121: Hazardous Materials Training Requirements For Certificate Holders
  • Appendix P to Part 121: Requirements for ETOPS and Polar Operations
(a)

Each certificate holder conducting domestic operations is responsible for operational control.

(b)

The pilot in command and the aircraft dispatcher are jointly responsible for the preflight planning, delay, and dispatch release of a flight in compliance with this chapter and operations specifications.

(c)

The aircraft dispatcher is responsible for—

(1)

Monitoring the progress of each flight;

(2)

Issuing necessary information for the safety of the flight; and

(3)

Cancelling or redispatching a flight if, in his opinion or the opinion of the pilot in command, the flight cannot operate or continue to operate safely as planned or released.

(d)

Each pilot in command of an aircraft is, during flight time, in command of the aircraft and crew and is responsible for the safety of the passengers, crewmembers, cargo, and airplane.

(e)

Each pilot in command has full control and authority in the operation of the aircraft, without limitation, over other crewmembers and their duties during flight time, whether or not he holds valid certificates authorizing him to perform the duties of those crewmembers.

Referenced By

Interpretations of This Section (7)

  • Amaya, 2016
  • Cook, 2015
  • Powell, 2013
  • Powell, 2011
  • Monse, 2010
  • J.Johnson, 2002
  • Christensen&Nguyen, 2001

Advisory Circulars (2)

  • AC 120-101
  • AC 91-79B

Documents that cite this section, found in their catalog metadata or text. Listed by date, not by significance.

Reflects the eCFR edition current as of September 29, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on October 16, 2026.

Primary Source

  • Official Source (14 CFR · Part 121)