Skip to Main Content
FlightPushFLIGHTPUSH
Part 135

Learn

Dashboard My Courses Mastery Map Practice Flight Bag

Resources

CFR & AIM FAA Orders Handbooks & Guides Certification Standards Pilot/Controller Glossary Advisory Circulars Legal Interpretations
Safety Center
Articles Trust Center
Help Center FAQ Status
  1. Reference Library
  2. CFR & AIM
  3. CFR
  4. Part 135
  5. § 135.159
Loading
flightpush.co home
Loading reference

14 CFR · Part 135

14 CFR § 135.159

Equipment requirements: Carrying passengers under VFR at night or under VFR over-the-top conditions.

← Previous SectionNext Section →
Read in Subpart C
Part 135 Contents
  • Subpart A: General
  • Subpart B: Flight Operations
  • Subpart C: Aircraft and Equipment
  • Subpart D: VFR/IFR Operating Limitations and Weather Requirements
  • Subpart E: Flight Crewmember Requirements
  • Subpart F: Crewmember Flight Time and Duty Period Limitations and Rest Requirements
  • Subpart G: Crewmember Testing Requirements
  • Subpart H: Training
  • Subpart I: Airplane Performance Operating Limitations
  • Subpart J: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations
  • Subpart K: Hazardous Materials Training Program
  • Subpart L: Helicopter Air Ambulance Equipment, Operations, and Training Requirements
  • Appendix A to Part 135: Additional Airworthiness Standards for 10 or More Passenger Airplanes
  • Appendix B to Part 135: Airplane Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix C to Part 135: Helicopter Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix D to Part 135: Airplane Flight Recorder Specification
  • Appendix E to Part 135: Helicopter Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix F to Part 135: Airplane Flight Recorder Specification
  • Appendix G to Part 135: Extended Operations (ETOPS)

No person may operate an aircraft carrying passengers under VFR at night or under VFR over-the-top, unless it is equipped with—

(a)

A gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator except on the following aircraft:

(1)

Airplanes with a third attitude instrument system usable through flight attitudes of 360 degrees of pitch-and-roll and installed in accordance with the instrument requirements prescribed in § 121.305(j) of this chapter.

(2)

Helicopters with a third attitude instrument system usable through flight attitudes of ±80 degrees of pitch and ±120 degrees of roll and installed in accordance with § 29.1303(g) of this chapter.

(3)

Helicopters with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 6,000 pounds or less.

(b)

A slip skid indicator.

(c)

A gyroscopic bank-and-pitch indicator.

(d)

A gyroscopic direction indicator.

(e)

A generator or generators able to supply all probable combinations of continuous in-flight electrical loads for required equipment and for recharging the battery.

(f)

For night flights—

(1)

An anticollision light system;

(2)

Instrument lights to make all instruments, switches, and gauges easily readable, the direct rays of which are shielded from the pilots' eyes; and

(3)

A flashlight having at least two size “D” cells or equivalent.

(g)

For the purpose of paragraph (e) of this section, a continuous in-flight electrical load includes one that draws current continuously during flight, such as radio equipment and electrically driven instruments and lights, but does not include occasional intermittent loads.

(h)

Notwithstanding provisions of paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), helicopters having a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 6,000 pounds or less may be operated until January 6, 1988, under visual flight rules at night without a slip skid indicator, a gyroscopic bank-and-pitch indicator, or a gyroscopic direction indicator.

Regulations Referenced

14 CFR 121.30514 CFR 29.1303

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 135)