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207

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT

§ 121.579

(e) A certificate holder need not com-

ply with the requirements of paragraph
(b) of this section for an aircraft—

(1) When the only persons carried are

flight crewmembers and persons listed
in § 121.583;

(2) If the aircraft is scheduled for re-

tirement before January 1, 1985; or

(3) If the aircraft is scheduled for re-

engining under the provisions of sub-
part E of part 91, until it is re-engined.

[Doc. No. 121–154, 45 FR 3883, Jan. 21, 1980. Re-
designated by Amdt. 121–162, 45 FR 46739,
July 10, 1980, and amended by Amdt. 121–181,
47 FR 58489, Dec. 30, 1982; Amdt. 121–251, 60
FR 65935, Dec. 20, 1995]

§ 121.579

Minimum altitudes for use of

autopilot.

(a)

Definitions.

For purpose of this

section—

(1) Altitudes for takeoff/initial climb

and go-around/missed approach are de-
fined as above the airport elevation.

(2) Altitudes for enroute operations

are defined as above terrain elevation.

(3) Altitudes for approach are defined

as above the touchdown zone elevation
(TDZE), unless the altitude is specifi-
cally in reference to DA (H) or MDA, in
which case the altitude is defined by
reference to the DA(H) or MDA itself.

(b)

Takeoff and initial climb.

No person

may use an autopilot for takeoff or ini-
tial climb below the higher of 500 feet
or an altitude that is no lower than
twice the altitude loss specified in the
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), except
as follows—

(1) At a minimum engagement alti-

tude specified in the AFM; or

(2) At an altitude specified by the Ad-

ministrator, whichever is greater.

(c)

Enroute.

No person may use an

autopilot enroute, including climb and
descent, below the following—

(1) 500 feet;
(2) At an altitude that is no lower

than twice the altitude loss specified in
the AFM for an autopilot malfunction
in cruise conditions; or

(3) At an altitude specified by the Ad-

ministrator, whichever is greater.

(d)

Approach.

No person may use an

autopilot at an altitude lower than 50
feet below the DA(H) or MDA for the
instrument procedure being flown, ex-
cept as follows—

(1) For autopilots with an AFM speci-

fied altitude loss for approach oper-
ations—

(i) An altitude no lower than twice

the specified altitude loss if higher
than 50 feet below the MDA or DA(H);

(ii) An altitude no lower than 50 feet

higher than the altitude loss specified
in the AFM, when the following condi-
tions are met—

(A) Reported weather conditions are

less than the basic VFR weather condi-
tions in § 91.155 of this chapter;

(B) Suitable visual references speci-

fied in § 91.175 of this chapter have been
established on the instrument ap-
proach procedure; and

ceiving both lateral and vertical path
references;

(iii) An altitude no lower than the

higher of the altitude loss specified in
the AFM or 50 feet above the TDZE,
when the following conditions are
met—

(A) Reported weather conditions are

equal to or better than the basic VFR
weather conditions in § 91.155 of this
chapter; and

(B) The autopilot is coupled and re-

ceiving both lateral and vertical path
references; or

(iv) A greater altitude specified by

the Administrator.

(2) For autopilots with AFM specified

approach altitude limitations, the
greater of—

(i) The minimum use altitude speci-

fied for the coupled approach mode se-
lected;

(ii) 50 feet; or
(iii) An altitude specified by Admin-

istrator.

(3) For autopilots with an AFM speci-

fied negligible or zero altitude loss for
an autopilot approach mode malfunc-
tion, the greater of—

(i) 50 feet; or
(ii) An altitude specified by Adminis-

trator.

(4) If executing an autopilot coupled

go-around or missed approach using a
certificated and functioning autopilot
in accordance with paragraph (e) in
this section.

(e)

Go-Around/Missed Approach.

person may engage an autopilot during
a go-around or missed approach below
the minimum engagement altitude

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