Federal Aviation Administration, DOT

Section 121.579

(e) A certificate holder need not comply 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 Section 121.583;
(2) If the aircraft is scheduled for retirement before January 1, 1985; or
(3) If the aircraft is scheduled for reengining under the provisions of subpart E of part 91, until it is re-engined.
[Doc. No. 121-154, 45 FR 3883, Jan. 21, 1980. Redesignated 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]

Section 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 defined 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 specifically 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 initial 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 altitude specified in the AFM; or
(2) At an altitude specified by the Administrator, 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 Administrator, 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, except as follows - 

(1) For autopilots with an AFM specified altitude loss for approach operations - 
(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 conditions are met - 
(A) Reported weather conditions are
less than the basic VFR weather conditions in Section 91.155 of this chapter;
(B) Suitable visual references specified in Section 91.175 of this chapter have been
established on the instrument approach procedure; and
(C) The autopilot is coupled and receiving 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 Section 91.155 of this
chapter; and
(B) The autopilot is coupled and receiving 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 specified for the coupled approach mode selected;
(ii) 50 feet; or
(iii) An altitude specified by Administrator.
(3) For autopilots with an AFM specified negligible or zero altitude loss for
an autopilot approach mode malfunction, the greater of - 
(i) 50 feet; or
(ii) An altitude specified by Administrator.
(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. No
person may engage an autopilot during
a go-around or missed approach below
the minimum engagement altitude

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