Definition
The section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that governs the operation of large airplanes — those with a seating configuration of 20 or more passengers or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more — when those operations are not conducted for compensation or hire under Part 121 or Part 135. It sets out certification, operating, and maintenance requirements for the aircraft and the operator.
Plain English
A set of FAA rules that applies to private operators flying large airplanes when they are not running an airline or charter service. It tells them how the airplane must be certified, operated, and maintained.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA handbooks, maintenance records, and operating discussions when identifying which regulation applies to a large airplane or its operator.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations. Title 14 covers Aeronautics and Space, and within Title 14 the rules are divided into numbered Parts. Part 125 is one of those numbered sections. The number itself has no special meaning — it is just the slot this rule occupies in the larger code.
Why Pilots Care
Operators of these large aircraft must meet specific certification, crew, and safety standards that do not apply to smaller general aviation planes.
Intuition Check
Do not read “Part 125” as an aircraft part or component. Here, “Part” means a numbered section of federal aviation regulations.
Example Sentence 1
Because the company operates its own large jet for executive travel and does not charge passengers, the aircraft is maintained under 14 CFR Part 125.
Example Sentence 2
Maintenance records for the aircraft must include evidence that all Part 125 airworthiness requirements have been satisfied.