Definition
The section of U.S. federal aviation regulations that governs commuter and on-demand commercial air operations, including charter flights, air taxi services, and small scheduled passenger or cargo operations. Part 135 sets the operating rules, pilot qualifications, training requirements, equipment standards, and weather minimums that apply to these flights, which are generally more demanding than the rules for private flying under Part 91 but less stringent than those for scheduled airlines under Part 121.
Plain English
The set of FAA rules that smaller commercial flight operators have to follow — things like charter flights, air taxis, and small package carriers. The rules are stricter than the ones for personal flying but not as strict as the ones for big airlines.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter 14 CFR Part 135 when reading about commercial operations, company operations specifications, charter flights, and FAA-approved operating limits.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations — the official collection of U.S. government rules. Title 14 covers aeronautics and space, and Part 135 is the specific chapter dealing with commuter and on-demand operations. The numbering is just the filing system: think of it as Volume 14, Chapter 135.
Why Pilots Care
Compliance determines legal authority to conduct commercial passenger and cargo flights that are not part of a scheduled airline operation, directly affecting crew qualifications, equipment, and procedures.
Intuition Check
Do not read “Part 135” as a physical part of an aircraft. Here, “Part” means a numbered section of federal aviation regulations.
Example Sentence 1
Once she finished her training, she started flying king airs for a Part 135 charter operator out of Denver.
Example Sentence 2
A pilot preparing for a Part 135 checkride reviewed the specific requirements for single-engine IFR operations.