Definition
The section of an air carrier's or operator's Operations Specifications (OpSpecs) issued by the FAA that authorizes specific airports, instrument approach procedures, and the lowest weather minimums (ceiling and visibility, including lower-than-standard CAT I, CAT II, and CAT III approaches) the operator may use. Part C also lists any required equipment, training, and limitations tied to those authorizations.
Plain English
It's the part of an operator's FAA-approved rulebook that says which airports and approaches the operator is allowed to use, and how low the weather can be before they have to divert.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument procedure and ILS category discussions when a procedure or lower landing minimums require specific FAA approval for the operator.
Derivation
Operations Specifications, commonly shortened to OpSpecs, are organized into lettered parts (A through E and beyond). Part C is the section dealing specifically with airports and en route limitations, including approach minimums.
Why Pilots Care
It defines the legal limits a commercial crew may use on approaches, directly affecting go/no-go decisions and safety margins.
Intuition Check
Do not read OpSpecs Part C as a general FAA handbook section that applies to everyone. It is operator-specific: it applies only to the company or organization whose FAA Operations Specifications contain that authorization.
Example Sentence 1
Before dispatching the flight to a CAT II approach, the dispatcher confirmed the airport and minimums were listed in the company's OpSpecs Part C.
Example Sentence 2
Before the approach briefing, the captain verified that OpSpecs Part C permitted the planned minima for the ILS.