Definition
A section of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR Part 121, § 121.652) that imposes higher landing minimums on newly qualified pilots flying under Part 121 (scheduled air carrier operations). Until the pilot has accumulated 100 hours of pilot-in-command time in the specific make and model of aircraft, the published Category I straight-in landing minimums for any approach must be increased by 100 feet to the Decision Altitude (DA), Decision Height (DH), or Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA), and by one-half statute mile (or 2,400 feet RVR) to the visibility minimum. The section also lists the conditions under which this increase may be reduced or removed.
Plain English
A rule that says new captains at airlines have to use slightly higher weather minimums for landing until they have flown 100 hours as captain in that specific aircraft type. They need a bit more altitude and a bit more visibility before they can attempt the approach.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach discussions, especially when comparing general instrument rules with the stricter rules used by airline operators.
Derivation
The symbol § means 'section' and comes from the Latin signum sectionis, used in legal writing to point to a specific numbered part of a code. '121.652' identifies the location: Part 121, section 652 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Knowing this helps pilots find the actual rule quickly when it is cited in a manual or checklist.
Why Pilots Care
Part 121 pilots must know and follow these exact minimums to stay legal and to decide correctly whether to continue an approach or execute a missed approach.
Intuition Check
Do not read § 121.652 as an approach minimum by itself. It is a rule about when Part 121 crews may use the published landing minimums.
Example Sentence 1
Because the captain had only 60 hours in the 737, § 121.652 required him to add 100 feet to the DA and a half mile to the visibility before commencing the ILS.
Example Sentence 2
Because the first officer was still a high-minimums pilot under § 121.652, the captain took the landing himself when visibility dropped to minimums.