Definition
A section of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 125, that establishes operating limitations for takeoff and landing weather minimums for certificate holders operating large airplanes (20 or more passenger seats or 6,000 pounds or more payload capacity) that are not engaged in common carriage.
Plain English
A federal rule that tells operators of certain large private airplanes what the weather minimums must be before they can take off or land.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA instrument-approach discussions when comparing MDA, DA, DH, and the legal conditions for descending below them.
Derivation
The symbol § means 'section' and comes from a Latin shorthand used in legal writing. '125' identifies Part 125 of Title 14 (Aeronautics and Space) in the Code of Federal Regulations, and '.379' is the specific section number within that part. So '§ 125.379' is read as 'Section 125.379.'
Why Pilots Care
It sets the legal weather limits that protect safety during low-visibility landings and must be met before descending below the published minimums.
Grounding Statement
This term is a rule citation, not an altitude or a procedure by itself.
Intuition Check
Do not read § 125.379 as an approach minimum. It is the regulation that helps govern when certain pilots may go below an approach minimum.
Example Sentence 1
Before dispatching the corporate jet, the operator confirmed the destination weather met the minimums required by § 125.379.
Example Sentence 2
If the reported visibility drops below the value in § 125.379, the crew must execute the missed approach.