Definition
Commercial helicopter operators that conduct flights for hire under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 135, which governs commuter and on-demand operations. These operators must meet stricter requirements than private (Part 91) flying, including specific rules on pilot qualifications, training, maintenance, weather minimums, and operational control.
Plain English
Helicopter companies that fly people or cargo for money under a tighter set of FAA rules than private flying. Examples include air ambulance services, offshore oil platform transport, and on-demand charter helicopters.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument procedure and operations guidance when a rule, procedure, or authorization applies specifically to commercial helicopter operations, not to every helicopter flight.
Derivation
Part 135' refers to Part 135 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations -- the section of U.S. aviation law that covers commuter and on-demand commercial operations. Naming an operator by their regulatory part is shorthand pilots use to immediately signal which rulebook applies.
Why Pilots Care
Determines the exact regulatory standards for training, equipment, weather minimums, and operational approvals these operators must meet when flying IFR.
Intuition Check
Do not read “Part 135” as a physical part of the helicopter or as a model number. Here, “Part” means a numbered FAA rule section, and “operators” means the people or companies legally responsible for those flights.
Example Sentence 1
Part 135 helicopter operators have pushed the FAA to develop more low-altitude IFR routes so they can fly air ambulance missions safely in poor weather.
Example Sentence 2
The procedures handbook explains how Part 135 helicopter operators coordinate with ATC during instrument approaches at heliports and airports.