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Commercial Operators

A person OR an organzation can be a commercial operator.

Part 119 requires that an air carrier or commercial operator obtain a operator certificate.

Any operations of a common carrier requires an operator certificate.

Even when common carriage is not involved, carrying passengers or cargo for hire requires a certificate:

  • For airplanes with >20 seats, or a payload capacity of >6000 lbs.:
    • The opertaions should be conducted under Part 125
  • For airplanes with <20 seats, or a payload capacity of <6000 lbs.:
    • The operations should be conducted under Part 135 or Part 121
119.23

Part 119 also defines a list of exceptions. These operations can be performed by a commercial pilot without a operator certificate:

  • Student instruction
  • Non-stop commercial air tours*
  • Ferry or training flights
  • Aerial work
    • Crop dusting
    • Banner towing
    • Aerial photography
    • Fire fighting
    • Helicopter in constrution work
    • Powerline or pipeline patrol
  • Parachute jump operations
119.1

*Non-stop Commercial Air Tours​

Although non-stop commercial air tours are permitted under Part 119 without an operators certificate, some addition requirement apply:

  • The operator must receive a letter of authorization from the FAA, and comply with it
  • The operator must register and implement a drug and alcohol testing programs in accordance with 120
91.147