Area and route requirements: General

This regulation establishes what supplemental air carriers (like charter operators) must demonstrate to get FAA approval for their routes and operating areas.

To obtain route approval, the carrier must prove it can:

• Operate legally within the U.S. following the navigation and airway requirements
• Meet all applicable requirements for any international areas where it wants to operate
• Properly use the navigational facilities along federal airways, foreign airways, or advisory routes (ADRs)
• Conduct all IFR and night VFR flights over established airways or controlled airspace

The key practical requirement is that supplemental operators must normally stick to established airways and controlled airspace for instrument and night operations. However, the FAA may approve routes outside controlled airspace if the carrier demonstrates safety and traffic density allows it. Any such exception must be specifically listed in the carrier's operations specifications before use.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*