En route navigation facilities

This regulation requires Part 121 supplemental operators to have adequate navigation aids available for their entire route, including to destinations, refueling stops, and alternate airports. The navigation aids must be accurate enough to meet air traffic control requirements. Routes outside controlled airspace need navigation aids listed in the operator's operations specifications (except for routes to alternates).

However, three exceptions allow operations without navigation aids:

• Day VFR flights where the terrain allows safe navigation by visual landmarks (pilotage)
• Night VFR flights on routes with reliably lighted landmarks that enable safe navigation
• Other operations specifically approved by the FAA Flight Standards office

In practice, this means supplemental carriers must plan routes with functioning navaids unless they can demonstrate safe visual navigation or obtain special approval. This ensures aircraft can navigate accurately throughout their flight, particularly important for IFR operations and meeting ATC separation requirements.

*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.*