Preparation

This regulation requires Part 121 air carriers (scheduled airlines and commercial operators) to create and maintain an operations manual for their personnel. The manual must be kept current and serve as the primary reference guide for flight crews, ground operations staff, and management conducting the airline's operations.

The regulation gives carriers flexibility in how they prepare the maintenance section of the manual—it can be in traditional printed form or in alternative formats approved by the FAA (such as electronic or digital formats). This flexibility recognizes that maintenance information may be voluminous and better suited to electronic distribution.

In practice, this is the foundation for the comprehensive manuals airlines use daily, including operations specifications, standard operating procedures, and company policies. These manuals ensure standardization across the airline's operations and provide the regulatory framework that all personnel must follow. The requirement to keep them "current" means they must be updated as procedures, regulations, or operations change.

*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.*