Airplanes: Reciprocating engine-powered: Takeoff limitations

This regulation sets takeoff performance requirements for Part 121 operators flying reciprocating engine-powered airplanes. Before takeoff, the operator must ensure three things are possible:

First, the airplane must be able to stop safely on the runway at any point before reaching V1 (critical engine failure speed). Second, if an engine fails at or after V1, the airplane must be able to continue the takeoff and climb to 50 feet before the runway ends. Third, the airplane must clear all obstacles by at least 50 feet vertically or 200-300 feet horizontally (depending on location), without banking before reaching 50 feet and with no more than 15-degree banks thereafter.

When calculating performance, operators must account for runway slope and may use only 50% of headwinds but must use 150% of tailwinds—a conservative approach that ensures adequate safety margins. These requirements don't apply to certain large nontransport category airplanes under different rules.

*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.*