Flight navigator and specialized navigation equipment

When a Part 121 airline operates outside the lower 48 states and DC, and the aircraft's position cannot be reliably determined for more than one hour, the flight must have either a certificated flight navigator or FAA-approved specialized navigation equipment that allows each pilot to reliably fix the aircraft's position from their duty station.

The FAA can also require a navigator or special equipment even for shorter periods (one hour or less) based on factors like aircraft speed, weather, ATC coverage, traffic, navigation radio coverage at the destination, fuel requirements, point-of-no-return considerations, and other safety factors.

In practice, modern GPS and inertial navigation systems typically satisfy the specialized equipment requirement, making flight navigators largely obsolete. The airline's operations specifications will detail when navigators or special equipment are required for specific routes.

*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.*