Responsibility for operational control: Supplemental operations

This regulation establishes the chain of responsibility for Part 121 supplemental operations (typically charter flights). The certificate holder maintains overall operational control and must list authorized personnel in its manual.

The director of operations and pilot in command share joint responsibility for flight decisions—initiating, continuing, diverting, or terminating flights. While the director can delegate tasks to others, the ultimate responsibility remains with the director. The director must cancel, divert, or delay any flight deemed unsafe and monitor all flights for departures, arrivals, maintenance delays, and conditions affecting safety.

During flight, the pilot in command has complete authority over the aircraft, crew, and passengers, regardless of whether they hold certificates for other crewmembers' duties. The pilot is responsible for preflight planning and conducting the flight according to regulations and the operator's specifications.

Finally, no pilot may operate carelessly or recklessly in a way that endangers life or property.

*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.*