Flying equipment

This regulation establishes two basic equipment requirements for Part 121 airline operations.

First, the pilot in command must ensure the aircraft carries appropriate aeronautical charts for the flight. These charts must contain adequate information about navigation aids and instrument approach procedures needed for the route and any potential alternate airports. This ensures pilots have the necessary references to navigate safely and execute approaches, even if electronic systems fail.

Second, every crewmember must have their own working flashlight readily available on each flight. This simple requirement ensures that if cockpit or cabin lighting fails, each crewmember can still read instruments, checklists, and other critical information, and perform their duties safely.

Both requirements address basic safety needs: having paper backup navigation information and personal lighting that doesn't depend on aircraft electrical systems. The pilot in command is specifically responsible for verifying the charts are aboard before flight.

*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.*