Carriage of persons without compliance with the passenger-carrying requirements of this part

This regulation allows Part 121 air carriers to carry certain non-passengers without meeting all the usual passenger requirements. Eligible persons include crewmembers, company employees, government inspectors, people necessary for flight safety or cargo handling (like animal handlers or hazmat specialists), military personnel on official duty, and employee dependents traveling to remote stations.

While these individuals are exempt from many passenger rules, the carrier must still provide:

• An approved seat with safety belt positioned to not interfere with the crew
• Unobstructed access to exits or the cockpit
• A way for the pilot to communicate smoking and seatbelt requirements

Before each takeoff, crew must brief these individuals on smoking, seatbelts, emergency exits, oxygen equipment, and (for overwater flights) life rafts and preservers. The carrier must document procedures for carrying such persons in its operations manual. The pilot in command may authorize these individuals to enter the cockpit.

*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.*