Dispatching authority: Domestic operations

This regulation requires that an aircraft dispatcher must specifically authorize each flight before it can depart under Part 121 domestic operations. This is a fundamental rule establishing the dispatcher's authority and responsibility in the airline operational control system.

There's one exception: if an aircraft lands at an intermediate airport that was already listed in the original dispatch release and stays on the ground for one hour or less, the flight can continue without obtaining new dispatcher authorization. This allows for planned fuel stops or brief scheduled stops without requiring additional dispatch action.

In practice, this means pilots cannot simply decide to take off on their own—they need explicit dispatcher approval for each flight segment. This shared responsibility between pilot and dispatcher is a cornerstone of Part 121 operations, ensuring that flight planning, weather evaluation, and operational decisions involve both flight deck and ground-based expertise.

*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.*