Flight release authority: Supplemental operations

This regulation governs flight release procedures for supplemental air carriers operating under a flight following system (typically cargo or charter operations). Before any flight can begin, the pilot in command must obtain specific authorization from the person designated by the airline to exercise operational control—usually a dispatcher or flight coordinator.

Both the pilot and the operational control authority must execute a formal flight release document that outlines the conditions for the flight. Critically, both parties must agree the flight can be conducted safely before signing. This shared responsibility ensures two independent evaluations of flight safety.

If an aircraft remains on the ground at an intermediate stop for more than six hours, a new flight release is required before continuing. This ensures that weather, NOTAMs, and other conditions are re-evaluated rather than relying on potentially outdated information from the original release.

*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.*