Dispatch or flight release under VFR

This regulation prohibits dispatchers and flight followers from releasing Part 121 airline flights under VFR unless weather conditions meet VFR minimums for the entire route. The key requirement is that both ceiling and visibility must be at or above VFR minimums—not just at departure, but continuously along the route until reaching the destination airport(s).

The dispatcher or flight follower must verify this using available weather reports, forecasts, or a combination of both. They're making a determination that VFR conditions will persist throughout the flight, not just exist at a single point in time.

In practice, this means Part 121 operators can't dispatch a VFR flight hoping conditions will improve or gambling on marginal weather. The regulation ensures professional airline operations maintain higher weather standards than general aviation, reflecting their passenger-carrying responsibility and operational complexity. Most Part 121 flights operate under IFR anyway, making this rule relevant primarily for specific operations like certain cargo or ferry flights.

*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.*