Load manifest

This regulation makes Part 121 air carriers responsible for creating and ensuring the accuracy of a load manifest before every takeoff. The load manifest documents critical weight and balance information for the flight.

The form must be prepared and signed by specific authorized personnel: either the carrier's own employees whose job includes supervising aircraft loading and preparing these forms, or other qualified people the carrier has authorized for this task. This signature requirement creates accountability—someone must personally verify the information is correct before the aircraft departs.

In practice, this ensures there's always a documented record of how the aircraft was loaded, including passenger count, cargo weight, and distribution. This information is essential for safe flight operations, as improper loading can affect aircraft performance and controllability. The regulation places clear responsibility on the carrier to maintain this critical safety documentation for every 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.*