Small nontransport category airplane performance operating limitations

This regulation sets performance limits for small airplanes operating under Part 135 that don't meet full transport category standards.

If you're flying a reciprocating engine or turbopropeller-powered small airplane certificated under certain provisions of §135.169(b), you must follow the takeoff weight limits in the approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). For airplanes certificated under specific subsections, you must also comply with AFM landing weight limits.

For airplanes certificated under §135.169(b)(6), stricter rules apply: you must meet the same landing distance requirements that normally apply to large turbine transport aircraft (found in §§135.385 and 135.387), even though your airplane is smaller and may have piston or turboprop engines.

In practice, this means checking your AFM before every flight to ensure you're within approved weight limits, and for certain aircraft categories, calculating landing distances as if you were flying a much larger airplane—a more conservative standard that enhances safety margins.

*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.*