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The Pilots Desk
US-FAA14 CFR 135.501

Applicability and definitions

Read the official rule

This regulation establishes training requirements for Part 135 operators (commuter and on-demand airlines) regarding hazardous materials handling. It applies to anyone who accepts, rejects, handles, stores, packages, or loads items for transport on aircraft—not just pilots, but ground crew and supervisors too.

The regulation defines three key terms:

  • Company material (COMAT): Items owned or used by the certificate holder itself
  • Initial training: Required for new hires or anyone switching to these job functions
  • Recurrent training: Must be completed every 24 months by anyone who's finished initial training and continues performing these functions

In practice, this means Part 135 operators must establish and maintain a hazardous materials training program for their personnel. Even if you're a pilot who occasionally handles cargo or supervises loading, you need this training initially and then refresher training every two years to remain compliant.

*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.*

This is an original plain-English explanation for training and reference, not legal advice and not for navigation. Always rely on the current official rule linked above. Last reviewed June 20, 2026.