Applicability of rules to unauthorized operators

This regulation ensures that Part 135 rules apply to everyone who operates under Part 135, whether they're properly certificated or not. If someone conducts commercial operations that require Part 135 certification—like on-demand charter flights or commuter operations—but doesn't have the required certificate and operations specifications from the FAA, they must still follow all Part 135 regulations.

In practical terms, this prevents illegal operators from claiming they don't need to follow safety rules simply because they lack proper certification. An uncertificated operator can't argue "these rules don't apply to me because I'm not certificated." They're bound by the same operational requirements, maintenance standards, and crew qualifications as legitimate certificate holders. This protects the flying public and ensures the FAA can enforce safety standards against anyone conducting Part 135 operations, regardless of their certification status. Violations by uncertificated operators typically result in significant enforcement action.

*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.*