Operations in the North Polar Area

This regulation governs Part 135 operations (charter and commuter flights) in the North Polar Area, defined as north of 78° N latitude. Since August 2008, certificate holders need FAA authorization to operate there, except for flights entirely within Alaska.

The authorization requires specific provisions in the operator's operation specifications addressing the unique challenges of polar flying:

• Designated diversion airports and their requirements
• Passenger recovery plans at diversion airports (except cargo-only flights)
• Fuel-freeze monitoring strategy and procedures
• Communication capability plans
• A specialized Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
• Crew training programs
• Radiation exposure mitigation during solar flares
• At least two cold weather anti-exposure suits for crew protection at diversion airports (unless seasonally unnecessary)

These requirements address polar-specific hazards including extreme cold, limited diversion options, fuel freezing risks, communication difficulties, and increased cosmic radiation exposure. The regulation ensures operators are properly prepared before conducting these challenging operations.

*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.*