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The Pilots Desk
US-FAA14 CFR 91.223

Terrain awareness and warning system

Read the official rule

This regulation requires turbine-powered U.S.-registered airplanes configured with six or more passenger seats (not counting pilot seats) to have an approved Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) meeting at least Class B standards under TSO-C151.

For airplanes manufactured after March 29, 2002, TAWS was required from the start. For older airplanes (manufactured on or before that date), operators had until March 29, 2005, to install the equipment.

The airplane's flight manual must include procedures for using the TAWS and how the crew should respond to its warnings.

Three operations are exempt from this requirement:

  • Parachute operations within 50 nautical miles of the departure airport
  • Firefighting operations
  • Aerial application operations (crop dusting and similar work)

This rule helps prevent controlled flight into terrain accidents by providing advance warning when the aircraft is in dangerous proximity to the ground or obstacles.

*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.