[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 14, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 14CFR125.329]

[Page 1021-1022]
 
                     TITLE 14--AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
 
CHAPTER I--FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
 PART 125_CERTIFICATION AND OPERATIONS: AIRPLANES HAVING A SEATING CAPACITY OF 
 
                       Subpart J_Flight Operations
 
Sec. 125.329  Minimum altitudes for use of autopilot.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this 
section, no person may use an autopilot at an altitude above the terrain 
which is less than 500 feet or less than twice the maximum altitude loss 
specified in the approved Airplane Flight Manual or equivalent for a 
malfunction of the autopilot, whichever is higher.
    (b) When using an instrument approach facility other than ILS, no 
person may use an autopilot at an altitude above the terrain that is 
less than 50 feet below the approved minimum descent altitude for that 
procedure, or less than twice the maximum loss specified in the approved 
Airplane Flight Manual or equivalent for a malfunction of the autopilot 
under approach conditions, whichever is higher.
    (c) For ILS approaches when reported weather conditions are less 
than the basic weather conditions in Sec. 91.155 of this chapter, no 
person may use an autopilot with an approach coupler at an altitude 
above the terrain that is less than 50 feet above the terrain, or the 
maximum altitude loss specified in the approved Airplane Flight Manual 
or equivalent for the malfunction of the autopilot with approach 
coupler, whichever is higher.
    (d) Without regard to paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this section, 
the Administrator may issue operations specifications to allow the use, 
to touchdown, of an approved flight control guidance system with 
automatic capability, if--
    (1) The system does not contain any altitude loss (above zero) 
specified in the approved Airplane Flight Manual

[[Page 1022]]

or equivalent for malfunction of the autopilot with approach coupler; 
and
    (2) The Administrator finds that the use of the system to touchdown 
will not otherwise adversely affect the safety standards of this 
section.
    (e) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, the Administrator 
issues operations specifications to allow the use of an approved 
autopilot system with automatic capability during the takeoff and 
initial climb phase of flight provided:
    (1) The Airplane Flight Manual specifies a minimum altitude 
engagement certification restriction;
    (2) The system is not engaged prior to the minimum engagement 
certification restriction specified in the Airplane Flight Manual or an 
altitude specified by the Administrator, whichever is higher; and
    (3) The Administrator finds that the use of the system will not 
otherwise affect the safety standards required by this section.

[Doc. No. 19779, 45 FR 67325, Oct. 9, 1980, as amended by Amdt. 125-12, 
54 FR 34332, Aug. 18, 1989; Amdt. 125-29, 62 FR 27922, May 21, 1997]