Regulation Text
(a) Each pilot in command of an airplane shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with the Airplane Flight Manual for that airplane, if one is required, and with any placards, listings, instrument markings, or any combination thereof, containing each operating limitation prescribed for that airplane by the Administrator, including those specified in § 91.9(b).
(b) Each required member of the crew shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with the emergency equipment installed on the airplane to which that crewmember is assigned and with the procedures to be followed for the use of that equipment in an emergency situation.
Research Notes
Section 91.505 — Familiarity with operating limitations and emergency equipment — requires each crewmember to be familiar with all operating limitations and emergency equipment associated with the aircraft.
The 'familiarity' standard: Pilots and required crewmembers must know the aircraft's operational limitations (Vne, Vno, Va, MTOW, CG limits, etc.) and the location and operation of emergency equipment (emergency exits, fire bottles, oxygen systems, smoke goggles, life rafts, etc.).
Pre-departure briefing: The FAA expects this familiarity to be demonstrable. Crew can be quizzed by inspectors on equipment locations and operating procedures.
Aircraft type training: For type-rated aircraft (typically jets and large turboprops), the type rating training course addresses these knowledge requirements. For non-type-rated large turbine aircraft, the operator's training program must address them.
Reference: FAA Order 8900.1 Volume 4, Chapter 2 on crewmember training.
Amendment History
Amendment History Coming Soon
Every time this regulation changes, we'll record it here — the date, what was amended, and a plain-English summary of what shifted.