Regulation Text
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Federal Aviation Regulations, the Administrator will approve, as provided in this section, an increase in the maximum certificated weight of an airplane type certificated under Aeronautics Bulletin No. 7-A of the U.S. Department of Commerce dated January 1, 1931, as amended, or under the normal category of part 4a of the former Civil Air Regulations (14 CFR part 4a, 1964 ed.) if that airplane is operated in the State of Alaska by—
(1) A certificate holder conducting operations under part 121 or part 135 of this chapter; or
(2) The U.S. Department of Interior in conducting its game and fish law enforcement activities or its management, fire detection, and fire suppression activities concerning public lands.
(b) The maximum certificated weight approved under this section may not exceed—
(1) 12,500 pounds;
(2) 115 percent of the maximum weight listed in the FAA aircraft specifications;
(3) The weight at which the airplane meets the positive maneuvering load factor n, where n=2.1+(24,000/(W+10,000)) and W=design maximum takeoff weight, except that n need not be more than 3.8; or
(4) The weight at which the airplane meets the climb performance requirements under which it was type certificated.
(c) In determining the maximum certificated weight, the Administrator considers the structural soundness of the airplane and the terrain to be traversed.
(d) The maximum certificated weight determined under this section is added to the airplane's operation limitations and is identified as the maximum weight authorized for operations within the State of Alaska.
[Docket 18334, 54 FR 34308, Aug. 18, 1989; Amdt. 91-211, 54 FR 41211, Oct. 5, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-253, 62 FR 13253, Mar. 19, 1997; Docket FAA-2015-1621, Amdt. 91-346, 81 FR 96700, Dec. 30, 2016]
Research Notes
Section 91.323 — Increased maximum certificated weights for certain airplanes operated in Alaska — provides specific weight-allowance increases for designated airplanes used in Alaska bush operations.
The Alaska weight exception: For certain designated airplane models (typically older single-engine airplanes used in remote Alaska operations), the FAA may approve an MTOW increase above the type certificate value. This authorizes the additional payload necessary for remote bush operations where alternative transport is impractical.
Practical scope: Aircraft like the de Havilland Beaver, Cessna 185/206, and certain Piper aircraft historically have benefitted from this rule when operating in remote Alaska under restricted authorizations.
Reference: FAA Alaska Region Operations Manual; Aircraft-specific FAA-approved MTOW supplements.
Amendment History
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Every time this regulation changes, we'll record it here — the date, what was amended, and a plain-English summary of what shifted.