Regulation Text
(a) The pilot in command of an airplane shall ensure that the following flying equipment and aeronautical charts and data, in current and appropriate form, are accessible for each flight at the pilot station of the airplane:
(1) A flashlight having at least two size “D” cells, or the equivalent, that is in good working order.
(2) A cockpit checklist containing the procedures required by paragraph (b) of this section.
(3) Pertinent aeronautical charts.
(4) For IFR, VFR over-the-top, or night operations, each pertinent navigational en route, terminal area, and approach and letdown chart.
(5) In the case of multiengine airplanes, one-engine inoperative climb performance data.
(b) Each cockpit checklist must contain the following procedures and shall be used by the flight crewmembers when operating the airplane:
(1) Before starting engines.
(2) Before takeoff.
(3) Cruise.
(4) Before landing.
(5) After landing.
(6) Stopping engines.
(7) Emergencies.
(c) Each emergency cockpit checklist procedure required by paragraph (b)(7) of this section must contain the following procedures, as appropriate:
(1) Emergency operation of fuel, hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical systems.
(2) Emergency operation of instruments and controls.
(3) Engine inoperative procedures.
(4) Any other procedures necessary for safety.
(d) The equipment, charts, and data prescribed in this section shall be used by the pilot in command and other members of the flight crew, when pertinent.
Research Notes
Section 91.503 — Flying equipment and operating information — requires specific equipment and information to be available on each large/turbine multiengine flight. This is the document-and-equipment checklist for Part 91 operations of high-performance aircraft.
What must be available:
- (a) Cockpit checklist
- (b) Emergency cockpit checklist (containing procedures for engine inoperative operations, smoke, fire, etc.)
- (c) Pertinent aeronautical charts (covering the route)
- (d) For IFR or over-the-top operations — current instrument approach charts and standard departures/arrivals for the airports involved
- (e) Authorized aircraft type or aircraft equipment-specific document(s)
The 'authorized to use' standard: The information must be authorized — meaning current, complete, and FAA-approved for the operational application. Outdated charts or expired approach plates don't satisfy the requirement.
EFB compliance: Electronic Flight Bag implementations (ForeFlight, Jeppesen FliteDeck, Garmin Pilot) satisfy § 91.503 when properly configured with current data and the operator/pilot has established procedures for EFB use. AC 120-76D covers EFB approval.
Reference: AC 120-76D (EFBs); AC 90-114B; FAA Order 8900.1.
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.