FAA Certificate Guide

Part 135 Helicopter Operations Guide

14 CFR Part 135 governs commuter and on-demand commercial helicopter operations - HEMS, air tours, charter, offshore, utility, and similar revenue flights. This guide covers operator certification, pilot qualifications, recurrent training, and how Part 135 layers on top of Part 91.

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Part 135 in 60 seconds

14 CFR Part 135 is the FAA framework for commuter and on-demand commercial helicopter operations. If you are paid to fly people or cargo by helicopter (with limited exceptions), you operate under Part 135.

Common Part 135 helicopter operations:

  • HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services)
  • Air tours
  • On-demand charter
  • Offshore support (oil & gas)
  • Utility (powerline, pipeline patrol)
  • Aerial surveying and ENG (electronic news gathering)

Part 135 layers operator-level requirements (operating certificate, OpSpecs, training program, maintenance program, drug/alcohol testing) on top of Part 91.

Key Part 135 sections for helicopter pilots

  • 14 CFR 135.21 - Manual requirements (general)
  • 14 CFR 135.243 - Pilot in command qualifications
  • 14 CFR 135.245 - SIC qualifications (when required)
  • 14 CFR 135.293 - Initial and recurrent pilot testing
  • 14 CFR 135.299 - PIC line checks
  • 14 CFR 135.601-621 - HEMS-specific rules (Subpart L)
  • 14 CFR 135.83 - Operating information required at each operating station

HEMS - the special case

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services operations have additional rules in Part 135 Subpart L (added 2014 in response to a high accident rate). Key HEMS requirements include enhanced weather minimums, operational control specialist oversight, pre-flight risk analysis worksheets, and IIMC (Inadvertent IMC) recovery training.

For pilots planning a HEMS career or operators preparing for an FAA OpSpecs upgrade, HEMS Subpart L is mandatory reading.

Frequently asked questions

When does Part 135 apply to helicopter operations?

Part 135 applies to commuter and on-demand commercial operations - HEMS, air tours, charter, offshore, utility, and similar revenue flights. If a helicopter is operated for compensation or hire (other than specific Part 91 exceptions), Part 135 typically applies.

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What pilot qualifications does Part 135 require?

14 CFR 135.243 sets PIC and SIC qualifications. VFR PIC: Commercial Pilot certificate with appropriate ratings, 500 hours total. IFR PIC: also 1,200 hours total, 500 cross-country, 100 night, 75 instrument.

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What is HEMS and which rules apply?

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) operate under Part 135 with additional rules in 14 CFR 135 Subpart L (Sections 135.601-135.621): operations control, weather minimums, IIMC training, pre-flight risk analysis.

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Does Part 91 still apply during Part 135 operations?

Yes. Part 91 establishes the general operating rules that apply to every flight. Part 135 adds operator-level requirements (operating certificate, manuals, training program, maintenance program, drug/alcohol testing) on top of Part 91.

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What is the IFR recency requirement under Part 135?

14 CFR 135.245 requires Part 135 IFR pilots to have logged 6 instrument approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting/tracking courses within the preceding 6 months (per Part 61.57 IFR currency).

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