(f) Civil airport takeoff minimums. Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, no pilot operating an aircraft under parts 121, 125, 129, or 135 of this chapter may take off from a civil airport under IFR unless weather conditions are at or above the weather minimum for IFR takeoff prescribed for that airport under part 97 of this chapter. If takeoff minimums are not prescribed under part 97 of this chapter for a particular airport, the following minimums apply to takeoffs under IFR for aircraft operating under those parts:
(1) For aircraft, other than helicopters, having two engines or less -- 1 statute mile visibility.
(2) For aircraft having more than two engines -- <fr>1/2 statute mile visibility. </fr>
(3) For helicopters -- <fr>1/2 statute mile visibility. </fr>
I have always found it odd that the takeoff minimums for 121, 135, 125, and 129 were listed in part 91.175:dunno:91.175(f) Civil airport takeoff minimums. This paragraph applies to persons operating an aircraft under part 121, 125, 129, or 135 of this chapter.
I think the fact that 91 is not listed is the basis.
Were I paranoidanic: , I'd think it was written so that this omission gives 91 operators the rope to hang themselves (91.13) in case of an "event."
But the FAA is here to help, right?
Not that you asked, but you gotta love the Air Force regs. The basic idea is that everything is prohibited unless the regulation or technical order specifically allows it. Not the case outside the AF.
USAF & most 121 operations = "If it is not permited, then it is prohibited"
NAVY, 135 ops, & the FAA = "If it is not specifically prohibited, then it is permited. So long as you don't bend any metal."
Yep. That combined with the fact that there are rules for other types of ops.Is it the fact that there is no rule that makes IFR departure with zero visibility [theoretically] legal?
Have a near incident in the USN/USMC, you write an article for Approach magazine!![]()
Great magazine, and every aviator should read it from time to time.
For what it's worth, I think the USN/USMC "What can we learn from your screw up?" attitude promotes safety much better than the USAF "Don't ever do any thing remotely unsafe" type approach.
The AF treats you like a kid. They give you a noose with a very short piece of rope, so it's extremely easy to hang yourself.
The USN/USMC treats you like an adult. You get the same noose the AF gives you, but it's got a LONG rope attached to it, so if you DO manage to hang yourself.....you REALLY earned it.
Take cross countries for instance in a tactical jet:
USAF: Must go to an AFB if at all possible, secondarily to a NAS/MCAS. Civilian field as a last resort, which must meet X services and X security....blah, blah.
USN/USMC: Does the field you're going to have a long enough runway and DoD contract fuel? Have at it!
Same with risk management / safety. I remember talking to a German AF FSO (Flight Safety guy) back in '99 following a midair and loss of two Tornados near Carlsbad, NM. The Wing there was flying that next day, IIRC. Whereas the USAF would have a safety standdown for a few days, WG/CC calls, FCIFs/ORFs/SRFs, etc; the German FSO simply stated that "its the cost of doing business...we still have training to accomplish".
Similiar with the USAF views on even normal ops. In the Navy during recoveries, if crosswinds and and a wet runway are a concern, then their tactical jets will simply make short-field arrested landings with the E-27/28 cable strung across the runway.....simply space out the arrivals enough to allow the A-gear to retract and reset between arrestments. In the USAF, taking a BAK-9/12/14 cable (for other than emergency reasons) is treated as some sort of emergency for the A-gear system.....expect some sort of runway closure for resetting/rechecking the system, etc. Just a vastly different outlook on risk management.
Have a near incident in the AF, you're kept off the schedule for awhile, possibly retrained, etc, etc. Have a near incident in the USN/USMC, you write an article for Approach magazine!![]()
Funny because it's true.Have a near incident in the USN/USMC, you write an article for Approach magazine!![]()
Yep. That combined with the fact that there are rules for other types of ops.
Can you find the FAR that says you're allowed to taxi on a ramp?
No. That's the point.Is there really a regulation that says this?
Not that you asked, but you gotta love the Air Force regs. The basic idea is that everything is prohibited unless the regulation or technical order specifically allows it. Not the case outside the AF.
I'm still waiting to see some examples of this. Makes for a good joke, but if you actually look at the AFIs it's not how it really is.
No. That's the point.
I've never seen a AF pilot with a rag in his hand, much less a wrench.