High Minimum Captains Limitations

In Part 121 and Part 135 operations, there are limitations placed on the PIC (Pilot in Command) that has under 100 hours of service in their type of aircraft. 

These PICs are called High Minimum Captains. 

It is important for dispatchers and pilots themselves to disclose that they are a high minimum captain because of Part 121 and 135 regulations. These regulations may potentially limit the airport they can be released to due to the increased ceiling and visibility landing minimums.   

Below is a list of limitations that Part 121 and Part 135 have:

Part 121 - Operation Requirements for Domestic, Flag, Supplemental Operations

§ 121.652(a) states that:

If the pilot in command of an airplane has not served 100 hours as pilot in command in operations under this part in the type of airplane he is operating, the MDA or DA/DH and visibility landing minimums in the certificate holder's operations specification for regular, provisional, or refueling airports are increased by 100 feet and one-half mile (or the RVR equivalent)

If the PIC has 100 hours or less in their type of aircraft, the MDA or DA/DH and visibility landing minimum has to be increased by 100 ft and one half mile. 

§ 121.652(a) also states that:

The MDA or DA/DH and visibility minimums need not be increased above those applicable to the airport when used as an alternate airport, but in no event may the landing minimums be less than 300 and 1.

For any alternate airport that the High Min Captain is listed for, the alternate does not have to be increased by 100 ft and one-half mile. However, if the alternate landing minimum is not over 300 ft and one statue mile, it will be set above that minimum.

§ 121.652(a) substitute Part 135:

However, a Pilot in command employed by a certificate holder conducting operations in large aircraft under part 135 of this chapter, may credit flight time acquired in operations conducted for that operator under part 91 in the same type airplane for up to 50 percent of the 100 hours of pilot in command experience required by this paragraph.

This states that if a high min PIC flies part 135 operation with the same aircraft type, they may substitute 50 percent of the total required hours (50 hours) towards the 100 hours requirement.

§ 121.652(a) substitute Part 121 :

The 100 hours of pilot in command experience required by paragraph (a) of this section may be reduced (not to exceed 50 percent) by substituting one landing in operations under this part in the type of airplane for 1 required hour of pilot in command experience, if the pilot has at least 100 hours as pilot in command of another type airplane in operations under this part.

The 100-hour requirement can also be substituted for a total of 50 hours by counting each landing in that type of aircraft as 1 hour. To substitute the hour, the PIC must have at least 100 hours in another type of aircraft in Part 121.

Part 135 - Operating Requirements for Commuter and On-Demand Operations

§ 135.225(e) states that:

The MDA or DA/DH and visibility landing minimums prescribed in part 97 of this chapter or in the operator's operations specifications are increased by 100 feet and 1⁄2 mile respectively, but not to exceed the ceiling and visibility minimums for that airport when used as an alternate airport, for each pilot in command of a turbine-powered airplane who has not served at least 100 hours as pilot in command in that type of airplane.

For Part 135 high minimum PICs, they are limited by the same additional 100 ft ceiling and one-half statute mile visibility to their landing minimums. For alternate airports, Part 135 High Min PICs do not have the same restrictions as Part 121; they are limited by the alternate airport's landing minimums.