Requirement for flight attendants

[chuychanga]

My ATP study guide says you need a FA on aircraft with more than 9 installed pax seats. So how do these BE-1900 operators like Commutair and Great Lakes get by without one?

I don't have a copy of 121 regs. Are there exceptions or are these guys really operating under 135?

 

[Rick1128]

FA

Actually it sounds like you might have a misprint. 121 and 135 require a FA on aircraft with more than 19 pax seats. And then one FA for each 50 seats.

 

[chuychanga]

That makes more sense. I double-checked and sure enough it says "9". It's the ASA book.

Thanks

 

[ILS8L]

121.391

121.391 (a)
(1)
"For airplanes having a maximum payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds and having more a seating capacity of more than 9 but less than 51 passengers -- one flight attendant."
(2)
"For airplanes having a maximum payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds and having more a seating capacity of more than 19 but less than 51 passengers -- one flight attendant."

My guess is then that those aircraft flying 121 ops with 19 or less seats have a maximum payload capacity of less than 7,500 pounds. Even if the manufacturer says the aircraft can lift more the operator can reduce the capacity through the OPSPECS in order to comply with the regulation. The SD3-60s that I used to fly in cargo service were limited to 7,495 pounds in order to comply with part 135. Shorts listed the payload at 8,300 pounds.

Hope this helps.