Part 125

Part 125 is a set of regulations under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that govern the operation of large airplanes with a seating capacity of 20 or more passengers or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more. For example, a Boeing 737 BBJ with 19 seats and a maximum certificated payload of less than 6,000 pounds can operate under Part 91. If the same aircraft type has 20 seats or more, it must be operated under Part 125 or another certificate type as appropriate.

These regulations apply to operators who conduct non-common carriage operations, meaning flights that are not open to the general public and are not operated for compensation or hire, but rather for private use or business purposes. An operator may have up to 3 or 4 private carriage contracts but may never hold out to the public (advertise their services). 

FAA Advisory Circular AC 125-1A, titled “Operations of Large Airplanes Subject to 14 CFR Part 125,” provides essential guidelines and regulatory requirements for the operation of large airplanes conducting non-common carriage activities. 

Detailed guidance for Part 125 certification can be found in FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 2, Chapter 6 located in the FAA Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) website.

Effective mid-2024, all Part 125 certificates are now managed by FAA Certificate Management Offices (CMOs). There are currently fewer than 60 Part 125 certificates and not all are active.