StacksVerified U.S. regulatory reference

14 CFR §121.305

Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
No person may operate an airplane unless it is equipped with the following flight and navigational instruments and equipment:
  1. (a)An airspeed indicating system with heated pitot tube or equivalent means for preventing malfunctioning due to icing.
  2. (b)A sensitive altimeter.
  3. (c)A sweep-second hand clock (or approved equivalent).
  4. (d)A free-air temperature indicator.
  5. (e)A gyroscopic bank and pitch indicator (artificial horizon).
  6. (f)A gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator combined with an integral slip-skid indicator (turn-and-bank indicator) except that only a slip-skid indicator is required when a third attitude instrument system usable through flight attitudes of 360° of pitch and roll is installed in accordance with paragraph (k) of this section.
  7. (g)A gyroscopic direction indicator (directional gyro or equivalent).
  8. (h)A magnetic compass.
  9. (i)A vertical speed indicator (rate-of-climb indicator).
  10. (j)On the airplane described in this paragraph, in addition to two gyroscopic bank and pitch indicators (artificial horizons) for use at the pilot stations, a third such instrument is installed in accordance with paragraph (k) of this section:
    1. (1)On each turbojet powered airplane.
    2. (2)On each turbopropeller powered airplane having a passenger-seat configuration of more than 30 seats, excluding each crewmember seat, or a payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds.
    3. (3)On each turbopropeller powered airplane having a passenger-seat configuration of 30 seats or fewer, excluding each crewmember seat, and a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less that is manufactured on or after March 20, 1997.
    4. (4)After December 20, 2010, on each turbopropeller powered airplane having a passenger seat configuration of 10-30 seats and a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less that was manufactured before March 20, 1997.
  11. (k)When required by paragraph (j) of this section, a third gyroscopic bank-and-pitch indicator (artificial horizon) that:
    1. (1)Is powered from a source independent of the electrical generating system;
    2. (2)Continues reliable operation for a minimum of 30 minutes after total failure of the electrical generating system;
    3. (3)Operates independently of any other attitude indicating system;
    4. (4)Is operative without selection after total failure of the electrical generating system;
    5. (5)Is located on the instrument panel in a position acceptable to the Administrator that will make it plainly visible to and usable by each pilot at his or her station; and
    6. (6)Is appropriately lighted during all phases of operation.