The FAA has published Information for Operators (InFO) 23009 to remind Part 135 certificate holders of the “requirements and authorizations necessary to use airport aeronautical data, including runway obstacle analysis products.” Part 135 Subpart I requires operators of large multi-engine transport and commuter-category airplanes to ensure net takeoff flight path obstacle clearance following an engine failure on takeoff.
Agency surveillance has revealed some Part 135 operators are “lacking proper authorization and/or sufficient knowledge, training, and checking on the use of runway obstacle analysis products and one-engine-inoperative (OEI) departure routing/procedures.” The InFO says an acceptable means to meet these requirements is described in FAA Advisory Circular 120-91A.
Operators using such sources “must have OpSpec A009 issued and should provide sufficient training and checking on the application of runway obstacle analysis products…including the use of special OEI procedures.” The InFO notes that these obstacle analysis sources are used to comply with Part 135 Subpart I. “They are not an alternate means of compliance with climb gradients and altitude requirements published on instrument flight procedures,” it adds.
Additionally, the InFO recommends that “training managers and operators should ensure that flight crews understand the intended use of these products, any limitations, and how the pilot’s pre-takeoff briefing and flight deck set-up could be affected by prescribed use of such products.”