14 CFR § 121.7 - Definitions.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s121.7"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 121.7 - Definitions."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "121.7"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "G"
subchapter_name: "AIR CARRIERS AND OPERATORS FOR COMPENSATION OR HIRE: CERTIFICATION AND OPERATIONS"
part_number: "121"
part_name: "OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: DOMESTIC, FLAG, AND SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40103, 40113, 40119, 41706, 42301 preceding note added by Pub. L. 112-95, sec. 412, 126 Stat. 89, 44101, 44701-44702, 44705, 44709-44711, 44713, 44716-44717, 44722, 44729, 44732; 46105; Pub. L. 111-216, 124 Stat. 2348 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note); Pub. L. 112-95, 126 Stat. 62 (49 U.S.C. 44732 note); Pub. L. 115-254, 132 Stat. 3186 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note)."
cfr_part: "121"
---
# 121.7 Definitions.
The following definitions apply to those sections of part 121 that apply to ETOPS:
*Adequate Airport* means an airport that an airplane operator may list with approval from the FAA because that airport meets the landing limitations of § 121.197 and is either—
(1) An airport that meets the requirements of part 139, subpart D of this chapter, excluding those that apply to aircraft rescue and firefighting service, or
(2) A military airport that is active and operational.
*ETOPS Alternate Airport* means an adequate airport listed in the certificate holder's operations specifications that is designated in a dispatch or flight release for use in the event of a diversion during ETOPS. This definition applies to flight planning and does not in any way limit the authority of the pilot-in-command during flight.
*ETOPS Area of Operation* means one of the following areas:
(1) For turbine-engine-powered airplanes with two engines, an area beyond 60 minutes from an adequate airport, computed using a one-engine-inoperative cruise speed under standard conditions in still air.
(2) For turbine-engine-powered passenger-carrying airplanes with more than two engines, an area beyond 180 minutes from an adequate airport, computed using a one-engine-inoperative cruise speed under standard conditions in still air.
*ETOPS Entry Point* means the first point on the route of an ETOPS flight, determined using a one-engine-inoperative cruise speed under standard conditions in still air, that is—
(1) More than 60 minutes from an adequate airport for airplanes with two engines;
(2) More than 180 minutes from an adequate airport for passenger-carrying airplanes with more than two engines.
*ETOPS Qualified Person* means a person, performing maintenance for the certificate holder, who has satisfactorily completed the certificate holder's ETOPS training program.
*Maximum Diversion Time* means, for the purposes of ETOPS route planning, the longest diversion time authorized for a flight under the operator's ETOPS authority. It is calculated under standard conditions in still air at a one-engine-inoperative cruise speed.
*North Pacific Area of Operation* means Pacific Ocean areas north of 40° N latitudes including NOPAC ATS routes, and published PACOTS tracks between Japan and North America.
*North Polar Area* means the entire area north of 78° N latitude.
*One-engine-inoperative-Cruise Speed* means a speed within the certified operating limits of the airplane that is specified by the certificate holder and approved by the FAA for —
(1) Calculating required fuel reserves needed to account for an inoperative engine; or
(2) Determining whether an ETOPS alternate is within the maximum diversion time authorized for an ETOPS flight.
*South Polar Area* means the entire area South of 60° S latitude.
[Docket FAA-2002-6717, 72 FR 1878, Jan. 16, 2007]