14 CFR § 135.601 - Applicability and definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s135.601"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 135.601 - Applicability and definitions."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "135.601"
section_name: "Applicability and 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: "135"
part_name: "OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: COMMUTER AND ON DEMAND OPERATIONS AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT"
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), 40113, 41706, 44701-44702, 44705, 44709, 44711-44713, 44715-44717, 44722, 44730, 45101-45105; Pub. L. 112-95, 126 Stat. 58 (49 U.S.C. 44730)."
regulatory_source: "Docket 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "135"
---


# 135.601 Applicability and definitions.

(a) *Applicability.* This subpart prescribes the requirements applicable to each certificate holder conducting helicopter air ambulance operations.

(b) *Definitions.* For purposes of this subpart, the following definitions apply:

(1) *Helicopter air ambulance operation* means a flight, or sequence of flights, with a patient or medical personnel on board, for the purpose of medical transportation, by a part 135 certificate holder authorized by the Administrator to conduct helicopter air ambulance operations. A helicopter air ambulance operation includes, but is not limited to—

(i) Flights conducted to position the helicopter at the site at which a patient or donor organ will be picked up.

(ii) Flights conducted to reposition the helicopter after completing the patient, or donor organ transport.

(iii) Flights initiated for the transport of a patient or donor organ that are terminated due to weather or other reasons.

(2) *Medical personnel* means a person or persons with medical training, including but not limited to flight physicians, flight nurses, or flight paramedics, who are carried aboard a helicopter during helicopter air ambulance operations in order to provide medical care.

(3) *Mountainous* means designated mountainous areas as listed in part 95 of this chapter.

(4) *Nonmountainous* means areas other than mountainous areas as listed in part 95 of this chapter.