14 CFR § 450.159 - Pre-flight procedures.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s450.159"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 450.159 - Pre-flight procedures."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "450.159"
section_name: "Pre-flight procedures."
chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "LICENSING"
part_number: "450"
part_name: "LAUNCH AND REENTRY LICENSE REQUIREMENTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "51 U.S.C. 50901-50923."
regulatory_source: "Docket No. FAA-2019-0229, Amdt. 450-2, 85 FR 79719, Dec. 10, 202085 FR 79739, Dec. 10, 2020, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "450"
---


# 450.159 Pre-flight procedures.

(a) An operator must implement pre-flight procedures that—

(1) Verify that each flight commit criterion is satisfied before flight is initiated; and

(2) Ensure the operator can return the vehicle to a safe state after a countdown abort or delay.

(b) An operator must ensure the currency of the pre-flight procedures, and that all personnel are working with the approved version of the pre-flight procedures.