FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)Medium
A Part 121 air carrier is evaluating a new aircraft type for potential acquisition. The aircraft has a minimum flight crew of two pilots and a maximum certified seating capacity of 180 passengers. What is the minimum number of flight attendants required for this aircraft during revenue operations?
- A5 flight attendants
- B4 flight attendants
- C3 flight attendants
- D2 flight attendants
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 4 flight attendants
14 CFR 121.391(a) requires one flight attendant for each unit of 50 passenger seats, or fraction thereof, for aircraft with a seating capacity of more than 19 passengers. For 180 passengers: 180 / 50 = 3 with a remainder of 30. This means 3 flight attendants for the full 50-passenger units, plus 1 flight attendant for the remaining 30 passengers (the fraction). Total = 4 flight attendants.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect. This would be for 201 to 250 passengers.
- C. Incorrect. This would be for 101 to 150 passengers.
- D. Incorrect. This would be for 100 passengers or less.
121.391 Flight Attendant Calculation
14 CFR 121.391 dictates that for aircraft with over 19 seats, the minimum flight attendant requirement is calculated by dividing the passenger capacity by 50 and rounding up to the next whole number.
- Minimum of one flight attendant for every 50 passengers or fraction thereof.
- Applies to aircraft with more than 19 passenger seats.
- Calculation: (Total Passengers / 50) then round up.
Memory trick: Divide by 50, then Round Up for Safety.