Operational Control is best defined as?

• A. The authority to initiate, conduct or terminate a flight
• B. Authority to select flight crew
• C. Authority to schedule maintenance
• D. Authority to issue passenger tickets

Answer: (A)

Operational control is the authority to initiate, conduct, or terminate a flight. This gives the operator the power to authorize starting a flight, dictate how it will be flown (route, altitude, fuel, alternates, etc.), and decide to cancel or terminate the flight if conditions require. In 135 operations, the certificate holder or an authorized representative holds this control and must ensure all dispatch and safety requirements are met before a flight proceeds. The pilot in command carries out the flight under that framework, but the ultimate authority to go, continue, or stop lies with operational control. This concept isn’t about selecting flight crew, scheduling maintenance, or issuing tickets, which are separate administrative functions.