Which documents constitute primary references for Part 135 operations?

• A. Pilot handbooks and personal notes
• B. Airport directories and weather briefings
• C. GOM, FAA Ops Specs, MEL, and AIM
• D. Only the FAA Ops Specifications.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is understanding which FAA-approved documents establish how a Part 135 operation is conducted and what can be done. The best answer combines four primary references: the General Operations Manual, the FAA Operations Specifications, the Minimum Equipment List, and the Aeronautical Information Manual.

The General Operations Manual outlines the operator’s day-to-day procedures, training programs, and standard practices for flight operations. It provides the structured, approved methods by which crews should perform tasks, maintain safety, and handle normal and abnormal situations.

The Operations Specifications are the legal basis for the certificate holder’s privileges. They specify what aircraft may be operated, the routes and airports authorized, operating times, and other limitations. They’re a formal agreement with the FAA that governs what you are allowed to do in operations.

The Minimum Equipment List details what equipment can be inoperative and under what conditions, along with required MEL entries and maintenance actions. It directly affects dispatch and flight safety when a component isn’t available.

The Aeronautical Information Manual offers general guidance and information about aviation regulations, airspace, navigation, and procedures. While not a flight manual for a specific operator, it is a sanctioned reference that supports standardization and safe operations.

Other options miss important regulatory references: pilot handbooks and personal notes aren’t FAA-approved primary sources; relying on airport directories and weather briefings alone doesn’t provide the official procedures and limitations governing Part 135 operations. Relying only on Ops Specifications omits the operator’s procedures, MEL details, and AIM guidance.