135.57 Flight preparation and flight planning

• (a) The holder of an air operator certificate must ensure that for each air operation conducted under the authority of that certificate, appropriate information is available to the pilot-in-command to complete the preparation for the intended operation.
• (b) The holder of an air operator certificate must ensure that prior to each--
  • (1) air transport operation; and
  • (2) commercial transport operation where passengers or goods are carried from or to a remote aerodrome, conducted under the authority of that certificate, a flight plan meeting the requirements of 91.307(c) or 91.407 as appropriate for the type of operation is prepared, and if the flight plan is not prepared by the pilot-in-command, the pilot-in-command is informed of the contents of the flight plan before the intended operation.
• (c) A VFR flight plan prepared under paragraph (b) in accordance with the requirements of 91.307(c) may incorporate multiple route segments provided that the SARTIME is amended for the next aerodrome of intended landing as the flight proceeds.
• (d) The holder of an air operator certificate performing an air operation under VFR to an aerodrome where communications cannot be maintained, must ensure that prior to any such air operation --
  • (1) the flight plan required by paragraph (b) includes a SARTIME for when the next communication with an ATS unit will be established; or
  • (2) where the operation is covered by a flight following service under 119.73(b) or 119.121(b), the person providing the flight following service is given a time for re-establishing communications.
• (e) Except as provided in paragraph (f) the holder of the air operator certificate must ensure that the flight plan required under paragraph (b) is submitted to an appropriate ATS unit.
• (f) Except as required by 91.307(a)(1), a flight plan is not required to be submitted to an ATS unit if --
  • (1) the air operation is a VFR flight; and
  • (2) the operation is covered by a flight following service under 119.73 or 119.121; and
  • (3) the requirements under 119.73(b) or 119.121(b) are met; and
  • (4) the pilot-in-command maintains a listening watch on the appropriate ATS radio frequency.
• (g) Notwithstanding 91.307(a) and 91.407(a)(1), the flight plan required to be submitted to an ATS unit under paragraph (e) may be submitted by the holder of the air operator certificate and the pilot-in-command must be informed of the contents of the flight plan.