Aviation Groups Seek Uniform Safety Rules for Part 91, 125, 135 Operators

NBAA, AOPA, and others urge FAA to extend proposed Part 121 uniform rest and duty standards to more operators.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, September 09, 2026 at 03:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Groups contend that Part 91, 125, and 135 entities should have the same uniform federal rules that the FAA is proposing for Part 121 operators. [Credit: NBAA]

Key Takeaways:

A coalition of major aviation organizations is urging the FAA to extend federal preemption over state and local flight crew rest and duty requirements to prevent a patchwork of conflicting rules.
The FAA's current Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) clarifies federal authority on crew breaks and duty time, but it specifically applies only to Part 121 (major airline) operations.
The aviation groups advocate for broadening this preemption to include Part 91K (fractional ownership), 125, and 135 (charter/business aviation) operators, arguing they face similar or greater operational and safety challenges from differing state mandates.
They contend that a unified federal standard is crucial for maintaining safety, efficiency, and consistent oversight across the entire National Airspace System, preventing increased costs, litigation, and operational conflicts.

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A coalition of aviation organizations has urged the FAA to eliminate state and local rest and duty requirements for flight crews operating under Parts 91, 125, and 135, arguing that a jumble of differing rules could jeopardize safety and efficiency.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), and Vertical Aviation International (VAI) jointly commented on a July notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in which the FAA clarified federal preemption of those state and local rules, specifically for Part 121 operations.