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 aviation organizations is urging the FAA to extend federal preemption over state and local flight crew rest and duty requirements to operations beyond Part 121, specifically including Parts 91, 125, and 135.
The groups argue that a "patchwork" of differing state and local rules jeopardizes aviation safety and efficiency, creates operational conflicts, increases costs and litigation exposure, and could impede new aviation technologies.
The FAA's proposed rule (NPRM) currently clarifies federal preemption for Part 121 operations, aiming to reinforce national authority and prevent state mandates from disrupting airline prices, routes, or services.
Organizations contend that the exclusion of other flight operations (e.g., fractional, charter, air ambulance) from preemption appears to be an oversight, as they face similar or greater impacts from varying state regulations.

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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.