AC 120-123

Advisory circular · Flightpath Management

Approved
November 21, 2022
Last reviewed
August 28, 2024
Family
AC 120-123 · 1 version
14 CFR parts
1, 60, 61, 91, 121, 125, 135, 142

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed November 21, 2025.

Show pages 30–41

Appendix B B-1 APPENDIX B. RELATED 14 CFR PARTS, READING MATERIAL, AND

DEFINITIONS B.1 Related 14 CFR Parts. Each of the following 14 CFR parts can be found at https://www.ecfr.gov:

• Part 1.

• Part 60.

• Part 61, § 61.64.

• Part 91 subpart K (part 91K), § 91.1073.

• Part 121, §§ 121.401, 121.409, 121.415, 121.419 through 121.427, 121.440, 121.441, and 121.544; and ap pendices E and F.

• Part 125.

• Part 135, §§ 135.293, 135.297, 135.299, 135.323, 135.329, 135.335, and 135.619.

• Part 142, §§ 142.54 and 142.59.

B.2 Related Reading Material. The current editions of the following documents support the knowledge and skill standards and recommended practices for pilot training and checking.

B.2.1 ACs. T he current editions of each of the following ACs can be found at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars and DRS:

• AC 60-28, FAA English Language Standard for an FAA Certificate Issued Under 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, 65, and 107.

• AC 120-35, Flightcrew Member Line-Op erational Simulations: Line-Oriented Flight Training, Special Purpose Operational Training, Line Operational Evaluation.

• AC 120-50, Guidelines for Operational Approval of Windshear Training Programs.

• AC 120-51, Crew Resource Management Training.

• AC 120-53, Guidance for Conducting and Use of Flight Standardization Board Evaluations.

• AC 120-54, Advanced Qualification Program.

• AC 120-55, Air Carrier Operational Approval and Use of TCAS II.

• AC 120-71, Standard Operatin g Procedures and Pilot Monitoring Duties for Flight Deck Crewmembers.

• AC 120-74, Parts 91, 121, 125, and 135 Flightcrew Procedures During Taxi Operations.

• AC 120-88, Preventing Injuries Caused by Turbulence.

• AC 120-109, Stall Prevention and Recovery Training.

Appendix B B-2

• AC 120- 111, Upset Prevention and Recovery Training.

• AC 120-114, Pilot Training and Checking (14 CFR Part 121 Subparts N and O, Including Appendices E and F).

• AC 120-118, Criteria for Approval/Authorization of All Weather Operations (AWO) for Takeoff, Landing, and Rollout.

• AC 121-39, Air Carrier Pilot Remedial Training and Tracking Program.

• AC 121-42, Leadership and Command Training for Pilots in Command.

B.2.2 Other FAA Documents:

• Airplane Airman Certification Standards (ACS).

• Pilot Guide to Takeoff Safety: https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airli ne_operators/training/media/takeoff_safety.pdf.

• Wake Turbulence Training Aid: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/training/wake/ media/02frmatr.pdf.

• Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid, Revision 2: https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/a viation_industry/airline_operators/training/media/AP_UpsetRecovery_Book.pdf.

• Operational Use of Flight Path Management Systems: Final Report of the Performance-based operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee/Commercial Aviation Safety Team Flight Deck Automation Working Group: https://www.faa.gov/ aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/human_factors/media/OUFPMS_Report.pdf.

• FAA-H-8083-23, Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook.

• The Flight Standardization Board Report (FSBR) for the specific airplane.

B .2.3 Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) Documents. These documents are available at https://flightsafety.org/:

• Approach and Landing Accident Reduction (ALAR) Tool Kit.

• A Practical Guide for Improving Flight Path Monitoring: Final Report of the Active Pilot Monitoring Working Group: https://flightsafety.org/wpcontent/uploads/2016/09/EPMG.pdf.

B.2.4 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Doc 10011, Manual on Aeroplane Upset Prevention and Recovery Training.

B.2.5 International Air Transport Association (IATA) Documents. These documents are available at https://www.iata.org/:

Appendix B B-3

• Guidance Material and Best Practices for the Implementation of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (2nd Edition).

• Guidance Material for Improving Flight Crew Monitoring (1st Edition).

• Aircraft Handling and Manual Flying Skills Report: https://www.iata.org/contentasset s/d0e499e4b2824d4d867a8e07800b14bd/iata-report-aircraft-handling-manual-flyingskills.pdf.

• FMS Data Entry Error Prevention Best Practices (1st Edition).

B.2.6 N ational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Technical Memorandum (TM)-20210000047, Analysis of Pilot Monitoring Skills and a Review of Training Effectiveness.

B.3 Definitions. For the purpose of this AC, the following definitions and terms are provided:

B.3.1 E nergy Management . The planning and control of airspeed (or groundspeed), altitude, thrust, aerodynamic drag (speedbrakes, slats/flaps, gear), and trajectory to achieve desired lateral and vertical flightpath targets appropriate for the operational objectives.

B.3.2 Flightpath Management (FPM). T he planning, execution, and assurance of the guidance and control of aircraft trajectory and energy, in flight or on the ground.

B.3.3 Flight Management System (FMS). A n FMS is an onboard computer system which integrates inputs from various subsystems to aid the pilot in controlling the airplane’s lateral and vertical paths. In addition to navigation, the FMS may accomplish performance functions, such as thrust management and fuel flow monitoring.

B.3.4 Information Automation (IA). Automation of information-r elated tasks such as acquisition, calculation, management, integration, and display of information to the flightcrew. IA may act on, process, and manage the content and format of presented information.

B.3.5 Manual Flight Operations (MFO). Those operations where the pilot is performing FPM while physically controlling pitch, roll, yaw, and/or thrust.

B.3.6 Pilot Flying (PF). T he pilot that controls the path of the aircraft at any given time, in flight or on the ground.

B.3.7 Pilot Monitoring (PM). The pilot that monitors the aircraft state and system status, calls out any perceived or potential deviations from the intended flightpath, and intervenes if necessary.

Appendix B B-4 B.3.8 Procedure. A logical progression of actions, decisions, or both in a sequence that is prescribed to achieve a specified objective.

B .3.9 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Written and tested procedures that are applied uniformly and consistently within an operation and involve all aspects of flight operations

(i.e., normal, abnormal, non-normal, and emergency).

Advisory Circular Feedback Form If you find an error in this AC, have recommendations for improving it, or have suggestions for new items/subjects to be added, you may let us know by contacting the OPR NAME or the Flight Standards Directives Management Officer at 9-AWA-AFB-120-Directives@faa.gov.

Subject: AC 120-123, Flightpath Management Date: _____________________ Please check all appropriate line items:

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