FAR 91.611 — One-Engine Inoperative Ferry Flight
FAR 91.611 explains when air carriers and Part 125 operators may ferry a 4-engine or 3-engine turbine airplane with one engine inoperative for repair.
FAR 91.611 lets the holder of an air carrier operating certificate or a Part 125 operating certificate ferry a four-engine airplane or a three-engine turbine airplane to a repair base with one engine inoperative — but only under tightly controlled conditions.
Key requirements:
- The airplane model must have been flight tested for safe one-engine-inoperative ferry per paragraph (b) for recip aircraft or (c) for turbine aircraft.
- The Approved Flight Manual must contain the required performance data (max weight, CG limits, runway length with temperature accountability, altitude range, limits, procedures, etc.), and the flight must follow that data.
- The operator must have FAA-approved procedures, including minimum-weight loading (just enough fuel plus reserves), dry-runway takeoffs (unless wet-runway ops are specifically approved), special handling for runways over populated areas, and inspection of the operative engines.
- Takeoff is prohibited if the initial climb is over thickly populated areas or if weather at takeoff or destination is below VFR minimums.
- Only required flight crewmembers may be on board — no passengers or extra personnel.
- Crew must be thoroughly familiar with the engine-inoperative ferry procedures and AFM data.
Why it matters: this rule is the only legal path to fly a large multi-engine airplane with a known inoperative engine, and it exists to balance operational necessity against the real safety risks of a degraded airplane.
Five FAA-written-style questions. Instant explanations, every answer cites its source — no account needed.
You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?