Air taxi operators are prohibited from operating over water outside of gliding distance unless what condition is met?

Air taxi operators must ensure that their operations over water are safe and compliant with established regulations. When it comes to flying over water beyond gliding distance, the key condition that must be met is that the operator is authorized in their air operator certificate and complies with the relevant air service standards. This requirement ensures that air taxi operators have the necessary certifications, training, and operational guidelines in place to mitigate risks associated with flying over water.

The air operator certificate indicates that an operator meets specific safety standards essential for their type of operation, including those involving water surveys. Compliance with these standards assures regulatory bodies that safety protocols and operational procedures are adequately established to protect both passengers and crew in the event of an emergency over water. Such measures fundamentally address the risks of not being within gliding distance from a suitable landing area, ensuring that the operator is prepared for any potential emergencies.

Other options do not align with the established regulatory framework for air taxi operations over water. For example, special permission from air traffic control is not typically how operators manage distance requirements over water, and while pilot certification for water landings is important, it is not the central requirement that permits over-water operations beyond gliding distance. Additionally, the suspension of commercial air service operations does not facilitate any