Pilot School Certificate Duration

FAR 141.17 — Pilot School Certificate Duration

FAR 141.17 explains how long a Part 141 pilot school certificate and examining authority remain valid, and what events cause them to expire.

In Plain English

FAR 141.17 sets the lifespan of a Part 141 pilot school certificate, a provisional pilot school certificate, and any examining authority issued with it. Unless the certificate is surrendered, suspended, or revoked, it expires on the earliest of these events:

The last day of the 24th calendar month from the month it was issued (a 2-year life).
A change in ownership of the school (with one exception, below).
A change in the facilities the certificate is based on.
Notice from the Administrator that the school has failed, for more than 60 days, to maintain the facilities, aircraft, or personnel required for any approved course.

A change of ownership will not terminate the certificate if, within 30 days of the change, the school applies for an appropriate amendment and no change in facilities, personnel, or approved training courses is involved.

An examining authority is tied to the school's certificate — it expires whenever the school's certificate expires, is surrendered, suspended, or revoked. This matters because Part 141 schools must continually meet FAA standards to keep training students under their approved curriculum.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 141.17

§ 141.17 Duration of certificate and examining authority. (a) Unless surrendered, suspended, or revoked, a pilot school's certificate or a provisional pilot school's certificate expires: (1) On the last day of the 24th calendar month from the month the certificate was issued; (2) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, on the date that any change in ownership of the school occurs; (3) On the date of any change in the facilities upon which the school's certificate is based occurs; or (4) Upon notice by the Administrator that the school has failed for more than 60 days to maintain the facilities, aircraft, or personnel required for any one of the school's approved training courses. (b) A change in the ownership of a pilot school or provisional pilot school does not terminate that school's certificate if, within 30 days after the date that any change in ownership of the school occurs: (1) Application is made for an appropriate amendment to the certificate; and (2) No change in the facilities, personnel, or approved training courses is involved. (c) An examining authority issued to the holder of a pilot school certificate expires on the date that the pilot school certificate expires, or is surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1How long is a Part 141 pilot school certificate valid?

Per FAR 141.17, the certificate expires on the last day of the 24th calendar month from the month it was issued, unless surrendered, suspended, or revoked sooner.

Q2Does a change in ownership automatically terminate a Part 141 school's certificate?

Not necessarily. Under FAR 141.17(b), the certificate stays valid if the school applies for an amendment within 30 days of the ownership change and there is no change in facilities, personnel, or approved training courses.

Q3What happens to a school's examining authority if its pilot school certificate is suspended?

FAR 141.17(c) states that the examining authority expires on the date the pilot school certificate expires or is surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

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Related Sections in Part 141

§ 141.1

Part 141 Applicability