FAR 141.18 — Drug Carriage Violations
FAR 141.18 explains how a Part 141 pilot school's certificate can be suspended or revoked if its aircraft are knowingly used to carry illegal drugs.
FAR 141.18 ties a Part 141 pilot school's certificate directly to the federal prohibition on carrying illegal drugs in aircraft found in § 91.19(a).
In plain terms: if you hold a Part 141 pilot school certificate and you knowingly allow an aircraft you own or lease to be used in an operation that violates § 91.19(a) — which prohibits carrying narcotic drugs, marijuana, and depressant or stimulant drugs or substances — the FAA can use that as grounds to suspend or revoke your school's certificate.
Key points students should understand:
- Applies to aircraft owned or leased by the certificate holder.
- Requires that the certificate holder knows the operation violates § 91.19(a).
- The consequence is suspension or revocation of the Part 141 certificate.
Why it matters operationally: pilot schools must take their oversight responsibilities seriously. Allowing school aircraft to be misused for drug transport — with the school's knowledge — puts the entire training operation at risk of being shut down by the FAA.