FAR 141.3 — Pilot School Certificate

FAR 141.3 is the foundational rule for Part 141 flight schools. It says that no person may operate as a certificated pilot school unless they hold — and comply with — a pilot school certificate or a provisional pilot school certificate issued under Part 141.

In plain terms:

• If a school markets itself as an FAA-approved Part 141 school, it must actually have the certificate from the FAA.
• Operating without the certificate, or in violation of its terms (such as approved training course outlines, facilities, or limitations), is prohibited.
• A provisional certificate is a temporary authorization typically issued to new schools that have not yet built the experience needed for a full certificate.

Why it matters operationally: Part 141 schools can offer FAA-approved curricula with reduced minimum flight hours compared to Part 61. That privilege only exists because the school is held to FAA-approved standards under its certificate. As a student, training under a properly certificated Part 141 school is what allows you to use those reduced hour minimums toward your certificate or rating.