FAR 141.38 — Part 141 Airport Requirements
FAR 141.38 sets airport standards for Part 141 pilot schools: runway length, wind indicators, traffic indicators, and night lighting requirements.
In Plain English
FAR 141.38 sets the minimum airport standards a Part 141 pilot school (or provisional school) must meet at every field where training flights originate. It exists to make sure students train at airports that are actually safe and suitable for the aircraft being used.
Key requirements:
- Continuous use: The school must have continuous use of each airport where training flights originate.
- Adequate runway: At least one runway or takeoff area must allow a training aircraft at maximum certificated takeoff gross weight to make a normal takeoff or landing with winds ≤ 5 mph, at the area's mean high temperature for the hottest month, using manufacturer-recommended powerplant, gear, and flap operation.
- Takeoff performance: The aircraft must transition smoothly from liftoff to best rate of climb speed without exceptional skill, and clear all obstacles in the takeoff path by at least 50 feet.
- Wind indicator: Visible from the end of each runway at ground level.
- Traffic direction indicator: Required when there is no operating control tower and UNICOM advisories are not available.
- Night lighting: Airports used for night training must have permanent runway lights, except seaplane bases may use approved nonpermanent or shoreline lighting.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 141.38§ 141.38 Airports.
(a) An applicant for a pilot school certificate or a provisional pilot school certificate must show that he or she has continuous use of each airport at which training flights originate.
(b) Each airport used for airplanes and gliders must have at least one runway or takeoff area that allows training aircraft to make a normal takeoff or landing under the following conditions at the aircraft's maximum certificated takeoff gross weight:
(1) Under wind conditions of not more than 5 miles per hour;
(2) At temperatures in the operating area equal to the mean high temperature for the hottest month of the year;
(3) If applicable, with the powerplant operation, and landing gear and flap operation recommended by the manufacturer; and
(4) In the case of a takeoff—
(i) With smooth transition from liftoff to the best rate of climb speed without exceptional piloting skills or techniques; and
(ii) Clearing all obstacles in the takeoff flight path by at least 50 feet.
(c) Each airport must have a wind direction indicator that is visible from the end of each runway at ground level;
(d) Each airport must have a traffic direction indicator when:
(1) The airport does not have an operating control tower; and
(2) UNICOM advisories are not available.
(e) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, each airport used for night training flights must have permanent runway lights;
(f) An airport or seaplane base used for night training flights in seaplanes is permitted to use adequate nonpermanent lighting or shoreline lighting, if approved by the Administrator.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16347, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 141-9, 62 FR 40907, July 30, 1997]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What runway performance criteria must a Part 141 school's training airport meet?
Per FAR 141.38(b), the runway must allow a training aircraft at max certificated takeoff gross weight to make a normal takeoff or landing in winds up to 5 mph and at the area's mean high temperature for the hottest month, with a smooth transition to best rate of climb and 50 feet of obstacle clearance on takeoff.
Q2When is a traffic direction indicator required at a Part 141 training airport?
FAR 141.38(d) requires a traffic direction indicator when the airport has no operating control tower and UNICOM advisories are not available.
Q3What are the lighting requirements for night training operations under Part 141?
FAR 141.38(e) requires permanent runway lights for night training flights, except that under 141.38(f) seaplane bases may use adequate nonpermanent or shoreline lighting if approved by the Administrator.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 141