Pilot School Certification

FAR 141.5 — Pilot School Certification

FAR 141.5 sets the requirements for an FAA pilot school certificate, including the 80% pass rate, provisional certificate, and 10-graduate minimum.

In Plain English

FAR 141.5 lays out what a flight school must do to earn a full pilot school certificate from the FAA. Within the 24 calendar months before applying, the school must check every one of these boxes:

Submit the application on the FAA-prescribed form and manner.
Have held a provisional pilot school certificate (the entry-level credential schools earn first).
Meet the requirements of Subparts A through C of Part 141 for the certificate and ratings sought.
Maintain a first-attempt pass rate of 80% or higher on all knowledge tests, practical tests, end-of-course tests for approved courses in Appendix K, and end-of-course tests for special curricula approved under § 141.57.
Have graduated at least 10 different people from the school's approved courses.

Why it matters: Part 141 schools can offer reduced flight-hour requirements compared to Part 61 because the FAA holds them to measurable quality standards. As a student, knowing your school meets FAR 141.5 is your assurance that the curriculum, instructors, and outcomes are FAA-vetted.

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Regulation Text

14 CFR § 141.5

§ 141.5 Requirements for a pilot school certificate. The FAA may issue a pilot school certificate with the appropriate ratings if, within the 24 calendar months before the date application is made, the applicant— (a) Completes the application for a pilot school certificate on the form and in the manner prescribed by the FAA; (b) Has held a provisional pilot school certificate; (c) Meets the applicable requirements under subparts A through C of this part for the school certificate and associated ratings sought; (d) Has established a pass rate of 80 percent or higher on the first attempt for all: (1) Knowledge tests leading to a certificate or rating; (2) Practical tests leading to a certificate or rating; (3) End-of-course tests for an approved training course specified in appendix K of this part; and (4) End-of-course tests for special curricula courses approved under § 141.57. (e) Has graduated at least 10 different people from the school's approved training courses. [Docket FAA-2006-26661, 74 FR 42563, Aug. 21, 2009, as amended by Amdt. 141-14, 75 FR 56858, Sept. 17, 2010; Docket FAA-2016-6142, Amdt. 141ndash;20, 83 FR 30283, June 27, 2018]

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What pass rate must a Part 141 school maintain to qualify for a pilot school certificate, and on which tests?

Per FAR 141.5(d), the school must have an 80% or higher first-attempt pass rate on all knowledge tests, practical tests, and end-of-course tests for approved and special curricula courses.

Q2How many graduates must a school produce before it can apply for a full pilot school certificate?

FAR 141.5(e) requires the school to have graduated at least 10 different people from its approved training courses within the preceding 24 calendar months.

Q3Can a school apply for a pilot school certificate without first holding a provisional certificate?

No. FAR 141.5(b) requires the applicant to have held a provisional pilot school certificate within the 24 calendar months before applying for the full pilot school certificate.

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