FAR 141.79 — Part 141 Flight Training
FAR 141.79 covers who can give flight training at a Part 141 school, solo flight approval, and recurrent proficiency checks for instructors.
In Plain English
FAR 141.79 sets the rules for who can deliver flight training at a Part 141 pilot school and how instructors stay current.
Key points:
- Only a certificated flight instructor (or a commercial pilot with a lighter-than-air rating) who holds the ratings and minimum qualifications listed in the approved training course outline may train students under that course.
- A student pilot can't begin a solo practice flight from an airport until an instructor who is physically present at that airport approves the flight.
- Each chief instructor and assistant chief instructor must, every 12 calendar months, complete an approved syllabus of ground/flight training or an approved flight instructor refresher course (FIRC).
- Before training students in a course, an instructor must review the course objectives and standards and pass an initial proficiency check in each make and model used.
- Every 12 calendar months after that, the instructor must complete a recurrent proficiency check in one of the aircraft used for training. These checks are administered by the chief, assistant chief, or check instructor.
This matters because Part 141 schools earn their accelerated training privileges by holding instructors to standardized, recurring proficiency requirements.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 141.79§ 141.79 Flight training.
(a) No person other than a certificated flight instructor or commercial pilot with a lighter-than-air rating who has the ratings and the minimum qualifications specified in the approved training course outline may give a student flight training under an approved course of training.
(b) No student pilot may be authorized to start a solo practice flight from an airport until the flight has been approved by a certificated flight instructor or commercial pilot with a lighter-than-air rating who is present at that airport.
(c) Each chief instructor and assistant chief instructor assigned to a training course must complete, at least once every 12 calendar months, an approved syllabus of training consisting of ground or flight training, or both, or an approved flight instructor refresher course.
(d) Each certificated flight instructor or commercial pilot with a lighter-than-air rating who is assigned to a flight training course must satisfactorily complete the following tasks, which must be administered by the school's chief instructor, assistant chief instructor, or check instructor:
(1) Prior to receiving authorization to train students in a flight training course, must—
(i) Accomplish a review of and receive a briefing on the objectives and standards of that training course; and
(ii) Accomplish an initial proficiency check in each make and model of aircraft used in that training course in which that person provides training; and
(2) Every 12 calendar months after the month in which the person last complied with the requirements of paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, accomplish a recurrent proficiency check in one of the aircraft in which the person trains students.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16347, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 141-9, 62 FR 40908, July 30, 1997]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Who is authorized to provide flight training to students at a Part 141 pilot school?
Per FAR 141.79(a), only a certificated flight instructor (or a commercial pilot with a lighter-than-air rating) who holds the ratings and minimum qualifications specified in the school's approved training course outline may provide that training.
Q2What must happen before a student pilot starts a solo practice flight from an airport under Part 141?
Under FAR 141.79(b), the solo practice flight must be approved by a certificated flight instructor (or a commercial pilot with a lighter-than-air rating) who is physically present at that airport.
Q3What recurrent proficiency requirement applies to instructors at a Part 141 school?
FAR 141.79(d)(2) requires each assigned instructor to complete a recurrent proficiency check every 12 calendar months in one of the aircraft used for training, administered by the chief, assistant chief, or check instructor.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 141