FAR 141.91 — Satellite Bases
FAR 141.91 explains how a Part 141 pilot school can conduct training at satellite bases, including assistant chief instructor and notification requirements.
In Plain English
FAR 141.91 allows a Part 141 pilot school (or provisional pilot school) to conduct ground or flight training at a satellite base — a location other than its main operations base — but only if specific conditions are met. This matters because Part 141 schools operate under a tightly approved structure, and the FAA wants to ensure training quality doesn't drop just because instruction happens at a different airport.
To use a satellite base, the school must meet all of the following:
- An assistant chief instructor is designated for each satellite base and is available there in person or reachable by telephone, radio, or other electronic means during training.
- The airport, facilities, and personnel at the satellite base meet the requirements of subpart B of Part 141 and the approved training course outline (TCO).
- Instructors are under the direct supervision of the chief instructor or assistant chief instructor, who is readily available for consultation per §141.85(b).
- The responsible Flight Standards office is notified in writing if training at the satellite base lasts more than 7 consecutive days.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 141.91§ 141.91 Satellite bases.
The holder of a pilot school certificate or provisional pilot school certificate may conduct ground training or flight training in an approved course of training at a base other than its main operations base if:
(a) An assistant chief instructor is designated for each satellite base, and that assistant chief instructor is available at that base or, if away from the premises, by telephone, radio, or other electronic means during the time that training is provided for an approved training course;
(b) The airport, facilities, and personnel used at the satellite base meet the appropriate requirements of subpart B of this part and its approved training course outline;
(c) The instructors are under the direct supervision of the chief instructor or assistant chief instructor for the appropriate training course, who is readily available for consultation in accordance with § 141.85(b) of this part; and
(d) The responsible Flight Standards office for the area in which the school is located is notified in writing if training is conducted at a base other than the school's main operations base for more than 7 consecutive days.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16347, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 141-9, 62 FR 40908, July 30, 1997, as amended by Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 141-19, 83 FR 9175, Mar. 5, 2018]
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Can a Part 141 school conduct training away from its main operations base, and what's required to do so?
Yes. Under FAR 141.91, a Part 141 school may conduct ground or flight training at a satellite base if an assistant chief instructor is designated and available, the facilities and personnel meet subpart B and the TCO, instructors are directly supervised, and the Flight Standards office is notified in writing if training exceeds 7 consecutive days.
Q2Who must be designated and available at each satellite base of a Part 141 school?
Per FAR 141.91(a), an assistant chief instructor must be designated for each satellite base and must be available at the base or reachable by telephone, radio, or other electronic means during training conducted under an approved course.
Q3When does a Part 141 school have to notify the FAA about training at a satellite base?
FAR 141.91(d) requires the school to notify the responsible Flight Standards office in writing whenever training is conducted at a base other than the main operations base for more than 7 consecutive days.
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