FAR 91.1073 — Fractional Training Program
FAR 91.1073 sets training program requirements for fractional ownership program managers, covering crewmember training, instructors, simulators, and CRM.
In Plain English
FAR 91.1073 sets the foundation for training programs operated by fractional ownership program managers under Subpart K. The program manager is responsible for building and maintaining an FAA-approved training system that keeps every crewmember, instructor, check pilot, and hazmat-handler qualified for their duties.
Key requirements include:
- Establish and obtain initial and final FAA approval of a training program covering all crewmembers (including flight attendants), instructors, check pilots, and hazardous materials personnel.
- Provide adequate ground and flight training facilities, qualified instructors, and current training materials for each aircraft type and variation.
- Supply enough flight instructors, check pilots, and simulator instructors to conduct required training and checks.
- A grace month applies for recurrent training: completing it in the month before or after the due month counts as on-time.
- Instructors and check pilots must certify proficiency in the crewmember's record after each training event.
- Previously completed subjects don't need repeating (except for recurrent training).
- Simulators require FAA approval; if one exists for a program aircraft, each pilot must complete at least one flight training session per year in it.
- Program managers must establish safe crew practices and provide CRM training for all crewmembers.
This ensures every Subpart K operation is staffed by consistently trained, current, and competent crews.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1073§ 91.1073 Training program: General.
(a) Each program manager must have a training program and must:
(1) Establish, obtain the appropriate initial and final approval of, and provide a training program that meets this subpart and that ensures that each crewmember, including each flight attendant if the program manager uses a flight attendant crewmember, flight instructor, check pilot, and each person assigned duties for the carriage and handling of hazardous materials (as defined in 49 CFR 171.8) is adequately trained to perform these assigned duties.
(2) Provide adequate ground and flight training facilities and properly qualified ground instructors for the training required by this subpart.
(3) Provide and keep current for each aircraft type used and, if applicable, the particular variations within the aircraft type, appropriate training material, examinations, forms, instructions, and procedures for use in conducting the training and checks required by this subpart.
(4) Provide enough flight instructors, check pilots, and simulator instructors to conduct required flight training and flight checks, and simulator training courses allowed under this subpart.
(b) Whenever a crewmember who is required to take recurrent training under this subpart completes the training in the month before, or the month after, the month in which that training is required, the crewmember is considered to have completed it in the month in which it was required.
(c) Each instructor, supervisor, or check pilot who is responsible for a particular ground training subject, segment of flight training, course of training, flight check, or competence check under this subpart must certify as to the proficiency and knowledge of the crewmember, flight instructor, or check pilot concerned upon completion of that training or check. That certification must be made a part of the crewmember's record. When the certification required by this paragraph is made by an entry in a computerized recordkeeping system, the certifying instructor, supervisor, or check pilot, must be identified with that entry. However, the signature of the certifying instructor, supervisor, or check pilot is not required for computerized entries.
(d) Training subjects that apply to more than one aircraft or crewmember position and that have been satisfactorily completed during previous training while employed by the program manager for another aircraft or another crewmember position, need not be repeated during subsequent training other than recurrent training.
(e) Aircraft simulators and other training devices may be used in the program manager's training program if approved by the Administrator.
(f) Each program manager is responsible for establishing safe and efficient crew management practices for all phases of flight in program operations including crew resource management training for all crewmembers used in program operations.
(g) If an aircraft simulator has been approved by the Administrator for use in the program manager's training program, the program manager must ensure that each pilot annually completes at least one flight training session in an approved simulator for at least one program aircraft. The training session may be the flight training portion of any of the pilot training or check requirements of this subpart, including the initial, transition, upgrade, requalification, differences, or recurrent training, or the accomplishment of a competency check or instrument proficiency check. If there is no approved simulator for that aircraft type in operation, then all flight training and checking must be accomplished in the aircraft.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Under Subpart K, who is responsible for establishing and getting approval of the training program, and what does it have to cover?
Per FAR 91.1073(a), the program manager must establish and obtain initial and final FAA approval of a training program that ensures each crewmember, flight attendant (if used), flight instructor, check pilot, and person handling hazardous materials is adequately trained for their assigned duties.
Q2If your recurrent training is due in June but you complete it in May or July, are you still considered current?
Yes. FAR 91.1073(b) provides a grace month — recurrent training completed in the month before or the month after the due month is considered to have been completed in the required month.
Q3What are the simulator training requirements for pilots in a Subpart K program?
Under FAR 91.1073(g), if the FAA has approved a simulator for a program aircraft, each pilot must complete at least one flight training session annually in that simulator; if no approved simulator exists for the aircraft type, all flight training and checking must be done in the aircraft.
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Related Sections in Part 91