Flight Instructor Qualifications

FAR 91.1091 Flight Instructor Qualifications

FAR 91.1091 sets qualifications for flight instructors (aircraft and simulator) in Part 91 Subpart K fractional ownership programs—certificates, training, and currency.

In Plain English

FAR 91.1091 lays out who can serve as a flight instructor (aircraft) or flight instructor (simulator) in a Subpart K fractional ownership training program. It exists to ensure the people teaching fractional pilots are themselves fully qualified in the aircraft they're instructing in.

For a flight instructor (aircraft), the person must, for the specific type/class/category:

  • Hold the pilot certificates and ratings required to act as PIC under Subpart K, Part 121, or Part 135.
  • Have completed the required training phases, including recurrent training.
  • Have passed the required proficiency or competency checks.
  • Have completed the instructor training in § 91.1095.
  • Hold at least a Class III medical.

A flight instructor (simulator) must meet the same standards except the medical certificate. Sim instructors must also stay current by either flying two flight segments as a required crewmember in the prior 12 months, or completing an approved line-observation program.

A pilot without a medical may instruct in the aircraft only as a non-required crewmember. All training completions must be logged in the program manager's training records.

Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1091
§ 91.1091 Qualifications: Flight instructors (aircraft) and flight instructors (simulator). (a) For the purposes of this section and § 91.1095: (1) A flight instructor (aircraft) is a person who is qualified to instruct in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight training device for a particular type, class, or category aircraft. (2) A flight instructor (simulator) is a person who is qualified to instruct in a flight simulator, in a flight training device, or in both, for a particular type, class, or category aircraft. (3) Flight instructors (aircraft) and flight instructors (simulator) are those instructors who perform the functions described in § 91.1073(a)(4) and (c). (b) No program manager may use a person, nor may any person serve as a flight instructor (aircraft) in a training program established under this subpart unless, with respect to the type, class, or category aircraft involved, that person— (1) Holds the pilot certificates and ratings required to serve as a pilot in command in operations under this subpart or part 121 or 135 of this chapter; (2) Has satisfactorily completed the training phases for the aircraft, including recurrent training, that are required to serve as a pilot in command in operations under this subpart; (3) Has satisfactorily completed the proficiency or competency checks that are required to serve as a pilot in command in operations under this subpart; (4) Has satisfactorily completed the applicable training requirements of § 91.1095; and (5) Holds at least a Class III medical certificate. (c) No program manager may use a person, nor may any person serve as a flight instructor (simulator) in a training program established under this subpart, unless, with respect to the type, class, or category aircraft involved, that person meets the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, or— (1) Holds the pilot certificates and ratings, except medical certificate, required to serve as a pilot in command in operations under this subpart or part 121 or 135 of this chapter; (2) Has satisfactorily completed the appropriate training phases for the aircraft, including recurrent training, that are required to serve as a pilot in command in operations under this subpart; (3) Has satisfactorily completed the appropriate proficiency or competency checks that are required to serve as a pilot in command in operations under this subpart; and (4) Has satisfactorily completed the applicable training requirements of § 91.1095. (d) Completion of the requirements in paragraphs (b)(2), (3), and (4) or (c)(2), (3), and (4) of this section, as applicable, must be entered in the individual's training record maintained by the program manager. (e) A pilot who does not hold a medical certificate may function as a flight instructor in an aircraft if functioning as a non-required crewmember, but may not serve as a flightcrew member in operations under this subpart. (f) A flight instructor (simulator) must accomplish the following— (1) Fly at least two flight segments as a required crewmember for the type, class, or category aircraft involved within the 12-month period preceding the performance of any flight instructor duty in a flight simulator; or (2) Satisfactorily complete an approved line-observation program within the period prescribed by that program preceding the performance of any flight instructor duty in a flight simulator. (g) The flight segments or line-observation program required in paragraph (f) of this section are considered completed in the month required if completed in the month before, or in the month after, the month in which they are due. [Docket FAA-2001-10047, 68 FR 54561, Sept. 17, 2003, as amended by Amdt. 91-322, 76 FR 31823, June 2, 2011]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What certificates and medical does a flight instructor (aircraft) need under a fractional program?
Per FAR 91.1091(b), the instructor must hold the pilot certificates and ratings required to serve as PIC under Subpart K, Part 121, or Part 135 for that aircraft, and must hold at least a Class III medical certificate.
Q2How does a flight instructor (simulator) maintain currency to instruct in the sim?
Under FAR 91.1091(f), a sim instructor must either fly at least two flight segments as a required crewmember in that aircraft within the preceding 12 months, or satisfactorily complete an approved line-observation program within its prescribed interval.
Q3Can a pilot without a current medical certificate still act as a flight instructor in the aircraft?
Yes. FAR 91.1091(e) allows a pilot without a medical to instruct in the aircraft only as a non-required crewmember; that pilot may not serve as a flightcrew member in operations under Subpart K.
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FAR 91.1091 — Fractional Flight Instructor Qualifications