Crewmember Training Programs

FAR 91.1097 — Crewmember Training Programs

FAR 91.1097 requires fractional program managers to establish approved pilot and flight attendant training programs covering initial through requalification training.

In Plain English

FAR 91.1097 applies to fractional ownership program managers under Subpart K. It requires that every program manager establish and maintain an FAA-approved pilot training program, and — if flight attendants are used — an approved flight attendant training program. The training must match the operations crewmembers are assigned to and prepare them to pass the knowledge and practical tests in §§ 91.1065 through 91.1071.

The training program must include both ground and flight curriculums covering:

Initial training (new hires)
Transition training (new aircraft type)
Upgrade training (e.g., SIC to PIC)
Differences training (variants of an aircraft)
Recurrent training (periodic)
Requalification training (after lapsed currency)

Program managers must also supply current study materials to crewmembers and furnish copies of the training program — including any changes and any outsourced training curricula — to the assigned FAA representative. Curricula that mirror FAA-published versions may simply be cited by reference. This rule matters because it ensures fractional crews are consistently and verifiably trained to a standard the FAA can audit.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 91.1097

§ 91.1097 Pilot and flight attendant crewmember training programs. (a) Each program manager must establish and maintain an approved pilot training program, and each program manager who uses a flight attendant crewmember must establish and maintain an approved flight attendant training program, that is appropriate to the operations to which each pilot and flight attendant is to be assigned, and will ensure that they are adequately trained to meet the applicable knowledge and practical testing requirements of §§ 91.1065 through 91.1071. (b) Each program manager required to have a training program by paragraph (a) of this section must include in that program ground and flight training curriculums for— (1) Initial training; (2) Transition training; (3) Upgrade training; (4) Differences training; (5) Recurrent training; and (6) Requalification training. (c) Each program manager must provide current and appropriate study materials for use by each required pilot and flight attendant. (d) The program manager must furnish copies of the pilot and flight attendant crewmember training program, and all changes and additions, to the assigned representative of the Administrator. If the program manager uses training facilities of other persons, a copy of those training programs or appropriate portions used for those facilities must also be furnished. Curricula that follow FAA published curricula may be cited by reference in the copy of the training program furnished to the representative of the Administrator and need not be furnished with the program.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1Under Subpart K, what training curriculums must a program manager include in its pilot training program?

Per FAR 91.1097(b), the program must include ground and flight training for initial, transition, upgrade, differences, recurrent, and requalification training.

Q2Who is responsible for ensuring fractional pilots and flight attendants are adequately trained, and to what standard?

FAR 91.1097(a) places that responsibility on the program manager, who must establish FAA-approved training that prepares crewmembers to meet the knowledge and practical testing requirements of §§ 91.1065 through 91.1071.

Q3If a program manager uses an outside training vendor, what must be provided to the FAA?

FAR 91.1097(d) requires the program manager to furnish the FAA representative with copies of the training program and any outside training curricula used, though curricula matching FAA-published versions may be cited by reference.

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Related Sections in Part 91

§ 91.1

Part 91 Applicability