Q: What does it mean to be a Part 141 flight school?
A: Under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 141 flight schools must be approved by the FAA. This means the school, its aircraft, instructors, and training programs are regularly inspected to ensure they meet strict safety and quality standards.
Q: How is a Part 141 school different from a Part 61 flight school?
A: If a facility is not Part 141 certified, it has not been inspected or approved by the FAA. In fact, any independent instructor could rent an aircraft and an office to start training without FAA oversight. This means the quality of training and aircraft maintenance depends solely on the instructor or aircraft owner.
Q: What does it take to become Part 141 approved?
A: To receive FAA Part 141 certification, a flight school must pass multiple inspections, including:
- Aircraft maintenance programs with a dedicated maintenance director
- An FAA-approved training syllabus
- Student pass rate requirements
- A chief instructor to oversee training quality
The FAA also conducts annual inspections to make sure the school continues to meet these standards.
The FAA also conducts annual inspections to make sure the school continues to meet these standards.
Q: Can a Part 141 school also provide Part 61 training?
A: Yes. A common myth is that Part 141 schools can only provide Part 141 training. In reality, a Part 141 school can also offer Part 61 training based on each student’s needs.
Q: Do I need to be a full-time student for Part 141 training?
A: No. Part 141 training is just as flexible as Part 61 training. You can train part-time or full-time, with the added benefit of knowing your school is FAA-approved and regularly inspected for quality and safety.
