FAA Proposes Modernizing Part 141 Regulations for Flight Schools

The FAA is looking to modernize Part 141 regulations, which govern pilot flight schools in the United States. The agency recently hosted a forum in Denver to solicit input from the aviation community, marking the beginning of a series of public meetings aimed at updating rules that have been in place for 85 years.

Part 141 regulations were written in an era when aviation was far simpler, with fewer advanced technologies like GPS, electronic flight bags (EFBs), and flight simulators. The last major revision to these regulations occurred in 1997, and the FAA recognizes the need for changes to better reflect modern aviation technology and safety requirements.

At the March 6 meeting, the FAA discussed ways to improve aviation safety, training efficiency, and pilot examining authority. A significant concern is the lengthy wait times for checkrides due to scheduling bottlenecks with designated pilot examiners (DPEs), which can delay training completion.

The FAA emphasized that approximately 500 Part 141 schools are operating in the U.S. and that it plans to hold a hybrid meeting in Atlanta from April 1-3 to further discuss modernization efforts.

The FAA expects to release a report on its findings in early 2026, with plans for policy improvements following its review.

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Sources: AirGuide Business, airguide.info, flyingmag.com