---
kind: "range"
citation: "14 C.F.R. §§ 121.411–121.414"
title: "14"
from: "121.411"
to: "121.414"
count: 4
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/121.411..121.414"
---

# §121.411. Qualifications: Check pilots and check flight engineers.

- (a) **For the purposes of this part—**
  - (1) A check pilot (airplane) or check flight engineer (airplane) is a person who is qualified, and permitted, to conduct flight checks or instruction in an airplane for a particular type airplane.
  - (2) A check pilot (FSTD) or check flight engineer (FSTD) is a person who is qualified to conduct flight checks or instruction-only in an FSTD for a particular type airplane.
  - (3) Check pilots and check flight engineers are those persons who perform the functions described in [§ 121.401(a)(4)](/cfr/14/121.401.md?p=a-4).
- (b) No certificate holder may use a person, nor may any person serve as a check pilot or check flight engineer in a training program established under this subpart unless, with respect to the airplane type involved, that person—
  - (1) Holds the pilot certificates and ratings required to serve as a pilot in command or a flight engineer certificate, as applicable, in operations under this part;
  - (2) Has satisfactorily completed the appropriate training phases for the airplane, including recurrent training, that are required to serve as a pilot in command or flight engineer, as applicable, in operations under this part;
  - (3) Has satisfactorily completed the appropriate proficiency or flight checks that are required to serve as a pilot in command or flight engineer, as applicable, in operations under this part;
  - (4) Has satisfactorily completed the applicable training requirements of [§ 121.413](/cfr/14/121.413.md); and
  - (5) **Has been approved by the Administrator for the check pilot or check flight engineer duties involved.**
- (c) Completion of the requirements in paragraphs [(b)(2)](#b-2), [(3)](#b-3), and [(4)](#b-4) of this section, as applicable, shall be entered in the individual's training record maintained by the certificate holder.
- (d) A check pilot (FSTD) and check flight engineer (FSTD) must accomplish the following—
  - (1) Fly at least two flight segments as a required crewmember for the type airplane involved within the 12-month period preceding the performance of any check pilot or check flight engineer duty in an FSTD; or
  - (2) Satisfactorily complete an approved line-observation program within the period prescribed by that program and that must precede the performance of any check pilot or check flight engineer duty in an FSTD.
- (e) The flight segments or line-observation program required in [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section are considered to be completed in the month required if completed in the calendar month before or in the calendar month after the month in which it is due.
- (f) A person who serves as a required flightcrew member while performing check pilot or check flight engineer duties must also meet the requirements of this chapter for the duty position in which they are serving.

# §121.412. Qualifications: Flight instructors.

- (a) **For the purposes of this part—**
  - (1) A flight instructor (airplane) is a person who is qualified to instruct in an airplane for a particular type airplane.
  - (2) A flight instructor (FSTD) is a person who is qualified to instruct only in an FSTD for a particular type airplane.
  - (3) Flight instructors are those instructors who perform the functions described in [§ 121.401(a)(4)](/cfr/14/121.401.md?p=a-4).
- (b) No certificate holder may use a person nor may any person serve as a flight instructor in a training program established under this subpart unless, with respect to the airplane type involved, that person—
  - (1) Holds the pilot certificates and rating required to serve as a pilot in command or a flight engineer certificate, as applicable, in operations under this part;
  - (2) Has satisfactorily completed the appropriate training phases for the airplane, including recurrent training, that are required to serve as a pilot in command or flight engineer, as applicable, in operations under this part;
  - (3) Has satisfactorily completed the appropriate proficiency or flight checks that are required to serve as a pilot in command or flight engineer, as applicable, in operations under this part;
  - (4) Has satisfactorily completed the applicable training requirements of [§ 121.414](/cfr/14/121.414.md).
- (c) Completion of the requirements in [paragraphs (b)](#b) (2), (3), and (4) of this section, as applicable, shall be entered in the individual's training record maintained by the certificate holder.
- (d) A flight instructor (FSTD) must accomplish the following—
  - (1) Fly at least two flight segments as a required crewmember for the type of airplane within the 12-month period preceding the performance of any flight instructor duty in an FSTD; 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 an FSTD.
- (e) The flight segments or line-observation program required in [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section is considered completed in the month required if completed in the calendar month before, or the calendar month after the month in which it is due.
- (f) A person who serves as a required flightcrew member while performing flight instructor duties must also meet the requirements of this chapter for the duty position in which they are serving.

# §121.413. Initial, transition and recurrent training and checking requirements: Check pilots and check flight engineers.

- (a) No certificate holder may use a person nor may any person serve as a check pilot or check flight engineer unless—
  - (1) That person has satisfactorily completed initial or transition check pilot or check flight engineer training, as applicable; and
  - (2) Within the preceding 24 calendar months, that person satisfactorily conducts a check or supervises operating experience under the observation of an FAA inspector or an aircrew designated examiner employed by the operator. The observation check may be accomplished in part or in full in an airplane and in an FSTD.
- (b) The observation check required by [paragraph (a)(2)](#a-2) of this section is considered to have been completed in the month required if completed in the calendar month before, or the calendar month after, the month in which it is due.
- (c) The initial ground training for check pilots or check flight engineers must include the following, as applicable:
  - (1) **Check pilot or check flight engineer duties, functions, and responsibilities.**
  - (2) **The applicable Code of Federal Regulations and the certificate holder's policies and procedures.**
  - (3) **The appropriate methods, procedures, and techniques for conducting the required checks.**
  - (4) **Proper evaluation of student performance, including the detection of—**
    - (i) Improper and insufficient training; and
    - (ii) **Personal characteristics of an applicant that could adversely affect safety.**
  - (5) **The appropriate corrective action in the case of unsatisfactory checks.**
  - (6) The approved methods, procedures, and limitations for performing the required normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures in the airplane.
  - (7) For check pilots or check flight engineers who conduct training or checking in an FSTD, the following subjects specific to the device(s) for the airplane type:
    - (i) Proper operation of the controls and systems;
    - (ii) Proper operation of environmental and fault panels;
    - (iii) Data and motion limitations of simulation; and
    - (iv) The minimum airplane simulator equipment required by this part or [part 60](/cfr/14/part60.md) of this chapter for each maneuver and procedure completed in an FSTD.
- (d) The transition ground training for check pilots or check flight engineers must include the following:
  - (1) The approved methods, procedures, and limitations for performing the required normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures applicable to the airplane to which the check pilot or check flight engineer is transitioning.
  - (2) For check pilots or check flight engineers who conduct training or checking in an FSTD, the following subjects specific to the device(s) for the airplane type to which the check pilot or check flight engineer is transitioning:
    - (i) Proper operation of the controls and systems;
    - (ii) Proper operation of environmental and fault panels;
    - (iii) Data and motion limitations of simulation; and
    - (iv) The minimum airplane simulator equipment required by this part or [part 60](/cfr/14/part60.md) of this chapter for each maneuver and procedure completed in an FSTD.
- (e) The initial and transition flight training for check pilots (airplane) and check flight engineers (airplane) must include the following:
  - (1) **The safety measures for emergency situations that are likely to develop during a check.**
  - (2) **The potential results of improper, untimely, or non-execution of safety measures during a check.**
  - (3) **For check pilots (airplane)—**
    - (i) Training and practice in conducting flight checks from the left and right pilot seats in the required normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures to ensure competence to conduct the pilot flight checks required by this part; and
    - (ii) The safety measures to be taken from either pilot seat for emergency situations that are likely to develop during a check.
  - (4) **For check flight engineers (airplane), training to ensure competence to perform assigned duties.**
- (f) The requirements of [paragraph (e)](#e) of this section may be accomplished in full or in part inflight and in an FSTD, as appropriate.
- (g) The initial and transition flight training for check pilots or check flight engineers who conduct training or checking in an FSTD must include the following:
  - (1) Training and practice in conducting flight checks in the required normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures to ensure competence to conduct the flight checks required by this part. This training and practice must be accomplished in an FSTD.
  - (2) Training in the operation of FSTDs to ensure competence to conduct the flight checks required by this part.
- (h) Recurrent ground training for check pilots or check flight engineers who conduct training or checking in an FSTD must be completed every 12 calendar months and must include the subjects required in [paragraph (c)(7)](#c-7) of this section.

# §121.414. Initial, transition and recurrent training and checking requirements: Flight instructors.

- (a) No certificate holder may use a person nor may any person serve as a flight instructor unless—
  - (1) That person has satisfactorily completed initial or transition flight instructor training; and
  - (2) Within the preceding 24 calendar months, that person satisfactorily conducts instruction under the observation of an FAA inspector, an operator check pilot, a check flight engineer, or an aircrew designated examiner employed by the operator, as appropriate. The observation check may be accomplished in part or in full in an airplane and an FSTD.
- (b) The observation check required by [paragraph (a)(2)](#a-2) of this section is considered to have been completed in the month required if completed in the calendar month before, or the calendar month after, the month in which it is due.
- (c) The initial ground training for flight instructors must include the following:
  - (1) **Flight instructor duties, functions, and responsibilities.**
  - (2) **The applicable Code of Federal Regulations and the certificate holder's policies and procedures.**
  - (3) **The appropriate methods, procedures, and techniques for conducting flight instruction.**
  - (4) **Proper evaluation of student performance including the detection of—**
    - (i) Improper and insufficient training; and
    - (ii) **Personal characteristics of an applicant that could adversely affect safety.**
  - (5) **The corrective action in the case of unsatisfactory training progress.**
  - (6) The approved methods, procedures, and limitations for performing the required normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures in the airplane.
  - (7) **Except for holders of a flight instructor certificate—**
    - (i) The fundamental principles of the teaching-learning process;
    - (ii) Teaching methods and procedures; and
    - (iii) **The instructor-student relationship.**
  - (8) For flight instructors who conduct training in an FSTD, the following subjects specific to the device(s) for the airplane type:
    - (i) Proper operation of the controls and systems;
    - (ii) Proper operation of environmental and fault panels;
    - (iii) Data and motion limitations of simulation; and
    - (iv) The minimum airplane simulator equipment required by this part 121 or [part 60](/cfr/14/part60.md) of this chapter for each maneuver and procedure completed in an FSTD.
- (d) The transition ground training for flight instructors must include the following:
  - (1) The approved methods, procedures, and limitations for performing the required normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures applicable to the airplane to which the flight instructor is transitioning.
  - (2) For flight instructors who conduct training in an FSTD, the following subjects specific to the device(s) for the airplane type to which the flight instructor is transitioning:
    - (i) Proper operation of the controls and systems;
    - (ii) Proper operation of environmental and fault panels;
    - (iii) Data and motion limitations of simulation; and
    - (iv) The minimum airplane simulator equipment required by this part or [part 60](/cfr/14/part60.md) of this chapter for each maneuver and procedure completed in an FSTD.
- (e) The initial and transition flight training for flight instructors (airplane) must include the following:
  - (1) **The safety measures for emergency situations that are likely to develop during instruction.**
  - (2) **The potential results of improper, untimely, or non-execution of safety measures during instruction.**
  - (3) **For pilot flight instructor (airplane)—**
    - (i) Inflight training and practice in conducting flight instruction from the left and right pilot seats in the required normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures to ensure competence as an instructor; and
    - (ii) The safety measures to be taken from either pilot seat for emergency situations that are likely to develop during instruction.
  - (4) For flight engineer instructors (airplane), inflight training to ensure competence to perform assigned duties.
- (f) The requirements of [paragraph (e)](#e) of this section may be accomplished in full or in part inflight and in an FSTD, as appropriate.
- (g) The initial and transition flight training for flight instructors who conduct training in an FSTD must include the following:
  - (1) Training and practice in the required normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures to ensure competence to conduct the flight instruction required by this part. This training and practice must be accomplished in full or in part in an FSTD.
  - (2) Training in the operation of FSTDs to ensure competence to conduct the flight instruction required by this part.
- (h) Recurrent flight instructor ground training for flight instructors who conduct training in an FSTD must be completed every 12 calendar months and must include the subjects required in [paragraph (c)(8)](#c-8) of this section.