---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 135.338"
title: "14"
number: "135.338"
heading: "Qualifications: Flight instructors."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/135.338"
---

# §135.338. Qualifications: Flight instructors.

- (a) **For the purposes of this part—**
  - (1) A flight instructor (aircraft) is a person who is qualified to instruct in an aircraft for a particular type, class, or category aircraft.
  - (2) A flight instructor (FSTD) is a person who is qualified to instruct only in an FSTD for a particular type, class, or category aircraft.
  - (3) Flight instructors are those instructors who perform the functions described in §§ [135.321(a)](/cfr/14/135.321.md?p=a) and [135.323(a)(4)](/cfr/14/135.323.md?p=a-4) and [(c)](/cfr/14/135.323.md?p=a-c).
- (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 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 part;
  - (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 part;
  - (3) Has satisfactorily completed the proficiency or competency checks that are required to serve as a pilot in command in operations under this part;
  - (4) Has satisfactorily completed the applicable training requirements of [§ 135.340](/cfr/14/135.340.md).
- (c) Completion of the requirements in paragraphs [(b)(2)](#b-2), [(3)](#b-3), and [(4)](#b-4) of this section 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, class, or category aircraft involved 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 are considered completed in the month required if completed in the calendar month before, or in the calendar month after, the month in which they are 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.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Docket FAA-2019-0360, Amdt. 135-145, 89 FR 51431, June 18, 2024]

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 41706, 44701-44702, 44705, 44709, 44711-44713, 44715-44717, 44722, 44730, 45101-45105; Pub. L. 112-95, 126 Stat. 58 (49 U.S.C. 44730).

### Source

Source: Docket 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[Docket FAA-2019-0360, Amdt. 135-145, 89 FR 51431, June 18, 2024]