---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 142.57"
title: "14"
number: "142.57"
heading: "Aircraft requirements."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/142.57"
---

# §142.57. Aircraft requirements.

- (a) An applicant for, or holder of, a training center certificate must ensure that each aircraft used for flight instruction and solo flights meets the following requirements:
  - (1) Except for flight instruction and solo flights in a curriculum for agricultural aircraft operations, external load operations, and similar aerial work operations, the aircraft must have an FAA standard airworthiness certificate or a foreign equivalent of an FAA standard airworthiness certificate, acceptable to the Administrator.
  - (2) The aircraft must be maintained and inspected in accordance with—
    - (i) The requirements of [part 91](/cfr/14/part91.md), [subpart E](/cfr/14/subpartE.md), of this chapter; and
    - (ii) **An approved program for maintenance and inspection.**
  - (3) The aircraft must be equipped as provided in the training specifications for the approved course for which it is used.
- (b) Except as provided in [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section, an applicant for, or holder of, a training center certificate must ensure that each aircraft used for flight instruction is at least a two-place aircraft with engine power controls and flight controls that are easily reached and that operate in a conventional manner from both pilot stations.
- (c) Aircraft with controls such as nose-wheel steering, switches, fuel selectors, and engine air flow controls that are not easily reached and operated in a conventional manner by both pilots may be used for flight instruction if the certificate holder determines that the flight instruction can be conducted in a safe manner considering the location of controls and their nonconventional operation, or both.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Docket 26933, 61 FR 34562, July 2, 1996, as amended by Docket FAA-2023-1275, Amdt. 142-11, 89 FR 92489, Nov. 21, 2024]

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 40119, 44101, 44701-44703, 44705, 44707, 44709-44711, 45102-45103, 45301-45302.

### Source

Source: Docket 26933, 61 FR 34562, July 2, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[Docket 26933, 61 FR 34562, July 2, 1996, as amended by Docket FAA-2023-1275, Amdt. 142-11, 89 FR 92489, Nov. 21, 2024]