---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 91.1091"
title: "14"
number: "91.1091"
heading: "Qualifications: Flight instructors (aircraft) and flight instructors (simulator)."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/91.1091"
---

# §91.1091. Qualifications: Flight instructors (aircraft) and flight instructors (simulator).

- (a) For the purposes of this section and [§ 91.1095](/cfr/14/91.1095.md):
  - (1) A flight instructor (aircraft) is a person who is qualified to instruct in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight training device for a particular type, class, or category aircraft.
  - (2) A flight instructor (simulator) is a person who is qualified to instruct in a flight simulator, in a flight training device, or in both, for a particular type, class, or category aircraft.
  - (3) Flight instructors (aircraft) and flight instructors (simulator) are those instructors who perform the functions described in § [91.1073(a)(4)](/cfr/14/91.1073.md?p=a-4) and [(c)](/cfr/14/91.1073.md?p=a-c).
- (b) No program manager may use a person, nor may any person serve as a flight instructor (aircraft) 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 subpart or part [121](/cfr/14/part121.md) or [135](/cfr/14/part135.md) of this chapter;
  - (2) Has satisfactorily completed the training phases for the aircraft, including recurrent training, that are required to serve as a pilot in command in operations under this subpart;
  - (3) Has satisfactorily completed the proficiency or competency checks that are required to serve as a pilot in command in operations under this subpart;
  - (4) Has satisfactorily completed the applicable training requirements of [§ 91.1095](/cfr/14/91.1095.md); and
  - (5) **Holds at least a Class III medical certificate.**
- (c) No program manager may use a person, nor may any person serve as a flight instructor (simulator) in a training program established under this subpart, unless, with respect to the type, class, or category aircraft involved, that person meets the provisions of [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, or—
  - (1) Holds the pilot certificates and ratings, except medical certificate, required to serve as a pilot in command in operations under this subpart or part [121](/cfr/14/part121.md) or [135](/cfr/14/part135.md) of this chapter;
  - (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 subpart;
  - (3) Has satisfactorily completed the appropriate proficiency or competency checks that are required to serve as a pilot in command in operations under this subpart; and
  - (4) Has satisfactorily completed the applicable training requirements of [§ 91.1095](/cfr/14/91.1095.md).
- (d) Completion of the requirements in paragraphs [(b)(2)](#b-2), [(3)](#b-3), and [(4)](#b-4) or [(c)(2)](#c-2), [(3)](#c-3), and [(4)](#c-4) of this section, as applicable, must be entered in the individual's training record maintained by the program manager.
- (e) A pilot who does not hold a medical certificate may function as a flight instructor in an aircraft if functioning as a non-required crewmember, but may not serve as a flightcrew member in operations under this subpart.
- (f) A flight instructor (simulator) 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 a flight simulator; 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 a flight simulator.
- (g) The flight segments or line-observation program required in [paragraph (f)](#f) of this section are considered completed in the month required if completed in the month before, or in the month after, the month in which they are due.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Docket FAA-2001-10047, 68 FR 54561, Sept. 17, 2003, as amended by Amdt. 91-322, 76 FR 31823, June 2, 2011]

### Source

Source: Docket FAA-2001-10047, 68 FR 54561, Sept. 17, 2003, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40101, 40103, 40105, 40113, 40120, 44101, 44111, 44701, 44704, 44709, 44711, 44712, 44715,44716, 44717, 44722, 44740, 46306, 46315, 46316, 46504, 46506-46507, 47122, 47508,47528-47531, 47534; Pub. L. 112-95, 126 Stat. 11; Pub. L. 114-190, 130 Stat. 615 (49 U.S.C. 44703 note); sec. 828, Pub. L. 118-63, 138 Stat. 1330 (49 U.S.C. 44703 note); articles 12 and 29 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, 61 Stat. 1180.

### Amendments

[Docket FAA-2001-10047, 68 FR 54561, Sept. 17, 2003, as amended by Amdt. 91-322, 76 FR 31823, June 2, 2011]