Training program: General

This regulation requires Part 121 air carriers to establish and maintain FAA-approved training programs for all crewmembers, dispatchers, instructors, and check personnel. The carrier must provide adequate facilities, qualified instructors, current training materials, and enough check pilots to conduct required training.

Key practical provisions:

• Grace period: Training or checks completed in the month before or after the due month count as on-time
• Credit for prior training: Subjects already mastered for another aircraft or position don't need repeating (except recurrent training)
• Early completion option: Trainees who excel may finish with fewer flight hours than programmed if recommended by their instructor and they pass the check—but this privilege can be suspended at a training base if 20% of checks fail over six months
• Documentation: Instructors must certify completion in the person's record; electronic signatures are acceptable if the certifying person is identified

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*