Qualifications: Flight instructors

This regulation sets qualification standards for flight instructors in Part 121 airline training programs. It distinguishes between instructors who teach in actual aircraft and those who teach only in flight simulators (FSTDs).

To serve as a flight instructor, a person must hold the appropriate pilot or flight engineer certificates, complete the same training and proficiency checks required for line operations in that aircraft type, and finish specific instructor training under §121.414.

Simulator-only instructors have an additional requirement: they must either fly at least two flight segments as a required crewmember in that aircraft type within the past 12 months, or complete an approved line-observation program. This ensures simulator instructors maintain current knowledge of real-world operations.

The airline must document all training completions in the instructor's training record. If an instructor also serves as a required crewmember while instructing (such as in actual flight training), they must meet all requirements for that crew position as well.

*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.*