Purpose and eligibility

This regulation introduces the Advanced Qualification Program (AQP), an alternative training and qualification system for airline operations. Instead of following the traditional training requirements scattered throughout various FARs, certificate holders can develop a customized AQP that takes a different approach to training and certifying their crewmembers, dispatchers, instructors, evaluators, and other operations personnel.

Any Part 121 or 135 operator that has (or chooses to have) an approved training program is eligible to apply for AQP. The program must be specifically approved by the FAA through a curriculum approval process.

In practice, AQP allows airlines to use modern training methods like scenario-based training and competency assessments rather than strictly following traditional hour-based requirements. This can make training more efficient and effective, though it requires FAA approval of each proposed curriculum. The regulation explicitly overrides conflicting provisions in Parts 61, 63, 65, 121, 135, and 142 when an AQP is approved.

*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.*