Personnel

This regulation establishes who can work at an FAA-approved pilot school. Schools must have adequate personnel, including a chief instructor for each training course. All instructors must hold appropriate certificates—either flight instructor, ground instructor, or commercial pilot with lighter-than-air rating—with ratings that match what they're teaching.

Instructors teaching ATP certification training programs face additional requirements: they must hold an ATP certificate with multiengine rating, have at least two years of relevant airline or commercial experience, and complete annual simulator training if teaching in flight simulation devices.

Schools must designate a chief instructor for each course and may appoint assistant chief instructors when needed. Schools with at least 10 students can designate check instructors to conduct stage checks and tests. Support staff like dispatchers and line personnel must receive training on their duties. One person can fill multiple positions if qualified for each role.

*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.*