Assistant chief instructor qualifications

This regulation sets the minimum qualifications for assistant chief instructors at Part 141 flight schools. An assistant chief instructor must hold a commercial or ATP certificate plus a flight instructor certificate with appropriate ratings for the courses they'll oversee (lighter-than-air courses excepted). They must meet recent flight experience requirements, pass knowledge and proficiency tests covering teaching methods and the specific course material, and meet minimum flight time requirements that vary by course type.

For recreational/private pilot courses, they need 500 hours pilot-in-command and either one year with 250 hours of instructing or 500 instructing hours. Instrument courses require 50 hours actual/simulated instrument time, 500 hours PIC, and either one year with 125 hours of instrument instruction or 200 instrument instructing hours. Advanced courses (commercial, ATP, etc.) require 1,000 hours PIC and either 1.5 years with 500 instructing hours or 750 instructing hours. Glider, balloon, and airship assistant chief instructors need only 40% of these hour requirements. Ground school assistant chief instructors need six months of ground instruction experience.

*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.*