Provisional pilot school certificate

A provisional pilot school certificate is available to applicants who meet most requirements for a pilot school but lack the recent training activity history normally required. Specifically, if you satisfy the requirements in subparts A, B, and C of Part 141 but haven't met the recent training activity requirements spelled out in § 141.5(d), you can still receive certification—it will just be designated as "provisional."

This matters because it allows new or restarting pilot schools to begin operations legally before they've built up the training track record that a full certificate requires. The provisional status essentially serves as a probationary period, letting schools operate under FAA oversight while they establish their training history. Once the school demonstrates the required training activity over time, it can then apply to convert the provisional certificate to a standard pilot school certificate. This creates a pathway for new schools to enter the training market without an impossible catch-22 of needing experience before being allowed to gain 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.*