Examining authority

This regulation establishes that the FAA can grant "examining authority" to a pilot school, which allows the school's instructors to conduct practical tests (checkrides) for their own students instead of requiring an FAA inspector or designated pilot examiner (DPE).

To receive this authority, the school and its specific training course must meet the requirements spelled out in Subpart D of Part 141. This is a significant privilege because it streamlines the testing process—students can complete their checkrides with their own instructors rather than scheduling with outside examiners.

In practice, examining authority makes training more efficient and convenient for both schools and students. However, it comes with strict oversight requirements to ensure testing standards remain consistent with FAA expectations. Not all Part 141 schools have examining authority; those that do have demonstrated a high level of quality and compliance with FAA standards.

*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.*