Washington, USA – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a new phase in its long-awaited modernization of Part 141 regulations, inviting public input from the flight training industry and broader aviation community. The initiative aims to restructure and update rules governing certificated flight schools, many of which have remained largely unchanged since 1997.

• The overhaul responds to shifts in aviation technology, training methods, and airspace operations, including the adoption of GPS, electronic flight bags (EFBs), and advanced simulation—none of which were fully integrated when Part 141 was last substantially revised.

• The FAA has scheduled two virtual public meetings on March 10 and 11, 2026, and will accept written comments through April 10, 2026, as part of a broader stakeholder engagement strategy.

• Key areas under review include:

  • Certification processes for flight schools

  • Examining authority and oversight

  • Regulatory structures impacting safety and training capacity

  • Alignment with modern pilot training practices

• The National Flight Training Alliance, selected by the FAA as industry lead under the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, is playing a central role in guiding collaborative discussions.

• Only a small share of U.S. flight training is currently conducted under Part 141, with many schools citing barriers to certification, inflexible standards, and limited access to designated pilot examiners (DPEs) as systemic challenges.

• A final findings report is expected later in 2026, which could lay the groundwork for formal rulemaking or revised guidance affecting hundreds of pilot schools nationwide.

Source: Federal Aviation Administration