(a) An applicant for, or holder of, a training center certificate must ensure that each aircraft used for flight instruction and solo flights meets the following requirements:
- (1) Except for flight instruction and solo flights in a curriculum for agricultural aircraft operations, external load operations, and similar aerial work operations, the aircraft must have an FAA standard airworthiness certificate or a foreign equivalent of an FAA standard airworthiness certificate, acceptable to the Administrator.
(2) The aircraft must be maintained and inspected in accordance with—
- (i) The requirements of part 91, subpart E, of this chapter; and
- (ii) An approved program for maintenance and inspection.
- (3) The aircraft must be equipped as provided in the training specifications for the approved course for which it is used.
- (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, an applicant for, or holder of, a training center certificate must ensure that each aircraft used for flight instruction is at least a two-place aircraft with engine power controls and flight controls that are easily reached and that operate in a conventional manner from both pilot stations.
- (c) Aircraft with controls such as nose-wheel steering, switches, fuel selectors, and engine air flow controls that are not easily reached and operated in a conventional manner by both pilots may be used for flight instruction if the certificate holder determines that the flight instruction can be conducted in a safe manner considering the location of controls and their nonconventional operation, or both.
[Docket 26933, 61 FR 34562, July 2, 1996, as amended by Docket FAA-2023-1275, Amdt. 142-11, 89 FR 92489, Nov. 21, 2024]