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  4. Part 121
  5. § 121.419
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14 CFR · Part 121

14 CFR § 121.419

Pilots and flight engineers: Initial, transition, conversion and upgrade ground training.

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Read in Subpart N
Part 121 Contents
  • Subpart A: General
  • Subpart E: Approval of Routes: Domestic and Flag Operations
  • Subpart F: Approval of Areas and Routes for Supplemental Operations
  • Subpart G: Manual Requirements
  • Subpart H: Aircraft Requirements
  • Subpart I: Airplane Performance Operating Limitations
  • Subpart J: Special Airworthiness Requirements
  • Subpart K: Instrument and Equipment Requirements
  • Subpart L: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations
  • Subpart M: Airman and Crewmember Requirements
  • Subpart N: Training Program
  • Subpart O: Crewmember Qualifications
  • Subpart P: Aircraft Dispatcher Qualifications and Duty Time
  • Subpart Q: Flight Time Limitations and Rest Requirements: Domestic Operations
  • Subpart R: Flight Time Limitations: Flag Operations
  • Subpart S: Flight Time Limitations: Supplemental Operations
  • Subpart T: Flight Operations
  • Subpart U: Dispatching and Flight Release Rules
  • Subpart V: Records and Reports
  • Subpart W: Crewmember Certificate: International
  • Subpart X: Emergency Medical Equipment and Training
  • Subpart Y: Advanced Qualification Program
  • Subpart Z: Hazardous Materials Training Program
  • Subpart AA: Continued Airworthiness and Safety Improvements
  • Subpart DD: Special Federal Aviation Regulations
  • Appendix A to Part 121: First Aid Kits and Emergency Medical Kits
  • Appendix B to Part 121: Airplane Flight Recorder Specification
  • Appendix C to Part 121: C-46 Nontransport Category Airplanes
  • Appendix D to Part 121: Criteria for Demonstration of Emergency Evacuation Procedures Under § 121.291
  • Appendix E to Part 121: Flight Training Requirements
  • Appendix F to Part 121: Proficiency Check Requirements
  • Appendix G to Part 121: Doppler Radar and Inertial Navigation System (INS): Request for Evaluation; Equipment and Equipment Installation; Training Program; Equipment Accuracy and Reliability; Evaluation Program
  • Appendix H to Part 121: Advanced Simulation
  • Appendix K to Part 121: Performance Requirements for Certain Turbopropeller Powered Airplanes
  • Appendix L to Part 121: Type Certification Regulations Made Previously Effective
  • Appendix M to Part 121: Airplane Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix O to Part 121: Hazardous Materials Training Requirements For Certificate Holders
  • Appendix P to Part 121: Requirements for ETOPS and Polar Operations
(a)

Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, initial and conversion ground training for pilots and initial and transition ground training for flight engineers, must include instruction in at least the following as applicable to their assigned duties:

(1)

General subjects—

(i)

The certificate holder's dispatch or flight release procedures;

(ii)

Principles and methods for determining weight and balance, and runway limitations for takeoff and landing;

(iii)

Enough meteorology to insure a practical knowledge of weather phenomena, including the principles of frontal systems, icing, fog, thunderstorms, and high altitude weather situations;

(iv)

Air traffic control systems, procedures, and phraseology;

(v)

Navigation and the use of navigation aids, including instrument approach procedures;

(vi)

Normal and emergency communication procedures;

(vii)

Visual cues prior to and during descent below DA/DH or MDA;

(viii)

Approved crew resource management initial training; and

(ix)

Other instructions as necessary to ensure pilot and flight engineer competence.

(2)

For each airplane type—

(i)

A general description;

(ii)

Performance characteristics;

(iii)

Engines and propellers;

(iv)

Major components;

(v)

Major airplane systems (e.g., flight controls, electrical, hydraulic); other systems as appropriate; principles of normal, abnormal, and emergency operations; appropriate procedures and limitations;

(vi)

Procedures for—

(A)

Recognizing and avoiding severe weather situations;

(B)

Escaping from severe weather situations, in case of inadvertent encounters, including low-altitude windshear, and

(C)

Operating in or near thunderstorms (including best penetrating altitudes), turbulent air (including clear air turbulence), icing, hail, and other potentially hazardous meteorological conditions;

(vii)

Operating limitations;

(viii)

Fuel consumption and cruise control;

(ix)

Flight planning;

(x)

Each normal and emergency procedure;

(xi)

For pilots, stall prevention and recovery in clean configuration, takeoff and maneuvering configuration, and landing configuration.

(xii)

For pilots, upset prevention and recovery; and

(xiii)

The approved Airplane Flight Manual.

(b)

Initial and conversion ground training for pilots who have completed the airline transport pilot certification training program in § 61.156 of this chapter, and transition ground training for pilots, must include instruction in at least the following as applicable to their assigned duties:

(1)

Ground training specific to the certificate holder's—

(i)

Dispatch or flight release procedures;

(ii)

Method for determining weight and balance and runway limitations for takeoff and landing;

(iii)

Meteorology hazards applicable to the certificate holder's areas of operation;

(iv)

Approved departure, arrival, and approach procedures;

(v)

Normal and emergency communication procedures; and

(vi)

Approved crew resource management training.

(2)

The training required by paragraph (a)(2) of this section for the airplane type.

(c)

In addition to the requirements in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, as applicable, initial ground training for pilots in command must include instruction and facilitated discussion on the following:

(1)

Leadership and command, including flightcrew member duties under § 121.542; and

(2)

Mentoring, including techniques for instilling and reinforcing the highest standards of technical performance, airmanship, and professionalism in newly hired pilots.

(d)

Initial ground training for pilots and flight engineers must consist of at least the following programmed hours of instruction in the required subjects specified in paragraph (a) of this section and in § 121.415(a) unless reduced under § 121.405:

(1)

Group I airplanes—

(i)

Reciprocating powered, 64 hours; and

(ii)

Turbopropeller powered, 80 hours.

(2)

Group II airplanes, 120 hours.

(e)

Initial ground training for pilots who have completed the airline transport pilot certification training program in § 61.156 must consist of at least the following programmed hours of instruction in the required subjects specified in paragraph (b) of this section and in § 121.415(a) unless reduced under § 121.405:

(1)

Group I airplanes—

(i)

Reciprocating powered, 54 hours; and

(ii)

Turbopropeller powered, 70 hours.

(2)

Group II airplanes, 110 hours.

(f)

Initial programmed hours applicable to pilots as specified in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section must include 2 additional hours to meet the requirements in paragraphs (a)(2)(xi) and (xii) of this section.

Referenced By

Interpretations of This Section (1)

  • Duncan=AFS1-3 2014

Advisory Circulars (3)

  • AC 120-101
  • AC 120-109A
  • AC 120-111

Documents that cite this section, found in their catalog metadata or text. Listed by date, not by significance.

Regulations Referenced

14 CFR 61.15614 CFR 121.54214 CFR 121.41514 CFR 121.405

Reflects the eCFR edition current as of September 29, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on October 16, 2026.

Primary Source

  • Official Source (14 CFR · Part 121)