Part 142 training center
Part 142 training center. A Part 142 training center is an FAA-approved training facility that provides advanced pilot training — typically type ratings, recurrent training, and check rides — using full-motion flight simulators (FSTDs). Part 142 ATOs serve airlines, charter operators, and corporate flight departments, not student pilots.
Definition
Part 142 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR Part 142) governs FAA-approved training centers that conduct training, testing, and checking under contract with operators. Part 142 is distinct from Part 61 (individual pilot training) and Part 141 (pilot school): Part 142 centers serve professional flight operations, and the FAA approves their specific curricula in advance.
How Part 142 differs from Part 61 and 141
Part 61 governs the certification of individual pilots; Part 141 governs pilot schools that train ab-initio pilots toward licenses; Part 142 governs training centers that train already-certified pilots toward type ratings, recurrent training, and operational currency. Software built for Part 61 or 141 typically doesn't cover the B2B billing realities of Part 142.
Who Part 142 centers serve
Major airlines (initial and recurrent type rating training for their pilots), regional airlines, charter and Part 135 operators, corporate flight departments, foreign carriers needing FAA-recognized training. The customer is rarely the pilot in the seat — it's the airline's training department or the corporate flight department.
Curriculum approval
Every Part 142 curriculum is approved by the FAA in advance, including ground school content, simulator session profiles, qualification standards, and check items. The training center can't deviate from the approved curriculum without re-approval. Software for Part 142 has to treat curriculum version + FAA approval status as first-class data.
See also
- FSTD (Flight Simulation Training Device) — FSTD
- Check instructor (TCE/APD) — Check instructor
- SWIFT wire UETR — SWIFT UETR
- BSA / FinCEN CTR — FinCEN CTR
Roffik's take
The platform for FAA-approved Part 142 training centers — simulator scheduling, FAA compliance records, client-account billing, and SWIFT wire reconciliation. Learn more about AviationAlley.