Impacts of Public Law 111-216: Will the Flight Instructor Career Path Remain a Viable Option for Aspiring Airline Pilots?

Abstract

On August 1, 2010, President Obama signed Public Law 111-216. This new legislation impacts the practices of 14 CFR Part 121 air carriers, as well as dictating the requirement of all airline pilots to hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. This study examines how a flight instructor in a 14 CFR Part 141 pilot school measures up to the aeronautical experience requirements of the ATP. Aeronautical experience of 174 current flight instructors employed by a Part 141 collegiate aviation program was analyzed. The results indicate that this group of flight instructors significantly lacked the required cross-country flight experience required by the ATP certificate. The research also found that the number of flight instructors aspiring to work for air carriers is on the decline.