NBAA Supports Training Alliance Blueprint for Part 141 Training Modernization

May 13, 2026

NBAA formally endorsed the flight training modernization blueprint proposed by the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA), in comments sent May 11 to the FAA.

“NBAA stands in strong support of the report’s central premise: shifting from an hours-based, compliance-centric regulatory model toward a performance-based, data-driven system,” NBAA Senior Vice President of Safety, Security, Sustainability and International Affairs Doug Carr wrote.

“For the business aviation community, this modernization is critical to ensuring that the next generation of pilots is prepared for the high-consequence, technologically advanced environment of Part 91, 91K and 135 operations,” he added.

Read NBAA’s full letter to the FAA.

The NFTA submitted its recommendations report as an independent effort, not in response to a formal FAA proposal for policy or regulatory change. The report is the culmination of a year of engagement with industry stakeholders and individual participants from every sector of the flight training industry.

The NFTA noted the FAA’s regulatory framework for certificated flight training and remained unchanged for more than 50 years and highlighted European leadership in efficiency and technological innovation in flight training and aviation systems, calling on the FAA to develop a certification and regulatory framework that is the “preeminent accreditation” throughout the world.

NBAA highlighted four areas of support, including integration of safety and quality management systems (QMS), a “professional pilot track,” expansion of innovative technologies and simulator credits and establishment of a central management office for Part 141 training organizations.

While the association supports those elements, it also identified areas where additional consideration is necessary. The association suggested the FAA allow for scalability in QMS for specialized, small-scale 141 schools and align the NFTA’s “professional pilot track” with existing industry ACT ARC recommendations for high-altitude, high-speed flight training.

NBAA also advocated for a focus on mentorship models where senior instructors with Part 135 or 91 experience provide real-world context, improving instructor professionalism.

Finally, the association suggested the agency leverage existing tools for great efficiency. For example, the FAA’s recently streamlined letter of authorization process could be utilized to streamline the process of adding aircraft to a pilot school’s operational fleet.

Carr added: “NBAA looks forward to working with the FAA and industry partners as the agency evaluates the NFTA Modernization Report while strengthening the pilot pipeline and enhancing the safety of our National Airspace System.”