If you have spent any time researching advanced flight training, you have likely seen the phrase “FAA Part 142 certified” attached to training centers offering ATP-CTP programs, type ratings, and recurrent training. But what does that certification actually mean for you as a student? The short answer: it changes almost everything about how your training is structured, delivered, and recognized by airlines. Train at one of the West Coast’s only FAA Part 142 certified centers. See our ATP-CTP program or call Ron Kelly directly at 818-489-1738.
What FAA Part 142 Certification Actually Requires
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 142, governs flight training centers that operate outside the traditional flight school framework. To earn a Part 142 certificate, a training center must pass a formal FAA application and approval process covering the facility, its simulators, its training programs, its instructors, and its record-keeping systems. Nothing is assumed. Every element of the operation is reviewed, documented, and approved before a single student walks in the door.
The certificate names the specific training programs a center is authorized to deliver. Las Vegas Flight Academy holds certificate number LVAX430K, which authorizes the academy to conduct ATP-CTP training under 14 CFR Part 61, Section 61.156 and Boeing 737 type rating programs using Level D full-flight simulators. As one of only about 40 training centers in the United States authorized to conduct ATP-CTP training, LVFA received its FAA authorization in February 2024 following a multi-year review process.
This is a meaningful distinction from flight schools operating under Part 61 or Part 141. If you want to understand the differences between those regulatory frameworks, our guide to Part 141 vs. Part 61 breaks down each pathway clearly. For a foundational overview of the certificate itself, our guide to what a Part 142 training center is covers the core requirements and structure.
Why Part 142 Certification Matters When You Choose a Training Center
The FAA does not issue Part 142 certificates to just any operation. The requirements create a high bar that separates centers capable of delivering airline-grade training from general flight schools. For pilots pursuing ATP certification or type ratings, that distinction matters for several concrete reasons.
Standardized, FAA-approved curriculum. A Part 142 center cannot simply decide what to teach. Every training program must be submitted to and approved by the FAA before delivery. At LVFA, the ATP-CTP curriculum follows a specific FAA-approved syllabus: 32 hours of ground school, 4 hours in a fixed training device, and 6 hours in a Level D full-flight simulator. The curriculum is not subject to an instructor’s personal preferences or a center’s cost-cutting decisions. It is locked in by the FAA.
Direct FAA oversight. Part 142 centers operate under ongoing FAA surveillance. Inspectors review records, observe training sessions, and conduct periodic evaluations of the facility and its programs. This is not a one-time certification a center can coast on. It requires sustained compliance with documented standards, which is why LVFA maintains both of its Boeing 737-800 Level D simulators to the specifications required under each simulator’s FAA Statement of Qualification.
Instructor qualifications set by the FAA, not the market. Part 142 instructors must meet specific standards for qualification, currency, and checking. LVFA’s instructors average more than 20,000 hours of flight experience, reflecting the professional background Part 142 operations require to stay in compliance.
Recognized regulatory credit. Training completed at an FAA Part 142 center carries specific credit under the Federal Aviation Regulations. Your ATP-CTP completion certificate from LVFA has no expiration date and is accepted at every FSDO and testing center in the country as evidence of completed training under Section 61.156. That recognition does not carry over from training conducted outside a Part 142 framework.
What Training Looks Like Inside a Part 142 Center
The structure of training at a Part 142 center is different from what many pilots experience at traditional flight schools. Understanding those differences helps you prepare.
Simulator-primary instruction. At LVFA, the primary training devices are two Boeing 737-800 Level D full-flight simulators. Level D is the highest fidelity simulator qualification available under FAA standards. These simulators replicate the motion, visual, aerodynamic, and systems behavior of a real Boeing 737-800 to specifications the FAA validates through a formal qualification process. Training in a Level D simulator counts toward type ratings and, in some cases, eliminates the need for actual aircraft flight time.
A defined daily schedule. Part 142 training programs run to specific time requirements. The 6-day ATP-CTP course at LVFA covers ground school sessions, simulator periods, and briefings for each flight period. There is no ambiguity about whether you have met the requirements when you leave. The course completion certificate is issued only after all FAA-mandated hours are logged in the training records.
Approved testing and special authorizations. Within the Part 142 framework, check airmen and simulators are authorized for specific training tasks and evaluations. LVFA’s simulators carry special authorizations including Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), full stall training, icing conditions simulation, and RNP/AR approach procedures. These authorizations allow students to receive training on scenarios many centers cannot legally provide.
If you are preparing for the ATP-CTP and want to know exactly what to bring and what to expect before arriving, our ATP-CTP requirements checklist covers every prerequisite and document you need.
Ready to reserve your training dates? Call Ron Kelly at 818-489-1738 or view available ATP-CTP sessions and secure your spot.
How Part 142 Certification Shapes the ATP-CTP Experience
The ATP-CTP is a useful case study for what Part 142 certification means in practice. Congress mandated this course after the Colgan Air Flight 3407 accident in 2009. Every pilot seeking an ATP certificate in the airplane category with a multiengine class rating must complete an ATP-CTP at an FAA-authorized training center before sitting for the ATP written exam. Only about 40 centers in the country are authorized to conduct this course.
Las Vegas Flight Academy became one of those centers in February 2024. For West Coast pilots, that matters geographically. There is no Part 142 ATP-CTP provider located in California. Before LVFA’s authorization, a California-based pilot had to travel across the country for this mandatory course. LVFA’s Las Vegas location cuts that travel time and cost significantly for pilots from California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Hawaii, and the rest of the western states. See why LVFA is the West Coast’s preferred ATP-CTP training center.
The ATP-CTP at LVFA costs $3,950, which is below what several other authorized centers charge. The pricing reflects the efficiency of LVFA’s single-location operation, which avoids the overhead of multi-site chains and passes the savings to students. The completion certificate carries no expiration date and is accepted nationwide.
After completing the ATP-CTP, many pilots move on to type rating training. LVFA’s Part 142 certificate also authorizes Boeing 737 type rating programs, including initial ratings, upgrades, recurrent training, and differences training between 737 variants. Review the full 737 type rating program options at LVFA.
How Part 142 Certification Affects Airline Hiring Decisions
Airlines hiring pilots are not indifferent to where training was completed. When a regional or major carrier reviews a pilot’s training records, Part 142 certification carries weight because it signals that the training was conducted under FAA oversight, followed an approved curriculum, and used qualified simulation devices. Training records from a Part 142 center tell a verifiable story about what a pilot covered and how it was assessed.
This matters in practice. Pilots who complete ATP-CTP training at an unauthorized center cannot sit for the ATP written exam. The Airmen Certification Standards require an ATP-CTP completion certificate from an authorized Part 142 center as a prerequisite. No completion certificate, no exam. No exam, no ATP certificate. For pilots who have invested thousands of hours and tens of thousands of dollars building their flight time, skipping a Part 142 center for ATP-CTP training is not a shortcut. It stops the process entirely.
For type ratings, airlines evaluating candidates with self-sponsored type ratings look at which center issued the rating and whether the training program holds FAA Part 142 authorization. A 737 type rating earned through a Part 142 center with Level D simulators carries a different level of credibility than training completed outside that framework. Airlines that use LVFA for contract recurrent training understand exactly what the program delivers, which is one reason LVFA has built relationships with operators who return for ongoing training needs.
Part 142 vs. Non-Part 142 Training: A Direct Comparison
| Factor | FAA Part 142 Certified Center | Non-Part 142 Training |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum approval | FAA-approved before delivery | Self-determined by school |
| Simulator requirements | FAA-qualified devices required | Varies by program |
| Instructor standards | FAA-mandated qualification requirements | Set by the school |
| Ongoing oversight | Regular FAA surveillance | Periodic FAA oversight only |
| ATP-CTP authorization | Required to conduct ATP-CTP legally | Not authorized |
| Training credit | Specific FAA regulatory credit | May not qualify for same credit |
| Airline recognition | Gold standard for airline hiring | Less consistent recognition |
Is a Part 142 Training Center Right for You?
Part 142 training is not designed for pilots at the beginning of their career. It serves commercial pilots who have accumulated the experience required to pursue ATP certification or type ratings, and who are ready to meet the demands of airline-standard training.
If you hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating and have 1,500 or more total flight hours, you are in the target range for ATP-CTP training at a Part 142 center. If you are earlier in your career, our complete guide to becoming a pilot maps out the full path from student pilot to ATP.
The pilots who benefit most from LVFA’s Part 142 programs include West Coast commercial pilots ready to take the ATP written exam, regional airline pilots pursuing 737 type ratings for new positions, current 737 operators needing recurrent or requalification training, and international pilots seeking FAA certifications through LVFA’s SEVP-certified international student program.
If you have questions about whether you meet the prerequisites for the ATP-CTP or the 737 type rating programs, the fastest answer comes from a direct conversation. Call Ron Kelly at 818-489-1738 and he will walk you through your specific situation, confirm your eligibility, and help you find training dates that work around your schedule.
Call 818-489-1738 to speak with Ron Kelly directly, or visit the ATP-CTP program page to see course details and upcoming availability.
Frequently Asked Questions About FAA Part 142 Certification
What is FAA Part 142 certification?
FAA Part 142 certification is a federal designation issued to flight training centers that meet specific requirements for facilities, simulators, training programs, instructor qualifications, and record-keeping. Part 142 centers operate under direct FAA oversight and must deliver FAA-approved training curricula. Only Part 142 certified centers are authorized to conduct ATP-CTP training under 14 CFR Section 61.156.
How many FAA Part 142 training centers are in the United States?
As of the FAA’s most recent list (Rev. 46, October 2024), approximately 40 training centers in the United States are authorized to conduct ATP-CTP training under Part 142. Las Vegas Flight Academy received its authorization in February 2024, making it one of the newest authorized centers and one of the only ones on the West Coast.
Is the ATP-CTP required for all airline transport pilot certificates?
Yes. Since August 2013, the ATP-CTP has been required for all applicants seeking an ATP certificate in the airplane category with a multiengine class rating. The course must be completed at an FAA-authorized Part 142 center. The resulting completion certificate has no expiration date.
Does Part 142 training cost more than other flight training?
Not necessarily. LVFA’s ATP-CTP program is priced at $3,950, which is below the cost at several other authorized centers. While Part 142 operations require investment in qualified simulators and instructors, LVFA’s single-location focus keeps overhead lower than multi-site training chains, and those savings pass directly to students.
Can I complete the ATP-CTP and 737 type rating at the same center?
Yes. LVFA holds Part 142 authorization for both the ATP-CTP course and Boeing 737 type rating programs. Many pilots complete the ATP-CTP first and then schedule their 737 type rating at the same facility, which simplifies travel and lets them work with instructors they already know from their ATP-CTP training.
What Level D simulators does Las Vegas Flight Academy use?
LVFA operates two Boeing 737-800 Level D full-flight simulators (FAA IDs #1168 and #2104), both maintained to their FAA Statements of Qualification. Level D is the highest simulator qualification available under FAA standards. These simulators are approved for special training scenarios including UPRT, full stall training, icing conditions simulation, and RNP/AR approach procedures.