Chrisdahut,
Your supervisor is correct. You actually will receive more scrutiny by the FAA than most instructors operating strictly under Part 61.
Surviellance is conducted on instructors flying under Part 141 just as on instructors operating under Part 61. Surveillance isn't limited to the instructor. Typical surveillance includes direct discussion with the instructor, observation of ground or flight instruction, flying with and interviewing students previously or currently taught by the instructor, reviewing student records and instructor records, etc.
Students may be inspected, as may your school.
FAA Order 8700.1 Volume II, Chapter 12, provides the details of surveillance of a flight instructor. It states that if the instructor is employed by a school, the inspector should examine employment records related to aviation activities and note the instructor's performance on school standardization checks and other training. Although uncertificated schools are not required to keep records, the inspector should examine records if they are available.
The following information, taken from the General Aviation Operations Inspectors Handbook, describes the general reasons that surveillance of a flight instructor may be conducted:
A. General Process. Although flight instructor certificates are renewed every 24 months, the surveillance of individual flight instructors and their activities should take place on a random basis in the interim. High activity CFIs should receive a higher level of supervision and surveillance since this segment of the CFI population is responsible for a larger percentage of pilot training and certifications. A high activity CFI is one who recommends at least four applicants annually for a practical test. In addition to routine surveillance, an inspector should take appropriate action, documenting those actions on FAA Form 8000-36, if any of the following circumstances exist:
(1) a justifiable public complaint is directed towards a CFI;
(2) a CFI is involved in an accident or incident; or
(3) a student pilot instructed by the CFI is involved in an accident or incident.
B. Surveillance. Since the flight instructor has a responsibility aviation safety, an FAA inspector's contacts with the flight instructor provide an opportunity to discuss current regulations, procedures, and techniques for the instructor to use in fulfilling that responsibility. These contacts also provide an opportunity for the inspector to observe the flight instructor conducting instruction.
C. Inspector's Conduct. During surveillance, interference with the flight instructor's routine should be kept to a minimum. The purpose of the inspector's discussion with the flight instructor is twofold: to inform the flight instructor of changes in regulations and to determine the flight instructor's capabilities.
D. Initiation of Surveillance. There are many circumstances that may result in an inspector initiating the surveillance of a flight instructor. For example, an inspector may initiate surveillance because of observations made during a pilot school inspection. A flight instructor may be subject to an inspection during an inspector's random visit to an airport, or as a result of that instructor's visit to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). An instructor may also be subject to surveillance because of an accident or incident, or if deficiencies in the instructor's students become apparent. High activity CFIs should be inspected when applicant failure rates of 30 percent or greater are observed.
Your supervisor is correct. You actually will receive more scrutiny by the FAA than most instructors operating strictly under Part 61.
Surviellance is conducted on instructors flying under Part 141 just as on instructors operating under Part 61. Surveillance isn't limited to the instructor. Typical surveillance includes direct discussion with the instructor, observation of ground or flight instruction, flying with and interviewing students previously or currently taught by the instructor, reviewing student records and instructor records, etc.
Students may be inspected, as may your school.
FAA Order 8700.1 Volume II, Chapter 12, provides the details of surveillance of a flight instructor. It states that if the instructor is employed by a school, the inspector should examine employment records related to aviation activities and note the instructor's performance on school standardization checks and other training. Although uncertificated schools are not required to keep records, the inspector should examine records if they are available.
The following information, taken from the General Aviation Operations Inspectors Handbook, describes the general reasons that surveillance of a flight instructor may be conducted:
A. General Process. Although flight instructor certificates are renewed every 24 months, the surveillance of individual flight instructors and their activities should take place on a random basis in the interim. High activity CFIs should receive a higher level of supervision and surveillance since this segment of the CFI population is responsible for a larger percentage of pilot training and certifications. A high activity CFI is one who recommends at least four applicants annually for a practical test. In addition to routine surveillance, an inspector should take appropriate action, documenting those actions on FAA Form 8000-36, if any of the following circumstances exist:
(1) a justifiable public complaint is directed towards a CFI;
(2) a CFI is involved in an accident or incident; or
(3) a student pilot instructed by the CFI is involved in an accident or incident.
B. Surveillance. Since the flight instructor has a responsibility aviation safety, an FAA inspector's contacts with the flight instructor provide an opportunity to discuss current regulations, procedures, and techniques for the instructor to use in fulfilling that responsibility. These contacts also provide an opportunity for the inspector to observe the flight instructor conducting instruction.
C. Inspector's Conduct. During surveillance, interference with the flight instructor's routine should be kept to a minimum. The purpose of the inspector's discussion with the flight instructor is twofold: to inform the flight instructor of changes in regulations and to determine the flight instructor's capabilities.
D. Initiation of Surveillance. There are many circumstances that may result in an inspector initiating the surveillance of a flight instructor. For example, an inspector may initiate surveillance because of observations made during a pilot school inspection. A flight instructor may be subject to an inspection during an inspector's random visit to an airport, or as a result of that instructor's visit to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). An instructor may also be subject to surveillance because of an accident or incident, or if deficiencies in the instructor's students become apparent. High activity CFIs should be inspected when applicant failure rates of 30 percent or greater are observed.
