USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 United States Department of Transportation
 Secondary navigation
  

        
                    About
                Jobs
                News
                                                           Enter Search Term(s):
                 Ultimenu: Main navigation
  

        AircraftSubnav: Aircraft 1
  

        
              Aircraft Certification
                Aviation Safety Draft Documents Open for Comment
                Vintage & Experimental Aircraft ProgramSubnav: Aircraft 2
  

        
              Aircraft Safety
                General Aviation & Recreational Aircraft
                Repair Stations
                Air Carrier & Air Agency CertificationAir TrafficSubnav: Air Traffic 1
  

        
              Air Traffic By The Numbers
                Air Traffic Environmental Review
                Community Engagement
                Flight Information
                International Aviation
                National Airspace SystemSubnav: Air Traffic 2
  

        
              NextGen
                Obstruction Evaluation
                Air Traffic Plans and Publications
                Separation Standards
                Technology
                WeatherAirportsSubnav: Airports 1
  

        
              Airport Cooperative Research Program
                Airport Improvement Program
                Airport Compliance
                Airport Rescue Grants
                Airport Safety
                Airport Certification
                CARES Act Grants
                Airport Coronavirus Response Grant ProgramSubnav: Airports 2
  

        
              Engineering, Design, & Construction
                Environmental Programs
                News & Information
                Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program
                Planning & Capacity
                Resources
                Regions
                Runway Safety
                Airport Safety Information Video SeriesPilots & AirmenSubnav: Airmen 1
  

        
              Find an Aviation Medical Examiner
                Become a Pilot
                International Flight
                Pilot Certificates & Records
                Medical CertificationSubnav: Airmen 2
  

        
              FAA Safety Team
                Mechanics
                Airmen Certification
                Training & Testing
                From the Flight Deck
                Pilot's Bill of RightsData & ResearchSubnav: Data & Research 1
  

        
              Accident & Incident Data
                Aviation Forecasts
                Aviation Data & Statistics
                Commercial Space DataSubnav: Data & Research 2
  

        
              Funding & Grant Data
                Passengers & Cargo
                Research
                Safety
                Technical LibraryRegulationsSubnav: Regulations 1
  

        
              Advisory Circulars
                Airworthiness Directives
                FAA Regulations
                Forms
                Handbooks & Manuals
                Orders & NoticesSubnav: Regulations 2
  

        
              Pilot Records Database
                Policy & Guidance
                Rulemaking
                Temporary Flight Restrictions
                Notices to Air Missions (NOTAM)SpaceSubnav: Space 1
  

        
              About the Office of Commercial Space Transportation
                Careers
                Licenses, Permits & Approvals
                Resources & Additional Information
                Legislation & Policies, Regulations & Guidance
                Environmental
                SpaceportsSubnav: Space 2
  

        
              Airspace Integration
                Stakeholder Engagement
                Compliance, Enforcement & Mishap
                Commercial Human SpaceflightDronesSubnav: Drones 1
  

        
              Advanced Operations
                Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators
                Contact Us
                Critical Infrastructure & Public Venues
                Drone Events
                Educational Users
                UAS en EspanolSubnav: Drones 2
  

        
              Getting Started
                Public Safety and Government
                Programs, Partnerships & Opportunities
                Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations
                Resources & Other Topics
                Research & DevelopmentMenu Home
                        Training & Testing
                        Training Resources and Guides
                        Advanced Qualification Program (AQP)


            
            In This Section
        Overview
                Training Resources & Guides
                                Overview
                Advanced Qualification Program (AQP)
                FAA-Industry Training Standards (FITS)
                Precision Runway Monitoring (PRM)
                Wake Turbulence Training Aid
                Schools
                Airman Testing
                                Overview
                Practical Test Standards
                Airman Certification Standards
                Airman Certificate Testing Service (ACTS)
                Computer Testing Supplements
                FAA Academy
                                Overview
                Technical Training
                International Training
                Student Services
                Training Catalog
                Virtual Library
                Contact Academy
                
                Advanced Qualification Program (AQP)
    

    
    
        
    
      The Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) training system is developed using a systematic training program methodology. AQP is a voluntary, data-driven, alternative means of compliance to the ‘traditional’ regulatory requirements under 14 CFR Parts 121 and 135 for training and checking.

Under the AQP performance-based regulatory framework of 14 CFR Subpart Y, FAA is authorized to vary from traditional prescriptive requirements under 14 CFR 121 Subparts N and O (i.e., ‘traditional training’), subject to justification of an equivalent or better level of safety. As part of the systematic development process, AQP requires a front-end analysis of both training and operational data to establish proficiency objective requirements for all aspects of training.

Unlike traditional aviation training, AQP provides a multitude of training and safety benefits including data-driven improvement and program flexibility; integration of CRM; crew evaluation; planned hours (i.e., ‘trained-to-proficiency’); and scenario-based training and evaluations.

Technical assistance and policy support provided by the Training and Simulation Group
Email Air Transportation Division or call (202)-267-8166

Sample documents, reference papers, and links to useful information may be found in the AQP Reference Library.

AQP Summary Topics

            Expand All
      Collapse All
        **At-A-Glance**
        Question
			Answer
			NotesWhat and Who
			AQP is a voluntary, alternative method for qualifying, training, and certifying crewmembers and operations personnel, such as:
			Pilots
				Flight Attendants
				Instructors and Evaluators
				Dispatchers
				Other operations personnel (as applicable)
			AQP is an alternative to ‘traditional’ training programs, which are defined under part 121 Subparts N & O - and are based on a prescriptive rule that assumes a “one size fits all” approach to training.
			AQP encourages innovation in the methods and technology that are used during instruction and evaluation.

			AQP is a process (or performance-based rule) that allows for customized training to the certificate holder’s unique demographic and flight operation.Why
			AQP was established to allow a greater degree of regulatory flexibility in the approval of innovative training programs.
			AQP improves flight crewmember performance by providing alternative means of compliance with traditional training rules and promotes the innovative use of modern technology for flight crewmember training.
			The AQP methodology directly supports the FAA’s goals for safety enhancement, through data-informed, and data-driven improvement.
			Catalyst for this alternative method of compliance proposal was airline training management familiarity with instructional systems design (ISD), and proficiency-based training experience from military flight training programs.When
			AQP was introduced in 1990 under SFAR 58 special rule.
			AQP regulatory codification was published in 2005 as 14 CFR Part 121 Subpart Y.
			In contrast to original traditional training rules from the late 1950’s and updated in the early 1970’s with the advancement of aircraft simulation technologies, and a recognized need to introduce CRM to training programs.How Many
			90% of Large 121 carriers(over 1000 pilots) utilize AQP
				100% of Medium size 121 carriers( 501-999 pilots)
				5% of Small size 121 carriers
				Over 90% of U.S. airline pilots train under AQP
			95% of small 121 carriers(less than 500 pilots) choose compliance with traditional training rules
				To date, there are 71 active 121 carriers
				43 of those carriers still train under traditional Subparts N&OGuidance and Regulations
			AC 120-54A - Advanced Qualification Program - (Change 1)
				FAA Order 8900.1 volume 3, chapter 21, sections 1 thru 5
				14 CFR Part 121 Subpart Y
  


      **Objectives & Principles**
        Objectives

Support safe operations by continuously improving training and evaluation
	Remain responsive to continuing changes in the industry, including new aircraft technology, changing operational environments, and new training methods and equipment
	Remain responsive to continuing changes and best practices relative to training and evaluation of performancePrinciples

Participation is voluntary
	Employs innovative training and qualification concepts with the regulatory flexibility to tailor training to individual company circumstances
	Uses performance data to drive curriculum changes
	Qualification is based on individual and team performance, using progressive evaluations of proficiency objectives, and the structure and maintenance of all elements (curriculum, facilities, training equipment, instructors, evaluators, courseware, and quality assurance) of the program
	Data collection and analysis to validate individual and team proficiency, and the AQP itself
	Training is systematically developed with an audit trail for all training and data requirements
  


      **Benefits**
        Overview of key AQP benefits

Although AQP is a voluntary program, the FAA Flight Standards Service encourages air carriers to participate.
	AQP provides for enhanced curriculum development and a data-driven approach to quality assurance along with the flexibility to target critical tasks during aircrew training.
	The AQP methodology directly supports the FAA’s goals for safety enhancement. The primary goal of AQP is to achieve the highest possible standard of individual and crew performance. In order to achieve this goal, AQP seeks to reduce the probability of crew-related errors by aligning training and evaluation requirements more closely with the known causes of human error.
	AQP permits a greater degree of regulatory flexibility in the approval of innovative pilot training programs.
	Based on a documented analysis of operational requirements, a certificate holder under AQP may propose to depart from traditional practices with respect to what, how, when, and where training and testing is conducted.
	The methods and procedures (described in AC 120-54A) are one acceptable means of compliance. Alternate means are encouraged and will be evaluated on their merit.Additional AQP Benefits

AQP provides an alternative method of Qualifying and Certifying
	Flexibility — program modification and improvement
	CRM — provides opportunities for integration of individual and multi-crew environment for training and evaluation
	Scenario-based training and evaluation using LOS
	The ability to modify training curricula, media, and intervals
	Data-informed and Data-driven program improvement
	Access to innovative training ideas and research
	Opportunity to achieve more efficient training
	Crew evaluation as well as individual assessment
	Improved standardization across fleets and flight personnel
	Train-To-Proficiency (TTP) —shift from programmed hours to *planned* hours (i.e., proficiency-based training)
  


      **Phased Development**
        The development of an AQP is a five-phase process. This process provides a structured building-block approach to program development. This approach results in a program with fully documented curriculums, supporting rationales, and a development methodology consistent with AQP principles.

AQP Phases

The use of this standardized AQP development process, along with its documentation requirements, allows an AQP applicant to develop training and evaluation programs based on analyzed and justified requirements.

The documentation from this five-phase process serves as the regulatory basis to approve and conduct oversight of the AQP-developed training and evaluation programs.

Each phase is approved sequentially.
	Each phase consists of specific activities, including the documentation of those activities.
	The documents submitted in each phase must also be FAA-approved.
  


      **Training System Documents**
        A library of formalized AQP Training Systems Documents — previously known as the Program Audit Database (PADB) - contains six training system documents.

The AQP Training System Document categories:

Management Documents
	Application — Program scope declaration and description
		Instructional Systems Design (ISD)
		Implementation and Operations (I&O) Plan
	Curriculum Documents
	Job Task Analysis (JTA)
		Qualification Standards
		Curriculum Outline(s)
	Training System Data and Reporting Documents
	Monthly FAA Data Tables submitted to FAA
		Periodic reviews — (e.g., monthly, or quarterly — as determined by the I&O)
		Annual Report — (i.e., ‘end of period’ program summary and analysis)

        

          Last updated: Thursday, November 30, 2023 U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591
866.835.5322 (866-TELL-FAA)Contact Us
        Get Important Info/Data
  

        
              Accident & Incident Data
                Airport Data & Information Portal (ADIP)
                Charting & Data
                Flight Delay Information
                Supplemental Type Certificates
                Type Certificate Data Sheets (TCDS)Review Documents
  

        
              Aircraft Handbooks & Manuals
                Airport Diagrams
                Aviation Handbooks & Manuals
                Examiner & Inspector
                FAA Guidance
                Performance Reports & PlansLearn About NextGen
  

        
              Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)
                NextGen Today
                NextGen Programs and Resources
                Performance Reporting and BenefitsVisit Other FAA Sites
  

        
              Airmen Inquiry
                Airmen Online Services
                N-Number Lookup
                FAA Mobile
                FAA Safety Team
                Frequently Asked Questions

  Policies, Rights & Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsDOT Facebook
	DOT Twitter
	DOT Instagram
	DOT LinkedIn
	FAA YouTube
	DOT Medium