Why does it take so long?

When it comes to the FAA, progress always seems to take a long time.

Maybe that’s a good thing.

We do have a fairly safe system. Perhaps that pace of progress has played a part in our success.

And yet, it would be nice if the FAA could move a bit quicker.

On April 1, 2026, the FAA released “A Comprehensive Modernization of Pilot Training Conducted by 14 CFR Part 141 Training Organizations.” The comment period was originally scheduled to run through April 10.

Just 10 days.

Be careful what you wish for.

While I appreciate the speed the FAA is trying to achieve with this, perhaps 10 days is a bit too hasty.

The industry asked for more time. The FAA extended the comment period to May 11, 2026.

That’s better. But the report is still 471 pages.

If you’d like some help digesting the report, check out Skyfarer’s page on the report.

Nick Tsang, Skyfarer’s CEO and co-founder, built this “interactive hub” to make the dense report easier to understand.

From that hub: “A year of public engagement. 471 pages. 20 recommendations. A comprehensive proposed modernization of 14 CFR Part 141 — made accessible.”

If the future of Part 141 flight schools is something you are interested in, time is ticking.