135.293 Training Online: How Part 135 Pilots Stay Check-Ready

Picture this: you’re a Part 135 pilot, six weeks out from your recurrent competency check, flying a full charter schedule with barely enough ground time to review your operator’s manual — let alone work through systems review, emergency procedures, and oral prep. You’re not alone. 135.293 training online has become the practical answer to this challenge. FAA testing data from 2023 shows an overall pilot written test pass rate of 79.3%, meaning roughly one in five pilots doesn’t pass on the first attempt. Those figures cover all certificate levels — not Part 135 specifically — but the principle holds: structured preparation directly affects outcomes.

This is precisely where online ground training fits into modern Part 135 operations. 135.293 training online has become a standard solution to a persistent operational challenge: how pilots and operators maintain recurrent compliance without pulling aircraft off the line or cramming knowledge review into the night before a simulator event. This article offers a clear, honest explanation of what online training can do for your §135.293 readiness — and where its limits are. No hype. No shortcuts. Just the clarity you need to build a training program that works.

What 14 CFR §135.293 Actually Requires

Section 135.293 is the competency-check provision for pilots operating under Part 135. It mandates that each pilot satisfactorily complete a competency check — both initial and recurrent — covering the specific operations, aircraft types, and procedures relevant to their certificate holder’s approved training program. The check is not a written exam alone. It is a demonstrated evaluation of a pilot’s ability to perform duties safely and proficiently, conducted by a check airman or FAA inspector.

This rule sits within 14 CFR Part 135, Subpart G — Training, which houses the full training and checking framework for commuter and on-demand operators. It does not exist in isolation. Readers building or updating compliance programs should always verify the current regulatory language directly in the eCFR before making program decisions.

How §135.293 Connects to §135.297, §135.299, and §61.55

Training managers who focus exclusively on §135.293 risk building an incomplete recurrent program. Here’s how the related sections connect:

• §135.293 — The competency check: initial and recurrent evaluation of pilot knowledge and proficiency in Part 135 operations.
• §135.297 — The instrument proficiency check (IPC): validates a pilot’s instrument flying skills, often completed in a simulator alongside the §135.293 check.
• §135.299 — The pilot-in-command line check: evaluates a PIC’s competence during actual line operations with passengers or cargo.
• §61.55 — Second-in-command qualification: ties SIC eligibility to completion of approved training and a satisfactory competency check under §135.293, meaning recurrent compliance directly affects crew qualification status.

An effective annual recurrent training calendar must address all four of these provisions — not just §135.293 in isolation. This interconnection is something many training resources overlook, but it’s essential for operators managing Part 135 initial and recurrent pilot testing across multiple crew members and aircraft types. Always confirm the current text of each section in the eCFR, as regulatory language can be amended.

Where 135.293 Training Online Fits in the Compliance Cycle

Where does online ground training actually belong in the compliance cycle? As AOPA frames it, a typical turbine recurrent training program follows a multi-phase structure: ground school or computer-based training (CBT), followed by simulator sessions, followed by a formal competency check with a check airman. Online training maps directly to that first phase — the knowledge transfer layer.

Part 135 recurrent training online covers the ground school portion: systems review, SOP refreshers, abnormal and emergency procedure study, regulatory updates, and written and oral test prep. It is the foundation that the simulator event and the competency check build upon. A blended learning approach — combining online coursework with simulator practice and a formal check — reflects how the industry increasingly structures these programs.

Here’s the critical distinction: online training does not replace the hands-on competency demonstration. The §135.293 competency check requires a pilot to perform maneuvers, respond to scenarios, and demonstrate proficiency in a simulator or aircraft under the observation of a check airman. No online module satisfies that requirement. That boundary isn’t a limitation of digital learning — it’s an honest assessment of where each training method delivers its greatest value.

AOPA also notes that alternating between simulator and aircraft training can provide the benefits of both environments — a perspective, not an FAA regulatory requirement, but one that reflects how experienced operators think about flexible delivery. The blended model works because each phase reinforces the others: online modules build the knowledge base, simulator sessions build the muscle memory, and the check event validates both.

What Online Modules Typically Cover

The strongest online programs map content directly to the specific aircraft type and the operator’s manual set. A well-structured 135.293 written and oral test prep course typically includes:

• Aircraft systems review (hydraulic, electrical, pressurization, avionics)
• Normal procedures walk-throughs aligned with the operator’s SOPs
• Abnormal and emergency procedures study
• Regulatory updates relevant to Part 135 operations
• SOP reinforcement and standardization modules
• Oral exam scenario preparation and practice questions
• Written test prep with sample questions mapped to check standards
• CRM and human factors refresher training

Programs that tie these modules to specific checkride profiles — rather than offering generic content — produce measurably better-prepared pilots.

Common Misconceptions About 135.293 Training Online

Experienced professionals deserve straight answers. Here are four misconceptions that persist in Part 135 training discussions:

1. Misconception: “The entire §135.293 requirement can be completed online.”
   Reality: Online platforms support the knowledge preparation and ground training phases. The competency check itself requires a practical demonstration in a simulator or aircraft with a check airman. 135.293 training online is a preparation tool, not a standalone compliance solution.
2. Misconception: “Part 135 recurrent training is just a written test.”
   Reality: As AOPA frames it, recurrent training is a multi-phase cycle — CBT or ground school, simulator sessions, and a formal check. The written component is one element within a much larger evaluation process.
3. Misconception: “Completing online modules makes a pilot automatically check-ready.”
   Reality: Knowledge acquisition is necessary but not sufficient. Check-readiness requires demonstrated competency — the ability to fly the maneuvers, manage the scenarios, and perform under evaluation. Online prep works best when it feeds directly into simulator practice and operator-specific verification.
4. Misconception: “§135.293 is the only regulation that matters for recurrent compliance.”
   Reality: It is part of a broader compliance ecosystem. Training managers must also address §135.297 (instrument proficiency check), §135.299 (line check), and §61.55 (SIC qualification). A recurrent program that ignores these adjacent requirements is incomplete.

Why Structured Online Prep Improves Check Outcomes

FAA data reported by Epic Flight Academy for 2023 shows an overall pilot written test pass rate of 79.3%, with ATP-level candidates achieving 91.2%. These figures cover all pilot certificate levels — they are not Part 135-specific — but they illustrate a consistent principle: preparation correlates directly with outcomes. Pilots who engage in structured, deliberate study pass at higher rates than those who don’t.

Structured Part 135 recurrent training online reduces the last-minute cramming that too many pilots rely on before a simulator event. When pilots complete systems reviews, SOP refreshers, and oral prep modules weeks before their check, they arrive at the simulator with a solid knowledge foundation already in place. The simulator session becomes an opportunity to sharpen skills and practice scenarios — not a frantic attempt to relearn systems.

Online ground training also improves knowledge retention across the full recurrent cycle. Rather than a single intensive ground school session twelve months apart, digital courseware allows pilots to review material at their own pace, revisit weak areas, and reinforce concepts over time. This distributed study model aligns with how adult learners actually retain information.

The market itself validates this approach. Multiple industry vendors now offer Part 135-specific courseware and online training for the Part 135 competency check, reflecting real demand from operators who have seen the results of blending CBT, simulator work, and check events. AOPA’s endorsement of flexible, multi-phase recurrent training further reinforces that the industry has moved beyond a single-method approach.

Building a Part 135 Recurrent Training Calendar with Online Tools

For chief pilots and training managers at small Part 135 operators, the challenge isn’t understanding the rules — it’s managing the logistics. Tracking multiple pilots across multiple aircraft types, each with different recurrency dates for §135.293, §135.297, and §135.299, while coordinating simulator availability and check airman schedules, is a real operational burden.

A practical annual recurrent training calendar built around online tools follows this general structure:

• 4–6 weeks before simulator event: Assign online ground training modules — systems review, regulatory updates, abnormal/emergency procedures, and SOP reinforcement. Pilots work through the material on their own schedule between trips.
• 2–3 weeks before simulator event: Complete 135.293 written and oral test prep modules. Administer any online knowledge assessments. Identify weak areas for targeted review.
• 1–2 weeks before check: Conduct simulator sessions focused on maneuver proficiency, CRM scenarios, and abnormal/emergency procedure practice.
• Check event window: Schedule the §135.293 competency check and §135.297 instrument proficiency check with the designated check airman. Follow up with the §135.299 line check on a subsequent revenue flight.

This structure gives pilots adequate preparation time without pulling them off the line for extended periods. It also front-loads the knowledge transfer work, so simulator sessions focus on proficiency rather than relearning material.

For operators building or updating their Part 135 recurrent program, CTS offers online training packages mapped to §135.293 and related requirements.

Compliance Tracking and Audit Readiness

A learning management system built for Part 135 recurrent training compliance tracking transforms scattered spreadsheets and paper files into audit-ready documentation. Every operator should maintain these records in a centralized system:

• Completion dates for all online ground training modules
• Written and oral assessment scores
• Simulator session logs with instructor notes
• §135.293 and §135.297 competency check results
• §135.299 line check records
• Recurrency expiration dates for each pilot and aircraft type
• Instructor and check airman sign-offs

Having these records in one system — with automated recurrency alerts and exportable reports — reduces the friction between training departments, chief pilots, check airmen, and QA audits. When an FAA inspector asks for training records, the answer should take minutes, not hours. Operators who also manage Part 91 aircraft can align training across certificate types using programs like CTS’s IS-BAO/Part 91 training.

Frequently Asked Questions About 135.293 Training Online

Can Part 135 pilots complete 135.293 training online?
Yes — the ground school, systems review, SOP refresher, and written/oral test prep components of the §135.293 recurrent cycle can be completed through online training. However, the competency check itself requires a practical demonstration in a simulator or aircraft with a check airman and cannot be completed online.

What does 14 CFR §135.293 require for pilot competency checks?
Section 135.293 requires each Part 135 pilot to satisfactorily complete a competency check — both initial and recurrent — covering the operations, aircraft types, and procedures relevant to their operator’s approved training program. This check evaluates demonstrated proficiency, not just knowledge. Always verify current regulatory language in the eCFR.

How does online training fit into the Part 135 recurrent training cycle?
As AOPA describes it, the recurrent cycle consists of ground school or CBT, simulator sessions, and a formal competency check. Part 135 recurrent training online addresses the first phase — knowledge transfer and test preparation — which feeds directly into the hands-on phases that follow.

What is the difference between 135.293 ground training and the competency check?
Ground training encompasses the knowledge-based preparation: written and oral test prep, systems review, emergency procedure study, and SOP reinforcement. The competency check is the evaluative event where a pilot demonstrates proficiency through maneuvers and scenario-based performance in a simulator or aircraft under a check airman’s observation.

Does completing an online course make a Part 135 pilot check-ready?
Not by itself. Online modules build the knowledge foundation, but check-readiness requires demonstrated competency in the aircraft or simulator. Online preparation is most effective when integrated with simulator practice and operator-specific evaluation — a true blended training approach.

Stay Check-Ready with the Right 135.293 Training Online Foundation

135.293 training online is a legitimate, valuable, and increasingly standard component of Part 135 recurrent compliance. Its power comes not from replacing the check event, but from ensuring pilots arrive at that event prepared — with systems knowledge sharp, SOPs reinforced, emergency procedures reviewed, and oral prep completed well in advance.

The formula is straightforward: know your regulatory requirements across §135.293, §135.297, §135.299, and §61.55. Use online tools for knowledge transfer and administrative efficiency. Track recurrency dates and training records in a centralized system. And arrive at the simulator ready to demonstrate — not scrambling to remember.

135.293 training online doesn’t replace your check event — it ensures you arrive prepared. Explore CTS’s Part 135 training program — online ground training, compliance tracking, and recurrent course modules designed to support your §135.293, §135.297, and §135.299 readiness.