Does a school's records system satisfy this?

The duty is the instructor's, but the record can be a logbook or a separate document, so a school system that holds the names, dates, test types and results for that instructor serves the purpose. The instructor should be able to produce it for 3 years, including after leaving the school.

Why does the pass rate matter?

Test results recorded here also feed the instructor's recent experience under 61.197(b)(2)(i), which counts endorsed applicants and their first-attempt pass rate.

14 CFR Part 61 · Subpart H · Flight Instructors Other than Flight Instructors With a Sport Pilot Rating

14 CFR 61.189: Records a flight instructor must keep

A flight instructor signs the logbook of everyone they train and keeps their own record of every solo endorsement and every knowledge or practical test endorsement they give, including the test results, for at least 3 years.

Section last amended December 30, 2016 · Text current as of October 15, 2026 · Also cited as FAR 61.189 · Read it on eCFR

14 CFR 61.189 in plain English

Sign the logbook of each person given flight or ground training. (a)
Record the name of each student endorsed for solo, and the date. (b)(1)
Record the name of each person endorsed for a knowledge or practical test, the kind of test, the date and the result. (b)(2)
Keep the records at least 3 years. (c)

Common questions

Does a school's records system satisfy this?: The duty is the instructor's, but the record can be a logbook or a separate document, so a school system that holds the names, dates, test types and results for that instructor serves the purpose. The instructor should be able to produce it for 3 years, including after leaving the school.
Why does the pass rate matter?: Test results recorded here also feed the instructor's recent experience under 61.197(b)(2)(i), which counts endorsed applicants and their first-attempt pass rate.

Official text of 14 CFR 61.189

§ 61.189 Flight instructor records. Verbatim from the eCFR, current as of October 15, 2026.

(a)A flight instructor must sign the logbook of each person to whom that instructor has given flight training or ground training.

(b)A flight instructor must maintain a record in a logbook or a separate document that contains the following:

(1)The name of each person whose logbook that instructor has endorsed for solo flight privileges, and the date of the endorsement; and

(2)The name of each person that instructor has endorsed for a knowledge test or practical test, and the record shall also indicate the kind of test, the date, and the results.

(c)Each flight instructor must retain the records required by this section for at least 3 years.

AerScheduler grades lessons off the flights already booked and keeps the endorsements an instructor signs with the student's record. See how

14 CFR 61.189 in plain English

Common questions

Official text of 14 CFR 61.189

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