Boon or Bane to the Part 135 GV Operator—Comments Sought

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released the first aircraft standardized training curricula for use in training GV pilots in the employ of Part 135 operators. Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations pertains to companies that operate as non-scheduled—which is to say, charter—air carriers. Part 135 regulations establish protocols for numerous safety and operational criteria, including: aircraft maintenance, pilot licensing, crew duty and flight-time limitations, and minimum insurance coverage.

The Standardized Curricula concept was initiated by the Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ACT ARC)—an advisory body comprising experts from key sectors of the U.S. aviation community convened to discuss, prioritize, and provide recommendations to the FAA concerning operations conducted under Parts 121, 135, and 142. ACT ARC’s recommendations prompted the creation of the Training Standardization Working Group (TSWG)—an entity overseen by the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC), and tasked with developing standard training curricula for use by operators utilizing the services of Part 142 training centers, e.g. FlightSafety International, SimuFlite, CAE, SIMCOM, etc.

As the first training curricula drafted by the TSWG, the GV-series program establishes the framework for development of all future programs. The FAA is beginning work to craft curricula for the next aircraft targeted for the program, and ultimately intends to make available standardized training curricula for many aircraft commonly used in Part 135 operations.

Voluntary adoption of the standardized training curricula by Part 135 operators is apt to occasion both administrative and safety benefits while reducing overall compliance costs. The FAA is seeking comments on the GV curricula, and will remain receptive to such until 9 November 2022.

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) strongly encourages operators of GV series aircraft to review and provide feedback on the training curricula. In addition, all operators are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the document and provide comments as appropriate.

FMI: www.nata.aero, www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-10-20/pdf/2022-22583.pdf