Changes Touch Nearly Every Aspect Of Pilot Certification, Training, And Ground Operations

Extensive revisions to 102 regulations concerning training, qualification, certification, and operating requirements for pilots, flight instructors, ground instructors, and pilot schools were published Friday in the Federal Register, and nearly everyone who flies, or is considering learning to fly, is potentially affected.

"This final rule is a result of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued in early 2007," said John D. Lynch, of FAA's Certification and General Aviation Operations Branch. "These changes have been in the works since we issued the previous final rule changes to parts 61 and 141 in August 1997."

Lynch reports the majority of the rule changes in parts 61, 91, and 141 are to "further FAA's safety mission, incorporate international flight standards, and respond to recent technological advances in aviation. Many of the changes reflect and incorporate comments and suggestions made by trade organizations, flight schools, manufacturers, individual pilots, and others." FAA received nearly 2,000 comments from across a wide range of the aviation community in response to the NPRM issued in February 2007. 

"One of the more significant changes establishes training and qualification requirements for pilots and flight instructors who use night vision goggles," Lynch said. Another significant change is clarification on the use of aviation training devices, flight training devices, and flight simulators for maintaining recent instrument experience.

In addition, the revisions address U.S. military pilots qualifying for flight instructor certificates based on their military instructors pilot qualifications as well as refines and clarifies provisions for current and former U.S. military pilots to qualify for FAA pilot certificates and ratings.

Modifications have also been made in certification requirements for Sport Pilot Certificates, Private Pilot licenses, as well as training and proficiency for instrument, commercial and transport ratings. Some aspects of issuance of medical certificates are also addressed.

The FAA says in its executive summary that it received considerable public response to the NPRM. 1,970 different comments were received from 231 commenters representing a diverse ``cross-section' of the aviation community including: Commenters who identified themselves as actively serving in the United States Armed Forces or Armed Forces Reserves; flight schools (commercial and educational), flight training facilities, or other organizations associated with flight training; aircraft manufacturers or aircraft manufacturer associations, pilot, aircraft, and helicopter owner associations; civil aviation associations; and law enforcement agencies or organizations associated with NVG operations.

The changes will go into effect October 20th. FAA says the updated regulations will be available online in "a few days".

FMI: http://frwebgate2.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/TEXTgate.cgi?WAISdocID=RuAi8b/0/1/0&WAISaction=retrieve