EAA Exploring Solutions To Issues In The New Student Pilot Rule

On April 1 of this year a new FAA rule took effect that requires student pilots to apply for a student pilot certificate through a Flight Standards District Office, designated pilot examiner, flight school, or certified flight instructor. Student pilot certificates are no longer issued through aviation medical examiners in combination with a medical certificate. You also may no longer go to a designated pilot examiner or FAA office to have one issued on the spot.

This rule is a response to the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA) passed by Congress in 2004 and facilitates the requirement in the law for TSA security vetting of individuals applying for student pilot certificates.

Many in the aviation training community quickly perceived that the new application and issuance procedures could cause problems. EAA says they raised concerns over these complications in comments submitted to the original Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in 2011. The primary concern is the amount of time it now takes to have a student pilot certificate issued. Secondary to the delay in issuance is that it makes it more difficult for someone to solo an airplane or a glider on their birthdate of eligibility.

Due to a six to eight week waiting period, it also means planning ahead is required for someone who is enrolled in a rapid training program. Because of the anticipated delays, someone who is ready to solo will have to wait until the certificate is received. Of course, not having a student pilot certificate in no way restricts the student from continuing into the advanced dual instruction training stages.

Remember, a student pilot certificate is only required for solo flight, not for dual instruction. Dual instruction for the purpose of obtaining a pilot certificate may be logged at any age, with or without a student certificate.

The FAA rulemaking process will be lengthy to accomplish a needed fix. Though a solution was not found before the rule took effect, EAA said they are exploring quicker fixes to enable those youth pursuing training to not get hung up in the system.   

EAA says they recognize and respect the long-held aviation tradition of soloing on one’s earliest birthday of eligibility, and they will continue to work to ensure young student pilots are not forgotten in the implementation of this new rule.

FYI: www.faa.gov  www.eaa.org