Proposes $330,000 Penalty Against The Flight School

The FAA has proposed a $330,000 civil penalty against North-Aire Aviation, LLC, of Prescott Valley, Arizona, for failing to comply with its FAA pilot school regulations and falsifying records.

The FAA alleges North-Aire Aviation's training courses were not valid under the FAA's pilot school regulations and that instructor and student records did not comply with Federal Aviation Regulations. The school also used unapproved training course outlines.

Between April 18, 2008 and August 29, 2008, North-Aire Aviation graduated and issued certificates to at least 18 individuals, certifying those graduates had completed all stages, tests and course requirements satisfactorily.

North-Aire issued graduation certificates and recommended students for pilot certificates and ratings even though the students failed to complete the training specified in the school's course of training, failed to pass the required final test and failed to complete all the curriculum requirements of the course. North-Aire also failed to correct the discrepancies after they were pointed out, and did not comply with an approved FAA training course or retain all required student records in accordance with FAA regulations. A company official also knowingly falsified a record indicating an instructor had received a required proficiency check.

"Pilots must receive comprehensive training and taking short cuts isn't acceptable," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "Schools dedicated to teaching pilots the skills they need to fly safely are required to follow all FAA regulations."

The certificates of all North-Aire students who were improperly trained from April 18, 2008-August 29, 2008 have been suspended. North-Aire has 30 days from the time it receives the FAA's civil penalty letter to respond to the allegations.

FMI: www.faa.gov