The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is asking the FAA to expand the number of pilot line checks that Part 135 operators can perform, a move that the association says would increase safety yet ease FAA resource demands. NATA’s formal petition for the rulemaking change builds on an earlier petition for such authorization during the Covid-19 crisis.
The petition is seeking “to allow an approved company check pilot to be authorized to conduct the pilot line checks required by [Part] 135.299 throughout the certificate holder’s fleet of aircraft of the same category and class.” In addition, the association asked for guidance on suggested content for the pilot line checks.
“Although NATA previously filed a petition for exemption permitting the same authority for a limited duration due to Covid-19, we subsequently determined that the safety and efficiency gains afforded by this relief were beneficial enough to warrant a permanent change through a petition for rulemaking,” NATA president and CEO Timothy Obitts said. “This amendment will result in long-term cost savings, safety improvement, and efficiency gains for operators, as well as a positive impact for the FAA and, potentially, the environment.”
NATA contended in its petition that a carrier’s check pilots are best equipped to ensure pilots are following company policy and procedures. “The intended purpose of the line check is best fulfilled by company check pilots who have a full understanding of company procedures and culture,” the association said, reminding that a line check is not intended as a pilot skill evaluation.
Under the NATA proposal, check pilots must be currently qualified as a pilot in command in the same category and class of aircraft used in the check.
“Today, FAA inspectors conduct many pilot checks and are able to safely do so without being currently qualified in the aircraft," said John McGraw, v-p of regulatory affairs for NATA. "The FAA has also emphasized the importance of regulations stipulating that carriers conduct their own pilot checking rather than relying on FAA resources whenever feasible. The changes we propose are consistent with the regulatory mandate and, because FAA inspectors have already demonstrated these checks can be safely accomplished in the manner proposed by NATA, the safety standard is maintained.”