FAA NPRM Addresses Pilot Training Rule Changes

The FAA has published a final rule that will increase the allowed use of aviation training devices for flight training and proficiency maintenance. The changes are estimated to save pilots and operators up to $113.5 million over a five-year period. The rulemaking “relieves burdens on pilots seeking to obtain aeronautical experience, training, and certification.” The rule makes changes to other training areas as well, including opportunities for military instructor pilots or pilot examiners to obtain civilian ratings based on military experience and expanded opportunities for logging pilot time.

A rule change affecting aviation training devices removes the requirement to have an instructor present “when accomplishing flight experience requirements for instrument recency in an FAA-approved full-flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device (ATD).” The provision also reduces the frequency of instrument recency accomplished exclusively in ATDs from every two months to every six months, reduces the number of tasks, and removes the three-hour flight time requirement.

An additional rule change allows a pilot to log second-in-command (SIC) flight time in a multiengine airplane in a Part 135 operation that does not require ann SIC. The option to use utilize a single-engine turbine-powered airplane in an approved SIC professional development program (PDP) PDP is now added and the PIC is no longer required to be a Part 135 flight instructor. Crew pairing requirements to ensure the PIC is qualified and has undergone mentoring training have been added to the rule. Pilots can log SIC time obtained in Part 91 operations conducted in accordance with the certificate holder’s OpSpec. Pilots can also credit SIC time logged under a SIC PDP toward flight time requirements for ATP certification. Any combination of aircraft and FSTD is now allowed to satisfy the SIC instrument recency requirements and an option is included for Part 135 SICs to reestablish instrument recency.

Incorporating RACCA Feedback

The Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA) had previously been lobbying the FAA for years to count SIC flight toward the 1,500-hour requirement for an ATP certification. According to RACCA, the new rule corrects the old regulations which allowed SIC flight time in passenger operations authorized for single-pilot operations to be counted as pilot experience while those flying cargo operations could not. “This rule change offers an entirely new pathway for entry-level pilots to pursue their careers. For example, an entry- level pilot can now join one of our freight carriers at 800 hours as co-pilot on the B-99 or Cessna Caravan. This candidate can work the F/O position for two years and, at 1200 hours move over to the left seat. No ATP is required for freight operations,” said Stan Bernstein, president of RACCA.

 RACCA further advocated for the rule because , “it offers the structured, airline-operation duty airlines want including flying to schedules between small airports and major hub environments in all weather. It also maintains the airline career discipline studies have found lacking in pilots who build time flying banners or traffic reporting,” said RACCA chair, Tim Komberec.

  For the single-engine commercial pilot certificate, a technically advanced airplane can now be used to meet some or all of the required 10 hours of training that must be completed in a complex or turbine-powered airplane. The requirement for instrument-only instructors to have category and class ratings on their flight instructor certificates to provide instrument training has been removed. New provisions for sport pilots have been added including allowing a portion of sport pilot training to be credited for certain aeronautical experience requirements for a higher certificate or rating.

A further rule change allows the addition of a flight instructor rating based on military competency to “simultaneously qualify” for the reinstatement of an expired FAA flight instructor certificate. An additional change allows pilots to “operate certain large and turbojet-powered airplanes (specifically former military and some airplanes not type certificated in the standard category) without a pilot who is designated as SIC.

“It is very important to read through all applicable new regulations carefully because specific requirements are associated with the new privileges, which must be followed for operators to take advantage of the flexibility they offer. This is a large, comprehensive NPRM that reaches into a number of areas not directly applicable to RACCA operators’ activities. But it’s worth a thorough read-through to make sure you really understand what is and isn’t allowed under the new rules. This is a consequence of years of work and numerous comments submitted to the docket by the association and some of our members,” said RACCA vice president, John Hazlet.

Additional information about the changes and expected financial savings can be found in the FAA NPRM published on June 27. The rule significantly impacts Part 61 and tThe majority of changes took effect on will be effective July 27 with all changes implemented by December 24 of this year.