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".