FAA ISSUES TECHNICAL AMENDMENT
TO 2009 FINAL RULE ON PILOT SCHOOLS

September 20, 2010

What’s at Issue
On September 17, 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a technical amendment to a final rule published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2009, that revised the training, qualifications, certifications, and operating requirements for pilots, ground instructors, flight instructors and pilot schools.  The technical amendment deals solely with Part 141-approved pilot schools.

Why it’s Important
The technical amendment addresses the changes made to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 141.5 paragraphs (d) and (e).  The changes relate to the qualifications for initial or ongoing certification of pilot schools.

Major Provisions
The changes made to Part 141.5 by the 2009 final rule were intended to set both a qualitative and quantitative requirement for certification of pilot schools.  This technical amendment revises 141.5 (d) and (e) to achieve the original intent of the 2009 rulemaking by requiring provisional pilot schools to:

• Have established an 80% first-time pass rate on all knowledge or practical tests leading to a certification or rating or approved end-of-course tests, and
• Have graduated at least 10 different people from the schools’ approved training courses

It should be noted that Part 141 also requires certificated pilot schools to meet the requirements of 141.5 (d) and (e) to renew their certificate.

NATA Position
NATA believes that this technical amendment is simply a change to correct unintended errors in the 2009 final rule and, as such, does not amount to a substantive change in policy or rule for Part 141 pilot schools.

Status
The technical amendment to the 2009 final rule became effective upon publication in the Federal Register on September 17, 2010.

Staff Contact:  Michael France
Director, Regulatory Affairs
mfrance@nata.aero

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For general press inquiries, contact Shannon Chambers at 703-298-1347 or schambers@nata.aero. 

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has been the voice of aviation business for more than 80 years. Representing nearly 3,700 aviation businesses, NATA’s member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military and NATA serves as the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.