New Final Rule Regulatory Relief: Aviation Training Devices; Pilot Certification, Training,and Pilot
On June 27, 2018 the FAA has revised 14 CFR Part 61. The final rule can be found here.
For those in flight training or general aviation the most notable changes are those regarding instrument currency requirements and use of Technically Advanced Aircraft instead of a Complex Aircraft for commercial pilot requirements.
The FAA has updated the ECFR webpage with links to Amendments. These outline the new regulations and will become effective on the respective date shown in the amendment.
For commercial pilots, the amendment can be found here
The FAA will add paragraph J which states the following:
(j) Technically advanced airplane. Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, a technically advanced airplane must be equipped with an electronically advanced avionics system that includes the following installed components:
(1) An electronic Primary Flight Display (PFD) that includes, at a minimum, an airspeed indicator, turn coordinator, attitude indicator, heading indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator;
(2) An electronic Multifunction Display (MFD) that includes, at a minimum, a moving map using Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation with the aircraft position displayed;
(3) A two axis autopilot integrated with the navigation and heading guidance system; and
(4) The display elements described in paragraphs (j)(1) and (2) of this section must be continuously visible.
In addition, the requirements of 61.129 (a) (3) (ii) will change to the following:
10 hours of training in a complex airplane, a turbine-powered airplane, or a technically advanced airplane (TAA) that meets the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section, or any combination thereof. The airplane must be appropriate to land or sea for the rating sought;
This aligns with previous policy released last month in regard to not requiring a complex aircraft for the commercial checkride. The applicant still will need to obtain the experience in a complex, turbine or TAA aircraft or a combination.
Instrument currency has expanded the use of FFS, FTD, or ATD for meeting the requirements of
61.57. The new language for meeting instrument experience will read:
61.57(c)(2) Use of a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device for maintaining instrument experience. A pilot may accomplish the requirements in paragraph (c)(1) of this section in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device provided the device represents the category of aircraft for the instrument rating privileges to be maintained and the pilot performs the tasks and iterations in simulated instrument conditions. A person may complete the instrument experience in any combination of an aircraft, full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device.
The use of an ATD will also be aligned with those requirements in aircraft.
Additionally, 61.51 (g) will be revised to not require the presence of a CFI for use of an FFS, FTD, and ATD for currency requirements. However, a CFI will still need to be present for time counting towards aeronautical experience.
The new language reads:
§ 61.51 (g) (5) A person may use time in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device for satisfying instrument recency experience requirements provided a logbook or training record is maintained to specify the training device, time, and the content.
Finally, the Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) will remove the reference to the ACS/PTS for the required areas. 61.57 (d) will read:
Instrument proficiency check. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a person who has failed to meet the instrument experience requirements of paragraph (c) of this section for more than six calendar months may reestablish instrument currency only by completing an instrument proficiency check. The instrument proficiency check must consist of at least the following areas of operation:
(i) Air traffic control clearances and procedures;
(ii) Flight by reference to instruments;
(iii) Navigation systems;
(iv) Instrument approach procedures;
(v) Emergency operations; and
(vi) Postflight procedures.
This list is general. The current ACS requires that a circle to land be performed in an airplane. There is no mention of landing in the regulation. Therefore an IPC could be conducted in an ATD. However, before conducting an IPC in an ATD or FTD be sure to check the LOA for the specific ATD or FTD. Currently they do not meet the new requirements.
Other areas of note include changes to 61.195 (c) which will allow an instrument only instructor to conduct instrument flight training when they do not hold category and class as a CFI as long as they hold them on their pilot certificates. However, if the training is conducted in a multiengine aircraft the instructor must hold airplane category multiengine class rating on his or her flight instructor certificate.
Tailwinds,
Lance
