by Doug Stewart, SAFE Chair

On November 29th, The FAA published a notice of a public meeting in the Federal Register under the subject, "Updating the Flight Instructor Renewal Process To Enhance Safety of Flight." The meeting will be held on December 6-7, 2010 in Washington, DC. Information on this meeting follows, and is also available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-29921.htm.

Several weeks ago, Greg French of AFS-800 invited me to represent SAFE at the meeting. He intimated that the meeting was to discuss the issue of FIRCs as well as the "entire way flight instructors can renew their certificates." But it wasn't until the announcement of the meeting in the Federal Register that I became aware of the actual agenda, or more importantly, of the meeting protocols and information on the submission of written materials presenting views or information.

In preparing an official response from SAFE, it would be of great help if members would email any answers you want included in response to the questions provided below. I can then endeavor to prepare a cohesive and coherent SAFE response based on a consensus of answers I receive. Time is short, so please do not wait until the last minute to send me your thoughts.

Background

The FAA has been reviewing safety of flight data in the general aviation (GA) community over the last ten years. Even with the advent of new technologies to assist the GA pilot, there has been little improvement in the accident/incident rate among that community of aviators.

CFIs are responsible for ensuring that pilots are properly educated to operate safely within the National Airspace System (NAS). For CFIs to accomplish that mission effectively they must be provided the means and knowledge to do so, and there must be some objective method of measuring that information transfer and retention. The FAA has been reviewing indicators that suggest that the processes currently in place may lack sufficient effectiveness in ensuring that CFIs are being provided the best information in the most useful manner. This meeting will elicit input from the community of authorized flight instructor renewal program operators so that the FAA can better analyze how to improve the process.

Purpose of the Public Meeting

The purpose of this public meeting is for the FAA to hear the public's views and obtain information relevant to improving the CFI biennial renewal process. The FAA will consider comments made at this public meeting before making decisions on any suggested changes to the current policy.

More specifically, the FAA seeks information on the following questions. The FAA requests that that all meeting participants provide written comments to support any positions they may express support for, or disagreement with.

How effective have Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics been in transferring relevant information to flight instructors?

What can be done to improve the effectiveness of flight instructor refresher clinics?

How effective are the written tests provided at the conclusion of flight instructor refresher clinics?

How can the effectiveness of flight instructor knowledge be better assessed?

How effective have the online courses been?

How do we effectively measure the success of knowledge transfer in online flight instructor renewal courses?

Should there be changes to 14 CFR part 61.197?

Are those non-FIRC methods of CFI biennial certificate renewal found in 14 CFR part 61.197 adequate and effective in ensuring that CFIs possess the most up to date information in terms of both proficiency and knowledge?

What can the community conducting flight instructor recurrent training, the FIRC providers, do to contribute to enhancing safety of flight among the GA community at large?

Again, time is short, so please do not wait until the last minute to send me your thoughts!

Doug Stewart, Chair

Society of Aviation and Flight Educators