On August 30, 1999, the FAA officially instituted the new Streamlined Administrative Action Process (SAAP). The SAAP program was developed in response to AOPA and industry�s concerns over the FAA�s ill-fated "ticket" program. Under the revised program, inspectors council airmen, complete a job-aid, and after a records review, mail a warning or letter-of-correction to the airman. Under the SAAP program, inspectors may not issue "on-the-spot" tickets to airman. Additionally, the SAAP guidance stresses the opportunity for the airmen to file any additional pertinent comments he/she feels may have a bearing on the case.
The FAA maintains that SAAP is intended to reduce FAA workload associated with the processing of minor infractions. However, AOPA anticipates this new, easier-to-use process, will result in a higher number of infractions being issued against airman. During the first 15 days after initiating the new program, the FAA reported that 72 SAAP actions had been processed.. AOPA has already heard from members involved in SAAP actions.
Although the SAAP is a dramatic improvement over the FAA�s original "ticket" program, the program is still not perfect. The current provisions of the SAAP grant FAA inspectors a great deal of flexibility. AOPA intends to monitor this situation closely and report any apparent flaws, misuses, or misapplications by inspectors directly to the FAA.
AOPA is currently monitoring this situation closely. If you're involved in a SAAP action and experience difficulties with the new process, please call AOPA's Pilot Information Center at 800/872-2672. AOPA will update the membership as this situation develops. AOPA has requested FAA provide a periodic summary on the types of infractions being reported by their inspectors. This information will be used, as with the FAA, to tailor the Association�s safety, training and editorial products.
AOPA Pilot magazine article,"FAA�s Ticket Program", by John Yodice, September 1999
FAA Order 8300.10, 8400.10, 8700.10, August 3, 1999 (requires Adobe Reader)
FAA SAAP Job Aid form (requires Adobe Reader)
FAA�s Flight Standards Inspector Training Slides
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