The FAA does not plan to make regulatory changes to the flight instructor refresher clinic (FIRC) or CFI renewal process, the agency has confirmed.
The FAA had expressed concern over the general aviation safety record and asked for input on whether the regulatory requirements for CFI renewals should be changed, among other questions. The agency said it was seeking recommendations to improve the process but said, “We’re not here to change the regulations” regarding CFI renewals.
The FAA had requested information regarding the effectiveness of FIRCs, whether the regulatory requirements for renewals should be changed, and how the flight training community can improve safety. “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," the agency said.
“The FAA views the CFI as an important link in delivering a message of safe practices to the individual pilot and ultimately reducing the accident rate overall,” said Kristine Hartzell, AOPA manager of regulatory affairs. “The FAA is attempting to improve the message delivered by CFIs.”
Representatives from AOPA voiced their support for making improvements in FIRC content, yet expressed that the association would not support unsubstantiated changes to the CFI renewal process as a whole. In the end, industry groups made recommendations for improvements in the core topics taught in FIRCs. AOPA expects to see changes to the core topics laid out in Advisory Circular 61–83F, Nationally Scheduled Federal Aviation Administration Approved Industry-Conducted Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics.
President signs updated GI Bill
AOPA urges Congress to approve funding
President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that expands educational funding opportunities for active-duty servicemen and women, for the first time including flight training in eligible programs. Both houses of Congress passed the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010.
“This bill is a big step forward for both active-duty members of the armed services and for veterans,” said Melissa Rudinger, AOPA senior vice president of government affairs. “For the first time, Congress has recognized and affirmed the value of nondegree educational programs, such as flight training.”
The new law authorizes up to $10,000 per academic year for flight training (many who are eligible will receive somewhat less than that). But the work to make the program a reality is not yet complete.
“The bill President Obama signed is an authorization bill,” said Lorraine Howerton, AOPA vice president of legislative affairs. “Authorization bills grant federal agencies permission to spend money, but don’t actually give them the money to spend. Congress has to pass an appropriation bill to do that. At a time when Congress is focused on cutting expenses and reducing the federal deficit, securing the appropriation may prove challenging. As the appropriation process moves forward, AOPA will remind Congress of the strong support for the original bill and urge members to find a way to fund the program.”
Related Articles
