FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TITLE: Pilot Certification and Qualification Requirements for Air Carrier Operations

ACTION: This action would create new certification and qualification requirements for pilots

in air carrier operations. The proposal would require a second in command (SIC) in part 121

operations to hold an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate and a type rating for the aircraft to

be flown. The FAA proposes to allow pilots with an aviation degree or military pilot experience

to obtain an ATP certificate with restricted privileges with fewer than 1,500 hours total time as a

requirements would ensure that pilots have proper qualifications and experience in difficult

operating conditions and in a multicrew environment prior to serving as flightcrew members in

air carrier operations.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: The Federal Aviation Administration is initiating this

rulemaking project to address some of the factors that may have influenced the Colgan Air (dba

Continental Airlines Express) accident that occurred on February 12, 2009, outside of Buffalo, New York.

Additionally, this proposed rule responds to a Congressional mandate in Public Law 111-216, which

requires the FAA to revise the eligibility, training, and qualification requirements for pilots engaged in air

carrier operations.

assume the greater responsibilities of a PIC.

EFFECT ON FAA: The Air Transportation Division of the Flight Standards Service would be

responsible for approving the curriculum of all part 141 pilot schools, part 142 training centers, and part

121 or part 135 certificate holders who would elect to offer the proposed ATP Certification Training

Program. Additionally, FAA inspectors or designees would be needed to administer the proposed aircraft

type rating test for SICs in part 121 operations. Finally, the FAA would need to revise the ATP

knowledge test and practical test standards.

Program, which could impose additional time and financial burdens on individual pilots. Requiring all

part 121 SICs to have an aircraft type rating could impose a financial burden on some operators.

Requiring a pilot to have air carrier experience prior to serving as a PIC in part 121 operations may delay

his or her career advancement. Finally, although an applicant for an ATP certificate with restricted

privileges would be required to pass the same written and practical tests, the proposed reduced-hour

requirement for an ATP certificate may be controversial.

COSTS AND BENEFITS: We estimate that the cost will be minimal for the requirement of 50 hours

of multiengine time for an ATP certificate with airplane category multiengine class rating or type rating.

$945 million the costs of the statutory requirement that all pilots in part 121 operations have an

ATP certificate by August 2, 2013. Nevertheless, on a pre-statute baseline, about 75% of the rule’s

costs are the result of this requirement, making the proposed rule not cost-beneficial. The requirement

appropriate and, therefore, the costs associated with this provision are attributable to the statute, not this

proposed regulation. On a post-statute baseline, the proposed rule is cost-beneficial.

The remaining costs of the rule are associated with the aircraft type rating requirement for part 121 SICs

and the ATP Certification Training Program.

certificate;

• The requirement for SICs in part 121 operations to hold an aircraft type rating;

• The appropriateness of permitting applicants with specific military and academic training

to apply for an ATP with fewer than 1,500 hours of flight time;

• The appropriate combination of academic training and training in a flight simulation

training device for the ATP Certification Training Program; and

• Consideration for an alternative licensing structure, such as a multicrew pilot license.

The FAA also added additional questions at the request of OMB. Those questions pertain to the