FAA’s Webinar on NOTAMS Modernization Rescheduled to June 30 - 12:30 - 1:30 PM EDT

I was prepared today to attend the NOTAMS Modernization from the FAA, but I received a last-minute email stating it was rescheduled.  The new date is June 30th, 12:30 - 1:30 PM EDT.  This is the link to register for the event.  I’ll have an update in the July Newsletter on what they are announcing in case you can’t attend the live event.

Update on the FAA’s Part 141 Modernization

The fourth meeting of the FAA 141 Modernization is scheduled for July 10-11.  It’s a virtual meeting, with around 100 people in attendance.  This meeting will continue with working group leads sharing what their groups have been working on and providing suggestions for addressing existing problems.  I sit in three groups.  One involves using technology and receiving credit for it, while the other group focuses on CFI Qualifications, curriculum, and Training Methods.

FSANA did a good job of detailing the main points of the meeting.  Currently, the key takeaway is the need to implement an SMS (Safety Management System) or a QMS (Quality Management System) into Part 141.  This is already an ICAO requirement, and the FAA is working on a Waiver from this requirement until it can be implemented.  I’m going to only focus on this topic for this newsletter because I think it’s one of the most important changes we will make to Part 141 and without someone looking out for the small operators (like me and Wayman Luy from SAFE) we could make into law something that small operators may not be able to implement.

First, the terms "SMS" and "QMS" are sometimes used interchangeably to mean the same thing.  They are not the same.  An SMS is currently required by ICAO and is defined very loosely without identifying every component and equipment requirements.  I propose to keep our definition exactly the same.  A QMS can do what the SMS does, plus drill deeper into problems in training at a school and then adapt the course/instructors, etc., to get better results.  There is a predictive component derived from the data to achieve this.  Sounds great, right?

For large schools and Universities, you will find that most have a QMS that does exactly this.  To implement this, you will need more than just a few people, and you will need to make some purchases.  The larger players, of course, have all of this in place.

My issue is that they want to have a tiered system for part 141.  That means that, depending on the size of your school, whether you have examining authority, and whether you can demonstrate compliance to the FAA using QMS data, etc., you will fit into one of four possible tiers.  Each has a higher QMS requirement.

I want Part 141 to be changed to attract more schools and not burden them with systems that may be difficult to implement and run.  My comments were made to the working group, and it was “Don’t forget about the small operators, those with as little as one airplane and two CFIs.  SMS for smaller players should all be able to be run on a spreadsheet, where data is pulled from a tool like Flight Schedule Pro, etc., and then reviewed and sorted for any issues, such as pass rates, course completions versus enrollments, etc.  Let's not burden these operators who don’t have the time or the means to be a Part 141 school.  Also, let's not hold examining authority away from even the smallest operators because they don’t have a QMS in place.  An SMS should do.”

I could hear crickets in the room when I said that.  There were no comments or discussion.  Later in the week, I had a conversation about it with one of the people who attended the meeting in person.  He said that we needed to push on this so the big schools don’t get all of the goodies.

Ok, so the bottom line is we need not make into the FAR something mandatory and complicated/expensive.  We also want to entice schools to become Part 141 schools, and the prospect of examining authority will weigh heavily on that.

More next month as we refine our approach based on the working groups' input.

FAA Clarifies Real ID Policy for Checkrides

Lately, some DPEs have been refusing to accept State-issued IDs, such as Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards, on Practical Tests (Checkrides) unless they are Real ID Compliant.  This resulted in many people losing their test slots and having to reschedule.  This results in more anxiety for the applicant and more training dollars, as most test slots offered aren’t a few days away, but rather a month or more.

FAA finally clarified its position on Real IDs to all DPEs.  The clarification is that Real ID-compliant IDs are not required for identification purposes during a practical test.  The notification was delivered in the Designee Management System (DMS) and said that the Real ID Act of 2005 does not apply to the issuance of a certificate, rating, or authorization under 14 CFR.  FAA and DPEs may continue to accept driver’s licenses that are not Real ID compliant.

Private Pilot ACS SmartStudy Pro is Getting Closer to Release

We are nearing the release of our latest product, the Private Pilot ACS SmartStudy Pro.  The idea behind this product is to utilize commuting time, drives to the airport, and back, before or after a lesson, or any other time when watching video isn’t allowed.  All Areas of Operation and all tasks, including the oral and flight maneuvers, are covered.  We took every task, every knowledge, risk elements, and skill, and presented what you need to know about this in audio form.  We did actually record video, which is also included, but we concentrated on describing things in audio, so video wasn’t necessary.  We also created a companion PDF for all of these audio/video files (approximately 42) that include images, notes, and mnemonics when appropriate, and more, which can be viewed after or before listening to the audio.

There are approximately 12 hours of Audio/Video Content, and we hope it helps prepare a person for the checkride and utilizes time otherwise not available.

We will be offering this product when it releases for ½ off.  To get the ½ off price, you need to leave your email address.  You will get an email once it's ready.  After the offer expires, the product will revert to its full price.

If you are a CFI, this product would be great for your students to either prepare for the lesson they are about to fly or to review the knowledge, risk management, and skills to polish for the checkride.

We don’t have a firm release date yet, but it is expected to occur in July.

PROTIPS

1. To get a real idea of where your aeronautical knowledge is for any certificate or rating, do this:

   1. Don’t use test prep - Yet

   2. Complete all of your online or ground school

   3. Take two practice tests without doing any test prep or seeing any questions and answers.

   4. This is a reflection of your actual knowledge.  Give these to your CFI and also self-prep on your weak areas.

   5. After all of that, use test prep to optimize your score for the real test.

2. Use ForeFlight's new Camera Layer.  ForeFlight has integrated all available FAA cameras at airports, mountain passes, and other locations into the app.  On the Maps tab, choose Layers, then Cameras.  You will then see all of the FAA cameras located on the Map.  Press the one you want, and it will be displayed within ForeFlight.

3. To get answers to your CFI in training questions, join the CFI Study Group on Facebook.  It has over 8,000 members and has many very experienced CFIs there to answer posts.  Additionally, a free Zoom meeting is held every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm Pacific Time.  This is a great resource for anyone training to become a CFI, or CFIs who have questions about a FAR, endorsement, ACS, etc.