U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION JUL 16 2010 Effective Date: SUBJ: First Officer Qualifications Aviation Rulemaking Committee 1. PURPOSE. This document establishes the First Officer Qualifications Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) according to the Administrator·s authority under Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.). section 106(p)(5). 2. BACKGROUND. a. On February 8. 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the New Pilot Ce1iification Requirements for Air Carrier Operations Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (75 FR 6164, Docket No. FAA-2010-0100; Notice No. 10-02). This ANPRM requested public comment on possible changes to regulations relating to certifying pilots conducting domestic, flag, and supplemental operations. The purpose of thjs ANPRM was to gather infom1ation on whether current eligibility, training. and qualification requirements for commercial pilot certification are adequate for engaging in such operations. The ANPRM asked questions concerning First Officer certification level, additional training and experience needed to perform as a First Officer, if specific ground training can substitute for flight experience, and tl1e need for additional carrier specific training. As of April 29. 2010, we received 8.227 comments from 1.299 commenters. b. To carry out the FAA 's safety mandate, the FAA is chartering an ARC that will develop recommendations regarding rulemaking on flight experience and training requirements prior to operating as a First Officer in a Part 121 air carrier operation. 3. OB.JECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE COMMITTEE. The First Officer Qualifications ARC will provide a forum for the U.S. aviation community to discuss Oight experience and training requirements to fly as a First Officer in a part 121 air caJTi er operation. The ARC will also evaluate the comments received in response to the ANPRM. Specifically, the ARC should consider and address: a. What should be the minimum certification level required of a First Officer? b. What should be the minimum flight hour experience requirements of a First Officer? c. Can academic trnining substitute for hours of experience? lf so, what subjects and bow much Oight experience? d. Should there be an air carrier endorsement on a commercial pilot certificate? If so, what kind of flight and ground training should be required? e. Should there be an operational experience requiiement (high altitude. icing, etc.) before being permitted to operate as a First Officer? 2 Within ninety (90) days, the ARC wm develop recommendations and submit them to the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety for rulemaking consideration. 4. COMMITTEE PROCEDURES. a. The committee provides advice and recommendations to the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety. The committee acts solely i11 an advisory capacity. b. The committee will discuss and present information, guidance, and recommendations that tbe members of the committee consider relevant in addressing the oqjectives. 5. ORGANIZATION, MEMBERSHIP, AND ADMINISTRATION. a. The FAA will establish a committee representing the various parts of the industry and Government. 1. The ARC will consist of no more than 15 individuals. 11. The FAA will invite selected organizations and individuals to participate as a member iJ1 the ARC. The ARC will include representatives from the aviation community, including pilot associations. unjversities, as well as a representative from family members of victims of aviation accidents. m. The FAA will identify the number of ARC members that each organization may select to participate. The Associate Administrntor for Aviation Safety will then request that each organization name its representative(s). Only the representative for the organization will have authority to speak for the organization or group that he or she represents. tv. Active participation and commitment by members will be essential for achieving tbe committee objectives and for continued membership on the ARC. b. The Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety will receive the committee recommendations and reports. c. The Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety is the sponsor of the committee and will select an industry chair(s) from the membership of the committee. Also. the Associate Administrator will select the FAA-designated representative for the committee. Once appointed, the industry chair(s) will: (1) Determine, in coordination with the other members of the committee, when a meeting is required. (2) Arrange notification to all committee members of the tin1e and place for each meeting. (3) Draft an agenda for each meeting and conduct the meeting. e. A Record of Discussions of committee meetings will be kept. f. Although not required, committee meeting quorum is desirable. 3 6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATJON. The First Officer Qualifications ARC meetings are not open to the public. Persons or organizations that are not members of this committee and are interested in attending a meeting must request and receive approval before the meeting from the industry chair(s) or the designated Federal representative. 7. AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS. Under the Freedom of lnformation Act, 5 U.S.C. § 522. records, reports, agendas. working papers, and other documents that are made available to or prepared for or by the committee will be available for public inspection and copying at the FAA Flight Standards Service, Air Transportation Division, AFS-200, 800 Independence Avenue. SW.. Washington. DC 20591. Fees will be charged for information fw·nished to the public according to the fee schedule published in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations pru1 7. 8. PUBLIC INTEREST. Forming the First Officer Qualifications ARC is determined to be in the public interest to fulfill the performance of duties imposed on FAA by law. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION. This committee is effective upon issuance. The committee will remain in existence 90 days from July l 9. 20 I 0, unless sooner terminated or extended by the Administrator. -= <Z- ~~~JM_. ,;;> lph Babbitt trator September 9, 2009 Ms. Margaret Gilligan Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Aviation Safety Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue SW. Washington, DC 20571 Dear Ms. Gilligan: On behalf of the Flight and Duty Time Limitations and Rest Requirements Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), we are pleased to provide you with a copy of the ARC's recommendations on updated flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements. The reconunendations are in the format of a draft notice of proposed rulemaking, as required by the ARC's charter. These recommendations reflect diligent work by the ARC on an accelerated timeline, and represent careful deliberation by the members, combining the best available science and their collective experience in the air carrier industry. We are confident that the recommendations represent a substantial improvement over current regulations and will be effective in helping to achieve the FAA's goal ofreducing fatigue and increasing alertness among flightcrew members. We trust these recommendations will be helpful in your decisionmaking process. We and our fellow ARC members stand ready to assist the FAA in prioritizing implementation of the ARC's recommendations. Sincerely, Don Wykoff Co-Chair Enclosure THE FIRST OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE REPORT Recommendations Regarding Rulemaking on Flight Experience, Training, and Academic Requirements Prior to Operating as a First Officer in Part 121 Air Carrier Operations September 28, 2010 FIRST OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE CHAIR APPROVAL Scott W. Foose Vice President Regional Airline Association FOQ ARC Report September 28, 2010 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... v 1.0 Recommendations Summary ................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Minimum Certification ......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Minimum Flight Hour Experience ....................................................................................... 1 1.3 Flight Time and Academic Credit System ........................................................................... 1 1.4 Air Carrier Endorsement ...................................................................................................... 2 1.5 Operational Experience ........................................................................................................ 2 1.6 Background Check ............................................................................................................... 2 1.7 Pre-Employment Screening .................................................................................................. 2 1.8 Multiengine Experience ....................................................................................................... 3 1.9 Difficult Operating Experience ............................................................................................ 3 1.10 Air Carrier Quality Assurance ............................................................................................ 3 1.11 Air Carrier Annual Reporting ............................................................................................ 3 2.0 Academic Credit System ......................................................................................................