by Tracy Cook
Vice President - Marketing and Sales
Precision Flight Controls, Inc.
www.flypfc.com

This month, I had intended to discuss the broad application of the various levels of Aviation Training Devices (ATDs) in a training environment. Instead, I thought it would be best to
clarify a single timely operational issue that applies specifically to AATDs.

For many years, the allowable AATD logable time toward an instrument rating had been 20 hours under Part 61, and 14 hours (40% of the 35 minimum required hours) under Part 141. As of February 3, 2014, this has changed, but a limited exemption was immediately granted to delay implementation until January 1, 2015. The FAA has mandated a reduction in loggable time toward the instrument rating down to 10 hours under Part 61 (a 50% reduction), and down to 3.5 hours under Part 141 (a 75% reduction). This has been done, not because of new information that suggests the necessity for reduction, but solely to reconcile the allowable time with a contradictory limit previously imposed under subsection 61.65(i) in 2009. Comments to the FAA regarding these reductions have been unanimously negative. Accordingly, the FAA appears to be seeking ways to return to the status quo.

In the meantime, an important threshold is approaching. All applicants for an instrument
rating who wish to apply the previous (broader) time allowances must attempt and pass their checkride before January 1, 2015. Failure to do so will disallow any AATD time logged in excess of the new 10 hours/3.5 hour limits toward a subsequent check ride. Be prepared that last minute check rides may be harder to schedule with this deadline fast approaching.

Next month, we'll delve into loggable time allowances on PCATD and BATD systems.
Federal Register Source:

The FAA recently announced it launched a new Airport Safety Information Video Series (http://www.faa.gov/airports/safety-video-series/). Over the
next few months, they plan to release several short videos highlighting important
safety issues, new technologies, and changes to safety-related guidance and policy.

The first video, Winter Operations Update, launches a national pre-season winter safety campaign. It reminds airports to review their Snow and Ice Control Plans and offers best practices for snow and ice control. The second video, planned for early 2015, will focus on the importance of wildlife strike reporting.

A party has approached FSANA seeking to find investment capital for a new flight training aircraft. If anyone may have parties interested in this type of investment, please contact Bob Anderson at captboba@juno.com.