18-Jan-2011 Source: SAFE
The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) has taken a leadership role to address a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that could add up to $210 to the cost of pilot certificates. On November 19, 2010, the FAA issued an NPRM entitled, Photo Requirements for Pilot Certificates (Docket No. FAA-2010-1127; Notice No. 2010-16). Key elements in this NPRM and in other documents include:
Taking all associated costs into account (e.g., FAA and testing center fees, pilot time, photo and travel expenses, etc.), the FAA estimates the financial burden on pilots to be $210 per new certificate. Under the current NPRM, flight instructors will have the added burden of needing to procure a new, $210 photo certificate every two years when they renew their CFIs.
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA) now requires the FAA to issue pilot’s licenses with photographs. According to concerned SAFE member Robert Hadow, “The FAA has a legal reason to replace the certificate system for the second time in six years, and apparently sees this as an opportunity to increase fees and staffing.†A flight school owner and instructor, Hadow added, “The aviation community needs to get engaged in this issue to get something that works, rather than a regression to a paper-based 8710 system requiring a physical visit to a FSDO or testing center.â€
Failing to respond to the NPRM is likely to result in a process that adds up to $210 every time a pilot certificate or flight instructor certificate is issued. General comments are due at the Department of Transportation on or before February 17, 2011; however, comments related to data collection and cost need to be submitted no later than January 18, 2011.
SAFE is preparing an official response to the NPRM based on input from its membership. Pilots, flight schools, and other aviation organizations are urged to weigh in on this issue before the appropriate due dates as well.
Read the NPRM – http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2010-1127-0001