Washington, D.C., United States – The Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ACT ARC) has recommended that the FAA introduce a new Professional Flight Training Organization (PFTO) under Part 141 regulations. This proposed category would elevate flight training standards beyond the current Part 141 requirements, emphasizing the expansion of collegiate aviation programs. The proposal, however, has sparked concern among independent flight schools and industry groups.

• The ACT ARC has proposed the creation of a PFTO, which would include enhanced educational requirements and higher training standards compared to existing Part 141 regulations.
• New standards proposed under FAR would include minimum fleet and ground training device requirements, quality management systems, and a more rigorous flight and ground training curriculum.
• The proposal also calls for Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) and pre-screening protocols for pilot candidates.
• The ACT ARC report has been criticized for its focus on collegiate aviation programs, potentially marginalizing existing Part 61 and 141 schools.
• The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) was notably excluded from participation in the ACT ARC and associated workgroups, raising concerns about the inclusivity of the process.

Statements:

• “This is a sad day in the primary flight training segment in America,” commented Robert Rockmaker, FSANA President & CEO, emphasizing the potential negative impact on independent flight schools, which currently produce the majority of career pilots.
• “The ACT ARC report makes it clear that the participants in both the ACT ARC and the P3 WG had an extreme focus on further expansion of collegiate aviation programs while leaving the existing Part 61 and 141 schools out to dry on the runway.” added Rockmaker.
• “The general aviation (GA) industry will never be the same and if the FAA promulgates into rule making the new PFTO concept, the industry runs the risk of seeing many flight schools close down. The impact will then filter down to the airport industry and many smaller airports which support wonderful flight training organizations will be negatively impacted to the point that they too will be at risk for closure and/or downsizing,” added Rockmaker. “The United States Ab Initio flight training industry is the best in the world. There is no replacement for experience and we are blessed with the ability to get young, new pilots the required flight time experience based on how we do it in America.”

About FSANA
The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) is a trade association dedicated to representing and supporting flight training providers across the United States.

Source: FSANA