Second-in-Command Pilot Type Rating, 45264-45272 [05-15376]
Download as PDF
45264
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 61
[Docket No. FAA–2004–19630; Amendment
No. 05–113]
RIN 2120–AI38
Second-in-Command Pilot Type Rating
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
1996 requires the FAA to comply with
small entity requests for information or
advice about compliance with statutes
and regulations within its jurisdiction. If
you are a small entity and you have a
question regarding this document, you
may contact your local FAA official, or
the person listed under the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
document. You can find out more about
SBREFA on the Internet at https://
www.faa.gov/avr/arm/sbrefa.cfm.
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
You may get an electronic copy of this
rulemaking document by using the
Internet by:
(1) Searching the Department of
Transportation’s electronic Docket
Management System (DMS) Web page
(https://dms.dot.gov/search);
(2) Visiting the FAA home page at
https://www.faa.gov; or
(3) Accessing the Government
Printing Office’s Web page at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.
You may also get a copy of this
rulemaking document by sending a
request to the Federal Aviation
Administration, Office of Rulemaking,
ARM–1, 800 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by
calling (202) 267–9680. Make sure to
identify the amendment number or
docket number of this rulemaking.
Authority for This Rulemaking
The Department of Transportation
(DOT) has the responsibility, under the
laws of the United States, to develop
transportation policies and programs
that contribute to providing fast, safe,
efficient, and convenient transportation
(49 U.S.C. 101). The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) is an agency of
DOT. The Administrator of the FAA has
general authority to issue rules
regarding aviation safety (49 U.S.C.
106(g) and 44701). When an individual
is found to be qualified for, and
physically able to perform, certain
duties, including those associated with
flying and navigating an aircraft, the
FAA issues an airman certificate. The
airman certificate must specify the
capacity in which the holder of the
certificate may serve with respect to an
aircraft (49 U.S.C. 44703). It is relevant
to this rulemaking to also point out that,
in carrying out their duties, the
Secretary of Transportation and the
Administrator of the FAA must act
consistently with obligations of the
United States Government under an
international agreement (49 U.S.C.
40105).
This final rule establishes an SIC pilot
type rating and associated qualifying
procedures. This enables qualified
individuals to have the FAA specify on
their airman certificate that they can act
as second in command with respect to
certain aircraft. Before this action,
individuals who were qualified to act as
second in command did not have a way
of indicating their achievement on their
airman certificate. Under the
Convention on International Civil
Aviation, as discussed below, the FAA
pilot type rating requirements need to
conform to the International Civil
Aviation Organization pilot type rating
standards to be recognized by other
countries. For these reasons, this rule is
a reasonable and necessary exercise of
the FAA’s rulemaking authority and
obligations.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act
The Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of
Background
The Convention on International Civil
Aviation (61 Stat. 1180), which was
signed at Chicago, Illinois, on December
SUMMARY: The FAA is amending its pilot
certification regulations to establish a
second-in-command (SIC) pilot type
rating and associated qualifying
procedures. This final rule is needed to
conform FAA pilot type rating
requirements to the International Civil
Aviation Organization pilot type rating
standards. The intended effect of this
action is to allow U.S. flight crews to
continue to operate in international
airspace without the threat of being
grounded for not holding the
appropriate pilot type rating.
DATES: This final rule becomes effective
on September 6, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
D. Lynch, Certification Branch, AFS–
840, General Aviation and Commercial
Division, Flight Standards Service,
Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202)
267–3844 or via the Internet at:
john.d.lynch@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:25 Aug 03, 2005
Jkt 205001
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
7, 1944 (the Convention), is an
international treaty that establishes
certain principles and arrangements to
ensure that international civil aviation
develops in a safe and orderly manner
and operates soundly and economically.
The Member States who signed the
Convention, including the United
States, agreed to keep their regulations
governing civil aviation, to the greatest
possible extent, consistent with those
established under the Convention
(Article 12). The International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the
entity established by the Convention to
set international regulatory standards.
Concerning pilots and flight crew
members, the Member States agreed to
mutually recognize each others’
certificates of competency and licenses
if the requirements for the certificates or
licenses are equal to or above the
minimum standards established under
the Convention (Article 33). If a Member
State finds it impracticable to comply
with an ICAO standard or bring its
regulations into full accord with an
ICAO standard, or adopts regulations
different from an ICAO standard, it must
notify ICAO of the difference (Article
38).
The United States had filed a
difference with ICAO concerning our
SIC qualification requirements under 14
CFR 61.55 versus ICAO’s type ratings
standards for the SIC pilot flight
crewmember position (See ICAO Annex
1, paragraphs 2.1.3.2 and 2.1.4.1.A). The
difference between the FAA’s
requirements and the ICAO standards
was that the FAA did not issue a pilot
type rating for the SIC pilot flight
crewmember position. Although the
U.S. SIC qualifications require initial
and annual recurrent knowledge and
flight training and ICAO does not, as a
result of not issuing SIC pilot type
ratings, some foreign civil aviation
authorities (European and Caribbean)
had notified the FAA and U.S. flight
crews that they intended to enforce the
ICAO type rating standards for SIC pilot
crewmembers when U.S. flight crews
operate in their airspace. This could
have resulted in U.S. flight crews being
grounded. To resolve this situation, the
FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on November 16,
2004 (69 FR 67258) and proposed to
establish SIC type ratings on U.S.
airmen certificates.
We received 49 comments in response
to the NPRM. About half the
commenters supported the proposal.
About one quarter of commenters
opposed it. Another one quarter of
commenters had specific questions
about the proposed procedures for
issuing the SIC pilot type rating.
E:\FR\FM\04AUR4.SGM
04AUR4
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
Twenty-four of the comments came
from individual concerned citizens.
Twenty-five of the comments came from
organizations, including Ameristar Air
Cargo, Inc.; Dow Chemical Company;
American Airlines; SimuFlite; Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association; Air
Transport Association of America; Delta
Airlines; National Business Aviation
Association, Inc.; the Airline Pilots
Association; the General Aviation
Manufacturers Association; and the
National Air Carrier Association.
Discussion of the Final Rule
The FAA is amending its regulations
to provide for the issuance of a pilot
type rating for SIC privileges when a
person completes the SIC pilot
familiarization training set forth under
14 CFR 61.55(b). This final rulemaking
action conforms U.S. SIC qualification
requirements under 14 CFR 61.55 with
the ICAO standards under Annex 1,
paragraphs 2.1.3.2 and 2.1.4.1.A and
eliminates the U.S. difference on file
with ICAO.
The final rule does not require the SIC
pilot type rating for domestic flight
operations within United States
airspace. For the purposes of this final
rule, ‘‘domestic flight operations within
United States airspace’’ means flight:
• Between any points within the 48
contiguous States of the United States or
the District of Columbia;
• Operations solely within the 48
contiguous States of the United States or
the District of Columbia;
• Operations entirely within any
State, territory, or possession of the
United States; and
• Flights within the Hawaiian
Islands.
(Readers should note however, that
pilots must comply with the SIC
qualifications and training requirements
of 14 CFR 61.55, if applicable.)
The final rule requires pilots who
plan to fly outside U.S. airspace and
land in foreign countries to obtain the
SIC pilot type rating. We also
recommend having the SIC pilot type
rating when flying over or into airspace
controlled by a foreign civil aviation
authority that requires it. This would
include not only flights to foreign
destinations, but also flights where there
is the potential to land in a foreign
country (for example, a flight from
Newark, NJ to Anchorage, AK that
crosses Canadian airspace could result
in an emergency landing in Canada).
The final rule establishes two
procedures for obtaining the SIC pilot
type rating. Under final § 61.55(d), an
individual who satisfactorily completes
the SIC familiarization training
requirements of 14 CFR 61.55(b) may
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:25 Aug 03, 2005
Jkt 205001
apply for and receive a pilot type rating
for SIC privileges in a particular aircraft
type. The SIC familiarization training
requirements are not new and have not
been changed under this final rule.
Under final § 61.55(e), an individual
who satisfactorily completes an
approved SIC training program or
proficiency check under parts 121, 125,
or 135 may apply for and receive a pilot
type rating for SIC privileges in a
particular aircraft type. In both cases,
the aircraft must be certificated for
operations with a minimum crew of at
least two pilots. These two procedures
are described in more detail below.
Completion of SIC Familiarization
Training
A pilot seeking an SIC pilot type
rating based on the SIC familiarization
training under § 61.55(b) must follow
the application process described under
final § 61.55(d). The applicant must
complete the training in the aircraft in
which the pilot is applying for SIC pilot
type rating privileges, and the aircraft
must be certificated for operations with
a minimum crew of at least two pilots.
In response to several comments
requesting clarification of the
application and certification process
that was described in the preamble of
the NPRM, the FAA has further defined
the application and certification process
and added it to final § 61.55(d).
Final § 61.55(d)(1)—The SIC pilot
type rating applicant must receive the
familiarization training under § 61.55(b)
from a qualified pilot in command [See
§ 61.31(a)] or an authorized flight
instructor who holds the aircraft type
rating on his/her pilot certificate [See
§ 61.31(a) and § 61.195(b)]. The ground
training under § 61.55(b)(1) may be
given by an authorized advanced
ground instructor [See § 61.215(b)],
authorized flight instructor, or qualified
pilot in command. The person who
provided the training (the trainer) must
sign the applicant’s logbook or training
record after each lesson in accordance
with § 61.51(h)(2). For instance, the
logbook or training record must specify
the type and amount of training given.
In lieu of the trainer, a qualified
management official within the trainer’s
organization can sign the applicant’s
flight experience and/or training records
or logbook and make the required
endorsement. The qualified
management official, however, must
hold the position of Chief Pilot, Director
of Training, Director of Operations, or
another comparable management
position within the organization, and
the management official must be in a
position to verify the applicant’s
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
45265
training records and that the training
was given.
Final § 61.55(d)(2)—The trainer or
qualified management official must
make an endorsement in the applicant’s
logbook that states ‘‘[Applicant’s Name
and Pilot Certificate Number] has
demonstrated the skill and knowledge
required for the safe operation of the
[Type of Aircraft], relevant to the duties
and responsibilities of a second-incommand.’’
Final § 61.55(d)(3)—In the case of
training records that are electronically
maintained, the applicant must present
written copies of those records
containing the signature of the trainer to
the FAA FSDO or Examiner. In lieu of
the trainer, a qualified management
official within the trainer’s organization
can verify the training and can provide
the instructor’s signature and make the
required endorsement.
Final § 61.55(d)(4)—The applicant
must complete and sign an Airman
Certificate and/or Rating Application,
FAA Form 8710–1, and present the
application to a FAA Flight Standards
District Office (FSDO) or to an
Examiner. The Examiner must have the
authority to conduct practical tests for
pilot certification. However, because
this process is purely an administrative
action and no practical test is required,
the Examiner need not hold
authorization in the type of aircraft in
which the pilot is applying for SIC pilot
type rating privileges.
Final § 61.55(d)(5)—The trainer of the
ground and flight training must sign the
‘‘Instructor’s Recommendation’’ section
of the Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application, FAA Form 8710–1. In lieu
of the trainer, a qualified management
official within the trainer’s organization
may sign the applicant’s FAA Form
8710–1.
Final § 61.55(d)(6)—The applicant
must appear in person at a FAA FSDO
or to an Examiner with his or her
logbook/training records and with the
completed and signed FAA Form 8710–
1.
The FAA FSDO or Examiner must
review the SIC pilot type rating
applicant’s logbook/training record to
ensure completion of the required SIC
training and endorsements. An Aviation
Safety Inspector, Aviation Safety
Technician, or Examiner must inform
the applicant that the SIC Privileges
Only limitation may only be removed if
the applicant completes the appropriate
training and pilot type rating practical
test for pilot-in-command (PIC)
qualification [See § 61.63(d) or
§ 61.157(b), as appropriate].
The FAA FSDO or Examiner
completes the application and issues the
E:\FR\FM\04AUR4.SGM
04AUR4
45266
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
applicant a temporary pilot certificate
for a SIC pilot type rating with the
appropriate aircraft type rating with the
limitation ‘‘SIC Privileges Only.’’ For
example, an applicant who has
accomplished the § 61.55(b) SIC
familiarization training in a Cessna 500
would receive a temporary pilot
certificate that reads as follows:
COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE
Airplane Single Engine Land
Airplane Multiengine Land
Instrument Airplane
CE500 SIC Privileges Only
The FAA FSDO forwards the
application and newly issued temporary
pilot certificate to the FAA Airman
Certification Branch, AFS–760. If the
application is made through an
Examiner, the Examiner forwards the
FAA Form 8710–1 application and
newly issued temporary pilot certificate
to the Examiner’s jurisdictional FAA
FSDO who sends the application and
file to the FAA Airman Certification
Branch, AFS–760.
The FAA Airman Certification Branch
processes the SIC pilot type rating
application and temporary pilot
certificate and issues the applicant a
permanent pilot certificate.
Final § 61.55(d)(7)—There is no
practical test required for the issuance
of the ‘‘SIC Privileges Only’’ pilot type
rating.
Part 121, 125, or 135 SIC Training or
Proficiency Check
A person who completes an FAAapproved SIC training curriculum under
14 CFR part 121 or 135 or a proficiency
check under 14 CFR part 125 in the
aircraft for which SIC pilot type rating
privileges are sought is entitled to
receive that pilot type rating for SIC
privileges. The applicant must complete
the training in the aircraft in which the
pilot is applying for SIC pilot type rating
privileges, and the aircraft must be
certificated for operations with a
minimum crew of at least two pilots. In
response to several comments
requesting clarification of the
application and certification process
that was described in the preamble of
the NPRM, the FAA has further defined
the application and certification process
and added it to final § 61.55(e).
Final § 61.55(e)(1)—The trainer must
sign the applicant’s logbook or training
record after each lesson in accordance
with § 61.51(h)(2). For instance, the
logbook or training record must specify
the type and amount of training given.
In lieu of the trainer, a qualified
management official within the trainer’s
organization can sign the applicant’s
training records or logbook and make
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:25 Aug 03, 2005
Jkt 205001
the required endorsement. The qualified
management official, however, must
hold the position of Chief Pilot, Director
of Training, Director of Operations, or
another comparable management
position within the organization, and
the management official must be in a
position to verify the applicant’s
training records and that the training
was given.
Final § 61.55(e)(2)—The trainer or
qualified management official must
make an endorsement in the applicant’s
logbook that states ‘‘[Applicant’s Name
and Pilot Certificate Number] has
demonstrated the skill and knowledge
required for the safe operation of the
[Type of Aircraft], relevant to the duties
and responsibilities of a second-incommand.’’
Final § 61.55(e)(3)—In the case of
flight experience and/or training records
that are electronically maintained, the
applicant must present copies of those
records containing the signature of the
trainer to the FAA FSDO or Examiner
(may also be known in air carrier
training programs as an Aircrew
Program Designee or ‘‘APD’’). In lieu of
the trainer, a qualified management
official within the trainer’s organization
can verify the training and can provide
the instructor’s signature and make the
required endorsement.
Final § 61.55(e)(4)—The applicant
must complete and sign an Airman
Certificate and/or Rating Application,
FAA Form 8710–1, and present the
application to an FAA FSDO or to an
Examiner or an authorized Aircrew
Program Designee. The Examiner
Aircrew Program Designee must have
authority to conduct practical tests for
pilot certification. However, because
this process is purely an administrative
action and no practical test is required,
the Examiner/Aircrew Program
Designee need not hold authorization in
the type of aircraft in which the pilot is
applying for SIC pilot type rating
privileges.
Final § 61.55(e)(5)—The trainer of the
ground and flight training must sign the
‘‘Instructor’s Recommendation’’ section
of the Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application, FAA Form 8710–1. In lieu
of the trainer, a qualified management
official within the trainer’s organization
may sign the applicant’s FAA Form
8710–1.
Final § 61.55(e)(6)—The applicant
must appear in person at a FAA FSDO
or to an Examiner or to an authorized
Aircrew Program Designee with his or
her logbook/training records and with
the completed and signed FAA Form
8710–1.
The FAA FSDO or Examiner or
authorized Aircrew Program Designee
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
reviews the SIC pilot type rating
applicant’s logbook and/or training
record for ensuring completion of the
required training and endorsements. An
Aviation Safety Inspector, Aviation
Safety Technician, Examiner, or
authorized Aircrew Program Designee
must inform the applicant that the SIC
Privileges Only limitation may only be
removed if that applicant completes the
appropriate type rating practical test for
PIC qualification.
Final § 61.55(e)(7)—There is no
practical test required for the issuance
of the ‘‘SIC Privileges Only’’ type rating.
The FAA FSDO or Examiner or
authorized Aircrew Program Designee
completes the application and issues the
applicant a temporary pilot certificate
for an SIC pilot type rating with the
appropriate aircraft type rating with the
limitation ‘‘SIC Privileges Only.’’ For
example, an applicant who
accomplishes SIC training in a Boeing
737 will receive a temporary pilot
certificate that reads as follows:
COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE
Airplane Single Engine Land
Airplane Multiengine Land
Instrument Airplane
B–737 SIC Privileges Only
The FAA FSDO forwards the
application and newly issued temporary
pilot certificate to the FAA Airman
Certification Branch, AFS–760. If the
application is made through an
Examiner or authorized Aircrew
Program Designee, the Examiner/
authorized Aircrew Program Designee
forwards the application and newly
issued temporary pilot certificate to
their jurisdictional FAA FSDO who
sends the application and file to the
FAA Airman Certification Branch, AFS–
760.
The FAA Airman Certification Branch
processes the SIC pilot type rating
applicant’s application and temporary
pilot certificate and issues the applicant
a permanent pilot certificate.
The FAA anticipates that many pilots
have already completed SIC training,
whether it was through § 61.55(b) SIC
familiarization training or through an
FAA-approved SIC training curriculum
under 14 CFR parts 121 or 135 or a
proficiency check under 14 CFR part
125. Therefore, many pilots will be
making application for an SIC pilot type
rating based on past completion of SIC
pilot training or a proficiency check.
The procedures for making such an
application will follow the same
processes described earlier. The only
difference is that applicants who
completed their SIC training prior to the
FAA issuing this rule will be required
to show compliance with either the
E:\FR\FM\04AUR4.SGM
04AUR4
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
initial or recurrent SIC training within
the 12 calendar months before the
month of application for an SIC pilot
type rating.
The following examples illustrate
how the rule applies to pilots who
already completed their SIC training:
Example No. 1: The date is June 30, 2005,
and the final rule for issuing SIC pilot type
ratings became effective on January 30, 2005.
An applicant completed initial § 61.55(b) SIC
pilot familiarization training in a Cessna 500
on August 6, 1998. The applicant last
completed recurrent § 61.55(b) SIC pilot
familiarization training in a Cessna 500 on
August 6, 2000. This applicant is not eligible
to apply for a SIC pilot type rating for the
Cessna 500 because the applicant did not
complete recurrent SIC familiarization
training within the 12 calendar months
before the month of application. Specifically,
if applying on June 30, 2005, the training had
to occur in the period of May 1, 2004 through
June 30, 2005.
Example No. 2: The date is June 30, 2005,
and the final rule for issuing SIC pilot type
ratings became effective on January 30, 2005.
An applicant completed initial part 121 SIC
pilot training in a Boeing 737 on August 6,
1998. The applicant completed part 121 SIC
pilot recurrent requirements in a Boeing 737
every 12 calendar months, including as
recently as December 13, 2004. This
applicant may apply for a SIC pilot type
rating for the B737 because the recurrent
training was completed within the 12
calendar months before the month of
application (that is, it was completed in
December 2004 and the month and year of
application is June 2005).
Example No. 3: The date is June 5, 2005,
and the final rule for issuing SIC pilot type
ratings became effective on January 30, 2005.
An applicant completed a part 125 SIC
proficiency check in a Gulfstream IV on June
23, 2004. This applicant may apply for an
SIC pilot type rating for the Gulfstream IV
because the part 125 SIC proficiency check
was completed within the 12 calendar
months before the month of application (i.e.,
SIC training was last completed in June 2004
and the month and year of application is June
2005 in this example).
Example No. 4: The date is December 5,
2005, and the final rule for issuing SIC pilot
type ratings became effective on January 30,
2005. An applicant completed initial
§ 61.55(b) SIC familiarization in a Lear 60 on
August 6, 1990. The applicant next shows
completion of § 61.55(b) SIC familiarization
training in a Lear 60 on January 23, 2005.
This applicant may apply for an SIC pilot
type rating for the Lear 60 because the
recurrent SIC familiarization training was
completed within the 12 calendar months
before the month of application (that is, SIC
training was last completed in January 2005
and the month and year of application is
December 2005).
Discussion of Comments
Supporting Comments
Commenters cited several reasons for
their support of the proposal,
including—
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:25 Aug 03, 2005
Jkt 205001
• The proposal does not require
training in addition to that already
required.
• The proposed procedures are not
unnecessarily burdensome or costly to
the pilot community.
• Pilots who fly only within U.S.
airspace do not need an SIC pilot type
rating.
BellSouth Corporate Aviation and
Travel Services voiced full support of
requiring type certification for aircraft
requiring two pilots. The commenter
stated that the ever-increasing
complexity and demands found in
today’s high performance cockpits do
not safely present a learning
environment. The second in command
must be a fully trained professional
acting as an integral part of team in
place to monitor systems, look for
traffic, figure takeoff and landing data,
and navigate a National Airspace
System that is much more complex than
in years past. The crew must do all of
this, plus more and still safely fly the
aircraft. Aviation is a profession where
certification is a minimum, and on-thejob training in the cockpit is unsafe and
unacceptable.
In general, the FAA agrees with the
comment. However, we believe the
operating experience acquired under the
supervision of an air carrier’s check
airman is an extremely valuable element
in the qualification process. We did not
consider reducing this requirement.
Dow Chemical Company voiced
support for NPRM with the
understanding that the proposed
rulemaking would allow a part 91
second-in-command to present proof of
SIC training to the FAA FSDO and
receive the appropriate SIC pilot type
rating.
Essentially, Dow Chemical Company’s
statement is correct. However, as a point
of clarification, the applicant must
comply with the requirements in final
§ 61.55(d), which address the training,
instructor endorsement, and application
process, to be eligible to apply for an
SIC pilot type rating.
Applicability of the Rule
Both the Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association and the National Business
Aviation Association, Inc. expressed
support for the NPRM, but wanted
clarification on the wording of proposed
§ 61.55(a)(3) because what the FAA
stated in the proposed rule did not
parallel what the FAA provided as
explanation in the preamble. The NPRM
preamble said as long as a person
operates within the airspace of the
United States, the person would not
have to hold the proposed SIC pilot type
rating. On the other hand, proposed
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
45267
61.55(a)(3) seems to require it of
everyone.
The FAA agrees with the commenters
and revised final § 61.55(a)(3) to require
the SIC pilot type rating only ‘‘if the
flight is outside the airspace of the
United States and its jurisdictional
territories.’’
One commenter requested
clarification whether part 91 SIC pilots
(corporate or private carriage, or
fractional ownership) are covered by the
new rules.
The final rule applies to part 91 SIC
pilots involved in private carriage and
fractional ownership.
International Agreements
Several individual commenters
opposed the proposal because they do
not believe ICAO should be allowed to
impose its standards on U.S. aviation
rules and its citizens. The FAA
understands the concerns of citizens
who do not want the FAA to impose
burdensome rules that unnecessarily
restrict them and the aviation industry
just to conform our rules to
international standards. However, the
FAA believes that the commenters may
not understand the legal requirements
that the Chicago Convention imposes on
all Member States in relation to ICAO
standards. The Member States who
signed the Convention, including the
United States, agreed to keep their
regulations governing civil aviation, to
the greatest possible extent, consistent
with those established under the
Convention. The International Civil
Aviation Organization is the entity
established by the Convention to set
international regulatory standards. The
FAA has a legal duty to act consistently
with obligations of the United States
Government under an international
agreement (49 U.S.C. 40105). The
purpose of this final rule is to enable
our flight crews to conform to ICAO
Annex 1, paragraphs 2.1.5.2 and
paragraphs 2.1.3.2 and 2.1.4.1.A and the
rules of foreign civil aviation authorities
when operating outside of United States
airspace. Most commenters recognize
that the rule provides a simple process
for issuing the SIC pilot type rating and
conforms to our existing SIC training
and certification requirements without
undue burden on our pilots and the
aviation industry.
Need for a Practical Test
SimuFlite commented that issuance of
the SIC privileges type rating requires a
person to submit to a practical test
instead of just completing training.
International Business Aviation Council
identified two issues with the proposed
amendment to 14 CFR 61.55 that may
E:\FR\FM\04AUR4.SGM
04AUR4
45268
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
not meet the requirements of Annex 1.
First, while the proposal addresses most
of the requirements for ‘‘experience’’ as
stated in ICAO Annex 1, paragraph
2.1.5.2.a) in that these are covered in
general terms by § 61.55(b)(1) and (2), it
does not adequately address the skill
requirement that is specified in ICAO
Annex 1, paragraph 2.1.5.2.b) as to
‘‘demonstrate the skill and knowledge
required for the safe operation of the
applicable aircraft relevant to the duties
of a co-pilot.’’ The NPRM indicates that
the person who provides the
familiarization training must sign the
applicant’s logbook or training record
and the ‘‘Instructors Recommendation’’
area of FAA Form 8710–1 application.
This would appear to fully satisfy the
experience requirement, but not the
skill requirement. This could be
rectified by requiring the person who
provides the familiarization training to
attest that the applicant has
‘‘demonstrated the skill and knowledge
required for the safe operation of the
applicable type of aircraft, relevant to
the duties of a co-pilot,’’ rather than
merely indicating that they have
undergone familiarization training. The
second issue relates to the knowledge
requirement specified in ICAO Annex 1,
paragraph 2.1.5.2.c. The NPRM does not
require a person holding a private or
commercial pilot certificate to
demonstrate knowledge at the airline
transport pilot level. Some States have
addressed this requirement through an
Aircraft Type Rating exam that
applicants who have not passed the
Airline Transport Pilot knowledge
exams must pass prior to issue of their
first aircraft type rating.
The FAA has determined that the
proposed changes to § 61.5(b)(7)(iv) and
§ 61.55 fully conform to the standards
set forth in ICAO Annex 1, paragraphs
2.1.3.2 and 2.1.4.1.A. The ICAO
standards under Annex 1, paragraphs
2.1.5.2 state that an applicant must have
‘‘gained under appropriate supervision,
experience in the applicable type of
aircraft and/or flight simulator in the
following * * *.’’ However, the FAA
agrees with the commenter’s
recommendation about an endorsement.
The FAA therefore revised final
§ 61.55(d)(2) and (e)(2) by including the
endorsement ‘‘[Applicant’s Name and
Pilot Certificate Number] has
demonstrated the skill and knowledge
required for the safe operation of the
[Type of Aircraft], relevant to the duties
and responsibilities of a second-incommand.’’
Ball Corporation commented that an
SIC pilot type rating seems to water
down a full type rating only to meet a
regulatory technicality. The commenter
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:25 Aug 03, 2005
Jkt 205001
stated that the rule does nothing to
enhance safety, which is why any
regulation should be written. The
commenter believes that a fully type
rated pilot has demonstrated his/her
knowledge of and ability to operate the
aircraft safely. It believes that requiring
two type-rated pilots is more important
on a long international flight with
disrupted biorhythms and extended
duty days.
The FAA does not disagree with the
commenter’s remarks concerning the
importance of two type-rated pilots.
However, the FAA believes that its
current system of training and
qualifying SIC pilots under existing
§ 61.55 meets or exceeds the current
ICAO requirements. As was stated in the
NPRM, the FAA’s current system of
training and qualifying SIC pilots
require annual recurrent requirements;
whereas, the current ICAO requirements
only require the type rating and no
recurrent training and qualification
requirements.
Ameristar Air Cargo, Inc. commented
that if the FAA intends to allow an
endorsement (meaning a pilot type
rating) on a license based on an
instructor’s recommendation, then it
should consider having an FAA
representative observe the performance
of the candidate in the aircraft or FAAapproved simulator before issuing the
endorsement.
In response to Ameristar’s
recommendation, the FAA believes that
requiring all SIC pilot type rating
training be monitored would be
impossible to achieve due to staffing
limits and, more importantly, is
unnecessary. For years, existing § 61.55
has provided a safe and efficient way to
qualify pilots to serve as SICs who
complete the familiarization training
without the training being monitored by
the FAA. This new SIC pilot type rating
final rule provides a process for issuing
SIC pilot type ratings, but the § 61.55
SIC familiarization training
requirements remain the same.
Furthermore, § 61.55 requires both
initial and annual recurrent
familiarization training for a pilot to
remain qualified to serve as an SIC. In
contrast, the ICAO type rating
requirements (See ICAO Annex 1,
paragraphs 2.1.3.2 and 2.1.4.1.A) do not
require recurrent training.
Financial Impact of the Rule
A representative of American Airlines
stated there are 3,066 pilots currently
flying for American Airlines as SICs that
do not hold a type rating. The
commenter stated that it agrees with the
idea of issuing SIC pilot type ratings;
however, the initial implementation of
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
this rule would be costly and overly
cumbersome. The commenter presented
cost figures claiming the rule would
impose additional costs of more than
$1.4 million over the next 10 years,
$528,251 in year one. A majority of the
first year costs are associated with
Examiners having to complete airmen
applications, and managers tracking the
3,066 SIC applications between
instructors, applicants, examiners, and
the American Airlines Certificate
Management Office. The commenter
stated that the majority of the costs
would be associated with issuing
temporary certificates and collecting
current permanent certificates. The
commenter estimates the recurring costs
to be over $90,000 in the second year,
escalating to over $114,000 in the tenth
year.
The FAA has accepted and adopted
this comment in part. Because the
commenter did not provide supporting
information underlying his estimate of
the total costs of the rule, we substituted
our cost variables in deriving an
estimate of total compliance costs. The
cost of this rule has five components: (1)
Cost for SIC candidates to fill out Form
8710–1, (2) Cost for managers to review
each application, (3) Cost for FSDO
employee or examiner to complete Form
8710–1, (4) Cost to process Form 8710–
1 at FSDO and issue temporary
certificate, and (5) Cost to process Form
8710–1 at FAA Airmen Certification
Branch.
The FAA estimates the cost of this
final rule to be $1.7 million ($1.5
million, present value) over the next ten
years. Please see the regulatory
evaluation for a detailed description of
how we calculated these costs.
Procedures for Air Carriers
Ameristar Air Cargo, Inc. commented
that the FAA should address giving
specific authority to air carriers to allow
the processing of the Airman Certificate
and/or Rating Application, FAA Form
8710–1, utilizing Aircrew Program
Designees (APD).
Final § 61.55(e) provides for
completion of an SIC training
curriculum under part 121 to qualify for
the SIC pilot type rating. Aircrew
Program Designees hold examining
authority and therefore would be
permitted to process an applicant’s
Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application. If the operator does not
have an APD, the applicant must
present his/her Airman Certificate and/
or Rating Application, FAA Form 8710–
1 to an FAA Flight Standards District
Office or to an Examiner for processing.
The National Air Carrier Association,
Air Transport Association, and the
E:\FR\FM\04AUR4.SGM
04AUR4
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
representative of American Airlines
commented that where an air carrier
employs numerous pilots who have
previously qualified by completion of
an air carrier training program within
the past 12 months, the FAA should
allow the air carrier to send the
applications for all its qualified SIC
candidates to the FAA Airmen
Certification Branch at one time.
It is not possible to issue ratings to
multiple individuals at one time
without the applicant being positively
identified by the FAA or by an
examiner. The FAA is required to verify
identity of the applicants in the
application and certification process.
The U.S. Congress mandated
modification of the airman certification
system in the Federal Aviation
Administration Drug Enforcement
Assistance Act of 1988 (DEA Act)
(Subtitle E of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act
of 1988 (Pub. L. 100–690)) to ensure
positive and verifiable identification of
each person applying for or holding a
pilot certificate. Most air carriers have
qualified APD on staff and can issue the
SIC pilot type rating for pilot employees
of their air carrier.
The National Air Carrier Association
recommends that the FAA provide a
minimum of six months from issuing
the final rule to full implementation and
revision of its ICAO difference. The
reason for this comment is because
member airlines need to provide time
for the initial processing of the several
hundred thousand applications required
for this SIC pilot type rating. The
representative of American Airlines
requested 18 months to complete the
initial certification process for its initial
3,066 pilots that are not currently type
rated.
The FAA does not agree it is
necessary to delay implementation of
this final rule. The FAA has been put on
notice from several foreign civil aviation
authorities that they intend to begin
enforcing the type-rating requirement.
The sooner this final rule becomes
effective and U.S. pilots receive their
SIC pilot type ratings, the sooner U.S.
flight crews will be able to operate
internationally unimpeded. Therefore, it
is imperative that the final rule become
effective as soon as possible.
To streamline this initial process, the
National Air Carrier Association
recommends that the FAA abandon the
requirement for issuing a temporary
pilot certificate with the ‘‘SIC Privileges
Only’’ annotation for pilots already
qualified for SIC in part 121 operations.
The reason for this comment is because
current part 121 SICs need to be able to
continue to fly internationally until
their permanent pilot certificate is
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:25 Aug 03, 2005
Jkt 205001
issued. Meanwhile, the FAA will need
to delay removing its difference from
the type rating standards of ICAO
Annex 1, paragraphs 2.1.3.2 and
2.1.4.1.A until a majority of the pilots
receive their permanent pilot
certificates.
The FAA is not aware of any
restrictions on a temporary pilot
certificate versus the permanent plastic
U.S. pilot certificate. A pilot who
possesses a temporary pilot certificate
has the same operating privileges as a
pilot who holds a permanent plastic
U.S. pilot certificate. Holding a
temporary pilot certificate does not limit
a pilot’s ability to operate
internationally.
The National Air Carrier Association
requested clarification of a portion of
the NPRM preamble that states the
aviation safety inspector will ‘‘inform
the applicant that the SIC Privileges
Only limitation may only be removed if
that applicant completes the appropriate
type rating practical test for pilot-incommand qualification.’’ Can a SIC pilot
type rating be suspended, revoked or
failed during a line check, simulator
check, or recurrent check?
As with any certificate or rating
issued by the FAA, 49 U.S.C. 44709
provides that a certificate or rating
issued by the Administrator may be
suspended or revoked through reexamination, if the applicant does not
maintain certain standards. So the
answer is ‘‘yes,’’ if a person fails a Part
121 line check, simulator check, or
recurrent check for SIC qualification,
the FAA has the authority to suspend or
revoke a person’s pilot certificate and/
or rating. However, the FAA does not
invoke § 44709 after every failure of a
part 121 line check, simulator check, or
recurrent check. Failures on a part 121
line check, simulator check, or recurrent
check are dealt with on a case-by-case
basis depending on the circumstances.
Normally, the applicant receives
additional training and is scheduled to
re-take the unsatisfactory event. This
final rule does not change the current
re-examination process, nor does it
impose any new reexamination
requirements.
The National Air Carrier Association
also asked us to clarify that, where the
SIC is gaining the type rating through an
FAA-approved part 121 training
program, there are no required
modifications to the current training
program required as a result of this rule.
This SIC pilot type rating final rule
will not require any change to existing
approved part 121 training programs.
The Air Transport Association of
America acknowledged the need for
harmonizing U.S. pilot certification
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
45269
requirements with the other ICAO
member states, but proposed to reduce
the administrative requirements by
allowing part 121, 125 and 135
operators that maintain training records
in accordance with an FAA-approved
recordkeeping program be permitted to
give previously trained applicants a
letter signed by a designated training
manager stating that the required
training was successfully completed in
lieu of requiring that the actual person
who provided the training sign the
record or logbook. Alternately, the Air
Transport Association proposed that a
designated manager of the part 121, 125
or 135 operator sign the completed FAA
Form 8710–1 for previously trained
applicants.
The FAA resolved this issue by
allowing a qualified management
official within the company to sign the
applicant’s logbook or training record in
lieu of the actual flight instructor who
provided the training. See final
§ 61.55(d)(2) and (e)(2). Alternately,
most air carriers have qualified APD on
staff and can issue the SIC pilot type
rating for pilot employees of their air
carrier.
Kaiser Air, Inc. fully supported the
proposal—it believes that U.S. flight
crews are by far better trained than their
international counterparts and there
needs to be a way to address the
international requirement for type rated
SICs in the aircraft. The only thing it
recommends changing is where SICs are
trained on multiple aircraft, a single
FAA Form 8710–1 application (with
appropriate training documents)
submission suffice so that an applicant
does not have to wait for each type
rating to be processed. It states that the
final rule is otherwise an extremely well
thought-out proposal that provides
maximum benefit to the operators with
very little overhead burden.
The FAA’s standard process for
issuing pilot type rating requires that an
applicant complete an Airman
Certificate and/or Rating Application,
FAA Form 8710–1, for each rating being
applied for. Therefore, the FAA cannot
concur with the recommendation of
issuing of multiple aircraft ratings from
the applicant submitting just one FAA
Form 8710–1 application.
One commenter asked what if the
person who gave the training no longer
works for the carrier or for some other
reason (i.e., deceased) cannot be found
to sign the instructor recommendation
block on the FAA Form 8710–1
application.
The FAA acknowledges that the air
carrier may no longer employ the person
who provided the training. We,
therefore, modified the final rule
E:\FR\FM\04AUR4.SGM
04AUR4
45270
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
language [See § 61.55(d)(1) and (e)(1)] to
allow an authorized management
official of the organization that
conducted the training to sign the
training records, make the required
endorsement, and sign the FAA Form
8710–1 application.
Multiple Levels of Training
Ameristar Air Cargo, Inc. commented
that the proposal appears to allow
multiple levels of training for a pilot to
be eligible for the new SIC pilot type
rating privilege. The levels would range
from a simple sign off to completion of
a part 121, part 135, or part 142
approved training program.
The FAA agrees that the proposal
does allow multiple levels of training
for the SIC pilot type rating privileges.
There is a difference between SIC
familiarization training under § 61.55
versus the SIC training under part 121
and part 135. There always has been a
difference in the process between the
SIC familiarization training under
§ 61.55 versus the SIC training under
part 121 and part 135. However, a SIC
who completes SIC familiarization
training under § 61.55 would not be able
to serve as a SIC in a part 121 or part
135 operation without completing that
air carrier’s approved SIC training
curriculum. It is not the FAA’s intention
to parallel the SIC familiarization
training of § 61.55 with the part 121 or
part 135 SIC approved training
programs.
Completion of a Part 142 Approved SIC
Training Program
One commenter suggested the final
rule provide that completion of a SIC
training program under part 142
qualifies a person to receive an SIC pilot
type rating.
Final § 61.55(d) provides that a person
who complies with the SIC
familiarization training is entitled to
receive an aircraft type rating whether
the training occurred under part 61, part
141 or part 142. Additionally, § 61.55(d)
provides that a person who complies
with the SIC familiarization training is
entitled to receive an aircraft type rating
whether the training was received from
a qualified PIC, authorized flight
instructor, or an approved air carrier
training program.
Paperwork Reduction Act
As required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3507(d)), the FAA submitted a copy of
the amended information collection
requirements in this final rule to the
Office of Management and Budget for its
review. OMB approved the collection of
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:25 Aug 03, 2005
Jkt 205001
this information and assigned OMB
Control Number 2120–0693.
This final rule establishes an
application process using the existing
Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application, FAA Form 8710–1, for
pilots who need to obtain an SIC rating.
We received one comment on the cost
of the rule, which we addressed earlier
in this preamble. An agency may not
collect or sponsor the collection of
information, nor may it impose an
information collection requirement
unless it displays a currently valid
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) control number.
International Compatibility
In keeping with U.S. obligations
under the Convention on International
Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to
comply with ICAO Standards and
Recommended Practices to the
maximum extent practicable. The FAA
has reviewed the corresponding ICAO
Standards and Recommended Practices
and has identified no differences with
these regulations.
Economic Assessment, Regulatory
Flexibility Determination, Trade Impact
Assessment, and Unfunded Mandates
Assessment
Changes to Federal regulations must
undergo several economic analyses.
First, Executive Order 12866 directs that
each Federal agency shall propose or
adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned
determination that the benefits of the
intended regulation justify its costs.
Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act
of 1980 requires agencies to analyze the
economic impact of regulatory changes
on small entities. Third, the Trade
Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 2531–2533)
prohibits agencies from setting
standards that create unnecessary
obstacles to the foreign commerce of the
United States. In developing U.S.
standards, this Trade Act requires
agencies to consider international
standards and, where appropriate, to be
the basis of U.S. standards. Fourth, the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(Pub. L. 104–4) requires agencies to
prepare a written assessment of the
costs, benefits, and other effects of
proposed or final rules that include a
Federal mandate likely to result in the
expenditure by State, local, or tribal
governments, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector, of $100 million or more
annually (adjusted for inflation).
In conducting these analyses, FAA
has determined this rule: (1) Has
benefits that justify its costs, is not a
‘‘significant regulatory action’’ as
defined in section 3(f) of Executive
Order 12866, and is not ‘‘significant’’ as
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
defined in DOT’s Regulatory Policies
and Procedures; (2) will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities; (3)
will not affect international trade; and
(4) does not impose an unfunded
mandate on state, local, or tribal
governments, or on the private sector.
These analyses, available in the docket,
are summarized below.
Costs and Benefits of the Rule
The total costs of this final rule over
the 10-year analysis period are
estimated to be $1.7 million ($1.6
million, present value). The benefits of
this rulemaking are some potential cost
savings. We believe that the qualitative
benefits of this rule justify its costs,
since this rule will allow U.S. flag
carriers to operate internationally
without the threat of being grounded in
a foreign country.
Who Will Be Potentially Affected by the
Rule
This final rule will affect domestic air
carriers who operate internationally.
Assumptions
• Analysis covers years 2006–2015.
• All monetary values are expressed
in 2004 dollars.
• Discount rate—7%.
• 50% of new transport pilots will be
SICs beginning in 2007.
Final Regulatory Flexibility
Determination
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980
(RFA) establishes ‘‘as a principle of
regulatory issuance that agencies shall
endeavor, consistent with the objective
of the rule and of applicable statutes, to
fit regulatory and informational
requirements to the scale of the
business, organizations, and
governmental jurisdictions subject to
regulation.’’ To achieve that principle,
the RFA requires agencies to solicit and
consider flexible regulatory proposals
and to explain the rationale for their
actions. The RFA covers a wide range of
small entities, including small
businesses, not-for-profit organizations
and small governmental jurisdictions.
Agencies must perform a review to
determine whether a proposed or final
rule will have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small
entities. If the agency determines that it
will, the agency must prepare a
regulatory flexibility analysis as
described in the Act.
However, if an agency determines that
a proposed or final rule is not expected
to have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small
entities, section 605(b) of the RFA
E:\FR\FM\04AUR4.SGM
04AUR4
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
provides that the head of the agency
may so certify and a regulatory
flexibility analysis is not required. The
certification must include a statement
providing the factual basis for this
determination, and the reasoning should
be clear.
This final rule will not have a
significant affect on small entities, given
the low costs. Accordingly, pursuant to
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C.
605(b), the Federal Aviation
Administration certifies that this final
rule will not have a significant impact
on a substantial number of small
entities.
International Trade Impact Assessment
The Trade Agreements Act of 1979
prohibits Federal agencies from
establishing any standards or engaging
in related activities that create
unnecessary obstacles to the foreign
commerce of the United States.
Legitimate domestic objectives, such as
safety, are not considered unnecessary
obstacles. The statute also requires
consideration of international standards
and where appropriate, that they be the
basis for U.S. standards.
In accordance with the statute, the
FAA has assessed the potential effect of
this final rule and has determined that
it will allow domestic operators to
operate internationally and should not
affect on any trade-sensitive activity.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Assessment
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (the Act) is intended, among
other things, to curb the practice of
imposing unfunded Federal mandates
on State, local, and tribal governments.
Title II of the Act requires each Federal
agency to prepare a written statement
assessing the effects of any Federal
mandate in a proposed or final agency
rule that may result in expenditure of
$100 million or more (adjusted annually
for inflation) in any one year by State,
local, and tribal governments, in the
aggregate, or by the private sector; such
a mandate is deemed to be a ‘‘significant
regulatory action.’’ The FAA currently
uses an inflation-adjusted value of
$120.7 million in lieu of $100 million.
This final rule does not contain such
a mandate. The requirements of Title II
do not apply.
Executive Order 13132, Federalism
The FAA analyzed this final
rulemaking action under the principles
and criteria of Executive Order 13132,
‘‘Federalism,’’ dated August 4, 1999 (64
FR 43255). We determined that this
final rulemaking action will not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:25 Aug 03, 2005
Jkt 205001
the relationship between the national
Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government, and therefore will
not have federalism implications.
Environmental Analysis
FAA Order 1050.1E identifies FAA
actions that are categorically excluded
from preparation of an environmental
assessment or environmental impact
statement under the National
Environmental Policy Act in the
absence of extraordinary circumstances.
The FAA has determined that this final
rulemaking action qualifies for the
categorical exclusion identified in
paragraph 307(k) and involves no
extraordinary circumstances. This final
rulemaking action allows for the
issuance of pilot type ratings to SIC
pilot crewmembers in order to conform
the FAA pilot type rating requirements
to the ICAO pilot type ratings standards.
Regulations That Significantly Affect
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
The FAA has analyzed this final
rulemaking action under Executive
Order 13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning
Regulations that Significantly Affect
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’
(May 18, 2001). We have determined
that it is not a ‘‘significant energy
action’’ under the executive order
because it is not a ‘‘significant
regulatory action’’ under Executive
Order 12866, and it is not likely to have
a significant adverse effect on the
supply, distribution, or use of energy.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 61
Aircraft, Airmen, Aviation safety, and
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
The Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the
Federal Aviation Administration
amends Chapter I of Title 14 Code of
Federal Regulations as follows:
I
PART 61—CERTIFICATION: PILOTS,
FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND
INSTRUCTORS
1. The authority citation for part 61
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701–
44703, 44707, 44709–44711, 45102–45103,
45301–45302.
2. Amend § 61.5 by adding new
paragraph (b)(7)(iv) to read as follows:
I
§ 61.5 Certificates and ratings issued
under this part.
*
PO 00000
*
*
(b) * * *
Frm 00009
*
Fmt 4701
*
Sfmt 4700
45271
(7) * * *
(iv) Second-in-command pilot type
rating for aircraft that is certificated for
operations with a minimum crew of at
least two pilots.
*
*
*
*
*
I 3. Amend § 61.55 by revising the
introductory language of paragraph (a),
revising paragraph (a)(2), adding new
paragraph (a)(3), redesignating existing
paragraphs (d) through (h) as paragraphs
(f) through (j), and adding new
paragraphs (d) and (e) to read as follows:
§ 61.55 Second-in-command
qualifications.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (f)
of this section, a person may serve as a
second-in-command of an aircraft type
certificated for more than one required
pilot flight crewmember or in operations
requiring a second-in-command only if
that person holds:
*
*
*
*
*
(2) An instrument rating that applies
to the aircraft being flown if the flight
is under IFR; and
(3) The appropriate pilot type rating
for the aircraft unless the flight will be
conducted as domestic flight operations
within United States airspace.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) A person may receive a second-incommand pilot type rating for an
aircraft after satisfactorily completing
the second-in-command familiarization
training requirements under paragraph
(b) of this section in that type of aircraft.
The person must comply with the
following application and pilot
certification procedures:
(1) The person who provided the
training must sign the applicant’s
logbook or training record after each
lesson in accordance with § 61.51(h)(2)
of this part. In lieu of the trainer, it is
permissible for a qualified management
official within the organization to sign
the applicant’s training records or
logbook and make the required
endorsement. The qualified
management official must hold the
position of Chief Pilot, Director of
Training, Director of Operations, or
another comparable management
position within the organization that
provided the training and must be in a
position to verify the applicant’s
training records and that the training
was given.
(2) The trainer or qualified
management official must make an
endorsement in the applicant’s logbook
that states ‘‘[Applicant’s Name and Pilot
Certificate Number] has demonstrated
the skill and knowledge required for the
safe operation of the [Type of Aircraft],
relevant to the duties and
E:\FR\FM\04AUR4.SGM
04AUR4
45272
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
responsibilities of a second in
command.’’
(3) If the applicant’s flight experience
and/or training records are in an
electronic form, the applicant must
present a paper copy of those records
containing the signature of the trainer or
qualified management official to an
FAA Flight Standards District Office or
Examiner.
(4) The applicant must complete and
sign an Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application, FAA Form 8710–1, and
present the application to an FAA Flight
Standards District Office or to an
Examiner.
(5) The person who provided the
ground and flight training to the
applicant must sign the ‘‘Instructor’s
Recommendation’’ section of the
Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application, FAA Form 8710–1. In lieu
of the trainer, it is permissible for a
qualified management official within
the organization to sign the applicant’s
FAA Form 8710–1.
(6) The applicant must appear in
person at a FAA Flight Standards
District Office or to an Examiner with
his or her logbook/training records and
with the completed and signed FAA
Form 8710–1.
(7) There is no practical test required
for the issuance of the ‘‘SIC Privileges
Only’’ pilot type rating.
(e) A person may receive a second-incommand pilot type rating for an
aircraft after satisfactorily completing an
approved second-in-command training
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:25 Aug 03, 2005
Jkt 205001
program or a proficiency check under
parts 121, 125, or 135 in that type of
aircraft. The person must comply with
the following application and pilot
certification procedures:
(1) The person who provided the
training must sign the applicant’s
logbook or training record after each
lesson in accordance with § 61.51(h)(2)
of this part. In lieu of the trainer, it is
permissible for a qualified management
official within the organization to sign
the applicant’s training records or
logbook and make the required
endorsement. The qualified
management official must hold the
position of Chief Pilot, Director of
Training, Director of Operations, or
another comparable management
position within the organization that
provided the training and must be in a
position to verify the applicant’s
training records and that the training
was given.
(2) The trainer or qualified
management official must make an
endorsement in the applicant’s logbook
that states ‘‘[Applicant’s Name and Pilot
Certificate Number] has demonstrated
the skill and knowledge required for the
safe operation of the [Type of Aircraft],
relevant to the duties and
responsibilities of a second in
command.’’
(3) If the applicant’s flight experience
and/or training records are in an
electronic form, the applicant must
provide a paper copy of those records
containing the signature of the trainer or
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
qualified management official to an
FAA Flight Standards District Office, an
Examiner, or an Aircrew Program
Designee.
(4) The applicant must complete and
sign an Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application, FAA Form 8710–1, and
present the application to an FAA Flight
Standards District Office or to an
Examiner or to an authorized Aircrew
Program Designee.
(5) The person who provided the
ground and flight training to the
applicant must sign the ‘‘Instructor’s
Recommendation’’ section of the
Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application, FAA Form 8710–1. In lieu
of the trainer, it is permissible for a
qualified management official within
the organization to sign the applicant’s
FAA Form 8710–1.
(6) The applicant must appear in
person at an FAA Flight Standards
District Office or to an Examiner or to
an authorized Aircrew Program
Designee with his or her logbook/
training records and with the completed
and signed FAA Form 8710–1.
(7) There is no practical test required
for the issuance of the ‘‘SIC Privileges
Only’’ pilot type rating.
*
*
*
*
*
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 26,
2005.
Marion C. Blakey,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05–15376 Filed 8–3–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
E:\FR\FM\04AUR4.SGM
04AUR4
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 149 (Thursday, August 4, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45264-45272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15376]
[[Page 45263]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Part VI
Department of Transportation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Aviation Administration
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
14 CFR Part 61
Second-in-Command Pilot Type Rating; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 45264]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 61
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19630; Amendment No. 05-113]
RIN 2120-AI38
Second-in-Command Pilot Type Rating
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is amending its pilot certification regulations to
establish a second-in-command (SIC) pilot type rating and associated
qualifying procedures. This final rule is needed to conform FAA pilot
type rating requirements to the International Civil Aviation
Organization pilot type rating standards. The intended effect of this
action is to allow U.S. flight crews to continue to operate in
international airspace without the threat of being grounded for not
holding the appropriate pilot type rating.
DATES: This final rule becomes effective on September 6, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John D. Lynch, Certification Branch,
AFS-840, General Aviation and Commercial Division, Flight Standards
Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3844 or via the Internet at:
john.d.lynch@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
You may get an electronic copy of this rulemaking document by using
the Internet by:
(1) Searching the Department of Transportation's electronic Docket
Management System (DMS) Web page (https://dms.dot.gov/search);
(2) Visiting the FAA home page at https://www.faa.gov; or
(3) Accessing the Government Printing Office's Web page at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.
You may also get a copy of this rulemaking document by sending a
request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking,
ARM-1, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling
(202) 267-9680. Make sure to identify the amendment number or docket
number of this rulemaking.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of
1996 requires the FAA to comply with small entity requests for
information or advice about compliance with statutes and regulations
within its jurisdiction. If you are a small entity and you have a
question regarding this document, you may contact your local FAA
official, or the person listed under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this document. You can find out more about SBREFA on
the Internet at https://www.faa.gov/avr/arm/sbrefa.cfm.
Authority for This Rulemaking
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has the responsibility,
under the laws of the United States, to develop transportation policies
and programs that contribute to providing fast, safe, efficient, and
convenient transportation (49 U.S.C. 101). The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) is an agency of DOT. The Administrator of the FAA
has general authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety (49
U.S.C. 106(g) and 44701). When an individual is found to be qualified
for, and physically able to perform, certain duties, including those
associated with flying and navigating an aircraft, the FAA issues an
airman certificate. The airman certificate must specify the capacity in
which the holder of the certificate may serve with respect to an
aircraft (49 U.S.C. 44703). It is relevant to this rulemaking to also
point out that, in carrying out their duties, the Secretary of
Transportation and the Administrator of the FAA must act consistently
with obligations of the United States Government under an international
agreement (49 U.S.C. 40105).
This final rule establishes an SIC pilot type rating and associated
qualifying procedures. This enables qualified individuals to have the
FAA specify on their airman certificate that they can act as second in
command with respect to certain aircraft. Before this action,
individuals who were qualified to act as second in command did not have
a way of indicating their achievement on their airman certificate.
Under the Convention on International Civil Aviation, as discussed
below, the FAA pilot type rating requirements need to conform to the
International Civil Aviation Organization pilot type rating standards
to be recognized by other countries. For these reasons, this rule is a
reasonable and necessary exercise of the FAA's rulemaking authority and
obligations.
Background
The Convention on International Civil Aviation (61 Stat. 1180),
which was signed at Chicago, Illinois, on December 7, 1944 (the
Convention), is an international treaty that establishes certain
principles and arrangements to ensure that international civil aviation
develops in a safe and orderly manner and operates soundly and
economically. The Member States who signed the Convention, including
the United States, agreed to keep their regulations governing civil
aviation, to the greatest possible extent, consistent with those
established under the Convention (Article 12). The International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the entity established by the
Convention to set international regulatory standards. Concerning pilots
and flight crew members, the Member States agreed to mutually recognize
each others' certificates of competency and licenses if the
requirements for the certificates or licenses are equal to or above the
minimum standards established under the Convention (Article 33). If a
Member State finds it impracticable to comply with an ICAO standard or
bring its regulations into full accord with an ICAO standard, or adopts
regulations different from an ICAO standard, it must notify ICAO of the
difference (Article 38).
The United States had filed a difference with ICAO concerning our
SIC qualification requirements under 14 CFR 61.55 versus ICAO's type
ratings standards for the SIC pilot flight crewmember position (See
ICAO Annex 1, paragraphs 2.1.3.2 and 2.1.4.1.A). The difference between
the FAA's requirements and the ICAO standards was that the FAA did not
issue a pilot type rating for the SIC pilot flight crewmember position.
Although the U.S. SIC qualifications require initial and annual
recurrent knowledge and flight training and ICAO does not, as a result
of not issuing SIC pilot type ratings, some foreign civil aviation
authorities (European and Caribbean) had notified the FAA and U.S.
flight crews that they intended to enforce the ICAO type rating
standards for SIC pilot crewmembers when U.S. flight crews operate in
their airspace. This could have resulted in U.S. flight crews being
grounded. To resolve this situation, the FAA issued a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 16, 2004 (69 FR 67258) and
proposed to establish SIC type ratings on U.S. airmen certificates.
We received 49 comments in response to the NPRM. About half the
commenters supported the proposal. About one quarter of commenters
opposed it. Another one quarter of commenters had specific questions
about the proposed procedures for issuing the SIC pilot type rating.
[[Page 45265]]
Twenty-four of the comments came from individual concerned citizens.
Twenty-five of the comments came from organizations, including
Ameristar Air Cargo, Inc.; Dow Chemical Company; American Airlines;
SimuFlite; Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; Air Transport
Association of America; Delta Airlines; National Business Aviation
Association, Inc.; the Airline Pilots Association; the General Aviation
Manufacturers Association; and the National Air Carrier Association.
Discussion of the Final Rule
The FAA is amending its regulations to provide for the issuance of
a pilot type rating for SIC privileges when a person completes the SIC
pilot familiarization training set forth under 14 CFR 61.55(b). This
final rulemaking action conforms U.S. SIC qualification requirements
under 14 CFR 61.55 with the ICAO standards under Annex 1, paragraphs
2.1.3.2 and 2.1.4.1.A and eliminates the U.S. difference on file with
ICAO.
The final rule does not require the SIC pilot type rating for
domestic flight operations within United States airspace. For the
purposes of this final rule, ``domestic flight operations within United
States airspace'' means flight:
Between any points within the 48 contiguous States of the
United States or the District of Columbia;
Operations solely within the 48 contiguous States of the
United States or the District of Columbia;
Operations entirely within any State, territory, or
possession of the United States; and
Flights within the Hawaiian Islands.
(Readers should note however, that pilots must comply with the SIC
qualifications and training requirements of 14 CFR 61.55, if
applicable.)
The final rule requires pilots who plan to fly outside U.S.
airspace and land in foreign countries to obtain the SIC pilot type
rating. We also recommend having the SIC pilot type rating when flying
over or into airspace controlled by a foreign civil aviation authority
that requires it. This would include not only flights to foreign
destinations, but also flights where there is the potential to land in
a foreign country (for example, a flight from Newark, NJ to Anchorage,
AK that crosses Canadian airspace could result in an emergency landing
in Canada).
The final rule establishes two procedures for obtaining the SIC
pilot type rating. Under final Sec. 61.55(d), an individual who
satisfactorily completes the SIC familiarization training requirements
of 14 CFR 61.55(b) may apply for and receive a pilot type rating for
SIC privileges in a particular aircraft type. The SIC familiarization
training requirements are not new and have not been changed under this
final rule. Under final Sec. 61.55(e), an individual who
satisfactorily completes an approved SIC training program or
proficiency check under parts 121, 125, or 135 may apply for and
receive a pilot type rating for SIC privileges in a particular aircraft
type. In both cases, the aircraft must be certificated for operations
with a minimum crew of at least two pilots. These two procedures are
described in more detail below.
Completion of SIC Familiarization Training
A pilot seeking an SIC pilot type rating based on the SIC
familiarization training under Sec. 61.55(b) must follow the
application process described under final Sec. 61.55(d). The applicant
must complete the training in the aircraft in which the pilot is
applying for SIC pilot type rating privileges, and the aircraft must be
certificated for operations with a minimum crew of at least two pilots.
In response to several comments requesting clarification of the
application and certification process that was described in the
preamble of the NPRM, the FAA has further defined the application and
certification process and added it to final Sec. 61.55(d).
Final Sec. 61.55(d)(1)--The SIC pilot type rating applicant must
receive the familiarization training under Sec. 61.55(b) from a
qualified pilot in command [See Sec. 61.31(a)] or an authorized flight
instructor who holds the aircraft type rating on his/her pilot
certificate [See Sec. 61.31(a) and Sec. 61.195(b)]. The ground
training under Sec. 61.55(b)(1) may be given by an authorized advanced
ground instructor [See Sec. 61.215(b)], authorized flight instructor,
or qualified pilot in command. The person who provided the training
(the trainer) must sign the applicant's logbook or training record
after each lesson in accordance with Sec. 61.51(h)(2). For instance,
the logbook or training record must specify the type and amount of
training given.
In lieu of the trainer, a qualified management official within the
trainer's organization can sign the applicant's flight experience and/
or training records or logbook and make the required endorsement. The
qualified management official, however, must hold the position of Chief
Pilot, Director of Training, Director of Operations, or another
comparable management position within the organization, and the
management official must be in a position to verify the applicant's
training records and that the training was given.
Final Sec. 61.55(d)(2)--The trainer or qualified management
official must make an endorsement in the applicant's logbook that
states ``[Applicant's Name and Pilot Certificate Number] has
demonstrated the skill and knowledge required for the safe operation of
the [Type of Aircraft], relevant to the duties and responsibilities of
a second-in-command.''
Final Sec. 61.55(d)(3)--In the case of training records that are
electronically maintained, the applicant must present written copies of
those records containing the signature of the trainer to the FAA FSDO
or Examiner. In lieu of the trainer, a qualified management official
within the trainer's organization can verify the training and can
provide the instructor's signature and make the required endorsement.
Final Sec. 61.55(d)(4)--The applicant must complete and sign an
Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, FAA Form 8710-1, and
present the application to a FAA Flight Standards District Office
(FSDO) or to an Examiner. The Examiner must have the authority to
conduct practical tests for pilot certification. However, because this
process is purely an administrative action and no practical test is
required, the Examiner need not hold authorization in the type of
aircraft in which the pilot is applying for SIC pilot type rating
privileges.
Final Sec. 61.55(d)(5)--The trainer of the ground and flight
training must sign the ``Instructor's Recommendation'' section of the
Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, FAA Form 8710-1. In lieu
of the trainer, a qualified management official within the trainer's
organization may sign the applicant's FAA Form 8710-1.
Final Sec. 61.55(d)(6)--The applicant must appear in person at a
FAA FSDO or to an Examiner with his or her logbook/training records and
with the completed and signed FAA Form 8710-1.
The FAA FSDO or Examiner must review the SIC pilot type rating
applicant's logbook/training record to ensure completion of the
required SIC training and endorsements. An Aviation Safety Inspector,
Aviation Safety Technician, or Examiner must inform the applicant that
the SIC Privileges Only limitation may only be removed if the applicant
completes the appropriate training and pilot type rating practical test
for pilot-in-command (PIC) qualification [See Sec. 61.63(d) or Sec.
61.157(b), as appropriate].
The FAA FSDO or Examiner completes the application and issues the
[[Page 45266]]
applicant a temporary pilot certificate for a SIC pilot type rating
with the appropriate aircraft type rating with the limitation ``SIC
Privileges Only.'' For example, an applicant who has accomplished the
Sec. 61.55(b) SIC familiarization training in a Cessna 500 would
receive a temporary pilot certificate that reads as follows:
COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE
Airplane Single Engine Land
Airplane Multiengine Land
Instrument Airplane
CE500 SIC Privileges Only
The FAA FSDO forwards the application and newly issued temporary
pilot certificate to the FAA Airman Certification Branch, AFS-760. If
the application is made through an Examiner, the Examiner forwards the
FAA Form 8710-1 application and newly issued temporary pilot
certificate to the Examiner's jurisdictional FAA FSDO who sends the
application and file to the FAA Airman Certification Branch, AFS-760.
The FAA Airman Certification Branch processes the SIC pilot type
rating application and temporary pilot certificate and issues the
applicant a permanent pilot certificate.
Final Sec. 61.55(d)(7)--There is no practical test required for
the issuance of the ``SIC Privileges Only'' pilot type rating.
Part 121, 125, or 135 SIC Training or Proficiency Check
A person who completes an FAA-approved SIC training curriculum
under 14 CFR part 121 or 135 or a proficiency check under 14 CFR part
125 in the aircraft for which SIC pilot type rating privileges are
sought is entitled to receive that pilot type rating for SIC
privileges. The applicant must complete the training in the aircraft in
which the pilot is applying for SIC pilot type rating privileges, and
the aircraft must be certificated for operations with a minimum crew of
at least two pilots. In response to several comments requesting
clarification of the application and certification process that was
described in the preamble of the NPRM, the FAA has further defined the
application and certification process and added it to final Sec.
61.55(e).
Final Sec. 61.55(e)(1)--The trainer must sign the applicant's
logbook or training record after each lesson in accordance with Sec.
61.51(h)(2). For instance, the logbook or training record must specify
the type and amount of training given. In lieu of the trainer, a
qualified management official within the trainer's organization can
sign the applicant's training records or logbook and make the required
endorsement. The qualified management official, however, must hold the
position of Chief Pilot, Director of Training, Director of Operations,
or another comparable management position within the organization, and
the management official must be in a position to verify the applicant's
training records and that the training was given.
Final Sec. 61.55(e)(2)--The trainer or qualified management
official must make an endorsement in the applicant's logbook that
states ``[Applicant's Name and Pilot Certificate Number] has
demonstrated the skill and knowledge required for the safe operation of
the [Type of Aircraft], relevant to the duties and responsibilities of
a second-in-command.''
Final Sec. 61.55(e)(3)--In the case of flight experience and/or
training records that are electronically maintained, the applicant must
present copies of those records containing the signature of the trainer
to the FAA FSDO or Examiner (may also be known in air carrier training
programs as an Aircrew Program Designee or ``APD''). In lieu of the
trainer, a qualified management official within the trainer's
organization can verify the training and can provide the instructor's
signature and make the required endorsement.
Final Sec. 61.55(e)(4)--The applicant must complete and sign an
Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, FAA Form 8710-1, and
present the application to an FAA FSDO or to an Examiner or an
authorized Aircrew Program Designee. The Examiner Aircrew Program
Designee must have authority to conduct practical tests for pilot
certification. However, because this process is purely an
administrative action and no practical test is required, the Examiner/
Aircrew Program Designee need not hold authorization in the type of
aircraft in which the pilot is applying for SIC pilot type rating
privileges.
Final Sec. 61.55(e)(5)--The trainer of the ground and flight
training must sign the ``Instructor's Recommendation'' section of the
Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, FAA Form 8710-1. In lieu
of the trainer, a qualified management official within the trainer's
organization may sign the applicant's FAA Form 8710-1.
Final Sec. 61.55(e)(6)--The applicant must appear in person at a
FAA FSDO or to an Examiner or to an authorized Aircrew Program Designee
with his or her logbook/training records and with the completed and
signed FAA Form 8710-1.
The FAA FSDO or Examiner or authorized Aircrew Program Designee
reviews the SIC pilot type rating applicant's logbook and/or training
record for ensuring completion of the required training and
endorsements. An Aviation Safety Inspector, Aviation Safety Technician,
Examiner, or authorized Aircrew Program Designee must inform the
applicant that the SIC Privileges Only limitation may only be removed
if that applicant completes the appropriate type rating practical test
for PIC qualification.
Final Sec. 61.55(e)(7)--There is no practical test required for
the issuance of the ``SIC Privileges Only'' type rating.
The FAA FSDO or Examiner or authorized Aircrew Program Designee
completes the application and issues the applicant a temporary pilot
certificate for an SIC pilot type rating with the appropriate aircraft
type rating with the limitation ``SIC Privileges Only.'' For example,
an applicant who accomplishes SIC training in a Boeing 737 will receive
a temporary pilot certificate that reads as follows:
COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE
Airplane Single Engine Land
Airplane Multiengine Land
Instrument Airplane
B-737 SIC Privileges Only
The FAA FSDO forwards the application and newly issued temporary
pilot certificate to the FAA Airman Certification Branch, AFS-760. If
the application is made through an Examiner or authorized Aircrew
Program Designee, the Examiner/authorized Aircrew Program Designee
forwards the application and newly issued temporary pilot certificate
to their jurisdictional FAA FSDO who sends the application and file to
the FAA Airman Certification Branch, AFS-760.
The FAA Airman Certification Branch processes the SIC pilot type
rating applicant's application and temporary pilot certificate and
issues the applicant a permanent pilot certificate.
The FAA anticipates that many pilots have already completed SIC
training, whether it was through Sec. 61.55(b) SIC familiarization
training or through an FAA-approved SIC training curriculum under 14
CFR parts 121 or 135 or a proficiency check under 14 CFR part 125.
Therefore, many pilots will be making application for an SIC pilot type
rating based on past completion of SIC pilot training or a proficiency
check. The procedures for making such an application will follow the
same processes described earlier. The only difference is that
applicants who completed their SIC training prior to the FAA issuing
this rule will be required to show compliance with either the
[[Page 45267]]
initial or recurrent SIC training within the 12 calendar months before
the month of application for an SIC pilot type rating.
The following examples illustrate how the rule applies to pilots
who already completed their SIC training:
Example No. 1: The date is June 30, 2005, and the final rule for
issuing SIC pilot type ratings became effective on January 30, 2005.
An applicant completed initial Sec. 61.55(b) SIC pilot
familiarization training in a Cessna 500 on August 6, 1998. The
applicant last completed recurrent Sec. 61.55(b) SIC pilot
familiarization training in a Cessna 500 on August 6, 2000. This
applicant is not eligible to apply for a SIC pilot type rating for
the Cessna 500 because the applicant did not complete recurrent SIC
familiarization training within the 12 calendar months before the
month of application. Specifically, if applying on June 30, 2005,
the training had to occur in the period of May 1, 2004 through June
30, 2005.
Example No. 2: The date is June 30, 2005, and the final rule for
issuing SIC pilot type ratings became effective on January 30, 2005.
An applicant completed initial part 121 SIC pilot training in a
Boeing 737 on August 6, 1998. The applicant completed part 121 SIC
pilot recurrent requirements in a Boeing 737 every 12 calendar
months, including as recently as December 13, 2004. This applicant
may apply for a SIC pilot type rating for the B737 because the
recurrent training was completed within the 12 calendar months
before the month of application (that is, it was completed in
December 2004 and the month and year of application is June 2005).
Example No. 3: The date is June 5, 2005, and the final rule for
issuing SIC pilot type ratings became effective on January 30, 2005.
An applicant completed a part 125 SIC proficiency check in a
Gulfstream IV on June 23, 2004. This applicant may apply for an SIC
pilot type rating for the Gulfstream IV because the part 125 SIC
proficiency check was completed within the 12 calendar months before
the month of application (i.e., SIC training was last completed in
June 2004 and the month and year of application is June 2005 in this
example).
Example No. 4: The date is December 5, 2005, and the final rule
for issuing SIC pilot type ratings became effective on January 30,
2005. An applicant completed initial Sec. 61.55(b) SIC
familiarization in a Lear 60 on August 6, 1990. The applicant next
shows completion of Sec. 61.55(b) SIC familiarization training in a
Lear 60 on January 23, 2005. This applicant may apply for an SIC
pilot type rating for the Lear 60 because the recurrent SIC
familiarization training was completed within the 12 calendar months
before the month of application (that is, SIC training was last
completed in January 2005 and the month and year of application is
December 2005).
Discussion of Comments
Supporting Comments
Commenters cited several reasons for their support of the proposal,
including--
The proposal does not require training in addition to that
already required.
The proposed procedures are not unnecessarily burdensome
or costly to the pilot community.
Pilots who fly only within U.S. airspace do not need an
SIC pilot type rating.
BellSouth Corporate Aviation and Travel Services voiced full
support of requiring type certification for aircraft requiring two
pilots. The commenter stated that the ever-increasing complexity and
demands found in today's high performance cockpits do not safely
present a learning environment. The second in command must be a fully
trained professional acting as an integral part of team in place to
monitor systems, look for traffic, figure takeoff and landing data, and
navigate a National Airspace System that is much more complex than in
years past. The crew must do all of this, plus more and still safely
fly the aircraft. Aviation is a profession where certification is a
minimum, and on-the-job training in the cockpit is unsafe and
unacceptable.
In general, the FAA agrees with the comment. However, we believe
the operating experience acquired under the supervision of an air
carrier's check airman is an extremely valuable element in the
qualification process. We did not consider reducing this requirement.
Dow Chemical Company voiced support for NPRM with the understanding
that the proposed rulemaking would allow a part 91 second-in-command to
present proof of SIC training to the FAA FSDO and receive the
appropriate SIC pilot type rating.
Essentially, Dow Chemical Company's statement is correct. However,
as a point of clarification, the applicant must comply with the
requirements in final Sec. 61.55(d), which address the training,
instructor endorsement, and application process, to be eligible to
apply for an SIC pilot type rating.
Applicability of the Rule
Both the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the National
Business Aviation Association, Inc. expressed support for the NPRM, but
wanted clarification on the wording of proposed Sec. 61.55(a)(3)
because what the FAA stated in the proposed rule did not parallel what
the FAA provided as explanation in the preamble. The NPRM preamble said
as long as a person operates within the airspace of the United States,
the person would not have to hold the proposed SIC pilot type rating.
On the other hand, proposed 61.55(a)(3) seems to require it of
everyone.
The FAA agrees with the commenters and revised final Sec.
61.55(a)(3) to require the SIC pilot type rating only ``if the flight
is outside the airspace of the United States and its jurisdictional
territories.''
One commenter requested clarification whether part 91 SIC pilots
(corporate or private carriage, or fractional ownership) are covered by
the new rules.
The final rule applies to part 91 SIC pilots involved in private
carriage and fractional ownership.
International Agreements
Several individual commenters opposed the proposal because they do
not believe ICAO should be allowed to impose its standards on U.S.
aviation rules and its citizens. The FAA understands the concerns of
citizens who do not want the FAA to impose burdensome rules that
unnecessarily restrict them and the aviation industry just to conform
our rules to international standards. However, the FAA believes that
the commenters may not understand the legal requirements that the
Chicago Convention imposes on all Member States in relation to ICAO
standards. The Member States who signed the Convention, including the
United States, agreed to keep their regulations governing civil
aviation, to the greatest possible extent, consistent with those
established under the Convention. The International Civil Aviation
Organization is the entity established by the Convention to set
international regulatory standards. The FAA has a legal duty to act
consistently with obligations of the United States Government under an
international agreement (49 U.S.C. 40105). The purpose of this final
rule is to enable our flight crews to conform to ICAO Annex 1,
paragraphs 2.1.5.2 and paragraphs 2.1.3.2 and 2.1.4.1.A and the rules
of foreign civil aviation authorities when operating outside of United
States airspace. Most commenters recognize that the rule provides a
simple process for issuing the SIC pilot type rating and conforms to
our existing SIC training and certification requirements without undue
burden on our pilots and the aviation industry.
Need for a Practical Test
SimuFlite commented that issuance of the SIC privileges type rating
requires a person to submit to a practical test instead of just
completing training. International Business Aviation Council identified
two issues with the proposed amendment to 14 CFR 61.55 that may
[[Page 45268]]
not meet the requirements of Annex 1. First, while the proposal
addresses most of the requirements for ``experience'' as stated in ICAO
Annex 1, paragraph 2.1.5.2.a) in that these are covered in general
terms by Sec. 61.55(b)(1) and (2), it does not adequately address the
skill requirement that is specified in ICAO Annex 1, paragraph
2.1.5.2.b) as to ``demonstrate the skill and knowledge required for the
safe operation of the applicable aircraft relevant to the duties of a
co-pilot.'' The NPRM indicates that the person who provides the
familiarization training must sign the applicant's logbook or training
record and the ``Instructors Recommendation'' area of FAA Form 8710-1
application. This would appear to fully satisfy the experience
requirement, but not the skill requirement. This could be rectified by
requiring the person who provides the familiarization training to
attest that the applicant has ``demonstrated the skill and knowledge
required for the safe operation of the applicable type of aircraft,
relevant to the duties of a co-pilot,'' rather than merely indicating
that they have undergone familiarization training. The second issue
relates to the knowledge requirement specified in ICAO Annex 1,
paragraph 2.1.5.2.c. The NPRM does not require a person holding a
private or commercial pilot certificate to demonstrate knowledge at the
airline transport pilot level. Some States have addressed this
requirement through an Aircraft Type Rating exam that applicants who
have not passed the Airline Transport Pilot knowledge exams must pass
prior to issue of their first aircraft type rating.
The FAA has determined that the proposed changes to Sec.
61.5(b)(7)(iv) and Sec. 61.55 fully conform to the standards set forth
in ICAO Annex 1, paragraphs 2.1.3.2 and 2.1.4.1.A. The ICAO standards
under Annex 1, paragraphs 2.1.5.2 state that an applicant must have
``gained under appropriate supervision, experience in the applicable
type of aircraft and/or flight simulator in the following * * *.''
However, the FAA agrees with the commenter's recommendation about an
endorsement. The FAA therefore revised final Sec. 61.55(d)(2) and
(e)(2) by including the endorsement ``[Applicant's Name and Pilot
Certificate Number] has demonstrated the skill and knowledge required
for the safe operation of the [Type of Aircraft], relevant to the
duties and responsibilities of a second-in-command.''
Ball Corporation commented that an SIC pilot type rating seems to
water down a full type rating only to meet a regulatory technicality.
The commenter stated that the rule does nothing to enhance safety,
which is why any regulation should be written. The commenter believes
that a fully type rated pilot has demonstrated his/her knowledge of and
ability to operate the aircraft safely. It believes that requiring two
type-rated pilots is more important on a long international flight with
disrupted biorhythms and extended duty days.
The FAA does not disagree with the commenter's remarks concerning
the importance of two type-rated pilots. However, the FAA believes that
its current system of training and qualifying SIC pilots under existing
Sec. 61.55 meets or exceeds the current ICAO requirements. As was
stated in the NPRM, the FAA's current system of training and qualifying
SIC pilots require annual recurrent requirements; whereas, the current
ICAO requirements only require the type rating and no recurrent
training and qualification requirements.
Ameristar Air Cargo, Inc. commented that if the FAA intends to
allow an endorsement (meaning a pilot type rating) on a license based
on an instructor's recommendation, then it should consider having an
FAA representative observe the performance of the candidate in the
aircraft or FAA-approved simulator before issuing the endorsement.
In response to Ameristar's recommendation, the FAA believes that
requiring all SIC pilot type rating training be monitored would be
impossible to achieve due to staffing limits and, more importantly, is
unnecessary. For years, existing Sec. 61.55 has provided a safe and
efficient way to qualify pilots to serve as SICs who complete the
familiarization training without the training being monitored by the
FAA. This new SIC pilot type rating final rule provides a process for
issuing SIC pilot type ratings, but the Sec. 61.55 SIC familiarization
training requirements remain the same. Furthermore, Sec. 61.55
requires both initial and annual recurrent familiarization training for
a pilot to remain qualified to serve as an SIC. In contrast, the ICAO
type rating requirements (See ICAO Annex 1, paragraphs 2.1.3.2 and
2.1.4.1.A) do not require recurrent training.
Financial Impact of the Rule
A representative of American Airlines stated there are 3,066 pilots
currently flying for American Airlines as SICs that do not hold a type
rating. The commenter stated that it agrees with the idea of issuing
SIC pilot type ratings; however, the initial implementation of this
rule would be costly and overly cumbersome. The commenter presented
cost figures claiming the rule would impose additional costs of more
than $1.4 million over the next 10 years, $528,251 in year one. A
majority of the first year costs are associated with Examiners having
to complete airmen applications, and managers tracking the 3,066 SIC
applications between instructors, applicants, examiners, and the
American Airlines Certificate Management Office. The commenter stated
that the majority of the costs would be associated with issuing
temporary certificates and collecting current permanent certificates.
The commenter estimates the recurring costs to be over $90,000 in the
second year, escalating to over $114,000 in the tenth year.
The FAA has accepted and adopted this comment in part. Because the
commenter did not provide supporting information underlying his
estimate of the total costs of the rule, we substituted our cost
variables in deriving an estimate of total compliance costs. The cost
of this rule has five components: (1) Cost for SIC candidates to fill
out Form 8710-1, (2) Cost for managers to review each application, (3)
Cost for FSDO employee or examiner to complete Form 8710-1, (4) Cost to
process Form 8710-1 at FSDO and issue temporary certificate, and (5)
Cost to process Form 8710-1 at FAA Airmen Certification Branch.
The FAA estimates the cost of this final rule to be $1.7 million
($1.5 million, present value) over the next ten years. Please see the
regulatory evaluation for a detailed description of how we calculated
these costs.
Procedures for Air Carriers
Ameristar Air Cargo, Inc. commented that the FAA should address
giving specific authority to air carriers to allow the processing of
the Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, FAA Form 8710-1,
utilizing Aircrew Program Designees (APD).
Final Sec. 61.55(e) provides for completion of an SIC training
curriculum under part 121 to qualify for the SIC pilot type rating.
Aircrew Program Designees hold examining authority and therefore would
be permitted to process an applicant's Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application. If the operator does not have an APD, the applicant must
present his/her Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, FAA Form
8710-1 to an FAA Flight Standards District Office or to an Examiner for
processing.
The National Air Carrier Association, Air Transport Association,
and the
[[Page 45269]]
representative of American Airlines commented that where an air carrier
employs numerous pilots who have previously qualified by completion of
an air carrier training program within the past 12 months, the FAA
should allow the air carrier to send the applications for all its
qualified SIC candidates to the FAA Airmen Certification Branch at one
time.
It is not possible to issue ratings to multiple individuals at one
time without the applicant being positively identified by the FAA or by
an examiner. The FAA is required to verify identity of the applicants
in the application and certification process. The U.S. Congress
mandated modification of the airman certification system in the Federal
Aviation Administration Drug Enforcement Assistance Act of 1988 (DEA
Act) (Subtitle E of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-690))
to ensure positive and verifiable identification of each person
applying for or holding a pilot certificate. Most air carriers have
qualified APD on staff and can issue the SIC pilot type rating for
pilot employees of their air carrier.
The National Air Carrier Association recommends that the FAA
provide a minimum of six months from issuing the final rule to full
implementation and revision of its ICAO difference. The reason for this
comment is because member airlines need to provide time for the initial
processing of the several hundred thousand applications required for
this SIC pilot type rating. The representative of American Airlines
requested 18 months to complete the initial certification process for
its initial 3,066 pilots that are not currently type rated.
The FAA does not agree it is necessary to delay implementation of
this final rule. The FAA has been put on notice from several foreign
civil aviation authorities that they intend to begin enforcing the
type-rating requirement. The sooner this final rule becomes effective
and U.S. pilots receive their SIC pilot type ratings, the sooner U.S.
flight crews will be able to operate internationally unimpeded.
Therefore, it is imperative that the final rule become effective as
soon as possible.
To streamline this initial process, the National Air Carrier
Association recommends that the FAA abandon the requirement for issuing
a temporary pilot certificate with the ``SIC Privileges Only''
annotation for pilots already qualified for SIC in part 121 operations.
The reason for this comment is because current part 121 SICs need to be
able to continue to fly internationally until their permanent pilot
certificate is issued. Meanwhile, the FAA will need to delay removing
its difference from the type rating standards of ICAO Annex 1,
paragraphs 2.1.3.2 and 2.1.4.1.A until a majority of the pilots receive
their permanent pilot certificates.
The FAA is not aware of any restrictions on a temporary pilot
certificate versus the permanent plastic U.S. pilot certificate. A
pilot who possesses a temporary pilot certificate has the same
operating privileges as a pilot who holds a permanent plastic U.S.
pilot certificate. Holding a temporary pilot certificate does not limit
a pilot's ability to operate internationally.
The National Air Carrier Association requested clarification of a
portion of the NPRM preamble that states the aviation safety inspector
will ``inform the applicant that the SIC Privileges Only limitation may
only be removed if that applicant completes the appropriate type rating
practical test for pilot-in-command qualification.'' Can a SIC pilot
type rating be suspended, revoked or failed during a line check,
simulator check, or recurrent check?
As with any certificate or rating issued by the FAA, 49 U.S.C.
44709 provides that a certificate or rating issued by the Administrator
may be suspended or revoked through re-examination, if the applicant
does not maintain certain standards. So the answer is ``yes,'' if a
person fails a Part 121 line check, simulator check, or recurrent check
for SIC qualification, the FAA has the authority to suspend or revoke a
person's pilot certificate and/or rating. However, the FAA does not
invoke Sec. 44709 after every failure of a part 121 line check,
simulator check, or recurrent check. Failures on a part 121 line check,
simulator check, or recurrent check are dealt with on a case-by-case
basis depending on the circumstances. Normally, the applicant receives
additional training and is scheduled to re-take the unsatisfactory
event. This final rule does not change the current re-examination
process, nor does it impose any new reexamination requirements.
The National Air Carrier Association also asked us to clarify that,
where the SIC is gaining the type rating through an FAA-approved part
121 training program, there are no required modifications to the
current training program required as a result of this rule.
This SIC pilot type rating final rule will not require any change
to existing approved part 121 training programs.
The Air Transport Association of America acknowledged the need for
harmonizing U.S. pilot certification requirements with the other ICAO
member states, but proposed to reduce the administrative requirements
by allowing part 121, 125 and 135 operators that maintain training
records in accordance with an FAA-approved recordkeeping program be
permitted to give previously trained applicants a letter signed by a
designated training manager stating that the required training was
successfully completed in lieu of requiring that the actual person who
provided the training sign the record or logbook. Alternately, the Air
Transport Association proposed that a designated manager of the part
121, 125 or 135 operator sign the completed FAA Form 8710-1 for
previously trained applicants.
The FAA resolved this issue by allowing a qualified management
official within the company to sign the applicant's logbook or training
record in lieu of the actual flight instructor who provided the
training. See final Sec. 61.55(d)(2) and (e)(2). Alternately, most air
carriers have qualified APD on staff and can issue the SIC pilot type
rating for pilot employees of their air carrier.
Kaiser Air, Inc. fully supported the proposal--it believes that
U.S. flight crews are by far better trained than their international
counterparts and there needs to be a way to address the international
requirement for type rated SICs in the aircraft. The only thing it
recommends changing is where SICs are trained on multiple aircraft, a
single FAA Form 8710-1 application (with appropriate training
documents) submission suffice so that an applicant does not have to
wait for each type rating to be processed. It states that the final
rule is otherwise an extremely well thought-out proposal that provides
maximum benefit to the operators with very little overhead burden.
The FAA's standard process for issuing pilot type rating requires
that an applicant complete an Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application, FAA Form 8710-1, for each rating being applied for.
Therefore, the FAA cannot concur with the recommendation of issuing of
multiple aircraft ratings from the applicant submitting just one FAA
Form 8710-1 application.
One commenter asked what if the person who gave the training no
longer works for the carrier or for some other reason (i.e., deceased)
cannot be found to sign the instructor recommendation block on the FAA
Form 8710-1 application.
The FAA acknowledges that the air carrier may no longer employ the
person who provided the training. We, therefore, modified the final
rule
[[Page 45270]]
language [See Sec. 61.55(d)(1) and (e)(1)] to allow an authorized
management official of the organization that conducted the training to
sign the training records, make the required endorsement, and sign the
FAA Form 8710-1 application.
Multiple Levels of Training
Ameristar Air Cargo, Inc. commented that the proposal appears to
allow multiple levels of training for a pilot to be eligible for the
new SIC pilot type rating privilege. The levels would range from a
simple sign off to completion of a part 121, part 135, or part 142
approved training program.
The FAA agrees that the proposal does allow multiple levels of
training for the SIC pilot type rating privileges. There is a
difference between SIC familiarization training under Sec. 61.55
versus the SIC training under part 121 and part 135. There always has
been a difference in the process between the SIC familiarization
training under Sec. 61.55 versus the SIC training under part 121 and
part 135. However, a SIC who completes SIC familiarization training
under Sec. 61.55 would not be able to serve as a SIC in a part 121 or
part 135 operation without completing that air carrier's approved SIC
training curriculum. It is not the FAA's intention to parallel the SIC
familiarization training of Sec. 61.55 with the part 121 or part 135
SIC approved training programs.
Completion of a Part 142 Approved SIC Training Program
One commenter suggested the final rule provide that completion of a
SIC training program under part 142 qualifies a person to receive an
SIC pilot type rating.
Final Sec. 61.55(d) provides that a person who complies with the
SIC familiarization training is entitled to receive an aircraft type
rating whether the training occurred under part 61, part 141 or part
142. Additionally, Sec. 61.55(d) provides that a person who complies
with the SIC familiarization training is entitled to receive an
aircraft type rating whether the training was received from a qualified
PIC, authorized flight instructor, or an approved air carrier training
program.
Paperwork Reduction Act
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3507(d)), the FAA submitted a copy of the amended information
collection requirements in this final rule to the Office of Management
and Budget for its review. OMB approved the collection of this
information and assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0693.
This final rule establishes an application process using the
existing Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, FAA Form 8710-1,
for pilots who need to obtain an SIC rating. We received one comment on
the cost of the rule, which we addressed earlier in this preamble. An
agency may not collect or sponsor the collection of information, nor
may it impose an information collection requirement unless it displays
a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
International Compatibility
In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on
International Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to comply with ICAO
Standards and Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable.
The FAA has reviewed the corresponding ICAO Standards and Recommended
Practices and has identified no differences with these regulations.
Economic Assessment, Regulatory Flexibility Determination, Trade Impact
Assessment, and Unfunded Mandates Assessment
Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic
analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 directs that each Federal agency
shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination
that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its costs. Second,
the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 requires agencies to analyze the
economic impact of regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the
Trade Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 2531-2533) prohibits agencies from
setting standards that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign
commerce of the United States. In developing U.S. standards, this Trade
Act requires agencies to consider international standards and, where
appropriate, to be the basis of U.S. standards. Fourth, the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4) requires agencies to
prepare a written assessment of the costs, benefits, and other effects
of proposed or final rules that include a Federal mandate likely to
result in the expenditure by State, local, or tribal governments, in
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more
annually (adjusted for inflation).
In conducting these analyses, FAA has determined this rule: (1) Has
benefits that justify its costs, is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' as defined in section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, and is
not ``significant'' as defined in DOT's Regulatory Policies and
Procedures; (2) will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities; (3) will not affect international
trade; and (4) does not impose an unfunded mandate on state, local, or
tribal governments, or on the private sector. These analyses, available
in the docket, are summarized below.
Costs and Benefits of the Rule
The total costs of this final rule over the 10-year analysis period
are estimated to be $1.7 million ($1.6 million, present value). The
benefits of this rulemaking are some potential cost savings. We believe
that the qualitative benefits of this rule justify its costs, since
this rule will allow U.S. flag carriers to operate internationally
without the threat of being grounded in a foreign country.
Who Will Be Potentially Affected by the Rule
This final rule will affect domestic air carriers who operate
internationally.
Assumptions
Analysis covers years 2006-2015.
All monetary values are expressed in 2004 dollars.
Discount rate--7%.
50% of new transport pilots will be SICs beginning in
2007.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Determination
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) establishes ``as a
principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall endeavor,
consistent with the objective of the rule and of applicable statutes,
to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale of the
business, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions subject to
regulation.'' To achieve that principle, the RFA requires agencies to
solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain the
rationale for their actions. The RFA covers a wide range of small
entities, including small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and
small governmental jurisdictions.
Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a proposed or
final rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. If the agency determines that it will, the
agency must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in
the Act.
However, if an agency determines that a proposed or final rule is
not expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities, section 605(b) of the RFA
[[Page 45271]]
provides that the head of the agency may so certify and a regulatory
flexibility analysis is not required. The certification must include a
statement providing the factual basis for this determination, and the
reasoning should be clear.
This final rule will not have a significant affect on small
entities, given the low costs. Accordingly, pursuant to the Regulatory
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the Federal Aviation Administration
certifies that this final rule will not have a significant impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
International Trade Impact Assessment
The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 prohibits Federal agencies from
establishing any standards or engaging in related activities that
create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United
States. Legitimate domestic objectives, such as safety, are not
considered unnecessary obstacles. The statute also requires
consideration of international standards and where appropriate, that
they be the basis for U.S. standards.
In accordance with the statute, the FAA has assessed the potential
effect of this final rule and has determined that it will allow
domestic operators to operate internationally and should not affect on
any trade-sensitive activity.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Assessment
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (the Act) is intended,
among other things, to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal
mandates on State, local, and tribal governments. Title II of the Act
requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement assessing
the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final agency rule
that may result in expenditure of $100 million or more (adjusted
annually for inflation) in any one year by State, local, and tribal
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate
is deemed to be a ``significant regulatory action.'' The FAA currently
uses an inflation-adjusted value of $120.7 million in lieu of $100
million.
This final rule does not contain such a mandate. The requirements
of Title II do not apply.
Executive Order 13132, Federalism
The FAA analyzed this final rulemaking action under the principles
and criteria of Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' dated August 4,
1999 (64 FR 43255). We determined that this final rulemaking action
will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the
relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government, and therefore will not have federalism implications.
Environmental Analysis
FAA Order 1050.1E identifies FAA actions that are categorically
excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy
Act in the absence of extraordinary circumstances. The FAA has
determined that this final rulemaking action qualifies for the
categorical exclusion identified in paragraph 307(k) and involves no
extraordinary circumstances. This final rulemaking action allows for
the issuance of pilot type ratings to SIC pilot crewmembers in order to
conform the FAA pilot type rating requirements to the ICAO pilot type
ratings standards.
Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or
Use
The FAA has analyzed this final rulemaking action under Executive
Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (May 18, 2001). We have
determined that it is not a ``significant energy action'' under the
executive order because it is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866, and it is not likely to have a significant
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 61
Aircraft, Airmen, Aviation safety, and Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
The Amendment
0
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration
amends Chapter I of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 61--CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND
INSTRUCTORS
0
1. The authority citation for part 61 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701-44703, 44707, 44709-
44711, 45102-45103, 45301-45302.
0
2. Amend Sec. 61.5 by adding new paragraph (b)(7)(iv) to read as
follows:
Sec. 61.5 Certificates and ratings issued under this part.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(7) * * *
(iv) Second-in-command pilot type rating for aircraft that is
certificated for operations with a minimum crew of at least two pilots.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec. 61.55 by revising the introductory language of paragraph
(a), revising paragraph (a)(2), adding new paragraph (a)(3),
redesignating existing paragraphs (d) through (h) as paragraphs (f)
through (j), and adding new paragraphs (d) and (e) to read as follows:
Sec. 61.55 Second-in-command qualifications.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, a person
may serve as a second-in-command of an aircraft type certificated for
more than one required pilot flight crewmember or in operations
requiring a second-in-command only if that person holds:
* * * * *
(2) An instrument rating that applies to the aircraft being flown
if the flight is under IFR; and
(3) The appropriate pilot type rating for the aircraft unless the
flight will be conducted as domestic flight operations within United
States airspace.
* * * * *
(d) A person may receive a second-in-command pilot type rating for
an aircraft after satisfactorily completing the second-in-command
familiarization training requirements under paragraph (b) of this
section in that type of aircraft. The person must comply with the
following application and pilot certification procedures:
(1) The person who provided the training must sign the applicant's
logbook or training record after each lesson in accordance with Sec.
61.51(h)(2) of this part. In lieu of the trainer, it is permissible for
a qualified management official within the organization to sign the
applicant's training records or logbook and make the required
endorsement. The qualified management official must hold the position
of Chief Pilot, Director of Training, Director of Operations, or
another comparable management position within the organization that
provided the training and must be in a position to verify the
applicant's training records and that the training was given.
(2) The trainer or qualified management official must make an
endorsement in the applicant's logbook that states ``[Applicant's Name
and Pilot Certificate Number] has demonstrated the skill and knowledge
required for the safe operation of the [Type of Aircraft], relevant to
the duties and
[[Page 45272]]
responsibilities of a second in command.''
(3) If the applicant's flight experience and/or training records
are in an electronic form, the applicant must present a paper copy of
those records containing the signature of the trainer or qualified
management official to an FAA Flight Standards District Office or
Examiner.
(4) The applicant must complete and sign an Airman Certificate and/
or Rating Application, FAA Form 8710-1, and present the application to
an FAA Flight Standards District Office or to an Examiner.
(5) The person who provided the ground and flight training to the
applicant must sign the ``Instructor's Recommendation'' section of the
Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, FAA Form 8710-1. In lieu
of the trainer, it is permissible for a qualified management official
within the organization to sign the applicant's FAA Form 8710-1.
(6) The applicant must appear in person at a FAA Flight Standards
District Office or to an Examiner with his or her logbook/training
records and with the completed and signed FAA Form 8710-1.
(7) There is no practical test required for the issuance of the
``SIC Privileges Only'' pilot type rating.
(e) A person may receive a second-in-command pilot type rating for
an aircraft after satisfactorily completing an approved second-in-
command training program or a proficiency check under parts 121, 125,
or 135 in that type of aircraft. The person must comply with the
following application and pilot certification procedures:
(1) The person who provided the training must sign the applicant's
logbook or training record after each lesson in accordance with Sec.
61.51(h)(2) of this part. In lieu of the trainer, it is permissible for
a qualified management official within the organization to sign the
applicant's training records or logbook and make the required
endorsement. The qualified management official must hold the position
of Chief Pilot, Director of Training, Director of Operations, or
another comparable management position within the organization that
provided the training and must be in a position to verify the
applicant's training records and that the training was given.
(2) The trainer or qualified management official must make an
endorsement in the applicant's logbook that states ``[Applicant's Name
and Pilot Certificate Number] has demonstrated the skill and knowledge
required for the safe operation of the [Type of Aircraft], relevant to
the duties and responsibilities of a second in command.''
(3) If the applicant's flight experience and/or training records
are in an electronic form, the applicant must provide a paper copy of
those records containing the signature of the trainer or qualified
management official to an FAA Flight Standards District Office, an
Examiner, or an Aircrew Program Designee.
(4) The applicant must complete and sign an Airman Certificate and/
or Rating Application, FAA Form 8710-1, and present the application to
an FAA Flight Standards District Office or to an Examiner or to an
authorized Aircrew Program Designee.
(5) The person who provided the ground and flight training to the
applicant must sign the ``Instructor's Recommendation'' section of the
Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, FAA Form 8710-1. In lieu
of the trainer, it is permissible for a qualified management official
within the organization to sign the applicant's FAA Form 8710-1.
(6) The applicant must appear in person at an FAA Flight Standards
District Office or to an Examiner or to an authorized Aircrew Program
Designee with his or her logbook/training records and with the
completed and signed FAA Form 8710-1.
(7) There is no practical test required for the issuance of the
``SIC Privileges Only'' pilot type rating.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 26, 2005.
Marion C. Blakey,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-15376 Filed 8-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P