Advanced Qualification Program, 54810-54819 [05-18342]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 179 (Friday, September 16, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54810-54819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18342]



[[Page 54809]]

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Part II





Department of Transportation





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Federal Aviation Administration



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14 CFR Parts 61, 65, 121, and 135



Advanced Qualification Program; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 179 / Friday, September 16, 2005 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 54810]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 61, 63, 65, 121, and 135

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20750; Amendment Nos. 61-112, 63-33, 65-46, 121-
313, 135-99]
RIN 2120-AI59


Advanced Qualification Program

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action codifies the requirements of the Advanced 
Qualification Program (AQP). Currently, the AQP requirements are in a 
Special Federal Aviation Regulation that expires on October 2, 2005. 
The AQP will continue as an alternative regulatory program for airlines 
seeking more flexibility in training than the traditional training 
program allows. The intended effect of this rule is to codify the AQP 
as a permanent, alternative method of compliance with the FAA's 
training requirements for carriers.

DATES: This action is effective October 3, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas M. Longridge, AFS-230, Air 
Transportation Division, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation 
Administration, P.O. Box 20027, Dulles International Airport, 
Washington, DC 20041-2027; telephone (703) 661-0260; e-mail: 
thomas.longridge@faa.gov. For issues involving legal interpretation of 
the regulation, contact Joe Conte, AGC-200, Regulations Division, 
Office of the Chief Counsel, 800 Independence Ave., SW., 20591; 
telephone (202) 267-3073; e-mail: joe.conte@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    You can get an electronic copy 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 Office of Rulemaking's Web page at https://
www.faa.gov/avr/arm/index.cfm; or
    (3) Accessing the Government Printing Office's Web page at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.
    You can also get a copy 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 its local FAA 
official, or the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 
You can find out more about SBREFA on the Internet at https://
www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules about aviation safety is found 
in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's 
authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, General requirements. 
Under that section, the FAA is charged with promoting the safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations and 
minimum standards for other practices, methods, and procedures the 
Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce and national 
security. This regulation is within the scope of that authority since 
it permanently codifies the current requirements and practices of a 
regulatory compliance option for the training and qualification of 
aircrew personnel, and represents the FAA's continuing efforts to 
promote aviation safety.

Background

    This final rule codifies the requirements of the AQP that are in 
Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 58, which expires on 
October 2, 2005. The AQP improves flight crewmember performance by 
providing alternative means of compliance with certain rules and 
promotes the innovative use of modern technology for flight crewmember 
training. The AQP will continue as an alternative to the traditional 
training program for airlines seeking more flexibility in training than 
the traditional program allows.
    On March 30, 2005, the FAA published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM), ``Advanced Qualification Program'' (70 FR 16370). In 
the NPRM, the FAA included a detailed history of the development of the 
AQP. We also discussed a recommendation from the National 
Transportation Safety Board and recommendations from a Joint 
Government-Industry Task Force on flight crew performance.
    The FAA received five comments on the proposed rule. Industry 
commenters included the Air Line Pilots Association International 
(ALPA), Air Transport Association (ATA), Alteon Training LLC (Alteon), 
American Airlines (American), and the Regional Airline Association 
(RAA). The commenters supported the AQP and the FAA's proposal to 
relocate the regulations currently found in SFAR No. 58 to 14 CFR part 
121, although they had specific suggestions to revise the proposed 
language.

General Discussion of Comments

    RAA believed establishing and maintaining an AQP requires excessive 
time and resources. ALPA emphasized the need to maintain an approval 
process administered by a national regulatory office. ALPA also 
submitted seven general ``Statements of Position'' about the AQP and 
suggested that these comments be incorporated to ensure flight 
crewmembers receive equal or higher quality training than the training 
under 14 CFR part 121, subparts N and O. The substance of each 
statement of position is generally addressed through existing AQP 
advisory and guidance material, and will not be discussed further in 
this document. Likewise, the FAA has made minor editorial and 
clarifying changes to the rule language that will not be discussed 
further.
    American suggested using more inclusive terms to make the rule 
applicable to dispatchers, flight attendants, and other operations 
personnel. American further asserted that Aircrew Program Designee 
(APD) qualifications are the FAA's responsibility, not the certificate 
holder's responsibility. The carrier believed that the discussion in 
the NPRM implies that the responsibility would be borne by the 
certificate holder rather than the FAA.
    The FAA recognizes the AQP may not be appropriate for every 
certificate holder. The AQP is a voluntary program that entails a 
strong commitment from the air carrier to exceed minimum training 
standards in the greater interest of safety. The AQP was established to 
allow a greater degree of regulatory flexibility in the approval of 
innovative training programs. Based on a documented analysis of 
operational requirements, a certificate holder under AQP may propose to 
depart from

[[Page 54811]]

traditional practices with respect to what, how, when, and where 
training and testing is conducted. Detailed AQP documentation 
requirements, data collection, and analysis provide the FAA and the 
operator the tools necessary to monitor and administer adequately an 
AQP.
    The FAA plans to maintain the current AQP approval process as 
indicated by Sec.  121.909, Approval of Advanced Qualification Program. 
The process includes program review by both the National program office 
and the local FAA office responsible for approval of the certificate 
holder's operations specifications.
    The FAA acknowledges that part of the responsibility for APD 
training resides with the FAA. However, the APD still must maintain all 
qualifications required of the duty position including crew or dispatch 
qualifications. The prohibition against using a person in operations 
under this part who has not accomplished the required training and 
evaluation also would extend to an APD.
    The FAA has changed several sections to ensure the AQP is 
applicable to dispatchers, flight attendants, and other operations 
personnel. For example, the FAA replaced ``flight instructor'' with the 
more inclusive ``instructor'' where appropriate. In Sec.  121.919, the 
FAA replaced ``airmen competence'' with ``crewmember or dispatcher 
competence.''

Confidential Information and Data Collection Requirements (Sec. Sec.  
121.905 and 121.917)

    This rule provides a procedure for carriers using AQP to request 
confidential treatment of data, submitted in accordance with Sec.  
121.917(c), at the time the submission is made. While this mechanism 
does not create any new protections for the carriers, it reduces the 
risk of an inadvertent disclosure of confidential business information 
by the FAA by providing a procedure for claiming protection under an 
existing Freedom of Information Act exemption.
    American stated that justification for confidential treatment of 
the data information required by proposed Sec.  121.917(c) that is 
attached to each submission is redundant, and suggested justification 
be required only with the initial submission. RAA, ALPA, American, and 
ATA also commented about the data collection requirements. ALPA stated 
that while the intent of the proposal is to protect the confidentiality 
of the training organization by submitting confidential performance 
data, there is no assurance that performance data of an individual 
pilot is protected or confidential. ALPA does support the collection of 
the required de-identified data since the AQP analysis requires 
sensitive grading scales beyond the traditional pass-fail binary scale.
    American recommended excluding instructors and evaluators for the 
data collection process and adding dispatchers.
    The rule language provides the maximum protection for the submitted 
information and is not redundant. A request is required for each 
submission to protect against inadvertent disclosures. AQP data 
collection is required for all AQP curriculums as defined by each 
carrier's approved AQP data collection and analysis section of the 
certificate holder's Implementation & Operations Plan (I&O Plan). Data 
collection requirements for the AQP will vary with the curriculum, the 
type of curriculum activity (training, validation, or evaluation), the 
type of participant (crewmember, instructor, or evaluator), and the 
overall management objectives for use of the data. The FAA has 
established the minimal requirements for submitting de-identified data 
by curriculum.
    The data requirements set forth in Sec.  121.917(c), which must be 
submitted to the FAA for analysis and validation, is without names or 
other elements that would identify an individual or group of 
individuals. The information is analyzed to monitor the effectiveness 
of AQP training, not to monitor individual crewmember, dispatcher, or 
other operations personnel. Instructor/Evaluator specific data are 
limited to their grading decisions. The FAA data provisions do not 
require participants to identify Instructors/Evaluators when they are 
being evaluated as crewmembers, dispatchers, or other operations 
personnel. Dispatchers and other operations personnel will be added to 
the data collection requirements. We note, however, that AQP 
participants still must comply with the record keeping requirements set 
forth in Sec.  121.925, discussed below.

Definitions (Sec.  121.907)

    ALPA stated the wording in the definition of ``Line operational 
evaluation (LOE)'' leads the reader to believe the purpose of the LOE 
is to evaluate Crew Resource Management (CRM) and technical skills. 
ALPA was opposed to any evaluation that is not based on well-defined 
qualification standards of technical proficiency. ALPA is not opposed 
to qualification standards that specify CRM or Dispatcher Resource 
Management (DRM) tasks that are technical in nature and easily 
measured. ALPA also noted the difficulty of training instructors and 
evaluators to assess CRM performance on an objective scale in a 
consistent manner.
    The intent of an LOE is to evaluate and verify that an individual's 
job knowledge, technical skills, and resource management skills are 
commensurate with AQP qualification standards. Training of resource 
management is mandatory. A means of evaluating the effectiveness of 
such training is also mandatory, but pass/fail standards for resource 
management competency are not required. Applicant-developed evaluation 
strategies must at least include provisions for assessing the extent to 
which poor resource management skills are a contributory factor in a 
failure to meet technical standards of operational performance in 
validations and evaluations.
    Each AQP (including provisional AQP curriculums for training 
centers) must provide instructor and evaluator indoctrination, 
qualification, and continuing qualification curriculums. These 
requirements include a separate job task analysis, qualification 
standards, curriculum(s), and curriculum outlines focusing on the 
instructor/evaluator duty positions. The program must define the 
minimum requirements each category of instructor/evaluator will 
accomplish to stay current. All instructors and evaluators will receive 
instruction and evaluation in resource management objectives and 
training methods. Also, a standardization program is required to 
establish uniform grading criteria, address reliability between 
instructors/evaluators, and develop remediation procedures.

Qualification Curriculum (Sec.  121.913)

    The AQP requires each participant to use an instruction system 
design methodology to develop every AQP curriculum. These methodologies 
require that users translate tasks into terminal proficiency objectives 
and subtasks into supporting proficiency objectives. The user then must 
measure student performance against proficiency objectives and 
qualification standards for all curriculums. American recommended 
replacing ``task'' with ``objective'' throughout the rule. American 
observed the AQP job task analysis includes tasks and subtasks, but 
training under AQP is based on terminal and supporting proficiency 
objectives. In the final rule where appropriate, we replaced ``flight 
task/task'' with ``proficiency objective.''

[[Page 54812]]

Continuing Qualification Curriculum (Sec.  121.915)

    Each AQP participant is required to develop a continuing 
qualification curriculum to ensure that during each qualification 
cycle, each person qualified under an AQP, including instructors and 
evaluators, will receive a mix of training and evaluation on all events 
and subjects necessary to maintain proficiency. American recommends 
rewording Sec.  121.915(a)(1), Evaluation Period, to remove ``ground 
and flight'' and adding ``or via a methodology approved by the FAA.'' 
American suggests that the new sentence read: ``Each person qualified 
under an AQP must receive training and an evaluation of proficiency 
during each evaluation period at a training facility or via a 
methodology approved by the FAA.'' American also contends that Sec.  
121.915(a)(1) requiring flight training may exclude dispatchers, and 
requiring that all ground training be conducted at a training facility 
excludes the use of distributed training methods.
    American also believes the rule should state a line check must be 
completed during each evaluation period instead of specifying ``in the 
calendar month at the midpoint of the evaluation period.'' The carrier 
suggested scheduling a line check to occur in a specific month for each 
certificate holder's PIC is an onerous and unnecessary scheduling task 
for most carriers that goes beyond the annual line check requirements 
of Sec.  121.440(a). American asserted the no-notice line check 
paragraph implies that these line checks should be complete surprises. 
It pointed out that, while carriers may not ``notify'' crewmembers 
before an impending line check, the checks are not surprises.
    The FAA has changed Sec.  121.915(a)(1) to read, in pertinent part, 
``to receive ground and flight training (as appropriate) and an 
evaluation of proficiency during each evaluation period at a training 
facility.'' This is similar to the language that appeared in SFAR 58: 
``To receive a training session and an evaluation of proficiency during 
each evaluation period at a training facility.'' The requirement does 
not preclude the use of distributed training as long as the distributed 
training methodology has been approved as part of the AQP curriculum. 
Section 121.915(a) refers to the continuing qualification cycle whereas 
Sec.  121.915(a)(1) refers to the evaluation period. The initial 
approval for a continuing qualification cycle is no more than 24 months 
in duration, divided into two 12-month evaluation periods. All critical 
proficiency objectives are accomplished during each evaluation period. 
Critical tasks are proficiency objectives that are trained, validated, 
or evaluated more often during an AQP. Each evaluation period must 
include at least one training session, but may include more. Initially, 
training sessions cannot be more than 12 months (plus or minus one 
month) apart. Also a proficiency evaluation must be completed during 
each evaluation period. The strategies employed for training and the 
facilities used by participants are approved as part of the AQP.
    The language regarding line checks is consistent with existing 
exemptions that have been granted to some AQP certificate holders to 
allow a longer period between line checks in exchange for such no-
notice line checks. The no-notice feature of the random line check 
procedure provides evaluators with an increased opportunity to observe 
typical behavior, and the requirement for conducting such checks over 
all geographic routes better assures such information is representative 
of performance over the airline's entire operation.
    Language in exemptions from the random line check requirement 
plainly says the FAA expects the line check to be no-notice. These 
exemptions state that ``FAA finds that this relief provides an 
equivalent level of safety by virtue of addressing the operational line 
performance of the entire crew, rather than only the pilot-in-command. 
The FAA further finds that conducting line checks on a no-notice, 
randomly administered basis should enhance their utility as an overall 
gauge of operational safety.''
    The FAA recognizes the pilot-in-command (PIC) will review the 
flight paperwork and will have some very short-term prior knowledge of 
the line check (because of security concerns, weight and balance 
issues, and scheduling requirements). However, we expect that in the 
time prior to the PIC receiving the flight paperwork about the line 
check flight, the AQP participant will have maintained the random no-
notice requirement.

Certification (Sec.  121.919)

    The rule describes the means by which a person subject to an AQP is 
eligible to receive a commercial or airline transport pilot, flight 
engineer, or aircraft dispatcher certificate or appropriate rating 
based on the successful completion of AQP training. American observed 
that Sec.  121.919(c) refers to LOE scenarios as an exclusive measure 
of competence. They noted an AQP for dispatchers would be required to 
incorporate an operational scenario, the scenario probably would not be 
termed an LOE. American recommended changing wording from ``knowledge 
and skills in scenarios (i.e., LOE)'' to ``knowledge and skills in 
operational scenarios (i.e., LOE for crewmembers).''
    American also observed that Sec.  121.919(e) lists the types of 
instructors and evaluators who can certify training of applicants and 
requires applicants to pass an LOE. They noted the list of instructors 
does not include dispatch instructor and the paragraph does not allow 
for other types of operational evaluations for dispatchers. They 
recommend changing the wording to read, ``* * * as witnessed by an 
instructor, check airman, or APD, as appropriate for the duty position, 
and has passed an operational evaluation (i.e., LOE for crewmembers).''
    The concept and term LOE applies equally to all personnel covered 
under an AQP. Evaluation of proficiency is defined as an LOE or 
equivalent evaluation under an AQP acceptable to the FAA. We changed 
Sec.  121.919 to be inclusive of other positions (including 
dispatchers).

Approval of Training, Qualification, or Evaluation by a Person Who 
Provided Training by Arrangement (Sec.  121.923)

    The rule sets forth the conditions for a certificate holder under 
part 121 or part 135 to arrange for AQP training by a separate training 
provider. Alteon objected to provisional approval for AQP training 
providers and suggested that Sec. Sec.  121.923(a) and (b) be 
rewritten. Alteon further stated the specific use of provisionally 
approved curriculums, curriculum segments, or portions of curriculum 
segments in a training provider's AQP should be approved by the FAA.
    In Sec.  121.923, provisional approval is meant to allow a training 
center to develop and market an AQP that could be tailored by 
contracting participants to meet their particular needs. The major 
difference between developing an AQP by a training center and by an air 
carrier is the training center can develop generic AQP documentation 
and individual curriculum segments. This documentation is given a 
provisional approval. A provisional AQP allows a training center to 
accomplish front-end AQP development and to offer its services as an 
approved AQP provider before establishing a contract or other 
arrangements with a specific certificate holder.

[[Page 54813]]

Recordkeeping Requirements (Sec.  121.925)

    Like traditional training programs under part 121 and part 135, the 
AQP requires that each certificate holder conducting an approved AQP 
establish and maintain records in sufficient detail to demonstrate that 
the certificate holder is in compliance with all AQP requirements. ALPA 
believes AQP training and checking records maintained by a company 
should not contain more data that is accessible through the Pilot 
Records Improvement Act (PRIA) than it would under traditional 
programs. The regulatory language to that end should be identical.
    The recordkeeping process in AQP does not differ from traditional 
recordkeeping requirements. The intent of Sec.  121.925, Recordkeeping, 
is that AQP participants may maintain a record keeping system based on 
the standard 14 CFR part 121 or 135 (i.e., Sec.  121.683), 
recordkeeping requirements. Section 121.925, Recordkeeping, is based on 
existing SFAR No. 58, section 12, with no substantive changes. 
Individual recordkeeping by certificate holders is needed to show 
whether each crewmember, aircraft dispatcher, or other operations 
personnel is in compliance with the AQP and subpart Y. Thus, for 
example, under an AQP, if a pilot is identified for augmented training, 
the satisfactory or unsatisfactory completion of that training and the 
date must be recorded and maintained in the carrier's training records 
for that pilot. The recordkeeping requirement of Sec.  121.925 is a 
separate function from the data collected and analyzed under the 
requirements of Sec.  121.917(c).

International Compatibility

    In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to comply with 
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and 
Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. The FAA has 
determined there are no ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices that 
correspond to these proposed regulations.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    According to the 1995 amendments to the Paperwork Reduction Act (5 
CFR 1320.8(b)(2)(vi)), an agency may not collect or sponsor collecting 
information, nor may it impose an information collection requirement 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    This proposal contains the following new information collection 
requirements. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3507(d)), the FAA has submitted the information requirements 
associated with this final rule to the Office of Management and Budget 
for its review. The OMB control number assigned to this collection of 
information is 2120-0701.
    Summary: AQP is an existing rule and the data required by that rule 
is currently being submitted to the Agency. Data collection and 
analysis of data is a fundamental part of AQP. AQP is continuously 
validated through collecting and analyzing trainee performance. Data 
collection and analysis processes ensure the certificate holder 
provides performance information on its crewmembers, instructors, and 
evaluators that will enable the certificate holder and the FAA to 
determine whether the form and content of training and evaluation 
activities are satisfactorily accomplishing the overall objectives of 
the curriculum.
    Use of: The Voluntary Safety Programs Branch, AFS-230, receives the 
AQP data monthly to monitor program compliance, effectiveness, and 
efficiency. AFS-230 processes the information for errors and omissions 
then analyzes the data. The FAA principal operations inspector (POI) 
responsible for oversight of the certificate holder reviews the 
analyzed data. The POI and his staff make use of this information to 
monitor training trends, to identify areas in need of corrective 
action, to plan targeted surveillance of curriculums, and to verify 
that corrective action is effective. In general, this information is 
used to provide an improved basis for curriculum approval and 
monitoring, as well as agency decisions about air carrier training 
regulation and policy.
    Respondents (including number of): The likely respondents to this 
proposed data collection requirement are 16 airlines and 2 
manufacturers.
    Frequency: The frequency of data collection is monthly.
    Annual Burden Estimate: Affected firms already incur annual 
recordkeeping and reporting burden as follows:
     Number of respondents with approved AQPs: 18
     Frequency of response per respondent: Monthly.
     Estimated number of hours per respondent to prepare 
information to be submitted to the FAA: 2.0
     Estimated annual hour burden per respondent: 24
     Total estimated hours of industry burden: 432
    The estimated 2-hour burden is the time required to transform the 
data already produced monthly by the certificate holder as part of an 
approved AQP into the appropriate form for use by the FAA.
    Currently sixteen airlines and two manufacturers have voluntarily 
established AQP programs. However, not all the participants' aircraft 
fleet types (personnel) are covered by an AQP. Based on a cost-benefit 
study from certificate holders with existing AQP programs, the average 
cost of an AQP analyst is $60 per hour. Therefore, the cost of this 
burden is:
     Industry per annum (432 hours)--$25,920
     Each participant per annum (24 hours)--$1440

Regulatory Analyses

    Final rules 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 (RFA), codified at 5 U.S.C. 601-
611, 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, that they be the basis 
for 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.)
    The Department of Transportation Order DOT 2100.5 prescribes 
policies and procedures for simplification, analysis, and review of 
regulations. If it is determined the expected cost impact is so minimal 
that a proposal does not warrant a full evaluation, this order allows a 
statement to that effect, and the basis for it, to be included in the 
preamble. In this case, a full regulatory evaluation cost-benefit 
evaluation need not be prepared. Such a determination has been made for 
this rule.
    This final rule will make permanent the AQP, an existing temporary

[[Page 54814]]

regulatory alternative for operators to comply with carrier training 
requirements. The AQP is not mandatory. It is left up to the discretion 
of the individual certificate holder as to whether to adopt the AQP or 
not. The FAA assumes that certificate holders will do so only if it 
improves their training effectiveness and safety or is otherwise in 
their economic interest. In the NPRM, the FAA stated that it expected 
the outcome will have a minimal impact, and a regulatory evaluation was 
not prepared. The FAA also solicited comments in that NPRM from the 
aviation community about the FAA determination of minimal impact. The 
FAA received no comments to this effect. Therefore, the FAA still 
expects that this rule will not impose any additional net cost burden 
on the industry.

Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The 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 RFA.
    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 provides 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.
    Because the rule is voluntary and thus will not impose compliance 
costs, the FAA Administrator certifies the rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small air 
carriers. We solicited comments and received none.

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. The FAA has assessed the 
potential effect of this final rule and determined that it will have 
only a domestic impact and therefore no effect on any trade-sensitive 
activity.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (the Act), enacted as 
Public Law 104-4 on March 22, 1995, 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 an 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 instead 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 has analyzed this final rule under the principles and 
criteria of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. We have determined that 
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, or 
the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government. Therefore, we have determined that this final rule does 
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 this rulemaking action qualifies for the categorical 
exclusion identified in paragraph 312f and involves no extraordinary 
circumstances.

Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or 
Use

    The FAA has analyzed this final rule under Executive Order 13211, 
Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, 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

14 CFR Part 61

    Air safety, Air transportation, Aviation safety, Safety.

14 CFR Part 63

    Air safety, Air transportation, Airmen, Aviation safety, Safety, 
Transportation.

14 CFR Part 65

    Airmen, Aviation safety, Air transportation, Aircraft.

14 CFR Part 121

    Aircraft pilots, Airmen, Aviation safety, Pilots, Safety.

14 CFR Part 135

    Air carriers, Air transportation, Airmen, Aviation safety, Safety, 
Pilots.

The Amendment

0
The Federal Aviation Administration is amending parts 61, 63, 65, 121, 
and 135 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR parts 61, 63, 
65, 121 and 135) as follows:

PART 61--CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND 
INSTRUCTORS

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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.


SFAR No. 58  [Removed]

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2. Remove SFAR No, 58 from part 61.


Sec.  61.58  [Amended]

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3. Amend Sec.  61.58(b) by removing ``SFAR 58'' and adding ``subpart Y 
of part 121 of this chapter'' in its place.

[[Page 54815]]

PART 63--CERTIFICATION: FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS OTHER THAN PILOTS

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4. The authority citation for part 63 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40108, 40113, 44701-44703, 44710, 
44712, 44714, 44716, 44717, 44722, 45303.


SFAR No. 58  [Removed]

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5. Remove SFAR No. 58 from part 63.

PART 63--[NOMENCLATURE CHANGE]

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6. Amend part 63 by removing ``SFAR 58'' and adding ``subpart Y of part 
121 of this chapter'' in its place wherever it occurs in the part.

PART 65--CERTIFICATION: AIRMEN OTHER THAN FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS

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7. The authority citation for part 65 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701-44703, 44707, 44709-
44711, 45102-45103, 45301-45302.


SFAR No. 58  [Removed]

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8. Remove SFAR No. 58 from part 65.

PART 65--[NOMENCLATURE CHANGE]

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9. Amend part 65 by removing ``SFAR 58'' and adding ``subpart Y of part 
121 of this chapter'' in its place wherever it occurs in the part.

PART 121--OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: DOMESTIC, FLAG, AND SUPPLEMENTAL 
OPERATIONS

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10. The authority citation for part 121 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 40119, 41706, 44101, 44701-
44702, 44705, 44709-44711, 44713, 44716-44717, 44722, 44901, 44903-
44904, 44912, 45101-45105, 46105, 46301.


SFAR No. 58  [Removed]

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11. Remove Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 58.--Advanced 
Qualification Program from part 121.

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12. Add subpart Y to read as follows:
Subpart Y--Advanced Qualification Program
Sec.
121.901 Purpose and eligibility.
121.903 General requirements for Advanced Qualification Programs.
121.905 Confidential commercial information
121.907 Definitions.
121.909 Approval of Advanced Qualification Program.
121.911 Indoctrination curriculum.
121.913 Qualification curriculum.
121.915 Continuing qualification curriculum.
121.917 Other requirements.
121.919 Certification.
121.921 Training devices and simulators.
121.923 Approval of training, qualification, or evaluation by a 
person who provides training by arrangement.
121.925 Recordkeeping requirements.

Subpart Y--Avanced Qualification Program


Sec.  121.901  Purpose and eligibility.

    (a) Contrary provisions of parts 61, 63, 65, 121, 135, and 142 of 
this chapter notwithstanding, this subpart provides for approval of an 
alternative method (known as ``Advanced Qualification Program'' or 
``AQP'') for qualifying, training, certifying, and otherwise ensuring 
competency of crewmembers, aircraft dispatchers, other operations 
personnel, instructors, and evaluators who are required to be trained 
under parts 121 and 135 of this chapter.
    (b) A certificate holder is eligible under this subpart if the 
certificate holder is required or elects to have an approved training 
program under Sec. Sec.  121.401, 135.3(c), or 135.341 of this chapter.
    (c) A certificate holder obtains approval of each proposed 
curriculum under this AQP as specified in Sec.  121.909.


Sec.  121.903  General requirements for Advanced Qualification 
Programs.

    (a) A curriculum approved under an AQP may include elements of 
existing training programs under part 121 and part 135 of this chapter. 
Each curriculum must specify the make, model, series or variant of 
aircraft and each crewmember position or other positions to be covered 
by that curriculum. Positions to be covered by the AQP must include all 
flight crewmember positions, flight instructors, and evaluators and may 
include other positions, such as flight attendants, aircraft 
dispatchers, and other operations personnel.
    (b) Each certificate holder that obtains approval of an AQP under 
this subpart must comply with all the requirements of the AQP and this 
subpart instead of the corresponding provisions of parts 61, 63, 65, 
121, or 135 of this chapter. However, each applicable requirement of 
parts 61, 63, 65, 121, or 135 of this chapter, including but not 
limited to practical test requirements, that is not specifically 
addressed in the AQP continues to apply to the certificate holder and 
to the individuals being trained and qualified by the certificate 
holder. No person may be trained under an AQP unless that AQP has been 
approved by the FAA and the person complies with all the requirements 
of the AQP and this subpart.
    (c) No certificate holder that conducts its training program under 
this subpart may use any person nor may any person serve in any duty 
position as a required crewmember, an aircraft dispatcher, an 
instructor, or an evaluator, unless that person has satisfactorily 
accomplished, in a training program approved under this subpart for the 
certificate holder, the training and evaluation of proficiency required 
by the AQP for that type airplane and duty position.
    (d) All documentation and data required under this subpart must be 
submitted in a form and manner acceptable to the FAA.
    (e) Any training or evaluation required under an AQP that is 
satisfactorily completed in the calendar month before or the calendar 
month after the calendar month in which it is due is considered to have 
been completed in the calendar month it was due.


Sec.  121.905  Confidential commercial information.

    (a) Each certificate holder that claims that AQP information or 
data it is submitting to the FAA is entitled to confidential treatment 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4) because it constitutes confidential commercial 
information as described in 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4), and should be withheld 
from public disclosure, must include its request for confidentiality 
with each submission.
    (b) When requesting confidentiality for submitted information or 
data, the certificate holder must:
    (1) If the information or data is transmitted electronically, embed 
the claim of confidentiality within the electronic record so the 
portions claimed to be confidential are readily apparent when received 
and reviewed.
    (2) If the information or data is submitted in paper format, place 
the word ``CONFIDENTIAL'' on the top of each page containing 
information or data claimed to be confidential.
    (3) Justify the basis for a claim of confidentiality under 5 U.S.C. 
552(b)(4).


Sec.  121.907  Definitions.

    The following definitions apply to this subpart:
    Crew Resource Management (CRM) means the effective use of all the 
resources available to crewmembers, including each other, to achieve a 
safe and efficient flight.
    Curriculum outline means a listing of each segment, module, lesson, 
and lesson element in a curriculum, or an

[[Page 54816]]

equivalent listing acceptable to the FAA.
    Evaluation of proficiency means a Line Operational Evaluation (LOE) 
or an equivalent evaluation under an AQP acceptable to the FAA.
    Evaluator means a person who assesses or judges the performance of 
crewmembers, instructors, other evaluators, aircraft dispatchers, or 
other operations personnel.
    First Look means the assessment of performance to determine 
proficiency on designated flight tasks before any briefing, training, 
or practice on those tasks is given in the training session for a 
continuing qualification curriculum. First Look is conducted during an 
AQP continuing qualification cycle to determine trends of degraded 
proficiency, if any, due in part to the length of the interval between 
training sessions.
    Instructional systems development means a systematic methodology 
for developing or modifying qualification standards and associated 
curriculum content based on a documented analysis of the job tasks, 
skills, and knowledge required for job proficiency.
    Job task listing means a listing of all tasks, subtasks, knowledge, 
and skills required for accomplishing the operational job.
    Line Operational Evaluation (LOE) means a simulated line 
environment, the scenario content of which is designed to test 
integrating technical and CRM skills.
    Line Operational Simulation (LOS) means a training or evaluation 
session, as applicable, that is conducted in a simulated line 
environment using equipment qualified and approved for its intended 
purpose in an AQP.
    Planned hours means the estimated amount of time (as specified in a 
curriculum outline) that it takes a typical student to complete a 
segment of instruction (to include all instruction, demonstration, 
practice, and evaluation, as appropriate, to reach proficiency).
    Qualification standard means a statement of a minimum required 
performance, applicable parameters, criteria, applicable flight 
conditions, evaluation strategy, evaluation media, and applicable 
document references.
    Qualification standards document means a single document containing 
all the qualification standards for an AQP together with a prologue 
that provides a detailed description of all facets of the evaluation 
process.
    Special tracking means assigning a person to an augmented schedule 
of training, checking, or both.
    Training session means a contiguously scheduled period devoted to 
training activities at a facility approved by the FAA for that purpose.
    Variant means a specifically configured aircraft for which the FAA 
has identified training and qualifications that are significantly 
different from those applicable to other aircraft of the same make, 
model, and series.


Sec.  121.909  Approval of Advanced Qualification Program.

    (a) Approval process. Application for approval of an AQP curriculum 
under this subpart is made, through the FAA office responsible for 
approval of the certificate holder's operations specifications, to the 
Manager of the Advanced Qualification Program.
    (b) Approval criteria. Each AQP must have separate curriculums for 
indoctrination, qualification, and continuing qualification (including 
upgrade, transition, and requalification), as specified in Sec. Sec.  
121.911, 121.913, and 121.915. All AQP curriculums must be based on an 
instructional systems development methodology. This methodology must 
incorporate a thorough analysis of the certificate holder's operations, 
aircraft, line environment and job functions. All AQP qualification and 
continuing qualification curriculums must integrate the training and 
evaluation of CRM and technical skills and knowledge. An application 
for approval of an AQP curriculum may be approved if the program meets 
the following requirements:
    (1) The program must meet all the requirements of this subpart.
    (2) Each indoctrination, qualification, and continuing 
qualification AQP, and derivatives must include the following 
documentation:
    (i) Initial application for AQP.
    (ii) Initial job task listing.
    (iii) Instructional systems development methodology.
    (iv) Qualification standards document.
    (v) Curriculum outline.
    (vi) Implementation and operations plan.
    (3) Subject to approval by the FAA, certificate holders may elect, 
where appropriate, to consolidate information about multiple programs 
within any of the documents referenced in paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section.
    (4) The Qualification Standards Document must indicate specifically 
the requirements of the parts 61, 63, 65, 121, or 135 of this chapter, 
as applicable, that would be replaced by an AQP curriculum. If a 
practical test requirement of parts 61, 63, 65, 121, or 135 of this 
chapter is replaced by an AQP curriculum, the certificate holder must 
establish an initial justification and a continuing process approved by 
the FAA to show how the AQP curriculum provides an equivalent level of 
safety for each requirement that is to be replaced.
    (c) Application and transition. Each certificate holder that 
applies for one or more advanced qualification curriculums must include 
as part of its application a proposed transition plan (containing a 
calendar of events) for moving from its present approved training to 
the advanced qualification program training.
    (d) Advanced Qualification Program revisions or rescissions of 
approval. If after a certificate holder begins training and 
qualification under an AQP, the FAA finds the certificate holder is not 
meeting the provisions of its approved AQP, the FAA may require the 
certificate holder, pursuant to Sec.  121.405(e), to make revisions. Or 
if otherwise warranted, the FAA may withdraw AQP approval and require 
the certificate holder to submit and obtain approval for a plan 
(containing a schedule of events) that the certificate holder must 
comply with and use to transition to an approved training program under 
subpart N of this part or under subpart H of part 135 of this chapter, 
as appropriate. The certificate holder may also voluntarily submit and 
obtain approval for a plan (containing a schedule of events) to 
transition to an approved training program under subpart N of this part 
or under subpart H of part 135 of this chapter, as appropriate.
    (e) Approval by the FAA. Final approval of an AQP by the FAA 
indicates the FAA has accepted the justification provided under 
paragraph (b)(4) of this section and the applicant's initial 
justification and continuing process establish an equivalent level of 
safety for each requirement of parts 61, 63, 65, 121, and 135 of this 
chapter that is being replaced.


Sec.  121.911  Indoctrination curriculum.

    Each indoctrination curriculum must include the following:
    (a) For newly hired persons being trained under an AQP: The 
certificate holder's policies and operating practices and general 
operational knowledge.
    (b) For newly hired crewmembers and aircraft dispatchers: General 
aeronautical knowledge appropriate to the duty position.
    (c) For instructors: The fundamental principles of the teaching and 
learning process; methods and theories of instruction; and the 
knowledge necessary to use aircraft, flight training

[[Page 54817]]

devices, flight simulators, and other training equipment in advanced 
qualification curriculums, as appropriate.
    (d) For evaluators: General evaluation requirements of the AQP; 
methods of evaluating crewmembers and aircraft dispatchers and other 
operations personnel, as appropriate, and policies and practices used 
to conduct the kinds of evaluations particular to an AQP (e.g., LOE).


Sec.  121.913  Qualification curriculum.

    Each qualification curriculum must contain training, evaluation, 
and certification activities, as applicable for specific positions 
subject to the AQP, as follows:
    (a) The certificate holder's planned hours of training, evaluation, 
and supervised operating experience.
    (b) For crewmembers, aircraft dispatchers, and other operations 
personnel, the following:
    (1) Training, evaluation, and certification activities that are 
aircraft- and equipment-specific to qualify a person for a particular 
duty position on, or duties related to the operation of, a specific 
make, model, series, or variant aircraft.
    (2) A list of and text describing the knowledge requirements, 
subject materials, job skills, and qualification standards of each 
proficiency objective to be trained and evaluated.
    (3) The requirements of the certificate holder's approved AQP 
program that are in addition to or in place of, the requirements of 
parts 61, 63, 65, 121 or 135 of this chapter, including any applicable 
practical test requirements.
    (4) A list of and text describing operating experience, evaluation/
remediation strategies, provisions for special tracking, and how 
recency of experience requirements will be accomplished.
    (c) For flight crewmembers: Initial operating experience and line 
check.
    (d) For instructors, the following as appropriate:
    (1) Training and evaluation activities to qualify a person to 
conduct instruction on how to operate, or on how to ensure the safe 
operation of a particular make, model, and series aircraft (or 
variant).
    (2) A list of and text describing the knowledge requirements, 
subject materials, job skills, and qualification standards of each 
procedure and proficiency objective to be trained and evaluated.
    (3) A list of and text describing evaluation/remediation 
strategies, standardization policies and recency requirements.
    (e) For evaluators: The requirements of paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section plus the following, as appropriate:
    (1) Training and evaluation activities that are aircraft and 
equipment specific to qualify a person to assess the performance of 
persons who operate or who ensure the safe operation of, a particular 
make, model, and series aircraft (or variant).
    (2) A list of and text describing the knowledge requirements, 
subject materials, job skills, and qualification standards of each 
procedure and proficiency objective to be trained and evaluated.
    (3) A list of and text describing evaluation/remediation 
strategies, standardization policies and recency requirements.


Sec.  121.915  Continuing qualification curriculum.

    Each continuing qualification curriculum must contain training and 
evaluation activities, as applicable for specific positions subject to 
the AQP, as follows:
    (a) Continuing qualification cycle. A continuing qualification 
cycle that ensures that during each cycle each person qualified under 
an AQP, including instructors and evaluators, will receive a mix that 
will ensure training and evaluation on all events and subjects 
necessary to ensure that each person maintains proficiency in 
knowledge, technical skills, and cognitive skills required for initial 
qualification in accordance with the approved continuing qualification 
AQP, evaluation/remediation strategies, and provisions for special 
tracking. Each continuing qualification cycle must include at least the 
following:
    (1) Evaluation period. Initially the continuing qualification cycle 
is comprised of two or more evaluation periods of equal duration. Each 
person qualified under an AQP must receive ground training and flight 
training, as appropriate, and an evaluation of proficiency during each 
evaluation period at a training facility. The number and frequency of 
training sessions must be approved by the FAA.
    (2) Training. Continuing qualification must include training in all 
tasks, procedures and subjects required in accordance with the approved 
program documentation, as follows:
    (i) For pilots in command, seconds in command, and flight 
engineers, First Look in accordance with the certificate holder's FAA-
approved program documentation.
    (ii) For pilots in command, seconds in command, flight engineers, 
flight attendants, instructors and evaluators: Ground training 
including a general review of knowledge and skills covered in 
qualification training, updated information on newly developed 
procedures, and safety information.
    (iii) For crewmembers, instructors, evaluators, and other 
operational personnel who conduct their duties in flight: Proficiency 
training in an aircraft, flight training device, flight simulator, or 
other equipment, as appropriate, on normal, abnormal, and emergency 
flight procedures and maneuvers.
    (iv) For dispatchers and other operational personnel who do not 
conduct their duties in flight: ground training including a general 
review of knowledge and skills covered in qualification training, 
updated information on newly developed procedures, safety related 
information, and, if applicable, a line observation program.
    (v) For instructors and evaluators: Proficiency training in the 
type flight training device or the type flight simulator, as 
appropriate, regarding training equipment operation. For instructors 
and evaluators who are limited to conducting their duties in flight 
simulators or flight training devices: Training in operational flight 
procedures and maneuvers (normal, abnormal, and emergency).
    (b) Evaluation of performance. Continuing qualification must 
include evaluation of performance on a sample of those events and major 
subjects identified as diagnostic of competence and approved for that 
purpose by the FAA. The following evaluation requirements apply:
    (1) Evaluation of proficiency as follows:
    (i) For pilots in command, seconds in command, and flight 
engineers: An evaluation of proficiency, portions of which may be 
conducted in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device 
as approved in the certificate holder's curriculum that must be 
completed during each evaluation period.
    (ii) For any other persons covered by an AQP, a means to evaluate 
their proficiency in the performance of their duties in their assigned 
tasks in an operational setting.
    (2) Line checks as follows:
    (i) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, for 
pilots in command: A line check conducted in an aircraft during actual 
flight operations under part 121 or part 135 of this chapter or during 
operationally (line) oriented flights, such as ferry flights or proving 
flights. A line check must be completed in the calendar month at the 
midpoint of the evaluation period.

[[Page 54818]]

    (ii) With the FAA's approval, a no-notice line check strategy may 
be used in lieu of the line check required by paragraph (b)(2)(i) of 
this section. The certificate holder who elects to exercise this option 
must ensure the ``no-notice'' line checks are administered so the 
flight crewmembers are not notified before the evaluation. In addition, 
the AQP certificate holder must ensure that each pilot in command 
receives at least one ``no-notice'' line check every 24 months. As a 
minimum, the number of ``no-notice'' line checks administered each 
calendar year must equal at least 50% of the certificate holder's 
pilot-in-command workforce in accordance with a strategy approved by 
the FAA for that purpose. In addition, the line checks to be conducted 
under this paragraph must be conducted over all geographic areas flown 
by the certificate holder in accordance with a sampling methodology 
approved by the FAA for that purpose.
    (iii) During the line checks required under paragraph (b)(2)(i) and 
(ii) of this section, each person performing duties as a pilot in 
command, second in command, or flight engineer for that flight, must be 
individually evaluated to determine whether the person remains 
adequately trained and currently proficient with respect to the 
particular aircraft, crew position, and type of operation in which he 
or she serves; and the person has sufficient knowledge and skills to 
operate effectively as part of a crew. The evaluator must be a check 
airman, an APD, or an FAA inspector and must hold the certificates and 
ratings required of the pilot in command.
    (c) Recency of experience. For pilots in command, seconds in 
command, flight engineers, aircraft dispatchers, instructors, 
evaluators, and flight attendants, approved recency of experience 
requirements appropriate to the duty position.
    (d) Duration of cycles and periods. Initially, the continuing 
qualification cycle approved for an AQP must not exceed 24 calendar 
months in duration, and must include two or more evaluation periods of 
equal duration. After that, upon demonstration by a certificate holder 
that an extension is warranted, the FAA may approve an extension of the 
continuing qualification cycle to a maximum of 36 calendar months in 
duration.
    (e) Requalification. Each continuing qualification curriculum must 
include a curriculum segment that covers the requirements for 
requalifying a crewmember, aircraft dispatcher, other operations 
personnel, instructor, or evaluator who has not maintained continuing 
qualification.


Sec.  121.917  Other requirements.

    In addition to the requirements of Sec. Sec.  121.913 and 121.915, 
each AQP qualification and continuing qualification curriculum must 
include the following requirements:
    (a) Integrated Crew Resource Management (CRM) or Dispatcher 
Resource Management (DRM) ground and if appropriate flight training 
applicable to each position for which training is provided under an 
AQP.
    (b) Approved training on and evaluation of skills and proficiency 
of each person being trained under AQP to use his or her resource 
management skills and his or her technical (piloting or other) skills 
in an actual or simulated operations scenario. For flight crewmembers 
this training and evaluation must be conducted in an approved flight 
training device, flight simulator, or, if approved under this subpart, 
in an aircraft.
    (c) Data collection and analysis processes acceptable to the FAA 
that will ensure the certificate holder provides performance 
information on its crewmembers, dispatchers, instructors, evaluators, 
and other operations personnel that will enable the certificate holder 
and the FAA to determine whether the form and content of training and 
evaluation activities are satisfactorily accomplishing the overall 
objectives of the curriculum.


Sec.  121.919  Certification.

    A person subject to an AQP is eligible to receive a commercial or 
airline transport pilot, flight engineer, or aircraft dispatcher 
certificate or appropriate rating based on the successful completion of 
training and evaluation events accomplished under that program if the 
following requirements are met:
    (a) Training and evaluation of required knowledge and skills under 
the AQP must meet minimum certification and rating criteria established 
by the FAA in parts 61, 63, or 65 of this chapter. The FAA may approve 
alternatives to the certification and rating criteria of parts 61, 63, 
or 65 of this chapter, including practical test requirements, if it can 
be demonstrated that the newly established criteria or requirements 
represent an equivalent or better measure of crewmember or dispatcher 
competence, operational proficiency, and safety.
    (b) The applicant satisfactorily completes the appropriate 
qualification curriculum.
    (c) The applicant shows competence in required technical knowledge 
and skills (e.g., piloting or other) and crew resource management 
(e.g., CRM or DRM) knowledge and skills in scenarios (i.e., LOE) that 
test both types of knowledge and skills together.
    (d) The applicant is otherwise eligible under the applicable 
requirements of part 61, 63, or 65 of this chapter.
    (e) The applicant has been trained to proficiency on the 
certificate holder's approved AQP Qualification Standards as witnessed 
by an instructor, check airman, or APD and has passed an LOE 
administered by an APD or the FAA.


Sec.  121.921  Training devices and simulators.

    (a) Each flight training device or airplane simulator that will be 
used in an AQP for one of the following purposes must be evaluated by 
the FAA for assignment of a flight training device or flight simulator 
qualification level:
    (1) Required evaluation of individual or crew proficiency.
    (2) Training to proficiency or training activities that determine 
if an individual or crew is ready for an evaluation of proficiency.
    (3) Activities used to meet recency of experience requirements.
    (4) Line Operational Simulations (LOS).
    (b) Approval of other training equipment.
    (1) Any training equipment that is intended to be used in an AQP 
for purposes other than those set forth in paragraph (a) of this 
section must be approved by the FAA for its intended use.
    (2) An applicant for approval of training equipment under this 
paragraph must identify the device by its nomenclature and describe its 
intended use.
    (3) Each training device approved for use in an AQP must be part of 
a continuing program to provide for its serviceability and fitness to 
perform its intended function as approved by the FAA.


Sec.  121.923  Approval of training, qualification, or evaluation by a 
person who provides training by arrangement.

    (a) A certificate holder operating under part 121 or part 135 of 
this chapter may arrange to have AQP training, qualification, 
evaluation, or certification functions performed by another person (a 
``training provider'') if the following requirements are met:
    (1) The training provider is certificated under part 119 or 142 of 
this chapter.
    (2) The training provider's AQP training and qualification 
curriculums,

[[Page 54819]]

curriculum segments, or portions of curriculum segments must be 
provisionally approved by the FAA. A training provider may apply for 
provisional approval independently or in conjunction with a certificate 
holder's application for AQP approval. Application for provisional 
approval must be made, through the FAA office directly responsible for 
oversight