Pilot Records Database, 17660-17720 [2020-04751]

Download as PDF 17660 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Parts 91, 111, 121, 125, and 135 [Docket No.: FAA–2020–0246; Notice No. 20–05] RIN 2120–AK31 Pilot Records Database Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The FAA is proposing to require the use of an electronic Pilot Records Database (PRD) and implement statutory requirements. The PRD would be used to facilitate the sharing of pilot records among air carriers and other operators in an electronic data system managed by the FAA. Air carriers, specific operators holding out to the public, entities conducting public aircraft operations, air tour operators, fractional ownerships, and corporate flight departments would be required to enter relevant data on individuals employed as pilots into the PRD, and this would be available electronically to those entities. In addition, this proposal identifies all air carriers, fractional ownerships, and some other operators or entities that would be required to access the PRD and evaluate the available data for each pilot candidate prior to making a hiring decision. DATES: Send comments on or before June 29, 2020. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number [FAA–2020–0246] using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. • Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M–30; U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W12–140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493–2251. Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.transportation.gov/privacy. Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at https://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12–140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning this action, contact Christopher Morris, 3500 S MacArthur Blvd., ARB301, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73179; telephone (405) 954–4646; email christopher.morris@ faa.gov. Table of Contents I. Overview of the Proposal A. Summary of Current PRIA Guidance, Public Law 111–216 Section 203 (49 U.S.C. 44703(i)), and Proposed Requirements for the PRD B. Summary of the Costs and Benefits of This Proposed Rule II. Background A. Statement of the Problem 1. Response to NTSB Recommendations 2. Congressional Action 1. Current Elements of PRIA a. Pilot Employment Background b. Pilot Rights and Protection in Accordance With PRIA c. Exceptions to PRIA d. FAA Guidance for Compliance With PRIA 2. History of the Pilot Records Database a. Pilot Records Database Aviation Rulemaking Committee b. Electronic Database Development c. Related Actions to the Pilot Records Database III. Discussion of the Proposal A. Persons Affected by the Proposal (§ 111.1) 1. Air Carriers and Operators That Must Evaluate Records (§§ 111.100, 111.105) 2. Operators Employing Pilots That Must Enter Data (§§ 111.200, 111.205) 3. Overview of Affected Entities (§§ 111.200, 111.205, 111.270) a. Part 121 Air Carriers b. Part 135 Air Carriers and Operators c. Part 125 Operators d. Part 91, Subpart K Fractional Ownership Programs e. Section 91.147 Air Tour Operators f. Corporate Flight Departments g. Public Aircraft Operations h. Trustees in Bankruptcy 4. Entities That Will Not Be Required to Report Information 5. Other Sources of Pilot Records a. Training Providers b. Institutions of Higher Education B. FAA Records To Be Reported to the Pilot Records Database (§ 111.140) PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 1. Comprehensive Airmen Information System 2. Enforcement Information System a. Summaries of Legal Enforcement Actions b. Expunction of Legal Enforcement Actions and Airman Records c. Pilot Records Database Aviation Rulemaking Committee’s Position on the FAA’s Expunction Policy 3. Accident/Incident Data System 4. Drug and Alcohol Records To Be Entered by the FAA a. Pre-Employment Testing Records C. Reporting Requirements of Historical Records Maintained by Air Carriers and Operators Employing Pilots (§§ 111.210, 111.250, 111.265, 111.420) 1. Data Required for Submission of Historical Records to the Pilot Records Database 2. Reporting Method Option 1: Data Transfer Using an Automated Utility 3. Reporting Method Option 2: Manual Data Entry 4. Alternative Solutions Considered 5. Public Input on Historical Records D. Reporting Requirements: Present and Future Records (§§ 111.210, 111.250) 1. Data Pertaining to the Individual’s Performance as a Pilot a. Pilot Training, Qualification, and Proficiency Records (§ 111.220) i. Part 121 Air Carrier Training Records ii. Part 125 Operator Training Records iii. Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Training Records iv. Part 91 Subpart K Fractional Ownership Training Program Records v. Pilot Training Records Documented by Commercial Air Tour Operators, Corporate Flight Departments, and Entities Conducting Public Aircraft Operations 2. Drug and Alcohol Testing Records (§ 111.215) 3. Disciplinary Action Records (§§ 111.225, 111.255, 111.260) a. Definition of Disciplinary Action Record b. Timeframes for Entry and Correction of Overturned Records 4. Proposal for Reporting Records Concerning Separation From Employment (§ 111.230) a. Information to Enter Into the Database b. Final Date of Employment c. Reinstatement of Employment d. Types of Separation i. Separation From Employment That Was Not Due to Pilot Performance and Was Initiated by an Air Carrier or Operator ii. Air Carrier/Operator-Initiated Separation Related to Pilot Performance iii. Pilot-Initiated Separation Unrelated to Pilot Performance 5. State Driving Records and the National Driver Register (§ 111.110) a. Background on the National Driver Register b. Current Process for Air Carrier National Driver Register Requests Under the PRD Act c. Proposal for Evaluation of Driving Records (§ 111.240) E. Exclusion of Voluntary Aviation Safety Program Records (§ 111.245) E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules F. Good Faith Exception (§ 111.115) G. Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) Transition (§ 111.400) IV. Database Design and Security A. Management of Users 1. Overview of User Roles (§§ 111.15, 111.20, 111.25) 2. Registration for Pilot Records 3. Registration for User Access (§§ 111.15, 111.20, 111.25) B. General Eligibility Requirements for Access to the Pilot Records Database 1. Responsible Persons (§§ 111.15, 111.20, 111.25) 2. Responsible Persons’ Delegation Authority (§§ 111.15, 111.20, 111.25) 3. Authorized Users (§§ 111.20, 111.25, 111.30, 111.35) 4. Proxies (§ 111.20, 111.25) 5. Pilot Users (§§ 111.25, 111.300, 111.305) C. Protection of the Privacy and Confidentiality of Pilots and Other Users (§§ 111.45, 111.100, 111.105, 111.135) D. Overview of Steps for Processing a Record Request 1. Pilot Consent (§ 111.120, 111.125, 111.310) 2. Hiring Employer’s Role During the Request Process 3. Record Retention and Removal Upon Death of a Pilot (§ 111.50) V. User Fee for Accessing the PRD for Purposes of Evaluation (§ 111.40) VI. Regulatory Notices and Analyses A. Regulatory Evaluation, Regulatory Flexibility Determination, International Trade Impact Assessment, and Unfunded Mandates Assessment 1. Total Benefits and Costs of This Proposed Rule 2. Those Potentially Affected by This Proposed Rule 3. Assumptions 4. Benefits of This Proposed Rule 5. Costs of This Proposed Rule B. Regulatory Flexibility Determination 1. Description of Reasons the Agency is Considering the Action 2. Statement of the Legal Basis and Objectives 3. Description of the Recordkeeping and Other Compliance Requirements 4. All Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict 5. Description and an Estimated Number of Small Entities Impacted 6. Alternatives Considered C. International Trade Impact Assessment D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment E. Paperwork Reduction Act F. International Compatibility and Cooperation G. Environmental Analysis VII. Executive Order Determinations A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism B. Executive Order 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use VIII. Additional Information A. Comments Invited B. Availability of Rulemaking Documents IX. The Proposed Amendments SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 Authority for This Rulemaking The FAA’s authority to issue rules on aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.). This rulemaking is promulgated under the general authority described in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), which establishes the authority of the Administrator to promulgate regulations and rules, and the specific authority provided by § 203 of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (‘‘the PRD Act’’), codified at 49 U.S.C. 44703(h)–(j). The PRD Act identifies several rulemaking requirements. The PRD Act requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations to establish an electronic pilot records database containing records from the FAA and records maintained by air carriers and other operators that employ pilots. At a minimum, air carriers and operators employing pilots must report ‘‘records that are generated by the air carrier or other person after [August 1, 2010,]’’ as well as ‘‘records that the air carrier or other person [was] maintaining, on [August 1, 2010],’’ on any person employed as a pilot.1 The PRD Act also requires air carriers to access the database and evaluate any relevant records maintained therein pertaining to an individual before allowing that individual to begin service as a pilot. The FAA is further required to issue regulations to protect and secure the personal privacy of any individual whose records are accessed in the new electronic database; to protect and secure the confidentiality of those records; and, to prevent further dissemination of those records once accessed by an air carrier. The PRD Act also requires the implementing regulations to prescribe a timetable for the implementation of the PRD as well as a schedule for sunsetting the Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996. I. Overview of the Proposal This proposed rule would require all Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 119 certificate holders, fractional ownership programs, persons authorized to conduct air tour operations in accordance with § 91.147,2 persons operating a corporate flight department, and governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations (collectively referred to as ‘‘covered entities’’) to report relevant records to 1 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(4)(B)(ii). Also, § 44703(h)(4) states that ‘‘the Administrator and air carriers shall maintain pilot records described in paragraphs (1)(A) and (1)(B) for a period of at least 5 years.’’ 2 Hereafter referred to as ‘‘air tour operators’’ for the purposes of this preamble. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17661 an electronic pilot record database (PRD) managed by the FAA. Currently, the FAA, air carriers and other operators maintain pilot records pursuant to the statutory requirements contained in the Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA).3 The FAA maintains records related to airman certificates and legal enforcement actions that result in a finding of a violation that was not subsequently overturned. Air carriers and other operators maintain records related to pilot training and qualification, final disciplinary actions, final separation from employment actions, and drug and alcohol testing. Currently, under PRIA, an employer is required to have a candidate for employment as a pilot complete a series of paper forms. Some of the forms are mailed to the previous employers to request copies of any available records as specified by PRIA. Another form is submitted to the FAA to request the FAA records as specified by PRIA. The FAA typically processes the requests and provides the appropriate records within 3 business days. These records may be provided via mail or email. The FAA processes approximately 20,000 individual requests per year. The FAA does not have an estimate for how many records requests are exchanged between employers annually. FAA currently colocates its PRIA records in an electronic database called the PRD, which was created with funds appropriated by Congress and is in beta testing. Air carriers and other operators share their records with each other in accordance with a manual, paper-based process. Congress mandated the creation of a fully electronic database for all of these records collectively, which was the genesis for this rulemaking. The proposal does not impose new substantive recordkeeping requirements on air carriers or operators. Rather, the proposal would require that covered entities report specific data to the PRD from records that are required to be kept pursuant to regulations, or from records that are otherwise kept by covered entities in their role as an employer. When this rule is finalized, the current PRD, which is currently populated with FAA records, will also be populated with air carrier and operator airman records. Air carriers and other operators would be required to electronically transfer into the PRD historical records they currently maintain (in accordance with statutory requirements) as well as new records they create in the future. The PRD would contain the required air carrier, operator, and FAA records for 3 49 E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM U.S.C 44702(h) 30MRP3 17662 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules the life of the pilot and would be permitted to be used only as a hiring tool in an air carrier or operator’s decision-making process for pilot employment. Pilot consent would be time-limited to a designated air carrier to view that pilot’s records. Air carriers cannot search PRD broadly—the system would limit them to a specific individual’s records only if the pilot gives consent and the consent period is still in effect. All air carriers and operators would be required to continue to comply with the PRIA until two years and 90 days after the publication of the final rule that follows this proposal. As a result, for a period of time air carriers and A. Summary of Current PRIA Requirements, the PRD Act, and Proposed Requirements for the PRD The establishment of the PRD would eventually phase out the current PRIA request process. In addition, the FAA proposes to add certain additional requirements that are responsive to the mandates in Public Law 111–216 section 206, as well as beneficial from a safety perspective. The following table summarizes the current recordkeeping and reporting requirements under PRIA, the requirements imposed by legislation, and the key recordkeeping and reporting requirements of this proposal. Subject Current PRIA requirements The PRD Act NPRM Accessibility ............. Affected Entities ...... Physical and Electronic ........................ Part 119 certificate holders, governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations, air tour operators, and fractional ownership programs. Electronic .............................................. Part 119 certificate holders, governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations, and other persons. FAA Records ........... Current airman certificates with associated type ratings and limitations; current airman medical certificate, including any limitations; and summaries of FAA legal enforcement actions resulting in a finding by the Administrator of a violation that was not subsequently overturned. Current airman certificates with associated type ratings and limitations; current airman medical certificate, including any limitations; any failed attempt of an individual to pass a practical test required to obtain a certificate or type rating under 14 CFR part 61; and summaries of FAA legal enforcement actions resulting in a finding by the Administrator of a violation that was not subsequently overturned. Air Carrier and Operator Records. Records maintained in accordance with appendices I and J to part 121, section VI paragraph (A) (drug and alcohol testing records); § 121.683, § 125.401; and § 135.63(a)(4) (crewmember records), excluding records related to flight time, duty time, and rest time, disciplinary action records not subsequently overturned; separation from employment records; national driver register records, as required in accordance with PRIA’s implementing statute. Required in accordance with Public Law 104–264, Section 502. Industry established ............................. Records maintained in accordance with § 120.211(a) (drug and alcohol testing records); § 121.683, § 125.401, and § 135.63(a)(4) (crewmember records), excluding records related to flight time, duty time, and rest time; disciplinary action records not subsequently overturned; separation from employment records; national driver register records. Electronic. Part 119 certificate holders, air tour operators, fractional ownership programs, corporate flight departments, and governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations. Current airman certificates with associated type ratings and limitations; current airman medical certificate, including any limitations; any failed attempt of an individual to pass a practical test required to obtain a certificate or type rating under 14 CFR part 61; and summaries of FAA legal enforcement actions resulting in a finding by the Administrator of a violation that was not subsequently overturned; accident and incident information. Records proposed to be reported to the FAA in accordance with § 111.215 (drug and alcohol testing records); § 111.220 (training, qualification, and proficiency records); § 111.225 (disciplinary action records); § 111.230 (separation from employment records); § 111.240 (verification of motor vehicle driving record search and evaluation); and § 111.265 (historical record reporting). National Driver Register Search. User Fee ................. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 operators would have to comply with both the PRIA record retention requirements and the PRD reporting requirements. All air carriers and operators that are subject to the reporting requirements in this proposal would be required to begin entering specific pilot records within one year of the publication date of the final rule. Air carriers and operators employing pilots would be required to input all historical records into the PRD within two years of the publication date of the final rule. Finally, PRIA would cease to be effective two years and 90 days after publication of the final rule, as set forth in statute. Timeframe of Records Documented. Previous five years from the date of request as required in accordance with Public Law 104–264, Section 502. Timeline for Records to be Reported to a Hiring Air Carrier or Operator. Within 30 days as required in accordance with Public Law 104–264, Section 502. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Required ............................................... Required. Reasonable charges by the FAA for processing requests and furnishing copies. (1.) Part 121 and 135 air carrier records dating back to August 1, 2005 through the life of the pilot; (2.) Part 125 and 135 operator records dating back to August 1, 2010 through the life of the pilot; and, (3.) FAA records dating back to August 1, 2010, through the life of the pilot. Fee per record accessed by an air carrier or operator. Promptly ............................................... Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM (1.) Part 121 and 135 air carrier records dating back to August 1, 2005, through the life of the pilot or 99 years, whichever is less; (2.) Part 125 and 135 operator as well as 91K fractional ownership records dating back to August 1, 2010 through the life of the pilot or 99 years, whichever is less; and, (3.) FAA records dating back to August 1, 2010, through the life of the pilot. Reported to the PRD within 30 days of the reportable event and available for review immediately. 30MRP3 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules Subject Current PRIA requirements Compliance Schedule. In effect ................................................ B. Summary of the Costs and Benefits of This Proposed Rule The FAA estimated quantified costs and savings of this proposed rule. After the effective date of the final rule that follows this proposal, air carriers and other operators would incur costs to report pilot records to the PRD, and to train and register as users of the PRD. Air carriers would also receive cost savings once PRIA is phased out. The FAA would incur costs of the proposed rule related to the operations and maintenance of the PRD. Over a 10-year period of analysis from 2021 through 2030,4 the FAA estimates the proposed rule would result in present value net costs to industry and the FAA of about $12.8 million or $1.8 million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the proposed rule would result in present value net costs of about $11.5 million over the same 10-year period or about $1.4 million annualized. However, the FAA estimates industry would receive a net cost savings from the proposed rule from the discontinuance of PRIA. Over the same 10-year period, the present value net cost savings of the proposed rule to industry are about $2.6 million or $0.4 million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the proposed rule would have a present value net cost savings to industry of about $7.0 million over the same 10year period or about $0.8 million annualized. In addition to future regulatory costs, the FAA has incurred costs to develop the PRD since 2010.5 From 2010 through 2020, the FAA estimates the present value PRD development costs are about $14.1 million or $1.5 million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the present 4 For this preliminary analysis, the FAA assumes the effective date of the final rule to be in calendar year 2021 with the 10-period of analysis of future regulatory impacts to be 2021 through 2030. 5 On August 1, 2010, Congress directed the Administrator to establish the PRD (Pub. L. 111– 216, Section 203 (49 U.S.C. 44703(i)). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 The PRD Act PO 00000 Frm 00005 NPRM Established by the FAA Administrator value PRD development costs are about $18.0 million over the same period or about $2.4 million annualized. Therefore, the FAA estimates the total impacts of this regulatory action over a 21-year period of analysis from 2010 through 2030 that includes PRD development costs before the effective date of the final rule and future PRD regulatory impacts after the effective date of the final rule. Over this 21-year time period, this regulatory action would result in present value net costs of about $30.8 million or $2.8 million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, this regulatory action would result in present value net costs of about $25.6 million over the 21-year period of analysis or about $1.7 million annualized. This rulemaking also proposes a user fee to be applied to costs related to the operations and maintenance of the PRD beginning one year after the effective date of the final rule. Government fees and taxes are considered transfer payments per OMB Circular A–4 and are not considered a societal cost. These transfers are reported separately from the costs and cost savings of this proposed rule. The proposed PRD user fee would effectively be a transfer payment from industry to the FAA to cover the FAA’s PRD operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. The FAA estimates the 10-year present value of the user fees to be about $13.2 million or $1.9 million annualized using a 7% discount rate, reflecting the FAA’s underlying O&M costs. Using a 3% discount rate, the total present value of the user fees would be about $16.3 million over 10 years or about $1.9 million annualized. This proposed rule would enhance aviation safety by assisting air carriers in making informed hiring and personnel management decisions using the most accurate and complete pilot records available and electronically accessible. The database created by the proposed rule would contain information maintained by the FAA Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17663 (1.) One year after the publication of the final rule—report present and future records; access and evaluate records in the PRD, subject to a user fee. (2.) Two years after the publication of the final rule—report historical records. (3.) Two years and 90 days after the publication of the final rule—sunset of PRIA. concerning current airman certificates with any associated type ratings and current medical certificates, including any limitations or restrictions to those certificates, airman practical test failures, and summaries of legal enforcement actions. The PRD would contain air carrier, operator, and FAA records on an individual’s performance as a pilot that could be used as a hiring tool in an air carrier’s decision-making process for pilot employment. These records would remain in the PRD for the life of the pilot. II. Background A. Statement of the Problem The Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) 6 was enacted in 1997 in response to a series of air carrier accidents attributed to pilot error.7 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that although the pilots had a history of poor training performance or other indicators of impaired judgment, their backgrounds had not been investigated by their current employers. Two accidents following the enactment and implementation of PRIA led the NTSB to make additional findings and recommendations regarding pilot record retention, the sharing of information related to pilot 6 Public Law 104–264, § 502; 110 Stat. 3259. The requirements of PRIA were initially codified at 49 U.S.C. 44936, and PRIA became effective on February 7, 1997. Substantive amendments were made to PRIA on December 5, 1997 (Pub. L. 105– 142; 111 Stat. 2650) and April 5, 2000 (Pub. L. 106– 181; 114 Stat. 61). Currently the PRIA requirements are codified at 49 U.S.C. 44703(h) and (j). 7 Congressional Committee report dated October 31, 1997 (H.R. Rep. 105–372), explained certain clarifying amendments made to PRIA in Public Law 105–142 (H.R. 2626; Dec. 5, 1997), listed the following accidents as evidence supporting the enactment of PRIA: Continental Airlines flight 1713 (November 15, 1987); Trans-Colorado flight 2286 (January 19, 1988); AV Air flight 3378 (February 19, 1988); Aloha Island Air flight 1712 (October 28, 1989); Scenic Air flight 22 (April 22, 1992); Express II flight 5719 (December 1, 1993); and American Eagle flight 3379 (December 13, 1994). All of these operators held a part 119 air carrier certificate, and most of these flights were operated under part 135, except Continental Airlines flight 1713, which was operated under part 121. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 17664 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules performance among air carriers and operators, and the review of previous performance records by air carriers. On July 13, 2003, Air Sunshine Incorporated flight 527 (d/b/a Tropical Aviation Services, Inc.) ditched in the Atlantic Ocean about 7 nautical miles west-northwest of Treasure Cay Airport (MYAT), Bahamas, after an in-flight failure of the right engine. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR part 135 as a scheduled international, passenger-commuter flight. Out of the nine total passengers, two passengers died after evacuating the airplane and five passengers sustained minor injuries. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The NTSB determined that ‘‘the probable cause of the accident was the in-flight failure of the right engine and the pilot’s failure to adequately manage the airplane’s performance after the engine failed.’’ 8 The NTSB also found that ‘‘the pilot had a history of belowaverage flight proficiency, including numerous failed flight tests, before the flight accident, which contributed to his inability to maintain maximum flight performance and reach land after the right engine failed.’’ 9 In response to the Air Sunshine 527 accident, the NTSB issued recommendation A–05–01, which advised the FAA to require all ‘‘part 121 and 135 air carriers to obtain any notices of disapproval for flight checks for certificates and ratings for all pilotapplicants and evaluate this information before making a hiring decision.’’ 10 The NTSB recognized the importance of validating FAA ratings and certifications, as required by PRIA, but noted that ‘‘additional data contained in FAA records, including records of flight check failures and rechecks, would be beneficial for a potential employer to review and evaluate.’’ The NTSB acknowledged that while ‘‘a single notice of disapproval for a flight check, along with an otherwise successful record of performance, should not adversely affect a hiring decision,’’ a history of ‘‘multiple notices of disapproval for a flight check might be significant[. . .] and should be evaluated before a hiring decision is made.’’ There is not likely a single algorithm which can tell the potential employer if they should hire a pilot 8 See NTSB Report AAR–04/03 (Adopted October 13, 2004) at page 47, which can be obtained at https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/ AccidentReports/Reports/AAR0403.pdf. 9 See NTSB Report AAR–04/03 at page 43. 10 The January 27, 2005, safety recommendation letter may be accessed at https://www.ntsb.gov/ safety/safety-recs/RecLetters/A05_01_02.pdf. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 based on a ratio of satisfactory and unsatisfactory flight checks.11 However, providing this information about the airman would assist the potential employer in developing a more complete picture of that airman’s overall performance as a pilot. On February 12, 2009, Colgan Air, Inc. flight 3407 (d/b/a Continental Connection), crashed into a residence in Clarence Center, NY, about 5 nautical miles northeast of the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, New York resulting in the death of all 49 passengers on board and one person on the ground. The flight was operated under 14 CFR part 121. The NTSB determined that ‘‘the probable cause of this accident was the captain’s inappropriate response to activation of the stick shaker, which led to an aerodynamic stall from which the airplane did not recover.’’ 12 Contributing factors included: ‘‘(1) The flightcrew’s failure to monitor airspeed in relation to the rising position of the low-speed cue, (2) the flightcrew’s failure to adhere to sterile cockpit procedures, (3) the captain’s failure to effectively manage the flight, and (4) Colgan Air’s inadequate procedures for airspeed selection and management during approaches in icing conditions.’’ 13 Additional safety issues identified by the NTSB in the Colgan Air 3407 accident report included certain deficiencies in the air carrier’s recordkeeping system, as well as the air carrier’s analysis of the flightcrew’s qualifications and previous performance. Specifically, Colgan Air’s records showed that the captain had failed his initial proficiency check on the Saab 340 on October 15, 2007, received additional training, and passed his upgrade proficiency check on October 18, 2007. In addition to this particular failed check at Colgan, the NTSB stated that the captain failed his practical tests for the instrument rating (airplane category) on October 1, 1991; the commercial pilot certificate (singleengine land airplane) on May 14, 2002; and required additional training in three separate training events while a first officer at Colgan. The NTSB deemed these discrepancies in the captain’s training records as noteworthy because 11 The purpose of flight checks is to validate certificates and ratings—they were not originally developed to inform hiring decisions. Accordingly, the FAA has not conducted research to document their relationship to general pilot performance. 12 See NTSB Report AAR–10/01 (adopted February 2, 2010) at page 155, which can be obtained at https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/ AccidentReports/Reports/AAR1001.pdf. 13 See NTSB Report AAR–10/01 at page 155. PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 the captain had demonstrated previous training difficulties during his tenure at Colgan Air. As a result of its investigation, the NTSB issued recommendation A–10–19, which provided that the FAA require all ‘‘part 121, 135, and 91K operators to provide the training records requested in Safety Recommendation A–10–17 to hiring employers to fulfill their requirement under PRIA.’’ Safety Recommendation A–10–17 advises the FAA to require all ‘‘part 121, 135, and 91K operators to document and retain electronic and/or paper records of pilot training and checking events in sufficient detail so that the carrier and its principal operations inspector can fully assess a pilot’s entire training performance.’’ 14 In the Colgan Air 3407 final aircraft accident report, the NTSB noted the issuance of Safety Recommendation A– 05–01 as a result of the Air Sunshine 527 accident. The NTSB indicated its continued recommendation that airman certification information concerning previous notices of disapproval should be included in an air carrier’s assessment of the suitability of a pilotapplicant. The NTSB also indicated that notices of disapproval should be considered safety-related records that must be included in an air carrier’s evaluation of a pilot’s career progression. While recognizing that the FAA had revised Advisory Circular (AC) 120–68: The Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 15 to indicate that the hiring employer may, at its discretion, request a record of an individual’s notices of disapproval for flight checks from the FAA,16 the NTSB advised that a more permanent action through rulemaking would ensure that air carriers be required to obtain and evaluate notices of disapprovals for pilot-applicants. This proposed rule both implements requirements of the PRD Act and responds to several open NTSB recommendations. First, consistent with NTSB recommendation A–05–01, the FAA proposes to require all air carriers and operators to access and evaluate an individual’s records in the PRD before making a hiring decision. These records would include any notices of disapproval that the individual received during a practical test attempt for a certificate or rating. The FAA would upload data processed in the 14 By letter dated February 21, 2014, the NTSB reported that ‘‘pending implementation of the PRD, including guidance about when comments are needed in PRD entries, Safety Recommendation A– 10–17 remains classified Open—Acceptable Response.’’ 15 Including subsequent updates and revisions. 16 See AC 120–68F, paragraph 3–8, Note. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules Certification Airmen Information System (CAIS) on a nightly basis to ensure both air carriers and operators have the most accurate and up-to-date information to make an informed hiring decision. Second, consistent with A– 10–17 and A–10–19, the FAA proposes to require air carriers and operators to enter relevant information into the PRD in a standardized format. This information is intended to help an air carrier to make an informed hiring decision. B. History of PRIA and PRD Following the Colgan Air 3407 accident, Congress enacted the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111–216; August 1, 2010).17 Section 203 of the PRD Act required the FAA to establish an electronic pilot records database and provided for the subsequent sunset of PRIA. Additionally, Congress has since enacted the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (FESSA) (Pub. L. 114–190; July 15, 2016). Section 2101 of FESSA required the FAA to establish an electronic pilot records database by April 30, 2017. This proposed rule implements those statutory mandates. 1. Current Elements of PRIA lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 a. Pilot Employment Background As previously mentioned, Congress enacted PRIA to ensure that air carriers adequately investigate an individual’s employment background and other information pertaining to the individual’s performance as a pilot before allowing that individual to serve as a flight crewmember in air carrier operations. PRIA requires a hiring air carrier to obtain records from three distinct sources utilizing standardized forms including: (1) Current and previous air carriers or operators that had employed the individual as a pilot, (2) the FAA, and (3) the National Driver Register (NDR). The records that must be requested by a hiring air carrier and provided by a pilot’s current and previous employers in response to a PRIA request include all records kept pursuant to particular provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations related to maintaining current crewmember records and drug and alcohol testing records,18 excluding records related to flight time, duty time, and rest time. Also required to be in the 17 Referred to as ‘‘the PRD Act’’ for the remainder of this NPRM. 18 § 121.683; paragraph (A), of section VI of appendix I to part 121 and paragraph (A), of section VI of appendix J to part 121;1 § 125.401; and, § 135.63(a)(4). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PRIA request are ‘‘any other records pertaining to the individual’s performance as a pilot that are maintained by the air carrier or person concerning the following: (1) The training, qualifications, proficiency, or professional competence of the individual, including comments and evaluations made by a check pilot; (2) any disciplinary action taken with respect to the individual that was not subsequently overturned; and (3) any release from employment or resignation, termination, or disqualification with respect to employment.’’ In accordance with PRIA, an air carrier must request records related to the individual for ‘‘the 5-year period preceding the date of the employment application of the individual.’’ No person is permitted to furnish records in response to a PRIA request ‘‘if the record was entered more than 5 years before the date of the request, unless the information concerns a revocation or suspension of an airman certificate or motor vehicle license that is in effect on the date of the request.’’ The FAA and previous air carrier and/or operators are required to retain all pilot records which would be furnished in response to a PRIA request, except NDR-related records, for a period of at least 5 years. PRIA permits an air carrier or other person who receives a request for records under PRIA to ‘‘establish a reasonable charge for the cost of processing the request and furnishing copies of the requested records.’’ 19 The records furnished in response to a PRIA request are commonly used as a ‘‘validation’’ tool, rather than a research, screening, or selection tool.20 Many employers will hire a pilot and then ensure all records are received prior to permitting the pilot to begin service because the PRIA process can take an extensive amount of time. b. Pilot Rights and Protection in Accordance With PRIA Since records provided in accordance with PRIA may affect an individual’s future employment status as a pilot with an air carrier, the hiring air carrier must ‘‘obtain written consent to the release of those records from the individual that is the subject of the records requested.’’ 21 The air carrier is permitted to ‘‘require the individual. . . to execute a release from liability for any claim arising from the furnishing of such records to or the use of such records by such air carrier 19 § 44703(h)(7). 20 Report from the PRD ARC, page 12. Available at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/ rulemaking/committees/documents/media/ PRDARC-2032011.pdf. 21 § 44703(h)(5). PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17665 (other than a claim arising from furnishing information known to be false and maintained in violation of a criminal statute).’’ If an individual seeking employment as a pilot with the air carrier refuses to provide written consent to obtain the subject’s records or refuses to execute a release from liability, an air carrier may refuse to hire that individual as a pilot, and no action or proceeding may be brought against the air carrier as a result. Notably, an air carrier receiving records in response to a PRIA request must ‘‘take such actions as may be necessary to protect the privacy of the pilot and the confidentiality of the records, including ensuring that information contained in the records is not divulged to any individual that is not directly involved in the hiring decision.’’ 22 Records obtained from the various sources required in accordance with PRIA may only be used by an air carrier to assess the qualifications of the individual in deciding whether to hire the individual as a pilot. Therefore, a person who receives a request for records under PRIA must ‘‘provide to the individual who is the subject of the records . . . written notice of the request and of the individual’s right to receive a copy of such records’’ as well as a copy of such records, if requested by the individual.23 Accordingly, PRIA requires the current or previous employer to ‘‘make available, within a reasonable time, but not later than 30 days after the date of the request, to the pilot for review, any and all employment records . . . pertaining to the employment of the pilot’’ that are maintained by the air carrier and subject to being furnished in response to a PRIA request.24 The subject of the records must also be given the ‘‘reasonable opportunity to submit written comments to correct any inaccuracies contained in the records before an air carrier makes a final hiring decision with respect to the individual.’’ 25 c. FAA Guidance for Compliance With PRIA The provisions of PRIA were selfimplementing and the FAA’s role in the PRIA process was limited; therefore, the FAA did not develop implementing regulations. The FAA issued Advisory Circular (AC) 120–68: Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 to provide guidance material for air carriers, operators and pilots regarding compliance with the PRIA statute. AC 22 § 44703(h)(11). 23 § 44703(h)(6). 24 § 44703(h)(10). 25 § 44703(h)(9). E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 17666 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules 120–68 contains information for FAA inspectors as well as for air carriers and operators that must comply with PRIA requirements. The FAA has developed and made available on its website additional PRIA-related information to further facilitate compliance with the statutory requirements.26 Under PRIA, and as described in AC 120–68, every request for records pursuant to PRIA involves three parties: The potential employer, the past employer, and the pilot-applicant. When an individual seeks employment as a pilot for an air carrier, the hiring air carrier initiates the process to request and receive all relevant records as required under PRIA. The hiring air carrier completes its part of the forms for requesting records from current and past employers, the FAA, and the NDR, and the pilot-applicant completes the necessary forms to provide written consent for the release of his or her PRIA-related records before the hiring entity can send the records requests forward to the appropriate respondent(s). The pilot-applicant’s completion of these forms satisfies the PRIA requirement that a pilot receive written notice that a request for his or her records was made. A pilot-applicant is also entitled to a copy of all records provided to the hiring carrier under PRIA. methods to safeguard the data; establishing a written consent/release from liability process; developing a common process for air carriers to handle disputes by pilots concerning the accuracy of PRD entries; developing common definitions and terms for PRD users; determining a suitable structure for data tables to maintain training, qualification, employment action, and NDR records required by this legislation; and methods to initially load the database with historical records. The PRD ARC submitted a final report to the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety on July 29, 2011. A complete copy of the report, including ARC recommendations, dissenting recommendations, and a list of participating organizations has been placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.28 The ARC focused primarily on proposals for implementing the PRD in a manner that would most enhance aviation safety for the flying public, but did not necessarily consider whether the recommendations would meet congressional intent. Thus, the ARC made certain recommendations contrary to the plain language of the PRD Act. The ARC Report also explicitly stated that certain congressionally mandated requirements were left to be interpreted by the FAA at a later date.29 4. History of the Pilot Records Database b. Electronic Database Development In advance of this rulemaking, the FAA determined it prudent to move its PRIA records to an electronic pilot record database, also called the PRD.30 In September 2015, the FAA initiated a phased approach to establish the PRD. During the initial implementation stages, the PRD will only include FAA records, as required by PRIA. Upon adopting a final rule in this rulemaking proceeding, the PRD would include not only the FAA records mandated under PRIA, but also the employer records mandated by Section 203 of the PRD Act. The phased approach was developed to provide direct, uninterrupted access to FAA pilot records to air carriers and operators required to comply with PRIA. a. Pilot Records Database Aviation Rulemaking Committee In response to the mandate of Sec. 203 of Public Law 111–216, the FAA Administrator chartered the PRD Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) on February 3, 2011.27 The purpose of the ARC was to assemble a broad crosssection of entities involved in pilot records and safety to develop recommendations for the FAA on the best way to implement an electronic PRD. Participants included representatives from the aviation industry, professional associations, organized labor, safety organizations, as well as FAA representatives. Specifically, the ARC examined where the data for the PRD should be maintained; what information should be kept in the new database; who would have access to the information and what methods would be used to make the information accessible; methods for the timely transfer of relevant information to the database on an ongoing basis; 26 See https://www.faa.gov/pilots/lic_cert/pria. PRD ARC charter may be found at https:// www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/ committees/documents/media/ PRD.ARC.cht.20110203.pdf. 27 The VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 28 A copy of the complete final ARC report will be placed in the docket for this rulemaking and is also available at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_ policies/rulemaking/committees/documents/ index.cfm/document/ information?documentID=312. 29 https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/ rulemaking/committees/documents/index.cfm/ document/information?documentID=312. 30 The FAA was appropriated ‘‘under section 106(k)(1) of the PRD Act and codified at U.S.C. 44703(i)(14), a total of $6,000,000 for fiscal years 2010 through 2013’’ in order to establish a pilot records database. PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 The FAA records, such as pilot certification and failed practical tests, would be available for an air carrier or operator to make an informed hiring decision. Implementing the FAA records portion of the PRD is an important step in fulfilling the objective that Congress articulated in the PRD Act. It allows the FAA to have at least one portion of the database ready for use on when the rule is effective and to allow air carriers to familiarize themselves with that process. c. Related Actions to the Pilot Records Database Following the Colgan Air 3407 accident, the FAA issued a Call to Action on Airline Safety and Pilot Training, which began with a meeting on June 15, 2009 (including participants from the FAA, airlines and labor organizations), to specify concrete actions and to elicit voluntary commitments from industry.31 As a result of that meeting, the FAA published an Airline Safety and Pilot Training Action Plan 32 that included a number of key initiatives including a focused review of air carrier flight crewmember training, qualification, and management practices. In addition, the FAA released an updated version of the PRIA AC 120–68E on July 2, 2010, incorporating elements from the Plan. The FAA also published an Information for Operators (InFO) 33 on August 15, 2011 (InFO 11014), advising all operators that conduct operations in accordance with part 91, 121, 125, and 135 to indefinitely retain any records on pilots employed in those operations.34 The FAA published a second InFO on March 13, 2014 (InFO 14005), further reminding the regulated entities of their responsibility to retain pilot records dating back as early as August 1, 2005.35 To verify that air carriers and operators that employ pilots are retaining pilot records in accordance with PRIA for future inclusion in the database, the 31 A final report, dated January 2010, ‘‘Answering the Call to Action on Airline Safety and Pilot Training’’ is available at: https://www.faa.gov/news/ updates/?newsId=60224&print=go. 32 https://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_ story.cfm?newsId=11125. 33 An InFO message contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet administrative requirements or certain regulatory requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on safety. InFOs contain information or a combination of information and recommended action to be taken by the respective operators identified in an InFO. 34 https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_ industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_ infos/media/2011/InFO11014.pdf. 35 https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_ industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_ infos/media/2014/InFO14005.pdf. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules FAA issued a national policy notice titled ‘‘Pilot Records Retention Responsibilities Related to the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2010.’’ The notice directed FAA inspectors to verify that air carriers or operators have a system in place to retain records that must be reported for inclusion in the database, as required by the statute.36 Section 203 of the PRD Act directed the FAA to submit a statement to Congress by February 2012, and at least once every three years thereafter for a periodic review of the statutory requirements. The statement to Congress must contain any FAA recommendations to change the records required to be included in the database or the reasons why the FAA does not recommend any changes to the records referenced in Section 203. In its September 2015 report to Congress the FAA indicated that it had initiated a rulemaking project entitled Pilot Records Database, Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 2120–AK31. In its most recent report to Congress, in February 2018, the FAA indicated that it did not recommend any changes in the records referenced in Section 203, until it considers public comments on the Pilot Records Database rulemaking proposal. III. Discussion of the Proposal The FAA proposes new part 111, Pilot Records Database, to codify requirements for accessing and evaluating records, reporting of records, and pilot rights and responsibilities. Subpart A contains general requirements. Subpart B contains requirements for database access and evaluation of records. Subpart C contains requirements for record reporting. Subpart D contains pilot rights and responsibilities. Subpart E contains requirements regarding compliance with PRIA during the PRD transition. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 A. Persons Affected by the Proposal The PRD Act requires air carriers to access and evaluate the records maintained in the PRD pertaining to an individual pilot before allowing that individual to begin service as a pilot. The PRD Act also requires air carriers, as well as any other person that employs an individual as a pilot of a civil or public aircraft, to report information 36 A copy of national policy notice N8900.279, ‘‘Pilot Records Retention Responsibilities Related to the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2010,’’ may be viewed at https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/ Notice/N_8900.279.pdf. The statutory cite can be found at 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(4)(B)(ii)(II). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 concerning the pilots they employ for inclusion in the database.37 The FAA is proposing in subpart C of part 111 to require all part 119 certificate holders, 91K fractional ownership programs, persons authorized to conduct air tour operations in accordance with § 91.147, persons operating a corporate flight department, covered governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations and employing pilots, and trustees in bankruptcy to enter relevant data on individuals employed as pilots into the PRD. As of May 30, 2018, there were an estimated 5,006 air carriers and operators employing pilots that would be required to report pilot records to the database. Any other entity that employs pilots, such as pilot schools or training centers, would not be required to enter data into the PRD. 1. Air Carriers and Other Employers Required To Assess and Review The FAA proposes to require all air carriers 38 who have been issued a part 119 air carrier certificate and are authorized to conduct operations under part 121 or part 135 to comply with the pilot employment background check requirements of subpart B of the proposed rule. The PRD Act requires air carriers and certain other persons to report information to the FAA for inclusion in the PRD and requires air carriers to access the PRD for purposes of evaluating all pertinent information pertaining to an individual before allowing that individual to begin service as a pilot. Additionally, the FAA proposes that part 125 and 135 operators, 91K fractional ownership programs, and air tour operators, be required to access and evaluate an individual’s records in the PRD before making a hiring decision. The FAA determined that it was in the interest of safety to include these employers, in addition to air carriers, for several reasons. Operators that conduct operations under part 125, 135 or 91K are currently required to review pilot records in accordance with PRIA. The FAA interprets the PRD Act to require an enhancement to safety. The FAA does not believe that it would enhance safety to remove this requirement with respect to this population of employers. 37 The PRD Act explicitly excludes the Armed Forces and National Guard, including reserve components, from the information reporting requirements. 38 As defined in 49 U.S.C. 40102, ‘‘air carrier’’ means a citizen of the United States undertaking by any means, directly or indirectly, to provide air transportation (i.e. foreign air transportation, interstate air transportation, or the transportation of mail by aircraft). PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17667 This proposed rule would also include air tour operators within the scope of its applicability. Although PRIA does not require these operators to review pilot records, the FAA believes that extending this requirement to air tours operators is consistent with the safety philosophy underpinning the PRD Act. Air tour operators share some similarities with aspects of part 121 and part 135 air carriers. These operators are responsible for the carriage of passengers for hire and the PICs who conduct these operations must hold at least a commercial pilot certificate. Given the similarity to air carrier responsibilities to the traveling public, the FAA believes that it is in the interest of safety to require air tour operators to review records in the PRD prior to making a hiring decision. While the requirement for air carriers to conduct a pilot employment background check before allowing an individual to begin service as a pilot would be mandatory, the FAA proposes to permit voluntary compliance with the provisions for access and evaluation of records in subpart B for other operators that are required to report data to the PRD. If an operator opts into the requirements of subpart B for evaluating an individual’s records in the PRD, the operator would be required to comply with all other aspects of subpart B of the proposal and would be included in those persons affected by the proposal.39 Although not mandated by the PRD, the FAA believes that other potential employers of pilots could benefit from accessing the information in the PRD prior to making a hiring decision. If an employer chooses to opt in, it would be required to comply with all of the regulations in subpart B to protect pilots’ privacy rights and the integrity of the database. As mentioned previously, currently, PRIA is often used as a tool for validating the record of a pilot rather than as a research, screening, or selection tool prior to actually hiring the pilot because of the length of time the PRIA process takes. The ARC, in its report, asserted that immediate electronic access to information would be a benefit of an electronic database in lieu of continuing the paper-based PRIA process.40 The FAA is requesting comment on whether employers believe that PRD will be utilized as a validation tool after an initial hiring decision has 39 With one exception—other employers opting into subpart B would not have to complete the NDR search and verification. 40 Report from the PRD ARC, p. 72, available at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/ rulemaking/committees/documents/media/ PRDARC-2032011.pdf E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17668 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules been made, or whether, because of the ease of electronic access, it will be utilized earlier in the decision-making process. The FAA requests that commenters consider the cost, in terms of employee time and processing fees (discussed further in the RIA), when responding to this question. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 2. Operators Employing Pilots That Must Enter Data The express language of the PRD Act requires pilot records from any air carrier and ‘‘other person’’ to be included in the PRD. While the Act did not define ‘‘other person’’ 41 or otherwise define who other than air carriers should be subject to the reporting requirements, the FAA interprets ‘‘other person’’ to mean those ‘‘other persons’’ that employ pilots that would likely be air carrier pilots or prospective air carrier pilots at some later date. The principal reason for this interpretation is that the PRD Act mandates that air carriers, but not other employers, access the data for hiring decisions. Accordingly, a reasonable interpretation of the PRD Act, read in its entirety, is that the reporting requirements are limited to those records that would assist with air carrier hiring decisions. The FAA does not interpret the PRD Act to require other types of employers to incur the burden of submitting documents to the PRD that are either unlikely to ever be accessed by a hiring air carrier, or that would not assist with an air carrier’s hiring decision. To determine which employers, other than air carriers, should be subject to the proposed reporting requirements, the FAA reviewed its implementation of PRIA, the requirements of the PRD Act, the relevance of the records kept by other employers of pilots (who are not air carriers) to air carriers in making hiring decisions, and the characteristics of the different types of requisite flight time that pilots accumulate before seeking employment with an air carrier. The FAA also studied the following operating characteristics in comparison to part 121 air carrier operations to determine which operators should be subject to the proposed rule: The operating conditions of the flight (including the complexity of the operation and the type and complexity of the aircraft flown), the applicable operating rules, the applicable recordkeeping rules, and the progress and career path of the pilot as affected by the July 15, 2013 Pilot Certification 41 Hereinafter these ‘‘other persons’’ are referred to as ‘‘operators employing pilots’’ or ‘‘operators.’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 and Qualification Requirements for Air Carrier Operations final rule.42 Individuals desiring a career as a professional pilot for an air carrier can seek experience with other operators to obtain the requisite flight time. These ‘‘gateway operators’’ will be utilized with greater frequency in the future as a result of FAA’s Pilot Certification and Qualification Requirements for Air Carrier Operations final rule. That final rule significantly increased the total number of required flight hours from 250 to 1,500 for part 121 air carrier second-in-command pilots to hold an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate.43 The FAA recognizes that an individual may acquire flight time various ways to be eligible for a position with a part 121 air carrier. However, because it is now more time-intensive to receive the requisite experience for operations with a 121 carrier than before, the FAA expects the traditional path toward a pilot position at a part 121 air carrier will continue to be used, as opposed to more alternative methods of gaining experience, which are discussed below. To identify the typical paths for a pilot to acquire the minimum aeronautical experience to serve as a PIC in part 121 operations, the FAA examined the various aircraft operations and associated operating rules through which pilots can acquire flight time towards an ATP. Similar operating conditions to a part 121 air carrier include operating large, turbine-powered airplanes, carrying passengers from a departure to an arrival point, and required training and checking events as a function of regulation or pilot certification. The FAA further considered which operations are subject to recordkeeping requirements on pilot training and performance similar to part 121 operations by using information identified in GAO reports, the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG) reports, data from internal FAA databases, and current FAA regulations. The FAA believes that the most useful information for the database is captured by applying the record reporting requirements to the operators that most likely serve as a gateway for pilots to accumulate the required aeronautical experience necessary for an ATP to conduct in air carrier operations. As a result of these analyses, the FAA identified categories of employers that 42 78 FR 42324. Prior to this rulemaking, pilots obtained a large portion of their flight hours serving as SIC in part 121 operations. 43 Certain pilots can obtain a restricted privileges ATP certificate with fewer than 1500 logged hours. PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 serve as gateway operators—that is, operators that often serve as points on the career path of a pilot for an air carrier or other passenger-carrying operation. The FAA identified gateway operators based on its expertise and experience with those pilots and their typical employment pathways and is not based on a quantitative analysis of different employment pathways for obtaining an ATP. The FAA proposes to define ‘‘operators employing pilots’’ that would be subject to PRD reporting requirements to include the following groups that employ one or more individuals as pilot flight crewmember(s): (a) Each person that holds an operating certificate issued by the FAA in accordance with part 119 of this chapter; (b) each person that conducts air tour operations pursuant to a letter of authorization issued in accordance with 14 CFR 91.147; (c) each person that conducts operations pursuant to a fractional ownership program authorized in accordance with subpart K of part 91 of this chapter; (d) each person that operates a corporate flight department, as defined in part 111, pursuant to the general operating and flight rules in part 91 of this chapter; (e) each person that conducts operations of public aircraft; and (f) a trustee in bankruptcy. This proposal largely is consistent with existing PRIA requirements, with the addition of corporate flight departments. The FAA considered extending the record-reporting provisions of the proposal to other civil aviation operators who employ pilots such as part 91 operations utilizing smaller general aviation aircraft, other part 91 business aviation operations involving a single aircraft, part 133 external load operators, part 137 agricultural operators, and research and testing flights conducted by aircraft manufacturers.44 However, the FAA decided not to extend the PRD reporting provisions to these operators because they are not ‘‘gateway’’ employers to air carriers. Since pilots employed by the previously-referenced operators do not often transition to careers as pilots in passenger-carrying operations, the FAA questions the value that this information would provide relative to the attendant regulatory burdens it would impose on those operators. The FAA invites comments, with supporting documentation, about whether PRD reporting should extend to part 133 and 137 operators. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules 3. Overview of Affected Entities a. Part 121 Air Carriers Part 121 prescribes rules governing the domestic, flag, and supplemental operations conducted by persons holding an air carrier or operating certificate issued under part 119.45 Part 121 air carriers operate multi-engine, transport category airplanes with more than nine passenger seats or airplanes having a payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds between scheduled service cities within the United States, as well as internationally originating or terminating in the United States, while carrying passengers and freight. These air carriers are held to the highest safety standard by the FAA, as required by 49 U.S.C. 44701–44716, to ensure the public’s safety in air travel. As of May 30, 2018, the FAA has issued 70 part 119 certificates to persons authorizing operations under part 121. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 b. Part 135 Air Carriers And Operators Part 135 air carriers and operators operate aircraft that are configured for 30 or fewer passengers or 7,500 pounds of payload or less. The operators comprising the commuter and ondemand industry segment range from a company with one pilot and one aircraft to a company with over 600 aircraft. Operations include short flights to small regional airports, cross-country domestic flights to larger cities, or international flights. As of May 30, 2018, the FAA had issued part 119 air carrier or operating certificates to 2,011 persons authorizing operations under part 135, compared to the 70 air carriers operating under part 121. The operations conducted in accordance with part 135 provide a wide array of operating environments for pilots, including airspace complexity and operational tasks, similar to those encountered in operations conducted in accordance with part 121. Pilots serving in the following part 135 operations must also hold an ATP certificate prior to acting as pilot-in-command: (1) Commuter operations using multiengine airplanes with nine or fewer passenger seats (Scheduled 135); (2) on-demand operations using airplanes with 10 or more passenger seats; and (3) turbojets. c. Part 125 Operators Part 125 operators conduct operations not involving common carriage, with airplanes having a seating capacity of 20 or more passengers or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or 45 14 CFR 121.1(a). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 more.46 As of May 30, 2018, 71 persons have been issued certificates or letters of deviation authority (LODAs) authorizing operations under part 125. While part 125 operators do not offer air transportation services to the general public, the type of operation conducted in accordance with part 125 is similar in many respects to part 121 and 135 air carriers and part 135 operations, including airspace complexity and operational tasks. Additionally, a part 125 operator must ensure that specific crewmember training is conducted and recorded in accordance with § 125.401.47 Like part 121 air carriers and part 135 air carriers and operators, part 125 operators would be required to access and evaluate the information contained on an individual in the database, pursuant to subpart B of proposed part 111. The proposal for part 125 operators is consistent with the FAA’s current guidance for compliance with PRIA. That guidance advises part 125 operators to obtain an individual’s pilot records prior to making a hiring decision. The FAA is proposing to consider part 125 letter of deviation (LODA) holders as corporate flight departments subject to the reporting requirements of the PRD. Part 125 LODA holders are part 125 operators who do not have to comply with all aspects of part 125 because they hold a letter of deviation authority and many operate in a manner that is similar to corporate flight departments. The FAA believes those operators should be required to comply with the reporting aspects of PRD, though not the review elements unless they elect to opt in. The FAA addresses LODA holders as a part of the corporate flight department discussion in section f. d. Part 91, Subpart K Fractional Ownership Programs Part 91, subpart K (‘‘part 91K’’) fractional ownership programs are issued management specifications (MSpecs) by the FAA and have recordkeeping requirements similar in most respects to part 135 operators. The part 91K fractional ownership program provides both entry-level pilots and highly experienced pilots access to many aircraft with operating environments similar to part 135 air 46 Non-common carriage is defined in 14 CFR 110.2 as meaning ‘‘an aircraft operation for compensation or hire that does not involve a holding out to others.’’ 47 In addition, § 125.401 requires records to be kept concerning the release of employment or physical or professional disqualification of any flight crewmember for at least 6 months. PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17669 carriers, especially the type of aircraft operated by a part 91K fractional ownership program. The aircraft are typically multi-engine, turbine-powered fixed wing aircraft that require the pilot in command (PIC) to hold an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate during part 91K operations.48 However, the PIC can hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating if operating any other aircraft. As of May 30, 2018, there were 8 part 91K programs, employing about 3,364 pilots, flying general aviation business aircraft. Many part 91K fractional ownerships also hold part 119 air carrier or operating certificates. A pilot’s ability to fly at the ATP certificate level and demonstrating this proficiency during evaluation is an important regulatory distinction between commercial and private pilot certification. Specifically, these pilots gain experience as a PIC of a turbinepowered airplane in operations closely aligned with part 121 operations, such as the carriage of passengers in technologically advanced aircraft through complex airspace, as discussed in more detail previously. Thus, part 91K programs are more likely than other part 91 operations, such as private/ recreation flying, personal business, or banner towing operations, to facilitate a pilot’s career progression to a part 121 air carrier due to the similarity to part 121 operations. Additionally, the FAA also proposes to update the process required to be completed by a part 91K program manager in accordance with current § 91.1051 to include compliance with proposed part 111. The FAA proposes to amend § 91.1051 to require that the pilot safety background check include the records maintained in the PRD. A part 91K program manager would be required to comply with the requirements of a pilot safety background check by requesting an individual’s record in the PRD, as well as obtaining relevant information on the individual’s aeronautical experience. This amendment would provide regulatory relief to 91K program managers and former employers because they would be able to obtain certain pilot records from the PRD instead of requesting them from the pilot’s previous employers. e. Section 91.147 Air Tour Operators An air tour operator is an individual or company that holds a letter of authorization (LOA) to conduct air tours 48 See E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 14 CFR 91.1053(a)(2)(i). 30MRP3 17670 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules within a defined geographic location.49 Air tour operators, which share some similarities with aspects of part 121 and part 135 air carriers, generally maintain useful and reliable information on pilots serving in these operations. Like air carriers, these operators are responsible for the carriage of passengers and the PICs who conduct these operations must hold a commercial pilot certificate or higher.50 In this regard, air tour operators provide a means by which pilots may acquire significant flight time in a short timeframe while operating in an environment with similarities to air carrier operations. Air tour operators often employ commercial pilot certificate holders who ultimately pursue a career as a pilot with a part 121 or part 135 air carrier. In order for a pilot to operate an aircraft for an air tour operator, that pilot would be provided with training in the authorized aircraft, airspace, and procedures in conducting the air tour to maintain a safe operation.51 The training provided, however, is likely to be less robust than an air carrier’s training and, as such, fewer data points exist from which an air tour operator can glean information in order to determine a pilot’s capability. As a result, reviewing prior employer and FAA records could be beneficial to air tour operators and, by extension, to the traveling public. Therefore, the FAA is proposing to require all air tour operators to comply with the access and evaluation requirements of subpart B of part 111 as well as enter data on the performance of an individual employed as a pilot into the PRD in accordance with subpart C of part 111. f. Corporate Flight Departments lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 The FAA is proposing to require all corporate flight departments to enter data on the performance of an individual employed as a pilot into the PRD in accordance with subpart C of part 111 of the proposed rule. The FAA is proposing to define a corporate flight department as a person that operates: (1) A fleet (two or more) of standard airworthiness airplanes, (2) that require 49 As of May 30, 2018, the FAA has issued 1,111 LOAs to operators in order to conduct air tours. Many of the LOAs have been issued to existing part 119 certificate holders. 50 See 14 CFR 61.133, Commercial pilot privileges and limitations. 51 The FAA requires a responsible person to be named on the application for authorization to conduct air tours and provide a purpose and details of the air tour. The responsible person must ensure that the flight is conducted for compensation or hire while using a powered aircraft within a preestablished area of airspace. Additionally, the airtour operator must comply with any other requirements listed in the FAA-issued LOA. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 a type rating under 14 CFR 61.31(a), and are operated in furtherance of, or incidental to, a business, pursuant to the general operating and flight rules of part 91 or airplanes being operated under a deviation authority issued under § 125.3. Corporate flight departments are typically owned and operated by a company and offer the opportunity for company executives and employees to reach customers in a short period of time. The FAA believes that corporate flight departments typically operate airplanes that provide both entry-level pilots and experienced pilots access to many type-rated airplanes that offer similarities to those operated by air carriers. The operations within these departments are structured in ways that resemble many aspects of the air carrier environment including aircraft type, airspace complexity, and the carriage of passengers. As a result, the FAA believes that the records maintained by corporate flight departments would be useful for air carriers to review prior to making a hiring decision on a pilot. During the analysis of information on corporate flight departments, the FAA encountered several significant issues in determining the number of corporate flight departments that would be affected by the proposed regulations. First, corporate flight departments generally conduct operations under part 91 since these operators are not engaged in common carriage. Second, the FAA would not be able to determine the number of pilots affected by the proposal as the total number of corporate flight departments was unknown. Thus, the FAA could not rely on its own internal data to substantiate the number of companies that have corporate flight departments. Several business aviation industry advocates, such as the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), provided data on specific segments of the business aviation industry, which is comprised of about 14,960 individuals, companies, and corporations. Large corporate flight departments often employ pilots that continue in their career progression to work at an air carrier, whereas this is less common for single-aircraft corporate flight departments. Therefore, the FAA decided to extend the proposed reporting requirements to only corporate flight departments with a fleet of two or more aircraft, as a result of weighing the impact of including all business aviation entities against the usefulness of the records for air carriers in making a hiring decision. PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 The FAA examined the data on the number of business jets and large turbine powered airplanes in the national airspace system. The FAA analyzed the data from the Civil Aviation Registry to differentiate the type of aircraft registered in the United States by type certification and standard airworthiness certificates. All large airplanes (weighing more than 12,500 pounds) or that are turbojet-powered were included in the analysis. The FAA further analyzed the number of aircraft in this group to determine the number of persons that own more than one aircraft, or a fleet of aircraft (excluding single aircraft operators) since these operators likely have multiple flight crews assigned to their aircraft. In the FAA’s history of overseeing a variety of types of certificate holders, the FAA has learned that a pilot’s employment with a small operator, such as one with only a single aircraft, does not typically lead to employment with a certificate holder that conducts operations with many passengers. As a result, the minimal amount of pilot records from a small operator is unlikely to result in information beneficial for making an air carrier hiring decision. In contrast, for corporate flight departments with a fleet of two or more aircraft, it is common for insurance companies to require annual formal training at a part 142 training center. Because insurance providers often require formal flight training provided by a part 142 flight school, high quality records will most likely be available to document each pilot’s performance. These types of pilot records that large corporate flight departments hold contain precisely the data that hiring air carriers will find beneficial to use when making hiring decisions. Additionally, many single aircraft operators only have one crewmember. These operators would likely only be reporting records on themselves on an individual basis and might not complete formal flight training. Furthermore, many might not have the financial resources to justify formal flight training when it is not required. In these cases, both the records available and the number of associated pilots would be minimal; in general, the modest amount of records available might not be helpful to operators. Therefore, the FAA concludes only those operators who have a fleet of at least two aircraft should be subject to the proposed reporting requirement. The FAA further believes that a part 125 LODA holder is similar in nature to corporate flight departments. A part 125 LODA holder is an operator who holds a deviation from §§ 119.23 and 125.5 (the requirements to hold an operating E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 certificate and OpSpecs). The FAA is proposing that part 125 LODA holders be considered corporate flight departments that are subject to the reporting requirements of the PRD. These operators use U.S.-registered civil airplanes that have a seating configuration of 20 or more passengers, or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more when common carriage is not involved. As of May, 2018, there were 57 LODA holders. Historically, part 125 LODA holders have been regulated most similarly to part 91 operators and are typically used in business aviation, serving some of the same functions as corporate flight departments. Accordingly, the FAA proposes to treat them like corporate flight departments. The FAA is seeking comment, with supporting documentation, on current corporate, flight departments’ safety practices and invites commenters to respond to the following: • Would it be beneficial to require corporate flight departments operating a single aircraft to report to PRD? Why or why not? • Do corporate flight departments maintain substantive records documenting pilot training, evaluation, performance, disciplinary actions, or release from employment or other professional disqualification? If so, for how long are such records typically retained? • Would the proposal create a disincentive for corporate flight departments to create and retain records that are not otherwise mandated by federal regulation? g. Governmental Entities Conducting Public Aircraft Operations The FAA has limited oversight of governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations (PAOs), though such operations must comply with the regulations applicable to all aircraft operating in the National Airspace System (NAS) (i.e., part 91 general operating flight rules). The government entity conducting the PAO is responsible for oversight of the operation, including aircraft airworthiness and any operational requirements imposed by the government entity. Although a government entity conducting a PAO is not required to use an FAA-certificated pilot, many government entities require their pilots to hold an FAA pilot certificate and undergo recurrent training throughout their employment with the operator.52 As a result, pilot records maintained by an operator of 52 Referenced VerDate Sep<11>2014 14 CFR 61.3(a). 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 public aircraft would relate to part 61 currency requirements and would be similar to those maintained by holders of a part 119 operating certificate authorized to conduct operations in accordance with part 125. The FAA recognizes that some operators of public aircraft contract with part 135 or certificated air carriers but they are accounted for in those sections of the proposed rule and regulatory analysis. A search of FAA records found 322 current entities conducting PAO as of May 30, 2018.53 Pursuant to the PRD Act, the FAA is proposing to require government entities that conduct PAO to enter records maintained by the entity on individuals who hold an FAA pilot certificate and conduct PAO. These requirements are proposed in subpart C. Pilots holding an FAA pilot certificate and employed by operators who perform public aircraft operations may seek subsequent employment with an air carrier. Pilots who do not hold an FAA pilot certificate do not typically proceed directly to further employment with air carriers, because in order to progress to further employment with an air carrier they would need to first obtain the relevant pilot certificate and then likely work for a ‘‘gateway’’ operator to an air carrier. Accordingly, the FAA sees limited utility in maintaining these records and do not interpret § 203 of the PRD Act to include them. The FAA seeks comment on: (1) The level of data that would be provided to the PRD by government entities on individuals employed as pilots for PAO; (2) the type of records maintained by PAOs; and (3) cost to government entities to provide these records. h. Trustees in Bankruptcy The PRD Act also requires that a ‘‘trustee in bankruptcy for the air carrier or person’’ continue to provide records to the PRD in event that an air carrier or other operator files for bankruptcy.54 Therefore, the FAA is proposing in subpart C to 14 CFR 111.270 to require trustees in bankruptcy, or the debtor-inpossession if no bankruptcy trustee is appointed, to continue to comply with the reporting requirements for the PRD. This practice is consistent with other safety-based regulations that continue to be enforced while an air carrier or other operator is in bankruptcy. The FAA is proposing to require the individual 53 The FAA maintains records related to known entities conducting public aircraft operations that are conducted by local, State, and Federal governments. These records are maintained in the FAA’s Safety Performance Analysis System (SPAS). 54 See 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(2)(B). PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17671 accessing the database to be able to have their identity validated prior to the FAA granting PRD access, consistent with minimum requirements for database access. When an air carrier or operator is in bankruptcy and maintains its certificate, the bankruptcy does not alter any regulatory or statutory requirements. However, if a hiring air carrier is unable to obtain records because an individual’s previous employer ceases to exist or is otherwise unable to submit pilot records, the PRD Act provides that as long as the hiring air carrier makes a ‘‘documented good faith attempt’’ to access the information and the Administrator provides ‘‘written notice’’ of this lack of information, the pilot may begin service with the air carrier.55 The FAA proposes to codify this good faith exception in § 111.115. 4. Entities That Will Not Be Required To Report Information As previously explained, the FAA interprets the PRD Act requires the following employers of pilots to report information about those pilots: Part 119 certificate holders, 91K fractional ownership programs, persons authorized to conduct air tour operations in accordance with § 91.147, persons operating a corporate flight department, covered governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations and employing pilots, and trustees in bankruptcy. The FAA does not interpret the PRD Act to require the following entities to report information to the PRD: • Part 91: Aerial Advertising (Banner Towing), Aerial Photography Operators, Airshow Performers and Acrobatic Teams, Business Aviation Operators (other than operators of a fleet of airplanes that require a type rating under 14 CFR 61.31(a)), Glider Operations, Pipeline Patrol, Commercial Hot Air Balloon Operators; and charitable sightseers under 14 CFR 91.147(k) • Part 129: Foreign Air Carriers • Part 133: External Load Operators • Part 137: Agriculture Operators • Aircraft and Equipment Manufacturers • Living History Flight Experience Exemption Holders Most of these entities have historically not been subject to recordkeeping requirements, or operating rules and limitations comparable to air carriers. The operators listed in the preceding paragraph represent those that would be 55 Id., E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM at § 44703(i)(12). 30MRP3 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 17672 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules unlikely to generate useful records for a hiring air carrier. For example, not many of their records would be subject to PRD reporting; this would create an unnecessary burden on these operators to participate in PRD reporting. In addition, even if they have records, those records would be of limited value to hiring employers. In the FAA’s experience, most pilots whom these operators employ are unlikely to advance to employment with an air carrier. If they did want to eventually work for an air carrier, however, the FAA’s experience shows that they will, over the course of their careers, progress to employment with another ‘‘gateway’’ operator required to enter records into the PRD, before becoming eligible to seek employment with an air carrier. Additionally, the entities excluded from the requirements to enter data offer stark differences from the part 121 air carrier environment. Many aircraft owners operate their own aircraft, but some hire a pilot to fly their aircraft for them. For many of these owners who also operate their own aircraft, the operation is purely for pleasure or perhaps in furtherance of a business. While some of these pilots are trying to acquire flight experience to move into aviation as a career, many have no intentions of moving into the industry as a commercial pilot. Since PRD is intended to capture the airman history for those pilots seeking employment with aviation employers (part 135/121, for example), these types of operations are not the group targeted by the statute. Additionally, many pilots performing operations such as these are operating at the floor of the FAA risk assessment. Thus, their proficiency and recordkeeping requirements are low. Beyond passing the practical test (private pilot for example), they are only required to complete a flight review with an instructor every two years. This is an informal review, not a practical test, and is normally only documented as an endorsement in the pilot’s logbook if it was satisfactory. The only consistent data the FAA would obtain as required records would be flight reviews and perhaps recency of takeoffs and landings. These sorts of details are routinely evaluated by the hiring air carrier during the logbook reviews. PRIA and PRD was designed to make records available to the hiring air carrier which were historically difficult to obtain. Of all the record sources to be reviewed by the hiring air carrier, the pilot logbook is the most accessible and considered a fundamental item reviewed in the hiring process. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 Under this proposal, foreign air carriers are excluded from the reporting requirements. The FAA assumes that Congress intended the PRD requirements to apply only to U.S. citizens because it used the term ‘‘air carrier’’, which is defined in 49 U.S.C. 40102 and includes a U.S. citizenship requirement. The agency further assumes that ‘‘or other person’’ also applies only to U.S. citizens because, if Congress had intended for the reporting requirement to apply to non-citizens, it would have included the term ‘‘foreign air carrier’’ which is also found in 49 U.S.C 40102. The FAA invites comments on whether data from excluded entities would provide information relevant to the evaluation of a pilot candidate for employment. 5. Other Sources of Pilot Records The FAA also considered applying the record reporting requirement in the proposed rule to training providers and institutions of higher education. These groups were not addressed by the Act because they do not actively employ individuals to serve as pilots in civil or public aircraft operations. A review of the sources of air carrier pilots (parts 121 and 135) by the GAO indicates that the majority of pilots hired by air carriers accumulated their hours by working as a flight instructor (CFI).56 Pilots selected as flight instructors provide training to pilot applicants for an FAA certificate or rating. Since individuals employed as flight instructors to provide flight training are not employed for purposes of operating an aircraft, but for instructing or ‘‘teaching’’, the FAA does not find that the Act contemplates the reporting to the PRD by training providers. Therefore, the FAA is not proposing to require compliance by parts 61 or 141 pilot schools or part 142 training centers with part 111. Similarly, the FAA does not believe the PRD Act extends to institutions of higher education (where pilots obtain flight training) because these institutions do not employ individuals to serve as pilots in commercial operations. As a result, the FAA is not proposing to require institutions of higher education that hold an LOA from the FAA to report records to the PRD. Individuals obtaining the training for an FAA certificate or rating are not employed as pilots but instead are paying for flight instruction, or paying 56 United States Government Accountability Office report titled ‘‘Aviation Workforce: Current and Future Availability of Airline Pilots,’’ p. 23, available at https://www.gao.gov/assets/670/ 661243.pdf (February 2014). PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 the instructors or evaluators employed by the institutes of higher education. B. FAA Records To Be Reported to the Pilot Records Database The PRD Act requires the PRD to contain certain records maintained by the FAA. The FAA must include records concerning current airman certificates, associated ratings, and any limitations to the certificate or ratings. Also, the PRD must contain a pilot’s current medical certificate including any limitations, documentation of a failed attempt of an individual to pass a practical test required to obtain a certificate (since August 2010) or type rating under 14 CFR part 61, and summaries of legal enforcement actions resulting in a finding by the Administrator that was not subsequently overturned. The above records are currently maintained by the FAA in a manner consistent with the PRIA statute. However, since the implementation of PRIA, the FAA has received many inquiries from air carriers on how to obtain additional FAA information such as accident and incident information and other drug and alcohol test records.57 The FAA also received recommendations from the DOT OIG on any additional information that should be provided to an air carrier through a PRIA request.58 The FAA proposes in § 111.140 to include the previouslymentioned records in the PRD, as well as FAA accident and incident information and certain drug and alcohol testing records. The additional information, including FAA records as identified in § 111.140, would provide a holistic historical record of a pilot, when combined with the records proposed to be reported to the PRD by air carriers and operators that previously employed the individual as a pilot. These records are described in greater detail in the text that follows. For the appropriate FAA records to be contained in the PRD, the proof-ofconcept system included several interfaces with current FAA systems: The Comprehensive Airmen Information System, Enforcement Information System, and Accident/ 57 The FAA receives on average 177,533 airmen requests for records from air carriers per year via the FOIA. This average was deviated from requests accumulated from 2009–2014. 58 The final report was published on August 20, 2015. https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/ FAA%20Pilot%20Records%20Database% 20Progress%20Final%20Report%5E8-20-15.pdf. Specifically, the DOT OIG recommended that as part of the FAA response to a request for records, the FAA should incorporate a written notification to air carriers that additional records may be available through FOIA and Privacy Act requests. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules Incident Data System. Additionally, the FAA would enter certain records related to drug and alcohol testing into the PRD. Any error discovered in FAA data must be addressed by the Flight Standards District Office or the Drug Abatement Division that originated the record. Any changes to the source record would be reflected in the PRD. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 1. Comprehensive Airmen Information System The Comprehensive Airman Information System (CAIS) contains key information derived from airman certificate applications, temporary airman certificates, notices of disapprovals, disapproved applications, enforcement actions, correspondence, requests for replacement certificates, letters of verification of authenticity, and other information that supports the issuance of airman certificates. To ensure that the PRD contains the most accurate FAA certificate information on pilots, CAIS certificate data would be provided to the PRD on a nightly basis. Providing CAIS data directly responds to the PRD Act mandate to include this information in the PRD. CAIS would provide the PRD with the most recent date of a medical exam, medical class, and medical limitations (if any). The pilot certificate information that would be provided through the PRD would include the level of pilot certificate and privileges; associated ratings such as category, class, and type of aircraft; and, information on any limitations to those certificates and ratings. The date of issuance of the individual’s pilot certificate and the certificate number would also be reported to the PRD from CAIS. The verification of an individual’s current qualifications would be helpful in preventing falsification, which would limit the possibility of an operator hiring an individual who does not meet the requirements for a particular operation. This verification will be particularly helpful to air carriers that receive a high volume of pilot applications. However, verifying an individual’s current qualifications would not provide an air carrier or operator with sufficient information alone. The individual’s qualifications, historical pilot certificate action, and previous operator’s records are also necessary to provide an accurate history. 2. Enforcement Information System Consistent with the PRD Act and the FAA’s implementation of PRIA, the FAA is proposing to include information on an individual’s closed VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 enforcement actions.59 The enforcement action information would be uploaded to the PRD at regularly scheduled intervals via an interface with the FAA’s internal Enforcement Information System (EIS). The EIS contains information about individuals, investigations, legal counsel information, and FAA surveillance activity, all related to enforcement. The EIS receives all enforcement and compliance data directly from FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors and FAA legal counsel. The FAA assigns a data steward for each component of the EIS—the person who is responsible for reviewing data integrity and accuracy and applying retention and data quality procedures. This information is maintained in accordance with Federal guidelines, and when applicable, the FAA maintains a policy that addresses data retention and destruction within the EIS. a. Summaries of Legal Enforcement Actions The FAA proposes to allow an air carrier access information from the EIS about closed enforcement actions on an individual through the PRD for the purpose of evaluating a pilot-applicant’s record. If an individual has a record or multiple records in the EIS, an air carrier will be able to review the following information from a closed enforcement record: The FAA’s report number, violation date, final action date, description of the subject’s violation (including regulation and regulation description that was indicated in the enforcement), and the final sanction imposed on the subject with the corresponding certificate number. The FAA does not propose to allow access to information regarding a pending case or event that was selfdisclosed by an individual through a voluntary safety reporting program such as an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). No ASAP record would be released through the PRD as described in Section E of this document, titled Exclusion of Voluntary Aviation Safety Program Records. b. Expunction of Legal Enforcement Actions and Airman Records In accordance with long-standing FAA policy, many historical airman and enforcement records have been expunged.60 The policy provides that, 59 The PRD Act specifically requires summaries of legal enforcement actions resulting in a finding by the Administrator that was not subsequently overturned. 60 The FAA adopted a policy to expunge records of certain closed legal enforcement actions against PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17673 generally, records of legal enforcement actions involving suspension of an airman certificate or a civil penalty against an individual be maintained by the FAA for five years before being expunged. Records are not expunged if, at the time expunction is due, one or more other legal enforcement actions are pending against the same individual. The outcome of the most recent legal enforcement action determines when the older action will be expunged (e.g., if a pilot’s certificate was suspended in May 2000, but received another suspension in March 2005, both actions would be expunged in March 2010, if no other enforcement actions were brought against the individual through March 2010). Actions resulting in revocations are never expunged. Following the enactment of the PRD Act, the FAA examined whether the expunction of certain enforcement actions could continue in light of the data collection, data retention, and FOIA protection requirements of the PRD. Under existing policy, the FAA expunges an enforcement record in EIS, only the information identifying the subject of the enforcement action is deleted (name, address, certificate number, etc.); however, the PRD Act obliges the FAA to ‘‘maintain all records entered into the [PRD] pertaining to an individual until the date of receipt of notification that the individual is deceased.’’ As FAA records are part of the ‘‘records entered into the [PRD] pertaining to an individual,’’ the FAA interpreted the PRD to require that a pilot’s records could not be expunged until the FAA has received notice of an individual’s death. Accordingly, the FAA published a notice (76 FR 7893, February 11, 2011) temporarily suspending its expunction policy.61 The FAA’s interpretation notwithstanding, the PRD ARC expressed concern that provisions of the PRD Act conflict with the Privacy Act requirements to maintain correct, accurate, relevant, and timely individual pilot records. The PRD ARC believed that because the records in the PRD are to be maintained solely for the purpose of assisting an air carrier in making a hiring decision, the requirement to maintain enforcement actions should not impact the individuals. This policy applies to both airman certificate holders and other individuals, such as passengers. FAA Enforcement Records; Expunction Policy. 56 FR 55788. (Oct. 29, 1991). A copy of this policy has been placed in the docket for this proposed rulemaking. 61 However, the FAA has continued to expunge legal enforcement cases closed with no violation found and administrative actions as the PRD statute does not require the entry of these records into the PRD. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17674 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules previously established record-retention and expunction policies regarding FAA enforcement records. As a result, the ARC recommended that the FAA reinstate the 5-year expunction policy or, in the alternative, expunge records from all FAA databases other than PRD after five years. The FAA does not believe the ARC recommendation is consistent with the statutory requirement that the FAA maintain the records in the PRD for the life of the pilot. Therefore, the FAA is proposing to maintain its current suspension of the expunction policy that includes all relevant EIS records, as well as CAIS and Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS) records, in the PRD for the life of a pilot. 3. Accident/Incident Data System lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 The FAA proposes to include information from the Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS) to air carriers through the PRD. AIDS contains records of aircraft accidents and incidents occurring in the United States and those involving U.S.-registered aircraft outside of the United States. The information maintained in AIDS is not specifically referenced in the PRD Act but is available today to an air carrier via a Privacy Act (PA) request with the pilot’s written consent. An air carrier may obtain a pilot’s history of accidents and/ or incidents, if any exist, upon request. The information obtained from a PA request responds to a standard question on air carriers, operators, state governments, and Federal government applications for employment. The FAA proposes to include information from the AIDS in the PRD to streamline the request process for information that could assist in making a hiring decision. The FAA believes this data would permit an air carrier to receive important information on an individual pilot’s history in a way that is more efficient for industry and the FAA because the air carriers would no longer have to submit privacy act requests in addition to conducting an evaluation with the data in the PRD. Furthermore, including the information VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 from AIDS would facilitate the automated processing of PA requests for information, and permitting the FAA to utilize its resources more efficiently. 4. Drug and Alcohol Records To Be Entered by the FAA a. Pre-Employment Testing Records The PRD Act requires air carriers and operators that seek to employ pilots to enter certain drug and alcohol records into the PRD for individuals employed as pilots. However, in the event that a violation occurs during a preemployment test 62 and the air carrier does not hire the potential employee, the air carrier would not be able to enter those records and the FAA would have to enter them instead. In accordance with FAA regulations for Drug and Alcohol testing, 14 CFR part 120, employers or their Medical Review Officer (MRO) are required to report to the Federal Air Surgeon any pilot or individual holding a part 67 medical certificate that violates the drug and alcohol testing requirements, including a pre-employment test. The FAA proposes to submit to the PRD those records of pre-employment drug or alcohol violations and refusals to submit to testing that are required to be submitted to the FAA by air carriers and other employers or their MRO. The inclusion of these records is significant because a violation of this type would render the individual unqualified to perform as a pilot. As a result, these records are directly relevant to an air carrier’s hiring decision. This is also true if the violation occurs while the pilot is acting in a safetysensitive position while employed by an employer regulated by another operating administration of DOT. Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations section 40.25 requires review of whether applicants had a previous positive result or refusal at another DOT mode. Consistent with the PRD Act’s requirement to include records that ‘‘[pertain] to the individual’s performance as a pilot . . .’’ the FAA Drug Abatement Division, Special Investigations Branch will enter into PRD those records PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 maintained by the FAA that show a positive drug and/or alcohol violation from an employer regulated by DOT. Under the provisions of 14 CFR part 120 and 49 CFR part 40, a future employer is prohibited from using those individuals in a safety-sensitive position until the return-to-duty process is completed. Any drug and alcohol testing records created for an individual prior to the ‘‘PRD Date of Hire’’ (i.e., preemployment drug and alcohol testing, or refusal) would be entered into PRD by the FAA. Specifically, the dates of preemployment verified positive drug test results and alcohol confirmation test results of 0.04 or greater, and refusals to submit to drug and/or alcohol testing are important to include into PRD because this information enables a hiring air carrier to determine if a pilot is qualified. 5. Part 107 Remote Pilot in Command Certificates The PRD Act requires all air carriers to request and review records prior to allowing an individual to begin service as a pilot. The PRD Act applies to air carrier pilots irrespective of the type of aircraft they operate. As a result, the Act’s requirements apply to pilots of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) when those UAS are used in air carrier operations. The FAA expects that in the future, air carriers and other operators that primarily operate sUAS might hire pilots with remote pilot in command certificates,63 in combination with other FAA approvals, to serve as pilots-incommand of their sUAS. These certificates would be populated in the Pilot Records Database by the FAA for verification by a potential employer. The FAA expects air carriers and other operators that utilize UAS to comply with the regulations proposed herein when hiring pilots for such operations. 63 Under 14 CFR part 107, which governs civil small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) operations, the person manipulating the controls of a sUAS is issued a remote pilot certificate with an sUAS rating. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules C. Reporting Requirements of Historical Records Maintained by Air Carriers and Operators Employing Pilots The PRD Act’s requirements for reporting historical records to the PRD are twofold. First, the PRD Act requires employers (including air carriers and other covered employers) to report records generated after August 1, 2010. Second, air carriers (but not other covered employers) must report the records they are maintaining pursuant to § 44703(h)(4) of PRIA, which includes records generated on August 1, 2005 and later. Therefore, the FAA proposes to require air carriers authorized to conduct operations in accordance with parts 121 and 135 to provide records (also referred to as historical records) on each individual employed as a pilot since August 1, 2005, to the PRD. Other non-air carrier employers of pilots subject to the reporting requirements in this proposed rule would be required to report the records they generated as of August 1, 2010 for inclusion in the PRD. This requirement is not tied to PRIA, rather, it is a PRD-specific requirement, and is applicable to operators authorized to conduct operations in accordance with parts 125 and 135, as well as part 91K fractional ownerships. The FAA does not propose to require air tour operators, corporate flight departments, and governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations to report historical information to the PRD. The historical records they would able to provide to the PRD would likely be inconsistent, particularly because any records they keep to document compliance with training requirements are not kept in accordance with a requirement from a specific regulatory part such as part 121, 135, or 125. In contrast, prospective records would conform to the reporting requirements in this rule. The burden for these small operators to input the minimal information they have would likely not be justified by any specific benefit these historical records would provide. Operators may upload any records they have on a voluntary basis. The PRD Act requires that air carriers maintain certain records received from other employers in response to a PRIA request. For purposes of populating historical records into the PRD, the FAA proposes to require that air carriers submit their own historical documents which were generated in response to a PRIA request, but not those received from other employers via a PRIA request. The FAA is interpreting the records referred to in subsection (h)(4) as those documents generated by an air carrier in response to a PRIA request, as opposed to those records received from another air carrier. As each air carrier and operator would be required to input its own historical records into PRD, an air carrier or other operator would not be required to enter records that it had received from another air carrier under PRIA. The FAA believes that this provides the least burdensome and nonduplicative requirements for entry of historical records into the PRD. Upon enactment of the PRD Act, air carriers became responsible for the retention of records dated August 1, 2005 to the present. Also, on the date of enactment, operators and part 91K fractional ownerships became responsible for the retention of records dated on or after August 1, 2010. Therefore, the FAA is proposing in §§ 111.265 and 111.420 to require all air carriers authorized to conduct 17675 operations in accordance with part 121 or part 135 to provide specific records kept in accordance with PRIA on or after August 1, 2005, through one year after the publication of the final rule. One year compliance is proposed so that all affected employers have time to adopt use of the system. The FAA is likewise proposing to require commercial operators authorized to conduct operations in accordance with parts 125 and 135 as well as part 91K fractional ownerships to provide specific records kept in accordance with PRIA on and after August 1, 2010, through one year after the publication of the final rule. The remaining persons affected by the proposed rule—entities conducting public aircraft operations, air tour operators, and corporate aviation operators—are not required to comply with these historical record reporting requirements. These persons may voluntarily enter historical records into the PRD.64 The FAA proposes in § 111.420 that any required historical record documented on August 1, 2010 through one year after the publication of the final rule would be required to be entered into the PRD within two years of the publication of the final rule. The proposed extended timeline for the entry of historical records would provide air carriers and operators time to enter the applicable records for each pilot employed during the documentation dates previously explained. Table 2 illustrates the historical record reporting provision of the PRD Act for records that have been previously documented by a part 119 certificate holder and operators employing pilots. TABLE 2—OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED HISTORICAL RECORD REPORTING BY POPULATION lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Historical records maintained in accordance with PRIA Record documentation date Parts 121 and 135 air carriers Parts 125 and 135 operators and part 91K fractional ownerships 65 Records predating 8/1/2005 ................................................................................. Records dating from 8/1/2005 through 7/31/2010 ............................................... Records dating from 8/1/2010 through initial proposed compliance date ........... N/A ........................ Must Report .......... Must Report .......... N/A ......................... N/A ......................... Must Report ........... 64 The documentation date of records previously maintained in accordance with PRIA by air carriers, operators, and fractional ownerships will be VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 referred to as ‘‘historical records’’ for the remainder of the proposal. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Other operators employing pilots N/A. N/A. Voluntary Reporting Only. 65 Part 125 operators operating under a LODA would not be required to report historical records. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17676 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules 1. Data Required for Submission of Historical Records to the Pilot Records Database As previously discussed, the FAA interprets the persons affected by the PRD Act’s historical record provision to include part 119 certificate holders and fractional ownerships only. PRIA identifies specific regulations that require a part 119 certificate holder to retain documents regarding the training, qualification, and performance of a pilot in order to demonstrate compliance with the appropriate regulations.66 In order to assist part 119 certificate holders and operators in their compliance with PRIA, the FAA issued AC 120–68 to create a standardized process and best practices for obtaining a pilot’s records and determining whether a company is required to comply with a PRIA request. The FAA also acknowledges that historical records are maintained in a variety of media, including digital, paper-typed, paper-handwritten, microfiche, and scanned. Not all of these media are easily transferrable to an electronic database. Furthermore, the ARC indicated that ‘‘smaller air carriers may lack the equipment and resources required to convert records to an electronic format.’’ Based on required inspections of part 119 certificate holders by FAA inspectors, the FAA finds that approximately 12% of part 119 certificate holders maintain historical records electronically.67 Since part 119 certificate holders maintain historical records in many formats on a variety of media, the FAA is proposing that the historical records be submitted to the PRD through a limited number of data points entered into a freeform text box which is an onscreen rectangular frame into which a person types text. In this case, the text will be specific data points, described in the paragraph that follows. The general data fields that would be required to match an employed or previously employed pilot with a record in the PRD would include: The pilot’s name, certificate number, and dates of employment. A part 119 certificate holder would also be required to enter the following records that must be maintained per current regulations: • Training and qualification event data maintained in accordance with 14 CFR 121.683, 125.401, and 135.63(a)(4), except flight, duty and rest time; • Available drug and alcohol testing records maintained in accordance with 14 CFR 120.111 and 120.219(a) and 49 CFR 40.333(a); • Disciplinary action record that was not subsequently overturned; and • Separation from employment record that was not subsequently overturned.68 The FAA believes that by clearly defining the specific historical data elements in this proposed rule, part 119 certificate holders would be able to refine the information about pilots included in the PRD that hiring air carriers find the most relevant to hiring decisions, rather than entering all data maintained on an individual pilot throughout his or her career. Additionally, by limiting the set of historical data elements, the FAA would be harmonizing the amount of records each pilot would have in his or her respective PRD file, which also would promote efficiency for air carrier review of those records. The historical record data elements discussed in Table 3 would not differ substantively from the data elements collected for a pilot’s present and future records. All proposed data elements required to be reported for each pilot employed by a part 119 certificate holder are included in Table 3. As previously stated, the amount of data recorded for each pilot is expected to vary. For example, some pilots may have multiple dates for completion of training events depending on their length of employment. TABLE 3—DATA ELEMENTS REQUIRED TO BE ENTERED INTO A PILOT’S HISTORICAL RECORD Training and qualification events required by FAA regulation Date(s) completed YYYYMMDD Pilot data element 69 Aircraft type (model designation as listed in FAA order 8900.1) Duty position (PIC or SIC) Result satisfactory (complete), unsatisfactory, or incomplete Indoctrination ........................................................................... Related Aircraft Differences ..................................................... Initial ......................................................................................... Upgrade ................................................................................... Transition ................................................................................. Differences ............................................................................... Requalification ......................................................................... Operating Experience .............................................................. Line Operating Flight Time ...................................................... lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Reestablish Recency of Experience ........................................ 66 PRIA excludes flight and duty time recordkeeping requirements. 67 FAA inspections required in accordance with national policy notice entitled ‘‘Pilot Records Retention Responsibilities Related to the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2010’’; results were collected through December 12, 2015. An electronic recordkeeping system is defined by the FAA as ‘‘A system of record processing in which records are entered, VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 electronically signed, stored, and retrieved electronically by a computer system rather than in the traditional ‘‘hardcopy’’ or paper form.’’ FAA Order 8900.1, Vol 3, Ch 31, Sec 1, Para 3–2983(L). This definition could include, for example, both scanned copies of records as well as structured data sets. 68 The FAA does not currently regulate, collect or review this information, but expects employers would have disciplinary action data on a minimal PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 number of pilots employed, depending on their internal retention timelines for employment records. 69 The pilot data element is only required if the subject has been administered any aspect of the data element. The pilot data element is not applicable (and therefore not required) if the pilot has not attempted the data element. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17677 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules TABLE 3—DATA ELEMENTS REQUIRED TO BE ENTERED INTO A PILOT’S HISTORICAL RECORD—Continued Training and qualification events required by FAA regulation Date(s) completed YYYYMMDD Pilot data element 69 Aircraft type (model designation as listed in FAA order 8900.1) Duty position (PIC or SIC) Result satisfactory (complete), unsatisfactory, or incomplete Date of disciplinary action YYYY/MM/DD to YYYY/MM/DD Summary of event (256 character limit in free text) Summary of event (256 character limit in free text) Line Check ............................................................................... Continuing Qualification ........................................................... Recurrent ................................................................................. Qualification ............................................................................. Drug and alcohol testing violations, if applicable Test result Date(s) for each confirmed test and/or violation YYYY/MM/DD Drug Test Verified Positive .. Refusal to Submit to Drug Testing .............................. Alcohol Confirmation Test Result of 0.04 or Greater Refusal to Submit to Alcohol Testing .............................. Return-to-Duty and Followup Negative Result ........... Disciplinary action record data, if applicable Date of event YYYY/MM/DD Type of action Aircraft type (model designation as listed in FAA order 8900.1) Duty position (PIC or SIC) Written Warning ..................................... Suspension ............................................ Separation from employment data, if applicable Type of action YYYY/MM/DD Aircraft type (model designation as listed in FAA order 8900.1) Duty position (PIC or SIC) Date of disciplinary action YYYY/MM/DD to YYYY/MM/DD .............................. .............................. .............................. Termination ............................................ lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Resignation ............................................ Since many air carriers and operators have maintained records in accordance with PRIA in varying degrees of detail, the FAA is proposing that part 119 certificate holders enter the specific data elements listed in Table 3. The data elements would be entered into an unlimited character, free text field for inclusion in the PRD. The FAA is proposing two methods for part 119 certificate holders to report present, future, and historical data elements to the PRD. Each employer could opt to use either of the following acceptable methods: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 2. Reporting Method Option 1: Data Transfer Using an Automated Utility The first option is to transmit data electronically using an automated utility. The data would be transmitted via an automated utility such as XML through the PRD application, and the PRD application would be able to extract the relevant information for each pilot and enter the information into the appropriate fields in the PRD. An air carrier would need to code its XML utility to meet the requirements of the PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 N/A PRD XML user guide to utilize the application’s batch upload capability.70 The amount of time an air carrier or other operator employing pilots spends transmitting data to the PRD using such an automated utility would depend on the user’s internet connection, bandwidth, and volume of data being sent to the PRD. However, the automated utility would need to be confirmed compatible with the PRD. 70 Upon publication of the final rule, an XML user guide will be provided to PRD users. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17678 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules 3. Reporting Method Option 2: Manual Data Entry The second method for air carriers and others employing pilots to transmit data to the PRD would be through direct manual data entry, using the same preestablished data field forms for each record type. The FAA expects that this method would only be used by those operators without the technical capability to use an automated utility such as an XML. Under either method, each air carrier would be expected to complete a historical record for each pilot employed since August 1, 2005.71 Each operator operating under parts 125, 135, or 91K fractional ownership would complete a historical record for every pilot employed since August 1, 2010. The FAA notes that even if pilots have retired, resigned, or were disqualified and replaced by other pilots, each pilot employed by an air carrier or operator would be required to have a record in the PRD, even if those pilots may never again be employed by an air carrier or operator. The FAA also notes that the agency does not have data on the exact number of historical records we expect to be submitted to the database regarding former pilots who are not currently employed. The PRD Act requires that air carriers maintain records for five years after reporting them to the PRD.72 The FAA is therefore proposing in § 111.420 of the proposed regulation that all historical records be maintained by the air carrier or operator for five years after being reported to the FAA for inclusion in the PRD, notwithstanding other applicable rules or regulations (e.g., drug and alcohol testing records) pertaining to retention of such records. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 4. Alternative Solutions Considered The ARC recommended that the FAA consider permitting various file formats for submission to the PRD. The ARC also highlighted many issues associated with uploading various file formats. The FAA considered other options for the form and manner in which historical 71 Current FAA source data from the Safety Performance Analysis System and the National Vital Information Subsystem indicates that the number of pilots currently employed by a part 91 subpart K operator is 3,364, a part 121 air carrier is 82,131, a part 125 operator is 418, a part 135 air carrier/operator is 24,545 as of May 30, 2018. The Department of Transportation maintains the total number of pilots that have operated for the airlines (part 121) and commercial operations (91K, 125, and 135) dating back to 1999. The FAA does not maintain data on the number pilots that have been active since 2005 but that are not currently employed. https://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/sites/ rita.dot.gov.bts/files/publications/national_ transportation_statistics/html/table_03_24.html. 72 44703(i)(15)(C)(iii). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 records could be submitted to the PRD by air carriers and operators employing pilots. These alternative options included permitting the submission of records in portable document format (PDF), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), bitmap (BMP), or other similar electronic file formats; the submission of records using coded Extensible Markup Language (XML); or the submission of specified information through direct manual data entry. While the submission of records in PDF, JPEG, BMP, or other similar electronic file formats may be preferred and expedient for some air carriers and operators, the FAA rejected this option for multiple reasons. Primarily, the FAA notes that the ARC highlighted a crucial issue with the contents of historical records. The ARC indicated that many historical records maintained by the aviation industry contain information ‘‘far outside’’ the scope of the PRD such as disciplinary records unrelated to pilot performance. The acceptance of such file formats would allow a large volume of extraneous data to be submitted to the PRD, possibly including protected or sensitive information on individuals or an air carrier/operator. This would create an unnecessary burden for the FAA because the FAA would be required to review each individual pilot record and redact information to determine whether it included protected or sensitive information. The FAA also considered requiring the individual pilots who are the subjects of any files uploaded to the PRD to review each record prior to an air carrier retrieving them or shortly after being uploaded. Either way, this variance and non-standardization could result in disagreements between pilots and employers, resulting in the FAA acting as an arbitrator in each instance. Furthermore, the FAA would need to ensure that the correct record is placed in the appropriate individual pilot ‘‘folder’’ and that the documents uploaded to the system contain information that is legible. Unfortunately, there is no assurance that PDF, JPEG, BMP, or other similar file formats would be usable by air carriers. If an air carrier’s computer system could not support the file format or voluminous records maintained over the life of a pilot, the files would be rendered useless. Variables such as the age and condition of the original record, the darkness of the text on the page, and the legibility of any handwriting on the page could create a document that provides little or no value to the PRD, with no assistance to an air carrier or operator employing pilots during the PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 hiring decision. In each circumstance, a delay in the availability of pilot records may result in an air carrier reviewing incomplete data to make a hiring determination. The missing information may be deemed significant by the hiring air carrier. Foremost, the PRD would serve as a tool to assist an air carrier or other operator in making hiring decisions in a manner that positively impacts safety, not to serve as a repository for all existing information maintained by employers of pilots, or as a replacement for existing air-carrier recordkeeping systems. By allowing scanned documents or photographs of a pilot’s record to be transmitted to the PRD, the FAA would be unable to assure that each record submitted contained only the types of data relevant to the hiring decision. Additionally, including information that is not related to safety in an FAA database meant to inform an air carrier’s hiring decision is not within the FAA’s statutory authority. The PRD Act also includes a requirement to protect pilots’ privacy, and including extraneous information would not be consistent with that statutory charge. 5. Public Input on Historical Records Commenters are strongly encouraged to provide supporting data when responding to the following questions, including data supporting anticipated costs associated with compliance with this proposal and to provide sample records demonstrating the level of detail captured in historical records dating back to August 1, 2005, for each record type (e.g., training, checking, release from employment). Such sample records should not provide any personally identifiable information about employees or other pilots in the docket; rather, only provide specific details on record format and content of the historical records. The FAA asks commenters to respond to the following questions with regard to any historical records maintained by air carriers and operators employing pilots in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(4)(B)(ii): 1. What level of detail (e.g., training completion dates or the pilot’s entire training record including each activity/ task and outcome) do operators keep for historical pilot records dating back to August 1, 2005 and how accurately do the data requirements outlined in Table 3 reflect that level of detail? 2. Are air carriers or operators maintaining other relevant records used by an air carrier or operator in making a hiring decision that the FAA has not considered or not chosen to include as E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules a historic data requirement in this proposal? 3. What amount of effort do employers perceive will be involved in reviewing the historic data and structuring it into an XML format? The FAA would also welcome information from any employers that do not intend to use the back-end XML solution. 4. How quickly do air carriers and other operators believe they will be able to migrate their PRIA records into the PRD? 5. Would it be helpful from either a pilot or a hiring employer’s perspective to include a text box (with a limited character count) for a pilot to be able to provide a narrative explanation of further information concerning a historical record? Would this also be helpful for present-day records? In addition, the FAA seeks input from the public on alternative systems, processes, or technological solutions for efficient and accurate reporting of historical records. D. Reporting Requirements: Present and Future Records With respect to current and future records, the PRD Act requires the FAA to establish an electronic database to capture certain records provided by employers.73 First, the PRD Act requires employers to report to the FAA for inclusion in the database certain pilot training, checking, disciplinary and separation from employment records maintained pursuant to §§ 121.683, 125.401 and 135.63(a)(4) and certain drug and alcohol testing records maintained in accordance with §§ 120.111(a) and 120.219(a).74 Second, the PRD Act requires employers to report certain categories of other records ‘‘pertaining to an individual’s performance as a pilot’’ to the extent relevant records may be kept by the employer.75 Third, the PRD Act requires employers to report ‘‘information concerning the motor vehicle driving record of the individual’’ obtained ‘‘from the chief driver licensing official of a State’’ pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30305(b)(8), which governs the NDR.76 Details on the data the FAA proposes to require employers to enter into the PRD consistent with the requirements of the PRD Act are summarized below and described in the subsections that follow. The data includes the following on pilot employees: • The completion of certain training, qualification, proficiency and competency events; • Other pilot training, qualification, proficiency or competency events kept by the employer; • Drug and alcohol testing records maintained in accordance with the FAA’s drug and alcohol testing regulations; • Final disciplinary actions; and • Final separation from employment actions. The FAA proposes in § 111.250 to implement these present and future record reporting provisions one year after publication of the final rule to give covered employers time to fulfill the requirements of this proposed rule. Each action this proposed rule would require employers to enter after this time would be entered within 30 days of either the PRD hire date or the beginning of service. The FAA proposes to define ‘‘PRD hire date’’ as the first date on which the pilot is expected to begin any form of company-required training or any other duties assigned by an air carrier or other operator employing pilots. 17679 At any time between the effective date of the final rule and one year after the publication of the final rule, an air carrier may begin entering present and future records into the PRD; however, the date on which the air carrier or operator begins entering the records into the PRD is the date the air carrier begins compliance and must remain in compliance with the rule. At that point, all records from prior to the first day of compliance would be considered historical records and all records from the first date of compliance and after would be present and future records. The FAA will note this unique date, as well as the air carrier or operator, for auditing compliance. Part 119 certificate holders and fractional ownerships would be required to begin accessing and evaluating records in the PRD one year after publication of the final rule. Part 119 certificate holders and fractional ownerships, as well as any operators opting into the evaluation provision of part 111, would be required to access and evaluate an individual’s PRD records and request PRIA records from current and former employers until all required air carriers and operators comply with the historical record reporting provision of part 111. This duplicative requirement would be temporary; the sole purpose is to avoid any lapse in PRIA records that were kept during the transition, which, as stated previously would conclude by two years after publication of the final rule. A summary of the compliance periods for reporting records and accessing for purposes of evaluation is provided in Table 4. TABLE 4—PROPOSED COMPLIANCE TIMELINES FOR PRD Action Present and Future Record Reporting. Historical Record Reporting lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Accessing the PRD for Purposes of Evaluating Records. Compliance period 77 Applicable record dates By One Year from the Publication Date of the Final Rule. By Two Years from the Publication Date of the Final Rule. By One Year from the Publication Date of the Final Rule. By Two Years from the Publication Date of the Final Rule. A date determined by the air carrier or operator during the compliance period; however, once the records begin to be entered into the PRD, compliance is mandatory. Beginning on August 1, 2005 or August 1, 2010, as applicable, through the date determined by the air carrier or operator when present and future records begin to be reported to the PRD. All records documented in the PRD and a request for records to current and/or previous employers under PRIA. 73 Air carriers and operators that employ pilots will be referred to throughout this section as employers. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 All records documented in the PRD. 74 See § 44703(i)(2)(B)(i). § 44703(i)(2)(B)(ii). 76 See § 44703(i)(2)(C). 77 Air carriers, other operators and participating operators may neither enter records into the PRD nor access the PRD for non-FAA records until the effective date of the final rule. 75 See PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 17680 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules 1. Data Pertaining to the Individual’s Performance as a Pilot As previously stated, the PRD Act requires air carriers to keep records pursuant to specific provisions of title 14 (§§ 121.683, 125.401, or 135.63(a)(4)), but also includes a more general provision that requires the reporting of certain categories of records ‘‘pertaining to an individual’s performance as a pilot’’ by employers for inclusion in the PRD. This provision requires air carriers to report records concerning: (1) The training, qualifications, proficiency or professional competence of an individual; (2) any disciplinary action taken with respect to an individual that was not subsequently overturned; and (3) any release from employment or resignation, termination or disqualification with respect to employment. These reporting requirements specifically extend to any other records that are kept by an employer (even if the record is not explicitly required to be kept by a provision in 14 CFR). However, as provided in the PRD Act, only those records in each of these categories that ‘‘pertain to pilot performance’’ would be reported for inclusion in the PRD. The FAA proposes to define the term ‘‘records pertaining to pilot performance,’’ consistent with the agency’s interpretation of this phrase in PRIA, as meaning ‘‘[r]ecords of an activity or event specifically related to an individual’s completion of the core duties and responsibilities of a pilot to maintain safe aircraft operations, as assigned by the employer and established by the FAA.’’ 78 Records related to pilot performance are not limited solely to events arising out of the pilot’s demonstration of proficient flying skills (i.e., when the pilot is seated at the controls of an aircraft) and the demonstration of compliance with FAA regulatory requirements.79 A pilot’s duties and responsibilities to ensure safe aircraft operations includes demonstrating adherence to certain established company procedures during all aspects of an aircraft operation. Records of relevant events subject to the reporting requirements would also include certain events that occurred on the ground preflight or post-flight (e.g., conducting aircraft exterior pre-flight and post-flight inspections, visual icing inspections, drug and alcohol violations) in connection with a flight operation. 78 See FAA’s Office of the Chief Counsel legal interpretation to Lorenzon, dated September 12, 2014. A copy of this legal interpretation has been placed in the docket for this proposed rulemaking. 79 Id. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 Moreover, the duty to maintain safe aircraft operations includes ensuring the safety of crewmembers, passengers, cargo, the aircraft and the operating environment.80 Therefore, the proposed definition would extend to both FAAestablished requirements and certain standards set by the employer that reflect activity that is linked to the statutory requirement that the database include records pertaining to the individual’s performance as a pilot. The FAA considers certain documentation to be unrelated to an individual’s performance as a pilot and, therefore, beyond the scope of the PRD Act mandate. As proposed, the database reporting requirements would exclude records maintained by an operator related to an individual’s performance of job functions unrelated to serving as a flight crewmember during the operation of an aircraft (for example, an individual’s performance of duties while serving as a flight engineer, instructor, or evaluator in simulators) or while an individual performed services that do not require a pilot certificate issued under part 61. Additionally, in accordance with the PRD Act mandate, the FAA proposes in § 111.220(b) to exclude flight time, duty time, and rest records from the reporting requirement. The FAA is also proposing in § 111.220(b) to prohibit the entry of records containing physical examination data or any other protected personal medical information into the database. Exclusion of these records is directed by the PRD Act and other medical privacy laws. The PRD Act does require certain records to be kept concerning compliance with required medical examinations and information concerning release from employment due to physical disqualification. Inclusion of those documents in the PRD are discussed in the section regarding CAIS records and in the section regarding separation from employment, respectively. The FAA also notes that data concerning a pilot’s active medical certificate would be reported by the FAA to the PRD, as required by the PRD Act, and previously discussed in this preamble. Records concerning disqualification are addressed further in the discussion titled ‘‘Separation from Employment’’. a. Pilot Training, Qualification, and Proficiency Records (§ 111.220) As previously indicated, the PRD Act requires employers to report to the FAA for inclusion in the database records kept pursuant to 14 CFR 121.683, 125.401, and 135.63(a)(4) and any 80 Id. PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 records related to pilot performance specific to the training, qualifications, proficiency or professional competence of an individual.81 Accordingly, the FAA is proposing in § 111.220(a) to require employers to enter records maintained in accordance with an established provision of FAA regulations related to pilot training, qualifications, and proficiency events, as well as certain additional records that may be kept voluntarily by covered employers.82 As proposed in § 111.220(c), the minimum data required to be reported by all populations would include: The date of the event, aircraft type, duty position (PIC or SIC), training program approval part and subpart, the crewmember training/qualification curriculum and category as reflected in the FAA-approved or employermandated training program, the result of the action (satisfactory or unsatisfactory), and limited comments, if appropriate.83 Comments would be reported to the PRD in two circumstances. First, employers operating under parts 121, 125, or 135 would be required to report any comments from a check pilot associated with a qualification record. Check pilot comments would be accepted for parts 121, 125, and 135 users because pilots employed in these contexts are qualified by a check pilot.84 By contrast, comments on the performance of a pilot that were documented by someone other than a check pilot, such as a flight instructor, would not be accepted in the database. The FAA believes that neither validation events 85 (in an Advanced Qualification Program,86 or AQP) nor 81 See 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(2)(B)(i). records maintained in accordance with an established training, qualification, proficiency, or professional competency regulation, such as those cited in the PRD Act, §§ 121.683, 125.401, and 135.63(a)(4) are referenced as ‘‘pilot training’’ records throughout the remainder of the section, unless otherwise noted. 83 The FAA notes that some of this information could be populated in the database in advance by the FAA using information from the air carrier’s user registration. Thus, the employer may not be required to enter all data points for each record reported. For example, the training program approval part in 14 CFR, which would be reported in accordance with § 111.220(c)(4) of the proposed rule, would likely be pre-filled, when possible. 84 As per 14 CFR 135.337, a check pilot is ‘‘a person who is qualified to conduct flight checks in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight training device for a particular type aircraft.’’ 85 Validation events are used during AQP pilot training to ensure a pilot can demonstrate the ability to meet specific training requirements. This ensures an appropriate level of competency has been achieved before advancing to related or more complex tasks outlined in the training program. 86 AQP allows for an alternative method for training and evaluating pilots based on 82 All E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 instructor comments should be included in the PRD. First, the PRD Act does not require employers to report either of these types of data to the PRD. Second, the FAA does not believe that flight instructor notes would have sufficient value as a hiring tool to warrant including them. In the safety recommendation A–95–116, issued to the FAA on November 15, 1995, the NTSB asked the FAA to require all air carriers and their training facilities to maintain pertinent information on the quality of pilot performance, including subjective evaluations by individual instructors, check pilots, or FAA inspectors. The FAA responded that the inclusion of such information in a pilot’s permanent record might make a training event a punitive experience rather than one in which a pilot could learn from mistakes. On January 3, 2000, the NTSB stated that the FAA had provided a convincing argument about the inappropriateness of subjective information in pilot records and the possibility that pilot training could be negatively affected.87 Finally, the FAA believes that validation events and instructor comments should not be entered into the database to ensure standardization among all other training and certification regulations. Other training and certification regulations do not include validation events and instructor comments. The second instance in which comments would be accepted to the PRD would be when a certificate holder enters the category of pilot training and curriculum segment in which a pilot participated (e.g., ground training or flight training). The results of each specific curriculum segment would be reflected in the database as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.88 If the result is entered as unsatisfactory, a comment briefly explaining the unsatisfactory performance would be required for completion of that particular pilot training database record. The FAA includes detailed guidance regarding examples of specific data elements that could be reported by each population in Draft AC 111, a copy of which has been placed in the docket for instructional systems design, advanced simulation equipment, and comprehensive data analysis to continuously validate curriculums. Requirements of subparts N and O that are not specifically addressed in the certificate holder’s AQP continue to apply to the certificate holder and to the individuals being trained and qualified by the certificate holder. 87 https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.recsearch/ Recommendation.aspx?Rec=A-95-116. 88 A satisfactory or unsatisfactory result may also be submitted to the PRD as a pass or fail, or complete or incomplete, since these terms may be used synonymously by certificate holders with approved training programs. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 this rulemaking. The FAA notes that the proposal would not require the reporting of compliance with training and qualification events to a specific task level because particular training, qualification, and proficiency requirements may not be the same for every pilot depending on the training program and the duty position for which they are training to serve. i. Part 121 Air Carrier Training Records The FAA is proposing in § 111.220 to require: (1) Part 121 air carriers to enter into the PRD any record documenting an individual’s compliance with FAArequired training, qualifications, and proficiency events kept in accordance with § 121.683, subject to limited exceptions proposed in § 111.220(b); and (2) employers to report any other records that may be kept documenting compliance with other requirements. Such records could be relevant to training, qualifications, proficiency, or professional competence, including check pilot comments that are not otherwise excluded by proposed § 111.220(b), as discussed previously. All training and qualifying events conducted through an approved part 121 training program are required to be recorded in accordance with § 121.683, regardless of the subpart under which the training program is approved. Certificate holders that conduct operations under part 121 may train and qualify pilots in accordance with the provisions of current subparts N and O or under an Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) in accordance with subpart Y of part 121.89 The record for a pilot trained in accordance with part 121, subpart Y, includes training records for the indoctrination curriculum, qualification curriculum, and continuing qualification curriculum. Because curricula vary, however, not every possible entry applies to each individual air carrier or operator. ii. Part 125 Operator Training Records As required by the PRD Act, the agency proposes in § 111.220 to require records maintained pursuant to § 125.401 by part 125 certificate holders to be reported to the PRD, except for flight time, duty time, and rest time. Additionally, § 111.220(a)(2) would 89 AQP allows for an alternative method for training and evaluating pilots based on instructional systems design, advanced simulation equipment, and comprehensive data analysis to continuously validate curriculums. Requirements of subparts N and O that are not specifically addressed in the certificate holder’s AQP continue to apply to the certificate holder and to the individuals being trained and qualified by the certificate holder. See § 121.903(b). PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17681 require employers to report any other records that may be kept documenting compliance with other FAA- or employer-required events related to training, qualifications, proficiency, or professional competence, including check pilot comments. Part 125 letter of deviation (LODA) holders 90 would comply with the reporting requirements of a corporate flight department because LODA holders have been given relief from the recordkeeping requirements of part 125. Part 125 operators are required to maintain records pursuant to § 125.401 demonstrating compliance with the prescribed qualification and testing requirements in subpart I of part 125. Furthermore, part 125 establishes testing requirements for pilot initial and recurrent qualification. An operator must maintain the records on the completion of a part 125 required test as well as a pilot’s currency requirements referenced in § 61.51(a)(2). The FAA proposes to require employers to report all of the records described in this paragraph regardless of whether they are identified in part 125 or cross-references to part 61. Additionally, pursuant to § 111.220(a)(2), the FAA is proposing to require all part 125 operators to enter records concerning an individual’s performance as a pilot, including records that demonstrate compliance with recent flight experience and the applicable training and qualification regulations in part 125.91 These records include initial and recurrent pilot testing requirements and instrument proficiency checks. In accordance with § 125.291(a), each PIC must pass a written or oral test on specific knowledge of the aircraft and operation. Additionally, a PIC must pass an instrument proficiency check in accordance with § 125.291(a) and complete an approach procedure in accordance with § 125.291(b). Pursuant to § 125.283, second in command pilots also must demonstrate compliance with 90 The FAA has issued 57 letters of deviation from § 119.23 and § 125.5 (the requirement to hold an operating certificate and Operation Specifications) to operators likely meeting the part 125 training requirements. These operators operate aircraft which are U.S.-registered civil airplanes with a seating configuration of 20 or more passengers or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more when common carriage is not involved. The number of operators holding a part 125 letter of deviation was retrieved for the FAA’s Web Based Operations Safety System (WebOPSS) on May 30, 2018. 91 In accordance with the regulatory requirements prescribed in § 61.51, Pilot logbooks, the FAA is proposing to require all part 125 operators to enter specific information into the database that displays compliance with recent flight experience regulations. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17682 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules the recent instrument experience required in § 61.57. Check pilot comments designated in accordance with § 125.295 must also be included. The FAA proposes to require part 125 employers to report these records because they would provide information that is directly pertinent to the pilot’s past performance, and would therefore be useful to a prospective air carrier employer. These records would also provide an established baseline of a pilot’s career for air carriers to evaluate against a pilot’s personal recordkeeping system in their pilot logbook to ensure consistency and to help employers detect intentional or inadvertent logbook inaccuracies. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 iii. Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Training Records As previously discussed, the PRD Act requires records maintained pursuant to § 135.63(a)(4) to be entered into the PRD, as well as other records the air carrier may be maintaining related to the training, qualifications, proficiency, or professional competence of the pilot, including check pilot comments maintained in accordance with § 135.337.92 Some of the records maintained in accordance with § 135.63(a)(4) are basic identifying information, such as a pilot’s name; FAA pilot certificate type, ratings held, and number; and duties. Other records kept pursuant to § 135.63(a)(4) require training records specific to the pilot to be maintained, which include: (1) The date and result of each of the initial and recurrent competency tests and proficiency and route checks required by part 135 and the type of aircraft flown during that test or check; and (2) the date and completion of the initial phase and each recurrent phase of the training required by part 135. Additionally, § 135.63(a)(4) requires a certificate holder to maintain a record of the pilot’s aeronautical experience, flight time, authorizations to act as a check pilot, and any action taken concerning the pilot’s release from employment for physical or professional disqualification. iv. Part 91 Subpart K Fractional Ownership Training Program Records Part 91 subpart K (91K) fractional ownerships would be required to report records to the PRD. In 91K operations, per § 91.1053, pilots either complete a training program approved by the FAA or complete training for the continued currency of a pilot certificate issued in accordance with part 61. The FAA also believes that many operators have 92 See § 44703(i)(2)(B)(ii)(I). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 voluntarily established a pilot training or proficiency program for operational safety purposes. Therefore, in § 111.220(a)(1), the FAA is proposing to require 91K fractional ownerships to report certain records described below to the database, which are kept in accordance with § 91.1027(a)(3). In addition, under § 111.220(a)(2), 91K fractional ownerships would be required to report any other records kept documenting an individual’s compliance with other FAA- or employer-required training, checking, testing, currency, proficiency, or other events related to pilot performance, including check pilot comments as applicable. All 91K programs, per § 91.1073, must have an approved training program for their pilots. However, a 91K fractional ownership may seek approval for a pilot training program in accordance with §§ 91.1065 through 91.1107, or in accordance with part 135, subparts E, G, and H, or subparts N and O, or Y, of part 121.93 For any training that is conducted in accordance with the various methods of approval to qualify a pilot to conduct operations under subpart K of part 91, the recordkeeping requirements in § 91.1027(a)(3) still apply. Under § 91.1027(a)(3), each program manager is required to maintain an individual record of each pilot used in subpart K of part 91. Therefore, the FAA is proposing to require each 91K program manager to enter the pilot records kept pursuant to § 91.1027(a)(3). Examples of specific values for PRD entry are provided in the Draft AC. While § 111.220(a) would require the reporting of all records kept in accordance with § 91.1027(a)(3) concerning compliance with training and checking events, records concerning flight time, medical certification and the pilot’s assigned duties would be excepted in accordance with § 111.220(b). The pilot training and currency requirements that would be required to be recorded for operations conducted in accordance with part 91 are prescribed in part 61 and incorporated by reference in part 91. For example, part 61 prescribes that each pilot certificated under the part is required to complete a flight review, recent flight experience, and a proficiency check, if operating under instrument flight rules, at regularly scheduled intervals.94 The 93 A training program approved in this manner for a fractional ownership would enter a different value for the approved training program subpart that differs slightly from that of a traditional 91K training program. 94 See § 61.56 for exceptions that apply under certain circumstances for pilot currency. PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 purpose of these events is similar to that of the required training and checking events of other rule parts. Therefore, as proposed in § 111.220(a)(2), 91K operators would be required to report to the PRD records that document compliance with part 61 requirements for flight review, recent flight experience, and proficiency checks. The 91K operator would also be required to report other relevant records concerning training, qualification, proficiency or professional competence that may be kept by the employer, as required by the PRD Act. The FAA believes these records fall within the PRD mandate because they include data that is directly pertinent to the pilot’s past performance and are therefore relevant to an air carrier’s hiring decision. These records would also provide an established baseline of a pilot’s career for air carriers to evaluate against a pilot’s personal recordkeeping system in his or her pilot logbook. Examples of records are detailed in the Draft AC. The FAA notes that 91K fractional ownerships would only be required to report check pilot comments in accordance with proposed § 111.220(a) if the 91K fractional ownership uses a training program approved under parts 121 or 135. When 91K fractional owners do not have an approved training program, they are not generally required to keep a record of pilot check rides, and would not be by this rule. The FAA is also proposing to amend § 91.1051: Pilot safety background check, for consistency with the requirements proposed in new part 111; the proposed amendment replaces the current background check requirements with a reference to the new part. v. Pilot Training Records Documented by Commercial Air Tour Operators, Corporate Flight Departments, and Entities Conducting Public Aircraft Operations Commercial air tour operators authorized by § 91.147, corporate flight departments operating a fleet (two or more) of type-rated airplanes, and governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations would be required to report records to the PRD. The statutory mandate at 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(2)(B)(ii) extends to records required to be kept pursuant to an FAA regulation and other records employers keep voluntarily. Therefore, the FAA is proposing in § 111.220 to require these employers to report these records to the PRD. The FAA recognizes that commercial air tour operators, corporate flight departments, and entities conducting public aircraft operations are not E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules required to maintain an approved pilot training program or maintain records concerning employer-mandated pilot training and qualification events. However, all pilots must record certain events in their pilot logbooks to maintain their currency 95 with an FAA pilot certificate pursuant to § 61.57. While these events are required to be recorded by pilots in their logbooks, the FAA expects that operators employing pilots maintain similar pilot training and currency records demonstrating compliance with part 61 to document that their pilots are trained, qualified and current for operational safety and regulatory compliance purposes. These records, which document compliance with part 61 requirements for flight review, recent flight experience, and proficiency checks, would be reported to the PRD under proposed § 111.220 and methods of compliance are explained further in the draft AC. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 2. Drug and Alcohol Testing Records The PRD Act requires records maintained pursuant to §§ 121.111(a) and 121.219(a) to be included in the database.96 The FAA believes Congress intended to refer to the same drug and alcohol testing regulatory provisions in the PRD Act as referenced in PRIA, which can be found under in part 120, at §§ 120.111 and 120.219(a), respectively.97 These are the same records required to be retained by 49 CFR 40.333(a). Currently under PRIA, an air carrier must furnish drug and alcohol testing records maintained in accordance with Appendices I and J to part 121.98 These regulations require certain records pertaining to employees serving in safety-sensitive positions to be maintained by a part 119 certificate holder conducting operations under parts 121 or 135, as well as persons authorized to conduct air tour operations pursuant to § 91.147.99 The records required to be maintained 95 Currency requirements include flight maneuvers which must be performed by a pilot to maintain the privileges of their certificate. 96 The references to these particular provisions in part 121 appear to be the result of a typographical error, as those sections of the regulations, which were in effect when Public Law 111–216 was enacted, do not relate to recordkeeping. 97 The recordkeeping requirements set forth in §§ 120.111(a) and 120.219(a) remain unchanged substantively from the time Congress enacted PRIA. 98 In 2009, the drug and alcohol provisions referenced in PRIA were recodified without substantive change, and these requirements may now be found in 14 CFR part 120. 99 These persons subject to the requirements of part 120 are collectively referred to as ‘‘employers’’ throughout this section. The remainder of the PRDuser community would not be impacted by this aspect of the proposal. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 demonstrate an employer’s compliance with pre-employment, reasonable cause/ suspicion, random, post-accident, return-to-duty, follow-up testing for use of prohibited drugs or misuse of alcohol, and documentation of other violations within the Department of Transportation modal administration drug and alcohol testing regulations. The FAA is proposing in subpart C of part 111 to require employers to report specific records maintained in accordance with §§ 120.111 and 120.219(a) to the database, subject to certain limitations, as well as additional drug and alcohol testing records kept in accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a), which the FAA believes are necessary to ensure a comprehensive history for each individual subject to drug and alcohol testing is available in the PRD. The FAA is proposing to require the reporting to the database of verified positive drug test results or refusals to submit to testing in accordance with § 120.111 and violations of the alcohol misuse prohibitions and refusals to submit to testing in accordance with § 120.219(a)(2)(i)(B). As proposed in subpart C of part 111, all employers required to comply with part 120 would report the date of the verified or confirmed test or when the refusal occurred, the type of test administered or refused, and the result of the test (e.g., whether it was a verified positive drug test result, alcohol result with a breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater, or refusal to submit to testing). The majority of the requirements in §§ 120.111 and 120.219(a) require records about a company’s training procedures for personal testing and handling of drug and alcohol tests, rather than individual pilot results to be retained by an employer. The FAA is only proposing to require the reporting to PRD of those records that relate specifically to individual pilot testing and occurrences of prohibited drug use and alcohol misuse, because other records kept in accordance with these provisions are not related to individual pilot performance. Additionally, consistent with 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)((2)(B)(ii), the FAA is proposing in § 111.215 to require certain other drug and alcohol testing records related to pilot performance maintained by employers in accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a)(1)(iii) and (v) to be reported to the database. As proposed, employers would be required to report records concerning any refusal to submit to drug or alcohol testing, which must be retained by the employer in accordance with § 40.333(a)(1)(iii), records concerning all required returnto-duty drug or alcohol testing, and PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17683 follow-up drug or alcohol testing, which must be retained by employers in accordance with § 40.333(a)(1)(v). Employers would not report follow-up testing schedules to the PRD. It is appropriate to include this additional information in the PRD because the limited records kept in accordance with §§ 120.111 and 120.219(a) would not provide an individual’s comprehensive drug and alcohol testing history with a single employer.100 In addition, the records kept in accordance with § 40.333(a)(1) relate to the professional competence of a pilot.101 The FAA interprets the PRD Act to require employers to report information to provide prospective employers with a pilot’s comprehensive drug and alcohol testing history on which to base a hiring decision. The FAA is proposing to include follow-up and return-to-duty testing information in the PRD, including verified negative drug test results and alcohol test results with a concentration of less than 0.02. These results demonstrate a pilot’s progress in an employer’s rehabilitation program, which is required by FAA regulations. Whether a pilot has or has not completed a rehabilitation program is necessary for an air carrier’s hiring decision. The FAA is not proposing to require other negative test results to be reported to the PRD. Under existing regulation, if the pilot has a second occurrence of a verified positive drug test result or one occurrence of drug use while the pilot is on duty, he or she is permanently disqualified from performing pilot duties.102 Additionally, an individual performing a safety-sensitive function is permanently disqualified from performing pilot duties after two confirmed alcohol violations or one occurrence of alcohol use during the performance of a safety-sensitive function. Since these records would demonstrate an individual’s professional competency to prospective employers, the FAA believes it is appropriate to require the reporting of these records to PRD. According to the 100 For a complete and accurate representation of an individual’s drug and alcohol testing history to be conveyed in the database to a hiring air carrier, the FAA will also include applicable records to the database as previously discussed. 101 See 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(2)(B)(ii)(I). 102 As contained under 14 CFR part 120, a person employed in a safety-sensitive position who has two verified positive drug test results or two confirmed alcohol violations or engaged in prohibited drug use or alcohol misuse while onduty after September 19, 1994 is permanently disqualified from performing the safety-sensitive functions the employee performed prior to the second drug or alcohol test or on-duty violation. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 17684 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules drug and alcohol testing regulations in part 120, when a pilot has violated the drug and alcohol testing regulatory prohibitions related to on-duty, pre-duty or use following an accident, the employer is required to remove a pilot from the performance of safety-sensitive functions, and the employer must not return the pilot until the pilot has completed the return-to duty process. These violations, which could professionally disqualify a pilot, are provided to the FAA through an employer’s current requirement to report to the Federal Air Surgeon. These reports must include documentation to support the employer’s determination that the pilot has violated the prohibitions. Once the pilot has completed the return-to-duty process, the drug and alcohol testing regulations do not prescribe any other employer actions. However, the employer may choose to take other employment related/ disciplinary actions, including terminating the pilot. Because these violations do not necessarily involve a positive drug or alcohol test result, the FAA is proposing to require an employer to provide the details of the action taken related to a pilot’s violation of the on-duty, pre-duty, and use following an accident drug and alcohol testing prohibitions into the pilot’s disciplinary action record, as opposed to as a part of the drug and alcohol testing record. Under the disciplinary action record, the employer would enter a detailed summary of the violation in the text field that is limited to 256 characters. The proposed requirements would provide a future air carrier with the most meaningful and useful information about an individual’s drug and alcohol testing history. This proposal would not impact the five-year record retention requirements for drug and alcohol records or the requirement to provide records of notification to the Federal Air Surgeon of refusals to submit to drug and alcohol testing, verified positive drug test results, and violations of the alcohol misuse prohibitions within two working days in accordance with 14 CFR part 120 or 49 CFR part 40 for employers. Employers could remove drug and alcohol records from their files after five years, as appropriate. However, any information from those records required by PRD would remain in the PRD for the life of the pilot. The agency notes that to the extent this information remains in PRD, the availability and use of that information is limited by the PRD Act and the proposed rule in § 111.105 for purposes of employers making a hiring VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 decision. The FAA recognizes that the record retention period in the PRD Act is different from the record retention period applicable to the FAA’s drug and alcohol testing program. The FAA welcomes comment on the proposal to retain drug and alcohol records for the life of the pilot, recognizing the constraints of the PRD Act. 3. Disciplinary Action Records Under the PRD Act, relevant disciplinary action records to be reported for inclusion in the PRD are those records of disciplinary actions, maintained by an employer, that pertain to pilot performance and have not been overturned.103 The FAA is proposing to define ‘‘final disciplinary action record’’ for purposes of proposed part 111 as ‘‘a record of any corrective action taken by an employer in response to an event pertaining to pilot performance, which is not subject to any pending formal or informal dispute initiated by the pilot.’’ Each final disciplinary action record meeting the proposed definition would be required to be reported promptly to the database in accordance with § 111.225 after a 30-day waiting period. As previously discussed, records pertaining to pilot performance are not limited to records solely regarding the pilot’s demonstration of proficient flying skills and compliance with FAA regulatory requirements. A pilot’s duty to maintain safe aircraft operations also includes adherence to certain established company procedures during aircraft operations. As proposed, the disciplinary action records pertaining to pilot performance would not be limited to the events that occurred while the pilot is seated at the controls during flight; they would extend to records of events that occurred in connection with the pilot’s completion of duties and responsibilities on the ground, during the pre-flight or post-flight operations of an aircraft that is intended for operation (for example, events occurring during exterior pre-flight or post-flight inspections, visual icing inspections, or behavior related to on-duty drug or alcohol use, pre-duty alcohol use and alcohol use following an accident). Records of disciplinary action resulting from events specifically related to a pilot’s performance of assigned duties and responsibilities to maintain safe flight operations and adhere to standard operating procedures could reflect deficiencies relevant to future employers’ hiring decisions. The NTSB has identified deficiencies in operators’ adherence to standard operating procedures as contributing 103 See PO 00000 § 44703(i)(2)(B)(ii)(II). Frm 00026 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 causal factors in aviation accidents.104 As indicated in the NTSB report on the February 9, 2009 Colgan accident (NTSB/AAR–10/01), the investigation revealed that noncompliance with standard operating procedures was a contributing factor to the accident. Therefore, the proposal for reporting disciplinary records extends to records kept concerning compliance with both FAA-established requirements, as well as certain standards set by the employer. The PRD Act requires disciplinary action records that are not subsequently overturned to be included in the PRD. Accordingly, the FAA proposes the same requirement in § 111.225. Congress expanded PRIA with its enactment of the PRD Act and uses much of the same language to describe requirements related pilot records. Accordingly, the FAA interprets language in the PRD Act to have the same meaning as language in PRIA when the language is identical or substantively similar. As described below, the FAA interprets language in the PRD Act related to disciplinary actions to have the same meaning as in PRIA. For example, in a U.S. House of Representatives Report (‘‘House Report’’) accompanying certain amendments to PRIA in 1997, Congress clarified the intended meaning of a disciplinary action that has been ‘‘subsequently overturned.’’ 105 The House Report clarified that ‘‘ ‘subsequently overturned’ means either discipline that has been rescinded as a result of a legitimate settlement agreement between the employer and the pilot or the pilot’s representative or discipline that has been reversed by the employer or by a panel or an individual given authority to review employment disputes.’’ Congress indicated ‘‘[a] legitimate settlement agreement could include instances where the parties agree that the action that was the subject of discipline did not occur or was not the pilot’s fault. However, it should not include instances where the airline agrees to wipe the pilot’s record clean in order to pass him or her onto another unsuspecting carrier.’’ Therefore, ‘‘[i]n the Committee’s view, in cases where the discipline is rescinded or reversed . . . the documents reflecting the charges underlying the initial decision to impose the discipline are not required to be maintained or disclosed.’’ In light of the foregoing, the FAA 104 See Safety Recommendation A–07–8, as a result of the accident involving Pinnacle Airlines flight 3701 in Jefferson City, Missouri, for a comparative example. 105 See H.R. Rep. 105–372 (Oct. 31, 1997). E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules continues to interpret the meaning of ‘‘disciplinary action that was subsequently overturned’’ in accordance with this legislative direction. The FAA recognizes that a disciplinary action may be overturned through a number of formal and informal processes, such as an internal company dispute or legal adjudication. Therefore, the FAA is proposing in § 111.225 to require an employer to report disciplinary action records pertaining to an individual’s performance as a pilot within 30 days after the action has been documented as final in the pilot’s employment record. In the event of a dispute, the record must be entered in the PRD within 30 days after the dispute is considered resolved or closed by the employer. All carriers would have to have a documented dispute process and conduct a reasonable investigation and publish these policies and procedures, as proposed in § 111.260. However, if a dispute develops after the disciplinary action is entered into the PRD and action is subsequently overturned by the employer, then the air carrier or other operator would be required to remove or correct the data entered into the PRD within 10 days of the disciplinary action being overturned as proposed in § 111.250(b)(5)(ii). Additionally, as proposed, disciplinary records arising out of actions or events unrelated to the pilot’s completion of core duties and responsibilities to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft would not be reported to the FAA for inclusion in the database. Examples of disciplinary records that should not be reported to the database include those related to an individual’s noncompliance with behavior or morality-based company policies such as attendance policy; adhering to appearance or grooming standards; or failure to conduct oneself appropriately with the public, passengers, or vendors. Specifically, a disciplinary action related to insubordination and where there is no indication the pilot’s actions impacted the safe operation of an aircraft has previously been found by the agency to be unrelated to pilot performance.106 The FAA would not expect such a disciplinary record to be reported to the database. The FAA would also not require an employer to report an oral warning to the database. The FAA determined it was inappropriate to require the reporting of data concerning oral warnings because an oral warning may 106 See Lorenzon interpretation. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 not be documented in a suitable manner for verification purposes. In contrast, the FAA expects that a disciplinary action record pertaining to an incorrect aircraft maintenance log entry would be reported to the database to the extent it ‘‘relates to pilot performance because the record indicates the pilot failed to comply with post-flight procedures related to the condition of the aircraft for continued flight.’’ 107 In keeping with the other types of records that would be required to be reported for inclusion in the PRD, the FAA proposes to require the reporting of disciplinary action records in a standardized format. The method of compliance for this format is detailed in the PRD Draft AC. The employer would be required to report disciplinary action records, including: Identifying pilot information (e.g., the pilot’s last name and FAA pilot certificate number); the type of disciplinary action taken by the employer in response to the event (e.g., written warning, suspension, or termination); and a brief summary of the event resulting in discipline. The data field for the summary of event would be limited to no more than 256 characters entered as free text. The summary field would be used by the employer to briefly summarize the underlying event that resulted in discipline and provide additional relevant information about the disciplinary action taken, such as the length of a suspension, if applicable. Additional information must consist only of those details that can be confirmed from the employer’s personnel records, with no extraneous information that cannot be independently verified in written record included. Unlike the current process under PRIA, the proposed requirements ensure the standardized collection of and access to safety data regarding disciplinary actions by clearly defining the type of event, the type of disciplinary action, timeframes for data entry, and specific data that must be reported to the PRD for evaluation by a future employer. The proposed requirements for reporting certain disciplinary records to the PRD would ensure that air carriers and other employers have access to relevant records that would help the employer evaluate the ability of a pilot-applicant to engage in safe aircraft operations. The FAA is obligated to ensure that only information that is relevant to a hiring employer’s review of a potential employee is housed in the system. Limiting the data elements available to 107 Id. Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17685 hiring employers is critical because the PRD requires the FAA to ensure pilot privacy is protected. This mandate is specific to PRD. Standardized reporting of pilot disciplinary actions is beneficial for both ease of review for the air carrier and to ensure each pilot is treated fairly. Additionally, allowing uploading disciplinary reports in lieu of standardized data entry introduces record-quality concerns, such as readability of document scans. Even in cases in which the visual quality of the records uploaded is insufficient, uploads of records would still be accepted into the PRD. Operators would only discover the content of disciplinary records once a hiring air carrier or operator later requests those records. This could be months or years after the record was uploaded and the original record may no longer be available. The Administrator cannot effectively review for quality control every record that an operator may upload into the PRD. As a result, the FAA proposes requiring standardized formats for such records.108 By using such formats, the PRD would ensure that specific data points are validated at the time of record upload. The PRD functionality would not include an ability to cross-reference or cross-check records against one another, however. To the extent that a pilot identifies an inconsistency or error, it would be incumbent on him or her to flag the record as in dispute and contact the record originator for resolution. As discussed earlier in this preamble, the FAA is soliciting comment on whether a PRD query would function similarly to current PRIA queries as a ‘‘validating’’ mechanism toward the end of the hiring process. The FAA recognizes that there may be situations where a hiring operator is unable to gain access to the underlying content of disciplinary record summarized in the PRD because the record no longer exists or the party responsible for originally entering the record does not share it with the hiring operator. The FAA considered, but is not proposing, allowing for a lengthier summary of the event in situations where the pilot and the operator mutually agree upon the full language summarizing the incident in PRD. The FAA specifically solicits comment on its proposal to limit the text summarizing a pilot event in the 108 Upon implementation of the PRD (following a final rule), the FAA would encourage pilots to review their PRD records periodically. Although the FAA may (at some point in the future) implement an automatic notification feature when new records are added, during the initial implementation phases, this functionality will likely not be available. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17686 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules PRD to 256 characters and whether this limitation or another alternative would most optimally balance the need for concise, fact-based summaries with potential limitations in being able to access the underlying record in certain circumstances. When providing comment on this, commenters are encouraged to review the example PRD record summaries outlined in ‘‘Examples of Termination Records Entered into the PRD’’. 4. Proposal for Reporting Records Concerning Separation From Employment Among the records that must be kept by operators pursuant to §§ 121.683, 125.401, and 135.63(a)(4), and thus reported to the PRD in accordance with the PRD Act, are records ‘‘concerning the release from employment or physical or professional disqualification of any flightcrew member . . .’’ 109 In addition, the PRD Act requires air carriers and operators that employ pilots to report any other records pertaining to pilot performance that are maintained by the employer concerning ‘‘any release from employment or resignation, termination or disqualification with respect to employment.’’ 110 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 a. Separation Information To Enter Into the Database As proposed in § 111.230, air carriers and operators would be required to access the PRD and enter limited, specific information pertaining to a pilot’s final separation of employment. In particular, the data required to be entered would include the following fields: (1) The final date of employment; (2) a multiple-option category field to indicate the nature of the separation of employment that would require the employer to select the type of separation in a drop-down menu such as resignation, termination, physical (medical) disqualification, professional disqualification, furlough, extended leave, or retirement; and (3) for certain types of separations, a brief summary of the action resulting in the separation with the employer, as discussed further in this section. The record concerning separation of employment would be entered into the database by all employers in a standardized electronic format, provided in the draft AC 111. b. Final Date of Employment As proposed in § 111.230, a record regarding a pilot’s separation from employment would only be required to 109 See 14 CFR, 121.683(a)(2), 125.401(a)(2), and 135.63(a)(4)(ix). 110 See § 44703(i)(2)(B)(ii)(III). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 be reported by employers once the separation action is considered final. Individual pilots and others have contacted the FAA with questions regarding what separation from employment records must be furnished by an employer in response to a PRIA request. In one hypothetical presented to the agency for consideration, a pilot asked whether a termination record that is overturned by an employer and replaced by a resignation record in accordance with a settlement agreement must be reported in response to an air carrier’s PRIA request, or whether the final resignation record solely must be reported. The FAA proposes a last-in-time requirement for separation from employment records consistent with the agency’s proposal for disciplinary action records. As proposed, only the most chronologically recent disposition of an individual’s separation from employment would be reported to the PRD for each period of employment with a particular operator. If a termination is overturned, as in the preceding hypothetical, the termination record must not be reported to the PRD. Moreover, if any informal or formal dispute is pending between the pilot and the employer regarding the circumstances of the pilot’s separation from employment, the record would not be considered final and would not be reported to the PRD. If any separation has been overturned as a result of a settlement agreement, an official decision by a panel or individual with the authority to review employment disputes or a court of law, or mutual agreement of the employer and pilot, the employer would be prohibited from entering that record. c. Reinstatement of Employment In some situations, such as the hypothetical previously discussed, after a termination is finalized, a pilot may successfully appeal his or her termination to the air carrier and be reinstated. In these situations, an air carrier would be required to submit a correction request to remove the separation record from the database within 30 days of reinstatement. d. Types of Separation All covered employers subject to the proposed rule would be required to report each pilot’s separation from employment that is related to pilot performance for inclusion in the PRD, including certain minimum details. The FAA believes this information is necessary in order to provide potential hiring air carriers with information relevant to a hiring decision. PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 i. Separation From Employment That Was Not Due to Pilot Performance and Was Initiated by an Air Carrier or Operator The FAA acknowledges that many situations could exist that result in a pilot being released from employment unrelated to his or her performance as a pilot. Typical examples of a pilot being released from employment are a pilot being furloughed or being placed on extended leave. In such cases, the air carrier or operator would be required to enter the individual’s final date of employment and the reason for being released from employment, but no further information would be required. ii. Air Carrier/Operator-Initiated Separation Related to Pilot Performance If a pilot were terminated due to unsatisfactory performance as a pilot or as a result of disciplinary action related to pilot performance, the air carrier or operator that terminated the individual would be required to input the final date of employment of the pilot, indicate that the individual was terminated, and provide a brief summary of action resulting in termination. The FAA understands that most disciplinary actions do not result in termination of employment; however, as previously indicated, some actions or events involving a pilot’s performance could lead the employer to take disciplinary action in the form of termination. In such a case, the FAA notes that the employer would be required to complete PRD entries for both the record concerning the disciplinary action as well as the record concerning termination, provided the underlying action or event was related to the individual’s performance, and the decision was not subsequently overturned by the employer. Both decisions would have to be final determinations before the information is reported to PRD. The FAA does not believe that the entry of both records into the PRD is overly burdensome because the record concerning release from employment would be limited to the data elements previously described, and requiring both sets of information is consistent with the requirements of the PRD Act. Moreover, if the termination were overturned but the disciplinary action was not, that is important information for an air carrier to consider in a future hiring decision. The FAA notes that these entries would not be connected to one another in the database—each record would appear independently. Additionally, a pilot may be required to separate from an employer as a result E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules of disqualification from employment as a pilot. The reasons could stem from no longer holding the appropriate pilot or medical certificate,111 not meeting the requisite eligibility terms of employment as a pilot (e.g., maintaining a valid passport or other terms listed in a company’s general operations manual), or violating the drug- and alcohol-testing requirements. These examples of disqualification are sometimes unrelated to a pilot’s performance; however, they greatly affect the individual’s legal obligations related to the operation of an aircraft for an air carrier or operator. The air carrier or operator would be required to enter the final date of employment with the employer and indicate that the pilot was disqualified through the appropriate category selection as listed previously. The FAA is proposing to require a brief summary of the action to be reported to the PRD under certain circumstances of separation. If the air carrier or operator initiated the separation with the pilot due to termination or professional disqualification, a brief summary of the final action would be required, but the selection of any other separation category field (i.e., resignation, physical (medical) disqualification, furlough, extended leave, or retirement) would not permit an explanation to be entered into the PRD. The FAA believes this summary would provide a benefit to the prospective employers of the individual pilot, as well as a direct benefit to the individual pilot, because a limited amount of objective details surrounding the individual’s final separation would be available to prospective employers. The following examples demonstrate the type of entries the FAA would (or would not) expect an air carrier or operator to input when reporting a summary of an event leading to a pilot’s termination or for professional disqualification: lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Examples of Termination Records Entered Into the PRD • Joe Smith was terminated on May 29, 2015, due to failed training events as an SIC. The failures occurred on April 28, 2015, May 1, 2015, and May 28, 2015. • Joe Smith was terminated on May 29, 2015, due to an accident involving a company aircraft. 111 If an individual were no longer able to hold a first-class medical certificate and, as a result, could no longer act as a PIC but was able to hold a second-class medical certificate and act as an SIC, an air carrier or operator would be required to input into the PRD that the individual was physically disqualified as a PIC. A final date of employment would not be entered into the PRD in this situation since the pilot continues to be employed as an SIC. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 Examples of Professional Disqualification Records Entered Into the PRD • Joe Smith was disqualified as a PIC on May 28, 2015, due to failure of a recurrent proficiency check. Joe is scheduled for SIC training for requalification. • Joe Smith was disqualified as an SIC on May 29, 2015, due to a failed line check. Joe is not able to operate as an SIC until completing requalification training. • Joe Smith was disqualified as a PIC and SIC on May 29, 2015, due to poor performance during upgrade training. Joe may requalify as an SIC after the completion of SIC training. • Joe Smith was disqualified as a PIC on May 29, 2015, due to incomplete required differences training. Joe will requalify once the training has been completed successfully. • Joe was disqualified as a pilot on May 29, 2015, due to violating the preduty alcohol use prohibition. Joe may return to perform duties upon completion of the substance abuse professional’s report and a negative return-to-duty test. Example of Termination Records Not Accepted Into the PRD 112 • Joe Smith was terminated on May 29, 2015, due to noncompliance with the company’s dress-code policy. In the company’s manual, the company requires the pilot to be in uniform at all times while on duty. Joe was given a written warning on May 12, 2014, and final warning on January 2, 2015, before his termination. • Joe Smith was terminated on May 29, 2015, due to noncompliance with the company’s attendance policy. Joe was tardy for check-in at the beginning of a trip on October 12, 2012, late for check-in during a scheduled overnight on January 5, 2013, and absent for a trip on December 25, 2014. • Joe Smith was terminated on May 29, 2015, due to insubordination. The pilot was instructed by crew scheduling to operate a flight from OKC-ORD on January 15, 2015; however, Joe declined to operate the flight. 17687 operator would be required to enter the final date of employment with the employer and indicate that the pilot resigned. Because resignations are pilotinitiated, they do not generate employer records that are otherwise covered under the PRD Act or this proposed rule. Accordingly, employers would not be required to enter information other than the date of resignation into the database. The FAA recognizes that generally, in the employment context, employers and employees reach an agreement under which the employee resigns in lieu of termination. For the purposes of this proposal, the FAA does not believe that it will affect the purpose and integrity of the PRD. If a resignation in lieu of termination occurs for safety or performance related reasons, there would be other information submitted to PRD documenting those issues. If the resignation is for other reasons unrelated to the pilot’s qualifications, that information would be outside the scope of reportable information. Lastly, if a pilot resigned subsequent to a disciplinary action related to his or her performance as a pilot, that disciplinary action would remain reportable the PRD irrespective of the resignation. 1. State Driving Records and the National Driver Register If a pilot employee resigns his or her position with an air carrier or other operator (voluntarily or at the direction of the employer), the air carrier or Section 44703(i)(2)(C) requires the PRD to contain ‘‘information concerning the motor vehicle driving record of the individual.’’ This information must be obtained ‘‘[i]n accordance with § 30305(b)(8) of [title 49 U.S.C.] from the chief driver licensing official of a [s]tate,’’ as provided in the PRD Act. Moreover, § 44703(i)(4)(B)(i) requires this information to be reported by ‘‘air carriers and other persons . . . to the Administrator promptly’’ for inclusion in the database. Currently under PRIA, a prospective air carrier employer or authorized agent must request and receive relevant ‘‘information concerning the motor vehicle driving record of [an] individual’’ using the National Driver Register (NDR) ‘‘pointer system,’’ before allowing the individual to begin service as a pilot. The NDR, which is maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is a system for identifying whether an individual has a record of certain driving offenses in ‘‘participating’’ States.113 112 The separation-of-employment date would be documented in the PRD and include a statement that the individual was terminated from employment for other than pilot-performance issues, as defined by PRD. 113 A ‘‘participating State’’ is ‘‘a State that has notified the Secretary under [49 U.S.C. 30303] of its participation in the National Driver Register.’’ Currently, all 50 States and the District of Columbia participate in the NDR. iii. Pilot-Initiated Separation Unrelated to Pilot Performance PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 17688 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules In current practice, consistent with PRIA and AC 120–68, the air carrier obtains the pilot candidate’s consent prior to searching the NDR for that candidate’s driving records. Next, the air carrier submits a request to the State that has issued the individual pilot’s driver’s license to perform an inquiry in the NDR. The NDR database performs a query on the individual to match any of the following information: State of record, full legal names and/or alias names, date of birth, driver’s license number, social security number (State law permitting), height, weight, eye color, and gender. If no matches are found, that means that there are no records on driving offenses in the NDR on that particular person, a file indicating that no ‘‘hits’’ were found is sent to the air carrier from the NDR, and the process is complete. However, if a match is found, the NDR then returns a search result to the air carrier, with information pointing to the State with relevant driving offense information for the individual subject of the search. The prospective employer then submits a request for those records to the State or States indicated in the search. Accordingly, under PRIA, the air carrier’s obligation is complete when either: (1) The NDR search returns a negative result indicating no participating State has relevant records pertaining to the individual; or (2) in the event of a positive NDR search result, the air carrier has requested and received all relevant State driving records from each participating State listed in the NDR search result. The PRD Act builds on the PRIA mandate by placing an affirmative obligation on the air carrier to evaluate the records an air carrier requests and receives. See 49 U.S.C. 44703(h)(1)(C) and 44703(i)(2)(C). As a result, the FAA’s proposal for implementing the PRD Act’s NDR requirements largely mirrors the existing PRIA framework for air carriers to obtain driving records using the NDR, as documented in AC 120–68. The notable difference is, in addition to directing hiring air carriers to request and receive records from the NDR, the proposed rule also directs the air carrier to evaluate the records, or lack thereof, during the hiring process. The proposed rule does not require or contemplate that the hiring operator would record its evaluation of a pilot’s driving record within the PRD. The FAA acknowledges that the PRD Act could be interpreted to require driving records identified in an NDR search to be included in the PRD (see 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(2)(C) and (i)(4)(B)(i)); however, the FAA does not believe that VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 would be a reasonable interpretation. Requiring air carriers to copy NDR ‘‘pointer information’’ and substantive State driving record information related to an individual pilot into the PRD creates an unreasonable conflict with existing State authority over driver recordkeeping and expunction of records, would conflict with 49 U.S.C. 30305, and creates an unnecessary duplication of records. The FAA does not interpret the PRD Act to supersede these other statutory provisions. Reading the requirements of these authorities together, the FAA does not interpret the PRD Act to create new reporting or record keeping requirements that would duplicate existing NDR and State processes and authorities. To facilitate compliance with the statutory requirement that air carriers and participating operators review any pointer information, this proposed rule would require employers retain a record of the completion of the NDR search for potential audit by an FAA inspector. Employers would verify they completed the search by checking a box which will be contained in the PRD. E. Exclusion of Voluntary Aviation Safety Program Records The FAA proposes in § 111.245 to prohibit entry into the PRD of any record containing information regarding an event (e.g., training or evaluation) imposed by an air carrier or other person, above and beyond usual FAArequired training and proficiency requirements, as a corrective action related to the subject of a protected voluntary safety report. The FAA has created several voluntary safety programs to encourage the disclosure of safety events or incidents that occur within the aviation industry, which might otherwise remain unreported due to an individual’s fear of disciplinary action or the potential for FAA enforcement action. The goal of these programs is to identify and correct potential safety hazards. Among these programs is the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), established in 1997, which encourages voluntary reporting by preventing the FAA and employers from using the voluntary reports as a basis to take legal enforcement action and disciplinary action, respectively.114 Further, the ASAP report is protected from disclosure to the public, with certain defined exceptions.115 The 114 More information about ASAP can be found in AC 120–66. 115 Voluntarily provided information can be disclosed if ‘‘withholding it would not be consistent with the FAA’s safety and security responsibilities.’’ 14 CFR 193.9. One example of PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 information contained within voluntary safety programs is protected from disclosure by 49 U.S.C. 40123 and the agency’s implementing regulations at 14 CFR part 193. The PRD ARC expressed concern about the treatment of ASAP and other voluntary safety reporting records in the context of PRD and recommended that these records be excluded from the PRD. The ARC stated that these programs have been very effective in enhancing aviation safety, and that the ability of employers, unions, and the FAA to discuss deidentified information in a non-punitive atmosphere was key to the success of ASAP and other programs like it. To include such information in the PRD would have a chilling effect on these programs, and therefore harm their safety effectiveness and compromise the FAA mission. Although events reported through ASAP might ‘‘pertain [ ] to the individual’s performance as a pilot’’ as well as the individual’s ‘‘professional competence’’ and any resulting corrective action assigned could include training, the FAA agrees with the ARC that it is appropriate to exclude ASAP reports from the PRD. The FAA does not interpret the PRD Act to supersede the existing protection given to voluntarily provided ASAP records under § 40123 and 14 CFR part 193. To do so would have a chilling effect on these programs, harm their safety effectiveness, and compromise the FAA’s mission. Nothing in the PRD Act points to this intended outcome. Therefore, the FAA is not proposing to include any voluntarily submitted report or any information related to the underlying event reported through ASAP or other approved voluntary safety reporting program otherwise protected by a part 193 designation, which would potentially reveal the source or substance of the voluntarily submitted report. F. Good Faith Exception The PRD Act provides an exception that permits air carriers or operators to hire pilots without obtaining the required records from the PRD if the carrier makes a good faith effort to access them.116 This exception is limited the circumstances discussed this is de-identified, summarized information used to explain the need for changes in policies and regulations. The FAA may also disclose information if, among other situations, it is needed ‘‘to correct a condition that compromises safety or security, if that condition continues uncorrected.’’ § 193.9(a)(2). Also, individual programs like ASAP can also have their own disclosure policies ‘‘consistent with the FAA’s safety and security responsibilities’’ that cover additional situations. 116 Codified at 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(12). E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules below. The FAA believes that many air carriers and operators would need to utilize this exception to hire individuals as pilots since more than 750 companies, including commercial carriers, from 2010 through 2015 have ceased operations and no longer hold an FAA certificate.117 Additionally, the DOT OIG estimates an additional 550 commercial carriers will cease operations prior to the implementation of the PRD. In an effort to ensure pilots that were previously employed by air carriers and operators that have ceased operations are not disqualified for employment opportunities as a pilot, the FAA is proposing to implement the ‘‘good faith exception’’ in § 111.115. The good faith exception would have limitations to prevent its misuse. If an individual was employed as a pilot by an air carrier after August 1, 2005, all of the pilot’s records would have to be included in the PRD if the air carrier were still in operation at the time of PRD implementation. Additionally, if an individual was employed by a part 125 or 135 operator as a pilot after August 1, 2010, all of the pilot’s records would have to be included in the PRD if the operator were still in operation at the time of PRD implementation. However, if the air carrier or operator was not in business at the time of PRD implementation, the individual’s records related to performance as a pilot may not be able to be included in the PRD. In these circumstances, the good faith exception would apply. However, the records not reported to the PRD on an individual’s performance as a pilot by a defunct air carrier or operator would not need to be considered for hiring purposes and would be considered to satisfy the ‘‘good faith exception.’’ lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 G. Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) Transition The PRD Act gives the FAA the discretion to determine an appropriate transition period from the PRIA to the PRD requirements. The FAA proposes to sunset the PRIA requirements two years and 90 days after the effective date of the final rule that follows this proposal. During that time, affected operators would be responsible for complying with both the PRD and the PRIA requirements. The FAA believes this is appropriate because, during the transition period, the PRD will contain some—but not all—historical records. Accordingly, not all pilots would have 117 DOT OIG audit report (page 8) entitled ‘‘FAA Delays in Establishing a Pilot Records Database Limit Air Carriers’ Access to Background Information.’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 a complete record in the database for prospective employers to search. PRIA’s continuation would be a necessary component of the transition to an electronic database by allowing air carriers and other operators a period of time during which to transition their present and future records to an electronic system. The continuation of PRIA would also provide additional time to develop a mechanism by which to transfer historical records to the PRD. During this transition, air carriers and other operators would still be able to report, access, and evaluate the PRIA records necessary for employment of pilots. The FAA determined that two years and 90 days would be an appropriate length of time in which to maintain PRIA after publishing a final PRD rule. This overlap in PRD and PRIA requirements is intended to provide time for air carriers or operators who may not yet be compliant with proposed PRD to resolve any remaining issues regarding completeness of PRD records and hiring carriers or operators to fulfill pilot applicant evaluation obligations. The FAA anticipates it will take time for air carriers and operators, particularly the larger companies who have thousands of records, to establish procedures and the technical ability to begin uploading records into the PRD. Not all air carriers might be able to comply with the requirements simultaneously. The proposed period of overlap provides time for air carriers to transfer their historical records while still beginning to comply with PRD for their present and future records. This will facilitate the gathering of pilot records from all sources while the transition is ongoing. This proposed rule would allow up to 1 year from publication of the final rule for these companies to establish the policies and procedures and to begin uploading records into the PRD. After they begin uploading, it will take additional time to complete the process of compliance, based on the number records to be entered, the process selected, and the resources each company devotes to the task. Considering the wide range of air carriers and operators that would be required to upload records, this proposed rule provides an additional year to completely upload all historical and current records into the PRD once the process of inputting the records begins. During this uploading period, it will be impossible for a hiring aviation employer to know which records have been uploaded to the PRD and which are still only maintained by previous employers. It will be necessary, PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17689 therefore, for the hiring employers to review all FAA records maintained in the PRD as well as request records from previous employers using the PRIA process to ensure they have evaluated all pertinent records. The FAA welcomes comments on whether the period of overlap during the transition between PRD and PRIA should be shortened or extended. The FAA recognizes that there are inefficiencies associated with this overlap, and that air carriers and operators that are compliant ahead of schedule may wish to direct queries to the PRD rather than respond to paper-based PRIA inquiries. The FAA also welcomes comment on whether it would be helpful for the FAA to maintain a publicly available list of all air carriers and operators who are fully compliant with PRD ahead of schedule so that prospective employers can query the PRD directly. The FAA would consider providing reasonable incentives for early compliance, and invites comments on possible incentives for early compliance. Additionally, during the transition to PRD, entities that conduct public aircraft operations, air tour operators who conduct operations under § 91.147, and trustees in bankruptcy would also be required to respond to PRIA requests from other air carriers and operators. These operators would be required to report records under the proposed PRD and are currently required to comply with PRIA to different extents, as discussed previously in this NPRM. For consistency with the PRD reporting requirements, the FAA has determined that these operators would also be required to report records in accordance with the existing PRIA reporting process, during the transition to PRD, once PRD is effective. Essentially, all carriers should be using the PRD for FAA records and should be receiving air carrier records via PRIA until the compliance period is complete. IV. Database Design and Security The PRD application would contain sensitive information whose loss, misuse, or unauthorized access could drastically affect the privacy of application users or affect the conduct of Federal government programs. With this threat in mind, the FAA will adhere to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) 800.53 Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations to secure information contained in PRD. The PRD application would categorize PRD users into different roles when they register for PRD access. The E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17690 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 functionality available to each user would be determined by this categorization. User access would be tightly controlled, with the majority of users (i.e., pilot-users) only able to view data. Users representing air carriers and operators employing pilots that are required to report data into the PRD would be granted data entry permission, and PRD administrative users within the FAA would be granted permission to manage system-level issues, such as the pilot-consent expiration period. A small set of PRD users within the FAA would be granted sufficient privileges to update PRD-specific reference tables used to define and support PRD records. The FAA believes that the security constraints on the PRD would enable the database to operate securely. A. Management of Users The PRD Act directs the Administrator to ‘‘prescribe such regulations as may be necessary . . . to protect and secure . . . the personal privacy of any individual whose records are accessed’’ in the database and to protect and secure ‘‘the confidentiality of those records’’.118 Furthermore, the PRD Act requires that the FAA prescribe regulations ‘‘as may be necessary to preclude the further dissemination of records received . . . by the person who accessed the records’’.119 The information expected to be stored in the PRD and its supporting systems would be maintained with the highest practicable degree of security by implementing protective features to provide a secure system to store personal and confidential records on the performance of an individual as a pilot. However, the FAA believes that database security features alone would not provide sufficient protection of pilot records due to the number of certificated pilots and others expected to utilize the database. Therefore, the FAA is proposing to control access to the PRD through the establishment of a process to manage user access to the database, as well as any activity within the PRD. The proposed process would ensure the highest practicable degree of protection of privacy and confidentiality of the information contained in the PRD, while facilitating permissible actions by approved users. This proposed process is consistent with the limits imposed in the PRD Act on electronic access to the PRD, as well as how PRD data may be used.120 All users of the PRD must have an FAA user account prior to accessing the 118 See § 44703(i)(11)(A). § 44703(i)(11)(B). 120 See § 44703(i)(9) and (13). 119 See VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PRD. FAA user accounts are used to validate identity of the user and serves as a gate-keeper for several FAA systems, one of which is the PRD. All internal users (FAA employees and contractors) already hold FAA user accounts and no additional action is needed prior registering for a specific PRD user account. All external users must successfully create an FAA user account, if not already obtained, which includes an identity verification process. In the event an airman cannot successfully create an FAA user account, they will not be able to access the PRD directly. In these cases, an alternate process exists which allows an airman to sign a consent for to release his or her records to a potential aviation employer without the airman accessing the PRD. After an individual who needs access to the PRD has obtained an FAA user account, they may register for the appropriate PRD specific user account. The PRD provides different account types dependent on the functions to be fulfilled by each user. Some PRD users will have more than one PRD user account type, referred to as user roles. Pilots who will use the PRD to allow others to review their records would register for an airman role within the PRD. Those users will only be able to view their own record. Collectively, the roles held by individuals who work directly for a particular air carrier or other operator are called authorized user roles. Authorized user roles include more specific roles supported by the PRD such as authorized responsible person role, authorized user manager role, and authorized consumer role. Individuals who will manage records, manage other user accounts, and be accountable for all actions taken within the PRD for a particular air carrier or other operator would register for an authorized responsible person role. The FAA Flight Standards person in the PRD Administrator Role must approve the responsible person. As part of the approval, the FAA would check the list of fiduciaries maintained by the FAA inspector for that air carrier to further verify the correct person is requesting to be the responsible person. Individuals who will manage records for a particular aviation employer would register for an authorized consumer role. They would not have the same level of access as an authorized responsible person. Individuals who will manage other user accounts for a particular aviation employer would register for an authorized user manager role. These roles are also available in cases of third parties accessing the PRD on behalf of PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 a particular air carrier or other operator. Third party users are referred to as proxies and include proxy responsible persons, proxy authorized consumers, and proxy user managers. The FAA expects that approximately 210,000 individuals would initially apply for access to the PRD, most of whom would be individual pilots seeking access to verify their own records. Table 5 depicts the users expected to initially apply for access to the PRD. However, air carriers and operators who would be required to report pilot data to the PRD would be required to apply to the FAA for access to the PRD within one year after the final rule’s publication to obtain user credentials, before the deadline to report this information. The individuals who seek access to the database on behalf of an air carrier or operator would be granted greater access privileges, as discussed later in this proposal, compared to individual pilots with limited access to their own records. TABLE 5—USERS EXPECTED TO INITIALLY APPLY FOR ACCESS TO THE PRD Part 121 Air Carriers ............ Part 125 Operators ............... Part 135 Air Carriers and Operators .......................... 91.147 Air tour Operators ..... Public Aircraft Operations ..... 91K Fraction Ownerships ..... Corporate Flight Departments ................................ Pilots ..................................... Authorized Users .................. Proxies .................................. 70 71 1,413 193,000 10,000 1,904 Total ............................... 210,000 2,011 1,111 322 8 Of the approximately 210,000 individuals expected (through the proposed requirements) to register for PRD access in accordance with the implementation of the PRD, the FAA expects that 5,006 requests would be received from air carriers and operators employing pilots that would be required to report data to the PRD. All individuals registering for access to the database on behalf of an air carrier or other operator employing pilots whose registrations are approved would be issued a unique identifier representing their user account that would be verified using appropriate methods designed to provide the level of security necessary to protect the database from unauthorized use. The FAA anticipates air carriers or operators employing many pilots may seek FAA approval for the responsible person to delegate database access to other individuals (e.g., individuals working in E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules a human resource department) to input and access data in the PRD.121 The expected average number of users with access privileges per air carrier or operator would be two; based on that assumption, the FAA expects 5,006 air carriers and operators to assign a total of 10,000 individuals user rights to the PRD. The FAA also expects part 121 certificate holders to have a higher number of users with access privileges than other air carriers and operators. Finally, individual pilots would be provided access the PRD for two purposes: To provide consent to air carriers or other prospective employer to access their records during the hiring process, and to access and review for accuracy their own individual information maintained in the database at any time. The FAA proposes to limit pilot access to the PRD to holders of an FAA-issued commercial pilot certificate, airline transport pilot certificate, or remote pilot certificate, where applicable.122 All air carriers, operators, and eligible pilots would be required to register for user rights to the PRD through a webbased process proposed in §§ 111.15 or 111.305, as applicable. The FAA would then issue user IDs only electronically to an air carrier, operator, company, or eligible individual pilot upon completion of the registration process and validation of the information. The basic eligibility requirement for access to the PRD would be that the air carrier, operator, or individual is known to the FAA before the registration process begins. This would ensure the air carrier, operator, company, or individual has had an identification verification completed in accordance with FAA procedures by an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, Aviation Safety Technician, designee of the Administrator, or other authorized person. During PRD implementation, the FAA may find that some operators have not already been verified by the FAA because they have not had prior interaction with their local Flight Standards District Office. Those operators would have to verify themselves to the FAA prior to lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 121 Operators employing less than five pilots may not choose to use multiple users because they have different resource allocations than a larger operator would and therefore would likely have fewer individuals performing jobs that would require interaction with the database. An analysis of the FAA’s Safety Performance Analysis System (SPAS) on December 2, 2015, indicated that 1,442 air carriers and operators employing pilots have less than five pilots employed at the time of analysis. 122 In accordance with §§ 61.89, 61.101, 61.113, and 61.315, only commercial and ATP certificate holders may operate an aircraft for compensation or hire as a pilot. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 registering for the PRD. The FAA expects that this number would be small. 1. Overview of User Roles and Registration Approved registrants would be issued user IDs via their user account, subject to renewal, cancellation and denial, in order for the FAA to continuously manage all database users and maintain system security. The FAA proposes that all prospective users would identify the requested user role through the registration process. Individuals registering for user rights to the PRD would select the appropriate role requested depending on the access type needed with the PRD. Only a single unique ID is needed to register for multiple roles with the PRD. As previously described, the roles available are authorized responsible person, authorized consumer, and authorized user manager. This role structure is duplicated for proxy users. The FAA proposes in § 111.15(b) that the user registration process require all users to provide the FAA with the individual’s full name, the individual’s date of birth, a valid electronic mail address, all business names and the address for the principal base of operations for the air carrier or other operator, the purpose for which database access is requested, the individual’s job title, the FAA air carrier or operating certificate number and pilot certificate number, as applicable, and any additional information the Administrator may request in order to verify identity. Additional information would not be requested unless the registrant’s identity cannot be verified with the information provided. Additionally, if an individual is registering for an authorized responsible person user role, the individual would include information regarding the applicable eligibility criteria provided in § 111.15(d). All of this information is necessary for identity verification. If an operator employing pilots—such as an entity conducting public aircraft operations, corporate flight department, or a trustee in a bankruptcy proceeding—does not have an FAAissued operating certificate number, the operator would provide its principal business address, the type of aircraft operated, and the number of aircraft operated. The FAA would use this information to determine eligibility for PRD access and location of the operator. 2. Registration for Pilot Records Each air carrier or other operator required to enter data into the PRD would be assigned a pilot records PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17691 database identification (PRD ID) in order to track all activity conducted in the PRD by each air carrier or operator. The PRD ID would be used to identify an air carrier or operator during any activity conducted in the PRD by a responsible person, authorized user, or proxy. A PRD ID would be assigned to an air carrier or operator during the initial registration process for access to the PRD. The PRD ID would be valid as long as the air carrier or operator maintains an active responsible person for the PRD. However, the PRD ID would be subject to cancellation if it did not have any responsible persons assigned to the account for a period of 24 months. Additionally, all individual users, including users in the pilot role, would be issued individual user IDs via their user account that can be used to track PRD activity. B. General Eligibility Requirements for Access to the Pilot Records Database The FAA is proposing to establish eligibility requirements for required users of the PRD to further ensure system security. One such required user is a responsible person, who is the primary point of contact for each employer and has the most control over each employer’s relationship with the PRD. Responsible persons would be required to meet the strictest eligibility criteria since that user role would be provided the most access rights to the PRD of any user other than the Administrator. Other individuals with database access would be assigned, edited, or deactivated by the responsible person. Additionally, the responsible person and air carrier or operator would assume any liability for a user accessing the PRD through the air carrier or operator’s assigned PRD ID, as proposed in § 111.20. All activity in the PRD would be tracked by the user ID, and the log would be maintained by system usage to ensure system security. The FAA expects that responsible persons for air carriers and operators would establish additional requirements and procedures for authorized users and proxies prior to delegating access to the PRD. 1. Authorized Responsible Persons One eligible individual employed by each air carrier and operator would be required to register as an authorized responsible person (RP) through the air carrier’s PRD ID. Air carriers would be accountable for the RP. The air carrier or operator and the RP would be responsible for entering, accessing, editing, and monitoring all activity, subject to the limitations of use, in the PRD by the air carrier or operator. Since E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 17692 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules the RP would be responsible for all of the air carrier’s or operator’s interaction with the personal and confidential information within the PRD, the individual would be required to meet several eligibility requirements to achieve a high level of security. The eligibility requirements proposed for the PRD would ensure that the individual’s identity is verified by the FAA. The FAA is proposing in § 111.15(d)(1) that an individual registering for access to the PRD as a RP, on behalf of a part 119 certificate holder authorized for operations under parts 121 or part 135, be a person who serves in a management position listed under § 119.65(a) or 119.69(a) (as applicable) and is listed on the air carrier’s operations specifications. Those management positions include the Director of Safety, Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, Director of Maintenance, and Chief Inspector for part 121 and Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, and Director of Maintenance for part 135. The FAA does not assume that management personnel will fulfill all of the air carrier’s PRD obligations. Thus, the FAA proposes to permit the RP to delegate the authority to fulfill the air carrier’s PRD obligations to another employee (i.e., authorized consumer or user manager) or proxy. The RP and air carrier would continue to be held accountable for actions of any individuals delegated the authority to use the PRD. If the RP no longer meets the criteria in § 111.15 to serve in that position, his or her PRD user credentials would be cancelled once the FAA is notified. The air carrier would then have to seek FAA approval of a new RP through the process described in § 111.15(e). If a RP’s database access is cancelled, the delegation of database access to authorized users and proxies would remain valid as long as the air carrier or other operator submits an application for database access for a new RP prior to the cancellation of the prior RP’s credentials, in accordance with proposed §§ 111.15(e) and 111.20(c)(1). If the RP role is unoccupied for any period of time, the database access of authorized users and proxies may also be denied until a new RP is in place. Additionally, if the access of a RP is denied for any reason provided in § 111.25(d), the database access of authorized persons and proxies connected to that responsible person may also be denied. These access limitations are to ensure database integrity and security and to provide the FAA with the authority to limit database access in a case of misuse by a database user. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 In accordance with § 111.15(d)(2), individuals registering for access to the PRD as a RP on behalf of a part 125 operator would be required to serve in a required management position under § 125.25(a), which would be a Director of Operations position. The FAA is proposing that all part 125 operator RPs meet the eligibility requirements similar to the proposal for part 121 responsible persons. Similarly, the FAA would therefore permit the RP to delegate the authority to use the PRD to other employees or proxies. The FAA is proposing in § 111.15(d)(4) that the RP listed on an application for an air tour operator to register for access to the PRD would be the same responsible person listed on the operator’s letter of authorization. The FAA expects that the responsible person named on the operator’s letter of authorization would input pilot records into the PRD since the operations are typically seasonal, and air tour operators employ fewer pilots than other entities required to report data to the PRD. However, responsible persons for an air tour operator would also be permitted to delegate authority to another individual meeting the eligibility requirements outlined in § 111.20 for data entry purposes (and retrieval, if appropriate). The air tour operator and responsible persons would be held accountable by the FAA for the responsible person’s actions within the PRD. A registration for PRD access from a fractional ownership program under part 91 subpart K would be required to designate the program manager as defined in § 91.1001(b)(9), or another individual designated as being officially able to apply for and receive management specifications for the program manager to serve as the operator’s RP. The designated individual who may register for and receive management specifications issued in accordance with § 91.1015 must be listed on the fractional ownership’s management specification in paragraph A007. Additionally, the individual registering for access to the PRD as a RP on behalf of the 91K fractional ownership must meet the remaining requirements proposed in § 111.15(d)(6)—that is, the individual must be employed by the fractional ownership program, and that the FAA must verify that individual’s identity in accordance with Federal IT practices. If the program manager meets the requirements of § 111.15(d)(6), that individual would be able to register for access to the PRD on behalf of the fractional ownership program— otherwise, it must be a different PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 individual listed on the management specification in paragraph A007. The FAA believes that the additional requirements for a RP of a fractional ownership program are necessary since a program manager is not required to hold an FAA certificate and thus may be unknown to the FAA. The FAA believes that the security of the PRD would be enhanced by the proposed requirement that responsible persons be known to the FAA. Entities conducting public aircraft operations and corporate flight departments would also be required to register for a user ID from the FAA and select a responsible person for PRD access. These operators would be required to designate as their responsible person an individual who serves in a position equivalent to a chief pilot and who is responsible for either the management of the pilots on staff or the management of its business. The individual must be employed by the operator applying for access and have their identity verified by the FAA in order to receive access. The FAA proposes to define employment with an entity conducting public aircraft operations or corporate flight department in the same way as it would define employment for a fractional ownership program. The FAA proposes to define the term employed for the purposes of these types of operators as being paid for more than 20 hours per week for services rendered to operator. At the time of registration, a responsible person applying for credentials for an entity conducting public aircraft operations, a corporate flight department, or any operator that does not have FAA-approved management personnel would be required to furnish a statement to the FAA declaring his or her intention to act as the operator’s point of contact for PRD matters. This statement would be required in addition to the information required of all other responsible persons as proposed in § 111.15(d)(6). This statement is necessary to establish the applicant’s authority to act as the RP within the PRD and will be retained by the FAA. In addition, the responsible person would be required to furnish the principal business address of the operator, the type of aircraft operated, and the number of aircraft operated to confirm that the proposed rule’s reporting requirements apply to the operator. The information the registrant provides would be verified by the FAA’s PRD program manager by using the information on file with the FAA. If the information is verified, the PRD would E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 issue a user ID and user credentials to the responsible person. If the operator is not required to comply with the proposed part 111 requirements, the system will notify the registrant of the option to report information to the PRD on a voluntary basis. If the operator elects to report, all information entered into the PRD would have to comply with the appropriate regulations. 2. Responsible Persons’ Delegation Authority and Authorized Users An individual designated as an air carrier’s or operator’s responsible person would be issued credentials with delegation authority. The air carrier’s or operator’s responsible person would use his or her delegation authority to grant PRD access to other authorized users employed by the operator (i.e., authorized consumers and authorized user managers) or proxies that meet the eligibility requirements of § 111.20. All user delegations would be completed electronically through the PRD and would not require FAA approval, authorization, or action other than the issuance of a different user ID, which would be used to track the authorized users. Each authorized user or proxy would have a unique user ID used, which would remain active only while the authorized user is employed by the operator or air carrier. If any individual were to take action inconsistent with any provision of part 111, the air carrier’s or operator’s RP, and the employer, may be subject to enforcement action. The FAA notes that an air carrier or operator could grant user access rights to an individual who is not certificated, or otherwise known by the FAA, if the individual is an employee of the air carrier or operator, or is an employee of a proxy that has already obtained a user ID from the FAA. However, the air carrier or operator would be required to assume liability for any individual accessing the PRD on its behalf. Air carriers and operators would be responsible for selecting authorized users and could change the individuals or the access rights for individuals at any time within the PRD. An air carrier may impose additional eligibility requirements on authorized users, and may assign this role to multiple persons. As proposed in § 111.25, the registration would be valid for an amount of time to be determined by the Administrator from the date of issuance, unless it is cancelled or denied. The Administrator may also require renewal of credentials at recurring intervals. Currently, for access to the PRD for FAA PRIA records, user credentials are renewed every 365 days. This will likely VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 be continued for end-state PRD subject to change of identity validation platforms, but the FAA would do so in accordance with all applicable information security guidance. PRD registration is subject to denial if the responsible person or any user fails to comply with the duties and responsibilities of PRD access or as necessary for its security. Failure to comply might include but is not limited to accessing information without consent, reporting false or fraudulent information to the PRD (as discussed in proposed § 111.35), and misuse of information from the PRD. Section 111.30 proposes to prohibit unauthorized access or use of the PRD. If database access is denied under § 111.25(d)(1), that person or individual user may submit a request for reconsideration in a form and a manner prescribed by the Administrator as proposed in § 111.25(d)(3), but database access would not be permitted pending reconsideration in order to preserve database security. Additionally, if any air carrier or other operator with database access has its operating certificate or other authority to operate revoked by the FAA, per § 111.25(d)(2), the Administrator may deny database access. 3. Proxies Air carriers or operators may elect to have outside organizations query or report data to the database on their behalf. Such an organization would be referred to as a proxy. The FAA proposes in § 111.20(a) to permit air carriers and operators employing pilots to delegate access rights to proxies. The air carrier’s responsible person could delegate authority to individuals employed by a company that has obtained a user ID and employs individuals to comply with the requirements of subparts B or C of the proposed part 111.123 The specific requirements that could be delegated include the entry of data on pilots employed by a specific air carrier or operator and requesting a pilot’s records after receiving consent from the pilot during the hiring process for a specific air carrier or operator. Proxies would have limited use of the PRD based on the authority delegated by an air carrier or operator employing pilots. Additionally, air carriers and operators who elect to utilize a proxy would have to ensure that established procedures 123 As of November 1, 2014, approximately 51 companies offered services to air carrier and operators that are qualified to act on their behalf to comply with PRIA. PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17693 exist to ensure any proxy is able to comply with the proposed regulations in part 111 and any additional requirements imposed by the air carrier or operator. The air carrier or operator would not be permitted to delegate any responsibility or liability to the proxy. The FAA expects that procedures would be in place by the air carrier, operator, or proxy to ensure that all database regulations are adhered to during any use by the proxy. Proxies would not be permitted to access the PRD without specific consent from an air carrier or operator since all activity in the database must be connected with an air carrier or operator. Each proxy would receive their own user ID. However, air carrier or operator user IDs (which are issued to responsible persons) would only function with the proxy’s user ID if the responsible person has delegated authority to the proxy. Therefore, any activity performed in the database on behalf of an air carrier or operator would be authorized by the responsible person and tracked by the database if any misuse were to occur. The FAA believes that proposing the ability to utilize a proxy for complying with the reporting and accessing requirements would alleviate some time burden from air carriers or operators as long as the management of the proxies is actively monitored by the responsible person. 4. Pilot Users As provided by the PRD Act, pilots would be required to provide consent for an air carrier to access and evaluate their PRD records during the hiring process. Additionally, the FAA would encourage all individual pilots to review their PRD records for accuracy and to submit correction requests if necessary. Individual pilots would be granted access to the PRD electronically by following the registration process in this section–specifically, by providing the requested identity information during the registration process. Individual pilots who have been certificated by the FAA have already been identified and vetted through an established process. Thus, these users pose minimal known risks to the PRD. Additionally, access to the PRD through an individual pilotuser role would be limited, and all access to the PRD would be tracked via a unique username for each user. Pilots may access the PRD, as proposed in § 111.305, to review their own records and to give consent for an air carrier to access their record during the hiring process. A pilot’s application for PRD access must include the pilot’s full name from his or her pilot certificate, place of birth, FAA-issued E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17694 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 certificate number, a current U.S. mailing address and phone number, and a valid email address. These credentials would be subject to the same renewal, cancellation, and denial discussed in § 111.25. Pilot consent is time-limited to a designated air carrier to see the FAA records in the PRD. Air carriers cannot search PRD broadly—the system would limit them to a specific individual’s records only if the pilot gives consent and the consent period is still in effect. The pilot can revoke consent at any time. When granting consent, the pilot selects the length of time the record will be available.124 The fee is only charged at the point the record is actually accessed by the hiring operator. No fees would be incurred in the event that a pilot’s consent expires, is revoked, or reissued prior to the employer accessing the record. The time-limited consent period would only be for the operator’s ability to access the record in the PRD; once downloaded, the operator could maintain the pilot’s record within its internal paper or electronic systems, subject to applicable law relating to retention of personal information about an applicant. C. Protection of the Privacy and Confidentiality of Pilots and Other Users Section 203(b) of the PRD Act, codified in 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(11), generally requires the FAA to implement regulations necessary to protect the privacy of individuals whose records are reported to the PRD, to protect the confidentiality of those records, and to prevent further dissemination of records obtained from the database. The FAA proposes § 111.135 to require each person who accesses the PRD to actively protect the privacy of records and prevent their dissemination by keeping them secure. The FAA also proposes to prohibit an air carrier (or any other person who opts into the evaluation requirements as permitted in § 111.100 of this proposed rule) from accessing the PRD for an unauthorized purpose and from using any information retrieved from the PRD for any purpose other than ‘‘assessing the qualifications of the individual in deciding whether to hire the individual as a pilot.’’ The FAA also believes users of the PRD must effectively manage the retention and storage of any information accessed from the PRD for the purposes of evaluating an individual for 124 For example, options could distinct time periods such as—30, 45, or 60 days or a specific date. The specific details and time intervals available are subject to final system development and implementation processes. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 employment. However, the FAA considered including specific restrictions on the retention and storage of data retrieved by an air carrier, operator, or other person from the PRD. The FAA also considered whether it would be appropriate to build another control into the system that disallows printing of an individual’s information. The FAA recognizes that there is significant variation among recordkeeping systems across the populations of air carriers and operators that would be subject to the information reporting and retrieval provisions of this proposed rule. The agency also recognizes that air carriers and operators would continue to use other sources of information, in addition to information in the PRD, such as information obtained separately through the NDR and personnel information from other available sources, to evaluate an individual in making a hiring decision. Therefore, the FAA believes it would disrupt the aviation industry’s hiring processes to prevent information accessed in the PRD from being printed. The agency also notes that even if a print function were excluded from the PRD system, the information accessed in the PRD could be captured and retained by users of the system in other ways (e.g., using the print screen function, taking a photograph of the screen, or copying the information into another format). Additionally, the FAA does not believe that a proposal to limit the period of time for which an air carrier or operator employing pilots may retain the records accessed from the PRD would be beneficial. The agency believes it is important to allow air carriers and operators the flexibility to build appropriate controls for protecting privacy and confidentiality of information into their existing recordkeeping systems. The FAA recognizes that setting performance-based standards would provide the necessary flexibility to database users while ensuring the FAA would be able to take appropriate action in the event that an individual’s privacy or confidentiality were compromised. The FAA proposes in § 111.135 to require all air carriers and operators to affirmatively protect the privacy and confidentiality of the records it has access to in the PRD. Each individual who interacts with the database would have a responsibility to protect the privacy and confidentiality of PRD records, and if the FAA found that an individual violated that responsibility by being misusing a pilot’s information, the employer would be subject to enforcement for violation of this provision. PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 The FAA also proposes in § 111.105 to prohibit any air carrier or operator employing pilots, and proxies that access the PRD and retrieve information pertaining to an individual, from disseminating that information, for any purpose, to any person who is not directly involved in the hiring decision. The FAA emphasizes that in the event individual data retrieved from the PRD is used for any unauthorized purpose, is shared with any unauthorized individual, or is otherwise disseminated in violation of these provisions, the agency would exercise its enforcement authority to the greatest extent permitted by law. Additionally, § 111.45 provides that, generally, information provided to the PRD, except the information specifically excepted in paragraph (b), could not be disclosed pursuant to FOIA, as required by the PRD Act.125 The following exceptions would apply, as provided by the PRD Act: De-identified, summarized information may be disclosed to explain the need for changes in policies and regulations; information may be disclosed to correct a condition that compromises safety; information may be disclosed to carry out a criminal investigation or prosecution; information may be disclosed to comply with 49 U.S.C. 44905, regarding information about threats to civil aviation; and such information as the Administrator determines necessary may be disclosed if withholding the information would not be consistent with the safety responsibilities of the FAA. Records within the PRD may be disclosed outside of FAA to the extent permitted by the Privacy Act, including any routine uses described in the System of Records Notice for DOT/FAA 847, Aviation Records on Individuals (75 FR 68849, Nov. 9, 2010). Lastly, 32 CFR 2002 sets forth instructions for federal agencies’ handing of controlled unclassified information (CUI). Pilot records data that is determined to be CUI would be handled in accordance with the DOT and FAA’s CUI policies, once implemented. D. Electronic Access to Records The PRD Act requires the FAA to provide air carriers with access to the PRD for purposes of evaluating the records pertaining to each individual the air carrier is considering to hire as a pilot. The FAA also may permit ‘‘an individual designated by an air carrier to have electronic access to the database’’ subject to certain limitations included in the PRD Act and other 125 49 E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM U.S.C. 44703(i)(9)(B) 30MRP3 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules terms proposed by the FAA. All individuals who would access the PRD must have their identity validated prior to access. In addition, the PRD Act requires that air carriers and certain other persons report information ‘‘to the Administrator promptly for entry into the database’’ with regard to any individual used as a pilot in the air carrier or other person’s operations. However, the PRD Act leaves the FAA discretion to determine the means by which the information is to be reported to the FAA for inclusion in the PRD. The FAA has determined that the most appropriate means for air carriers and operators to report information for inclusion in the PRD is to establish a process to grant direct electronic access to whoever would be required to report information. By granting a user direct electronic access to the PRD, the FAA would facilitate the expedient use of timely and reliable information for an air carrier or operator employing pilots in making a hiring decision on a pilot seeking employment. The FAA contemplated utilizing physical documents for air carriers and other persons to record data, which then would have been mailed to the FAA for data entry; however, this process was duplicative and time-intensive compared to direct user entry in an electronic format. A record mailed to the FAA for entry into the PRD may be delayed by shipping and processing time, which could result in inaccurate or outdated information being available to a hiring air carrier or operator employing pilots. The PRD Act also requires air carriers to ‘‘obtain the written consent of an individual before accessing records pertaining to the individual’’ in the PRD. The FAA is prohibited from allowing ‘‘an air carrier to access records pertaining to an individual from the database . . .’’ unless the air carrier has demonstrated ‘‘to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the air carrier has obtained the written consent of the individual.’’ In order to ensure that no information pertaining to any individual is accessed in the PRD without the explicit permission of that individual, the FAA believes it is appropriate to automate the process for pilots to provide their consent for a particular air carrier or operator employing pilots to access their individual PRD data. The electronic format for a pilot to submit his or her consent to the PRD for a particular air carrier or other person to gain access to his or her PRD records would ensure a standardized and accurate process that can be completed VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 in a timely manner. This consistent, electronic process would permit a pilot to grant consent and enable the air carrier or other PRD user to access the pilot’s information more quickly than a physical document that must be recorded and tracked by the user accessing the system. As provided in §§ 111.15 and 111.305 of the proposed rule, all PRD users, including air carriers and operators, other pilot employers, and individual pilots, would be required to register for access and use of the PRD. 1. Pilot Consent Before a hiring air carrier or operator may access the PRD to obtain an individual’s records, the individual responsible for hiring must obtain consent from the pilot. As proposed, consent would be provided by the individual seeking employment with a particular air carrier or other operator and expire after a period of time, set by the pilot, that does not exceed 60 days. Once the pilot has become an authorized user of the PRD, that pilot would be able to provide consent for a particular air carrier to retrieve that pilot’s PRD record. As provided in the PRD Act and proposed in § 111.125, the hiring employer may also require a pilot-applicant ‘‘to execute a release from liability for any claim arising from accessing the records or the use of such records.’’ 126 This would be completed outside of the PRD through the hiring employer.127 2. Hiring Employer’s Role During the Request Process After obtaining pilot consent, the hiring employer or its proxy would access the pilot-applicant’s PRD records by entering the pilot’s first or last name and FAA pilot certificate number. The FAA emphasizes that, except for the Administrator, only personnel directly involved in making the hiring decision would be allowed to access and evaluate the pilot-applicant’s PRD record. During 126 In drafting this waiver, air carriers should take care to avoid expanding the release beyond what is permitted in the statute. Section 40.27 of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) bars employers from having their employees execute any release ‘‘with respect to any part of the drug or alcohol testing process.’’ This section does not, however, exclude drug- and alcohol-testing records stored in and supplied by the PRD from the permitted waiver. For the purpose of FAA enforcement, the FAA considers drug- and alcoholtesting records stored in the PRD to be outside the drug- or alcohol-testing process, as stated in 49 CFR 40.27. 127 Some records could contain derogatory information. In the RIA, the FAA acknowledges this possibility and the uncertainty in the amount of derogatory information that may be revealed in PRD. PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17695 its review and evaluation, the hiring employer would be required to take the appropriate actions necessary to protect the privacy of the pilot and the confidentiality of the records. Any questions developed by the air carrier or operator should be directed to the individual during the interview phase of the hiring process. Consistent with current practice under PRIA and in accordance with the PRD Act, the FAA proposes in § 111.130 that if an individual seeking employment as a pilot with the air carrier refuses to provide written consent to obtain the subject’s records or refuses to execute a release from liability, an air carrier may refuse to hire that individual as a pilot. In this case, no action or proceeding may be brought against the air carrier. The hiring employer should report to the PRD Program Manager any information that the hiring employer discovers outside the PRD that should have been included in the PRD. The Program Manager will advise the prior employer of the discrepancy. 3. Record Retention and Removal Upon Death of a Pilot The FAA is required to ‘‘maintain all records entered into the database under [the PRD Act] pertaining to an individual until the date of receipt of notification that the individual is deceased; and may remove the individual’s records from the database after that date.’’ However, the FAA does not historically receive pilot death notifications unless the individual was involved in a fatal accident. In order to remove records in a timely manner from the PRD, the FAA proposes to maintain an individual’s records in the PRD until the FAA receives official notification of the pilot’s death from the pilot’s next of kin, or until 99 years have passed since the individual’s date of birth. This would ensure a pilot’s records remain in the PRD as required by the PRD Act, while also providing a method for removing records absent official notification of an individual pilot’s death. The FAA acknowledges that it may never receive such notification and proposes this alternative to ensure compliance with the PRD Act’s provision on removal of a deceased pilot’s PRD record. Notification of a pilot’s death would be made in accordance with the provisions of proposed § 111.50. The FAA notes that in a dissent to the PRD ARC report, some ARC members suggested the FAA remove and store, for an undefined period of time, deceased pilots’ records from the PRD, in a location where the records would remain available to the E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules FAA for security purposes or assistance with an investigation.128 The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 129 provides for a permanent bar for employees who have been found to have committed alcohol-or-drug related misconduct after successfully completing a rehabilitation program from performing the same duties that they performed before such conduct. Since the individual reaching 99 years of age is a sufficient amount of time to serve as a lifetime ban, the FAA believes this number is an appropriate amount of time after which records can be deleted in order to maintain a current database when no notification of death is received. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 V. User Fee for Accessing the PRD for Purposes of Evaluation The PRD Act permits the FAA to recover a reasonable fee related to processing a request and furnishing copies to an air carrier or operator through the PRD.130 The PRD Act further requires that fees recovered through the processing and furnishing of records in the database must be applied to certain costs related to the operation and maintenance of the database. Pursuant to this authority and to ensure the application’s sustainability, the FAA proposes a user fee applicable to air carriers and operators that access a pilot’s record in the database for the purpose of evaluating employee records, but not for reporting records. This user fee will also not apply to individual pilots accessing their own records in the PRD. The FAA proposes to implement the user fee requirement one year after the date of publication of the final rule to coincide with the requirement for air carriers and operators to meet the PRD pilot record evaluation requirements of subpart B of part 111. Therefore, all users that access and evaluate an individual’s records in the PRD would be subject to the proposed user fee beginning one year after the effective date of the final rule. To establish a fee, the FAA developed a report (‘‘Pilot Records Database Fee Methodology Report’’) to provide an explanation concerning the methodology for the PRD user fee structure.131 The user fee was designed by taking into consideration costs associated with the projected operations and maintenance of the PRD. As 128 Report from the PRD ARC, p. 102. U.S.C.A. §§ 45101–45106 (1995). 130 See 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(8). 131 A copy of the user fee development report has been placed in the docket with this proposal. 129 49 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 described in the user-fee report, the FAA proposes to charge a fee each time an air carrier or operator accesses an individual’s record in the database. That fee is based on the following equation: User Fee per Request: F equals C (the annual cost of operation and maintenance of the PRD) divided by R (the annual requests through the PRD). When using this formula, the projected user fee would be $110 in Fiscal Year 2020. By imposing a fee per use based on the elements of the equation, the FAA would have the flexibility to update the fee, consistent with the Office of Management and Budget’s Advisory Circular A–25, as the application’s projected operations and maintenance costs change over its life. Thus, the user fee can be updated based on the number of requests to access an individual’s records in the PRD and the application’s annual cost of operation and maintenance. VI. Regulatory Notices and Analyses A. Regulatory Evaluation Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563 direct 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 (Pub. L. 96–354) requires agencies to analyze the economic impact of regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the Trade Agreements Act (Public Law 96–39) 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 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 with base year of 1995). This portion of the preamble summarizes the FAA’s analysis of the economic impacts of this proposed rule. PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 A full regulatory evaluation is available in the docket for this rulemaking. In conducting these analyses, FAA has determined that this proposed rule: (1) Is not an economically ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ as defined in section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866; (2) would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; (3) would not create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States; and (4) would not impose an unfunded mandate on state, local, or tribal governments, or on the private sector by exceeding the threshold identified above. These analyses are summarized below. 1. Summary of Total Benefits and Costs After the effective date of the final rule that follows this proposal, air carriers and other operators would incur costs to report pilot records to the PRD, and to train and register as users of the PRD. Air carriers would also receive future cost savings once PRIA is phased out. The FAA would incur costs of the proposed rule related to the operations and maintenance of the PRD. Over a 10-year period of analysis from 2021 through 2030,132 the FAA estimates the proposed rule would result in present value net costs to industry and the FAA of about $12.8 million or $1.8 million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the proposed rule would result in present value net costs of about $11.5 million over the same 10-year period of analysis or about $1.4 million annualized. However, the FAA estimates industry would receive a net cost savings from the proposed rule due to the discontinuance of PRIA. Over the same 10-year period of analysis, the present value net cost savings of the proposed rule to industry are about $2.6 million or $0.4 million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the proposed rule would have a present value net cost savings to industry of about $7.0 million over the same 10year period of analysis or about $0.8 million annualized. In addition to future regulatory costs, the FAA has incurred costs to prototype and develop the PRD since 2010.133 From 2010 to 2020, the FAA estimates the present value PRD development costs are about $14.1 million or $1.5 132 For this preliminary analysis, the FAA assumes the effective date of the final rule to be in calendar year 2021 with the 10-period of analysis of future regulatory impacts to be 2021 through 2030. 133 On August 1, 2010, Congress directed the Administrator to establish the PRD (Pub. L. 111– 216, Section 203 (49 U.S.C. 44703(i)). E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 EP30MR20.001</GPH> 17696 17697 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the present value PRD development costs are about $18.0 million over the same period or about $2.4 million annualized. Therefore, the FAA estimates the total impacts of this regulatory action over a 21-year period of analysis from 2010 through 2030 that includes PRD development costs before the effective date of the final rule and future PRD regulatory impacts after the effective date of the final rule. Over this 21-year time period, this regulatory action would result in present value net costs of about $30.8 million or $2.8 million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, this regulatory action would result in present value net costs of about $25.6 million over the 21-year period of analysis or about $1.7 million annualized. The following table summarizes the total benefits, costs and savings of the proposed rule to industry and the FAA. TABLE 6—SUMMARY OF PRD BENEFITS, COSTS AND SAVINGS Benefits • • • • • Enhanced aviation safety by assisting air carriers in making informed hiring and personnel management decisions. Provides faster retrieval of pilot records compared to PRIA. Reduce inaccurate information and interpretation compared to PRIA. Easier storage and access of pilot records than PRIA. Allow for electronic searching of information on pilot records. • Allows pilots to consent to releasing records—pilots have the opportunity to view the records. Net Costs (Millions) Category Estimate ........................................................................ Discount Rate 1 7% I 3% 10-Year Regulatory Period (after effective date of rule), 2021–2030 Industry Cost Savings from Discontinuance of PRIA [a]. Industry Costs [b] ......................................................... FAA Costs [c] ............................................................... Net Regulatory Costs [d = a + b + c] 2 ......................... 10-Year Present Value ................................................. ($24.2) ($30.8) Annualized .................................................................... 10-Year Present Value ................................................. Annualized .................................................................... 10-Year Present Value ................................................. Annualized .................................................................... 10-Year Present Value ................................................. Annualized .................................................................... (3.5) 21.6 3.1 15.4 2.2 12.8 1.8 (3.6) 23.7 2.8 18.6 2.2 11.5 1.4 18.0 2.4 14.1 1.5 30.8 2.8 25.6 1.7 11-Year Development Period (before effective date of rule), 2010–2020 Development Costs [e] ................................................. 11-Year Present Value ................................................. Annualized (over 11 years) .......................................... 21-Year Total Development and Regulatory Periods, 2010–2030 Total Costs ................................................................... 21-Year Present Value [= d + e] .................................. Annualized (over 21 years) .......................................... Notes: 1 Estimates may not total due to rounding and parenthesis ‘‘( )’’ around estimates denote savings. 2 Industry and FAA costs are higher in the beginning of the period of analysis than industry cost savings resulting in net present value and annualized costs. This results a larger present value net regulatory cost estimate at a 7% discount rate compared to a 3% discount rate. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 2. Scope of Affected Entities The entities potentially affected by this proposed rule are: Part 119 certificate holders, fractional ownership programs, persons authorized to conduct air tour operations in accordance with § 91.147, persons operating a corporate flight department, and governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations. 3. Assumptions • Analysis uses 2016 dollars.134 134 Based on the best available information of impacts developed at the time of writing. Some information and data used in this analysis are based on 2016 FAA studies and data analysis of information technology costs and user fee calculations, such as the Pilot Records Database Fee VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 • The period of analysis includes 11 years of past PRD development costs that occur before the effective date of the final rule (2010–2020) and 10 years of future PRD regulatory impacts that would occur after the effective date of the final rule (2021–2030) for a total of 21 years (2010–2030). • Air carriers who currently have FAA-approved electronic databases would continue to record pilot records into their own electronic database systems and transfer these records via automated utility to the PRD. Methodology Report (available in the docket). The FAA plans to update these studies, reports and data analysis for the final rule. PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 • Corporate flight departments are assumed to all have electronic databases. • Parts 125 and 91K operators, and part 135 operators without FAA approval for electronic databases, are assumed to enter data manually into PRD. • Air tour operators and entities conducting public aircraft operations are assumed to enter records manually. • All others who do not currently have electronic databases are assumed to maintain the in-house systems and, in addition, would enter data manually into PRD. • At the time of writing, the FAA only had data for additional annual cost of $1,500 for monitoring, trouble- E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17698 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules shooting and modifying for mid-size carriers. Therefore, for years two through ten, we added an additional $1,500 per mid-size carrier per year— see the regulatory Impact Analysis in the docket for more information. The FAA believes these incremental costs associated with operation and maintenance would be realized by all operators as a result of this proposal over and above existing information management practices, but is uncertain how to quantify them. The FAA is also uncertain if these costs would be at the same level annually or if they would diminish over time. The FAA requests comments with information and data on adding similar annual operation and maintenance costs that covering monitoring and troubleshooting for small and large operators, not just midsized. 4. Benefits This proposed rule would result in enhanced aviation safety by assisting air carriers in making informed hiring and personnel management decisions using the most accurate and complete pilot records available and accessible electronically. The proposed rule would require the expanded use of the PRD that includes information maintained by the FAA concerning current airman certificates with any associated type ratings and current medical certificates, including any limitations or restrictions to those certificates, airman practical test failures, and summaries of legal enforcement actions. The PRD would contain air carrier, operator, and FAA records on an individual’s performance as a pilot for the life of the individual that could be used as a hiring tool in an air carrier’s decision-making process for pilot employment. By requiring that pilot records be entered into the PRD and reviewed by the hiring air carrier, this proposal would: • Enhance aviation safety by assisting air carriers in making informed hiring and personnel management decisions using the most accurate and complete pilot records available and electronically accessible. As previously discussed, there is not likely a single algorithm which can tell the potential employer if they should hire a pilot based on a ratio of satisfactory and unsatisfactory flight checks. However, providing this information about the airman would assist the potential employer in developing a more complete picture of that airman’s overall performance as a pilot; • Allow for speedier retrieval of pilot records from PRD than is possible with PRIA; with PRIA the hiring air carrier would have to request the records from sometimes multiple carriers and wait to receive the records. With PRD, the carrier would just have to log on to the database and search for the records; • Lower the potential of inaccurate interpretation of pilot records by allowing for easier reading of pilot records, as the PRIA records might sometimes be handwritten and difficult to read; • Allow for easier storage and access of pilot records than PRIA; and, • Allow for electronic searching of information on pilot records. 5. Cost Savings This proposal would result in quantified cost savings to industry because the proposed PRD would replace PRIA two years and 90 days after the final rule is effective. Today under PRIA, air carriers, operators, and pilots complete and mail (or fax) forms to authorize requests for pilots’ records to be provided. Under the proposal, most of this process would occur electronically. Over the 10-year regulatory period after the effective date of the final rule (2021–2030), the FAA estimates industry would receive present value cost savings of $24.2 million or $3.5 million at a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the present value cost savings to industry would be about $30.8 million over the same 10-year period of analysis or about $3.6 million annualized. The preliminary analysis suggests industry cost savings from the discontinuance of PRIA would offset industry costs to implement PRD. 6. Costs This proposed rule would require industry to report pilots’ records to the FAA—present, future, and historical— and to register and train users of the PRD. The FAA acknowledges there’s an initial cost to reporting historical records that will not be recurring. The following table summarizes the net industry costs of the proposed rule. TABLE 7—SUMMARY OF NET INDUSTRY COSTS (AFTER EFFECTIVE DATE OF RULE), 10-YEAR PERIOD OF ANALYSIS [2021–2030] * Industry Costs by Major Provision Category Reporting Present and Future Records ........................................................................................................................................ Reporting Historical Records ......................................................................................................................................................... Train and Register PRD Users ...................................................................................................................................................... Total Industry Costs of Proposed PRD ......................................................................................................................................... Total Cost Savings from Discontinuing PRIA ................................................................................................................................ Total Net Costs .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7% Present Value .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3% Present Value .......................................................................................................................................................................... $9,194,728 10,470,382 5,955,764 25,620,873 (37,190,516) (11,569,643) (2,603,728) (7,040,752) lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 * Parenthesis ‘‘( )’’ around numbers are used to indicate savings and distinguish from costs. The following table summarizes the impacts to industry and the FAA after the effective date of the final rule. Over a 10-year period of analysis from 2021 through 2030, the FAA estimates the VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 proposed rule would result in present value net costs to industry and the FAA of about $12.8 million or $1.8 million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the proposed PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 rule would result in present value net costs of about $11.5 million over the same 10-year period of analysis or about $1.4 million annualized. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17699 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules TABLE 8—SUMMARY OF IMPACTS TO INDUSTRY AND FAA (AFTER EFFECTIVE DATE OF RULE), 10-YEAR PERIOD OF ANALYSIS [2021–2030] * Industry costs and savings Potential calendar year Year Cost savings from discontinuing PRIA Costs Net cost of proposed rule FAA costs Net Undiscounted 7% Present value 3% Present value 1 ..................................................................................... 2 ..................................................................................... 3 ..................................................................................... 4 ..................................................................................... 5 ..................................................................................... 6 ..................................................................................... 7 ..................................................................................... 8 ..................................................................................... 9 ..................................................................................... 10 ................................................................................... 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 $13,119,306 5,561,251 864,779 865,700 866,582 867,295 867,906 868,627 869,355 870,071 ........................ ........................ (4,648,815) (4,648,815) (4,648,815) (4,648,815) (4,648,815) (4,648,815) (4,648,815) (4,648,815) $13,119,306 5,561,251 (3,784,035) (3,783,114) (3,782,233) (3,781,519) (3,780,908) (3,780,187) (3,779,460) (3,778,744) $2,301,395 2,275,204 2,254,025 2,236,273 2,197,556 2,160,898 2,124,240 2,087,581 2,050,923 2,014,265 $15,420,701 7,836,455 (1,530,010) (1,546,841) (1,584,677) (1,620,621) (1,656,668) (1,692,606) (1,728,537) (1,764,479) $14,411,870 6,844,663 (1,248,944) (1,180,078) (1,129,853) (1,079,888) (1,031,690) (985,112) (940,210) (896,972) $14,971,554 7,386,610 (1,400,176) (1,374,348) (1,366,956) (1,357,245) (1,347,023) (1,336,159) (1,324,780) (1,312,938) Total ....................................................................... ........................ 25,620,873 (37,190,516) (11,569,643) 21,702,361 10,132,717 12,763,788 11,538,541 Annualized Net Costs .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1,817,276 1,352,669 * Notes: (i) Totals may not add due to rounding. (ii) In this table, parenthesis ‘‘( )’’ around numbers are used to indicate savings and distinguish from costs. (iii) Total undiscounted net cost is lower than present value estimates due to higher initial cost of reporting historical records discounted less than savings that occur after PRIA is discontinued. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 B. Regulatory Flexibility Determination The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96–354) (RFA) establishes ‘‘as a principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall endeavor, consistent with the objectives of the rule and of applicable statutes, to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale of the businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions subject to regulation. To achieve this principle, agencies are required to solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain the rationale for their actions to assure that such proposals are given serious consideration.’’ The RFA covers a wide-range of small entities, including small businesses, not-forprofit organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions. Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a proposed 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. This proposed rule is expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Under Sections 603(b) and (c) of the RFA, the initial regulatory flexibility analysis for a proposed rule must: • Describe the reasons the agency is considering the action • State the legal basis and objectives • Describe the recordkeeping and other compliance requirements • State all federal rules that may duplicate, overlap, or conflict • Describe the estimated number of small entities impacted • Describe alternatives considered VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 1. Description of Reasons the Agency Is Considering the Action The FAA is publishing this rule to comply with the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, which requires the FAA to establish an electronic database of pilot records. Congress introduced this legislation in response to the Colgan Air airplane crash in 2009, which killed 50 people. In response to the Colgan Air flight 3407 accident findings by the NTSB, Congress passed H.R. 5900, which amended many longstanding aviation programs, including PRIA. H.R. 5900 was signed into law by the President as Public Law 111–216, the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (the PRD Act). Section 203 of the PRD Act requires the FAA to establish a pilot records database that contains records from various sources related to individual pilot performance and to issue implementing regulations. Section 203 of the PRD Act amended PRIA by requiring the FAA to establish an electronic database that contains pilot records, which must be evaluated by air carriers prior to hiring an individual as a pilot. To address the requirements of Section 203, the FAA chartered an ARC to make recommendations on the implementation of the pilot records database. 2. Statement of the Legal Basis and Objectives The FAA’s authority to issue rules on aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.). This rulemaking is promulgated under the general authority described in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), which establishes the authority PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 of the Administrator to promulgate regulations and rules, and the specific authority provided by § 203 of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (‘‘the PRD Act’’), codified at 49 U.S.C. 44703(h)–(j). The authority for this particular rulemaking is derived from § 44703(i), which requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations to establish an electronic database containing records from the FAA and records maintained by air carriers and operators that employ individuals as pilots. 3. Description of the Recordkeeping and Other Compliance Requirements The proposed rule would require all part 119 certificate holders, fractional ownership programs, persons authorized to operate air tour operations in accordance with § 91.147, persons operating a corporate flight department, and entities conducting public aircraft operations to report relevant records to an electronic PRD managed by the FAA. The PRD would include records from air carriers and persons that employ pilots regarding pilot training, qualification, proficiency, professional competence, drug and alcohol testing, final disciplinary action, and final separation from employment action. Air carriers and operators would also be required to enter verifying data in the PRD for each individual considered for employment as a pilot. Additionally, the database would include information maintained by the FAA concerning current airman certificates with any associated type ratings and current medical certificates, including any limitations or restrictions to those certificates, airman practical E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17700 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules test data, and summaries of legal enforcement actions. 4. All Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict The FAA would discontinue PRIA 2 years and 90 days after the publication of this rule. While it may seem that the FAA’s PRD requirements overlap with PRIA, only the time period overlaps which would allow sufficient time for industry to begin using PRD and to finish entering historical data into PRD. This would allow PRIA to be available so hiring air carriers could receive the pilot records that have not yet been entered into the PRD. Hiring air carriers would, for approximately two years, continue to engage in the PRIA process for air carrier records in order to ensure that no records are missed in the intervening time. The full implementation of PRD after PRIA expires will result in significant improvement to ease of access to those records and no duplication of records. 5. Description and an Estimated Number of Small Entities Impacted This proposed rule would affect substantial numbers of small entities operating under 91K, parts 121 and 135, air tour operators, entities conducting public aircraft operations, and corporate flight departments. There are four dozen small part 121 carriers and two thousand small part 135 carriers and operators. All part 125 operators are small. Air tour operators are also typically small. These operators may involve a couple of pilots flying less than five passengers per air tour. The FAA expects that all fractional ownerships are large with revenues exceeding $16.5 million. The FAA also estimates that entities flying public use aircraft are associated with large governmental jurisdictions. The FAA assumes that any corporation that could afford a corporate flight department would have in excess of $16.5 million in revenues and is therefore a large entity. The table below offers more details on the operator types effected. TABLE 9—SUMMARY OF SMALL ENTITIES IMPACTED Number of entities Type/part Part 121 Air Carriers ... NAICS code 135 Operators ..... 70 481111—Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation; 481112—Scheduled Freight Air Transportation; 481211—Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation; 481212—Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation. 481111—Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation; 481112—Scheduled Freight Air Transportation; 481211—Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation; 481212—Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation. 481219—Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation ................................ Part 91.147 Air Tour Operators. Part 91.K Fractional Ownership. Public Use Aircraft ......... 1,091 481219—Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation ................................ 7 481219—Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation ................................ 323 481219—Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation ................................ Corporate Flight Departments. 1,413 481219—Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation ................................ Part 135 Air Carriers and Operators. Part 125 76 SBA size standard 2,053 Size Less than 1,500 employees. 45 small, 31 large. Less than 1,500 employees. 2050 small, 3 large. less than $16.5M in revenues. less than $16.5M in revenues. less than $16.5M in revenues. Large Governmental Jurisdictions. less than $16.5M in revenues. All small. All small. All large. All large. All large. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 * Size information is based on data available from eVID (FAA Management Information System, Vital Information Subsystem). While there is a substantial number of small entities that would be affected by this rule, the FAA maintains that small entities would be affected to a smaller extent than large entities. This is because costs are a function of size. For instance, costs to manually enter data on pilots depends on the number of pilots that work and have worked for the operator. Both air tour operators and Part 125 operators are comprised entirely of small businesses. The FAA estimated that an average of about 3 pilots work for an air tour operator and 8 for a part 125 operator. Air tour operators would not be required to report historical records and would incur a cost of $56 per operator per year (or about $20 per pilot per year), and part 125 operators would incur a cost of $526 per operator (or about $65 per pilot) per year. 6. Alternatives Considered 135 For definitions of the NAICS codes please refer to 2017 NAICS Manual, pg. 380 https:// www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/2017NAICS/2017_ NAICS_Manual.pdf. Also, please note that these definitions may not completely align with the VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:36 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 The FAA considered four alternatives for the proposed rule. Some of these alternatives could have been less costly for small entities but the FAA rejected them because the advantages of selecting those alternatives were outweighed by policy considerations described below. Rather than proposing to require reporting from employers that might never employ pilots who would conduct operations on behalf of an air carrier, the proposed rule would only require reporting from entities that employ pilots who are or who would likely become air carrier pilots. The agency determined that requiring the submission of documents to the PRD that are unlikely to be accessed by a hiring air carrier or would not assist with an air carrier’s hiring decision would be unduly burdensome and unnecessary for compliance with the PRD Act. The applicability of this PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 proposed rule would minimize the burden because it would apply only to those employers that the PRD Act covers. Alternative 1 The FAA considered requiring all of the past pilot historical data, but decided the proposed requirements would be sufficient, which is information that hiring air carries find most significant to review. The FAA believes those entering the data would be better able to refine this information and that hiring air carriers and operators would be more attentive to this more relevant data. Also, by limiting the set of historical data elements, the FAA would be harmonizing the amount of records each pilot would have in his or her respective PRD file. Alternative 2 The FAA considered other options for the form and manner in which historical definitions set out in the FAA Code of Federal Regulations. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 records could be submitted to the PRD by air carriers and operators employing pilots. These alternative options included permitting the submission of records in portable document format (PDF), JPEG, bitmap (BMP), or other similar electronic file formats; the submission of records using coded XML; or the submission of specified information through direct manual data entry. While the submission of records in PDF, JPEG, BMP, or other similar electronic file formats maybe the most expedient and least costly 136 for some air carriers and operators, the FAA rejected this option for multiple reasons. First, the FAA notes that the PRD ARC highlighted a crucial issue with the contents of historical records and indicated that many historical records maintained by the aviation industry contain information ‘‘far outside’’ the scope of the PRD. The acceptance of such file formats (e.g., PDF, JPEG or BMP) would allow a large volume of extraneous data to be submitted to the PRD, possibly including protected or sensitive information on individuals or an air carrier or operator. The FAA would be required to review each individual pilot record and redact information as appropriate. This review may cause the availability of the uploaded records to be delayed until such time that the FAA could redact inappropriate information, if any existed within the file. Finally, the FAA believes Congress intended the PRD to serve as a tool to assist an air carrier or operator in actually making hiring decisions, not only to serve as a repository for all existing information maintained by employers of pilots, or as a replacement for existing air carrier and operator recordkeeping systems. By allowing scanned documents or photographs of a pilot’s record to be transmitted to the PRD, the FAA could not provide assurance that each record submitted would contain only the types of data relevant to the hiring decision, unless the FAA were to review each and every pilot record uploaded to the PRD. Furthermore, the FAA could not provide such assurances on every individual pilot record since much of the information could only be confirmed by the subject of the record. Alternative 3 The FAA considered and rejected interpreting the PRD Act broadly and 136 Submitting PDF, JPEG, BMP or similar electronic formats might be less costly because the operator would not have to transcribe records from one format to another. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 17701 requiring all employers of pilots to comply with the proposed PRD requirements, regardless of whether the information would be useful to hiring air carriers or not. This could have included 22,000 employers. However, the FAA did not believe that this was a reasonable interpretation of the PRD Act. Looking at the statute as a whole, the FAA interpreted the requirement to be that ‘‘other persons’’ means those likely to employ pilots that would subsequently apply to be air carrier pilots. This interpretation is discussed in more detail in section III. Therefore, the FAA determined that applying the proposed requirements to those aircraft operators whose operations are most similar to air carrier operations would ensure the most relevant data would be available to hiring air carriers when conducting pilot employment background checks and would limit any potential database security issues that may arise from maintaining a high volume of employment information. L. 103–465), prohibits Federal agencies from establishing standards or engaging in related activities that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. Pursuant to these Acts, the establishment of standards is not considered an unnecessary obstacle to the foreign commerce of the United States, so long as the standard has a legitimate domestic objective, such as the protection of safety, and does not operate in a manner that excludes imports that meet this objective. The statute also requires consideration of international standards and, where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards. The FAA has determined this proposed rule addresses a Congressional mandate to ensure the safety of the American public. As a result, this rule does not create an unnecessary obstacle to foreign commerce. As a result, this rule is not considered as creating an unnecessary obstacle to foreign commerce. Alternative 4 Finally, the FAA has considered an alternative of requiring that air carriers and operators report present and future pilot records to the PRD, but continue to send historical records under PRIA until the PRD has 5 years of pilot records (by the start of 2025, the PRD would have data from 2020 to 2024), at which point PRIA could be discontinued. With this alternative, a hiring air carrier or operator would be able to access at least 5 years of pilot records back from when they are considering hiring the pilot (either because they would receive them via a PRIA request, or because they would be in PRD). This alternative might be less costly for some operators than submitting historical records through PRD because sending historical records under PRIA would not require them to transcribe records into the PRD format. However, the FAA rejected this alternative because the lack of a singular database would be detrimental to the purpose of the rulemaking and would diminish efficiency of review of pilot records by other employers who would have to access pilot records through both PRIA and PRD. Therefore, this proposed rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The FAA solicits comments regarding this determination. D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4) 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 (in 1995 dollars) 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 $155.0 million in lieu of $100 million. This proposed rule does not contain such a mandate; therefore, the requirements of Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Assessment Reform Act do not apply. C. International Trade Impact Assessment The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96–39), as amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E. Paperwork Reduction Act The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires that the FAA consider the impact of paperwork and other information collection burdens imposed on the public. According to the 1995 amendments to the Paperwork Reduction Act (5 CFR 1320.8(b)(2)(vi)), 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. This action contains the following proposed amendments to the existing information collection requirements previously approved under OMB Control Number 2120–0607. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17702 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)), the FAA has submitted these proposed information collection amendments to OMB for its review. Summary: The FAA is proposing to require air carriers, specific operators holding out to the public, entities conducting public aircraft operations, air tour operators, fractional ownerships, and corporate flight departments to enter relevant data on individuals employed as pilots into the Pilot Records Database (PRD). The records that would be required to be entered into the PRD include those related to: Pilot training, qualification, proficiency, or professional competence Paperwork Impact to Industry of the individual, including comments and evaluations made by a check pilot; drug and alcohol testing; disciplinary action; release from employment or resignation, termination, or disqualification with respect to employment; and the verification of a search date of the National Drivers Register. Use: The information collected in accordance with 44703(i) and maintained in the Pilot Records Database would be used by hiring air carriers to evaluate the qualification of an individual prior to making a hiring determination as a pilot in accordance with 44703(i)(1). Subpart A—General § 111.15 Access Application for Database Registering Users—In order to get to access the PRD, users would have to go through a registration process with the FAA. The table below indicates the number of users expected to apply for access to the PRD, the estimated time it would take each user to register, the hourly rate of the persons registering and the estimated hour burden for all users to register. INITIAL BURDEN FOR USERS TO APPLY/REGISTER FOR ACCESS TO THE PRD Users expected to apply for access to the PRD to comply with PRD Respondents Time to register Hourly rate * Total cost to register PRD users Hours for users to register Responsible persons ........................................................... Pilots .................................................................................... Authorized Individuals .......................................................... Proxies ................................................................................. 5,033 175,860 10,066 1,904 $84.74 44.66 84.74 84.74 0.50 0.33 0.50 0.50 $213,248 2,591,790 426,496 80,672 2,517 58,034 5,033 952 Total .............................................................................. 192,863 ........................ ........................ 3,312,207 66,536 * See the Regulatory Evaluation available in the docket for details on the hourly rates and costs. Subpart B—Accessing and Evaluating Records § 111.240 Verification of Motor Vehicle Driving Records Air carriers and participating operators must be able to provide supporting documentation to the Administrator upon request that a search of the NDR was conducted, and that documentation must be kept for five years. The FAA considers this burden de minimis. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Subpart C—Reporting of Records by Air Carriers and Operators § 111.205 General, (a) Each Air Carrier and Operator Must Report the Information Required by This Subpart for an Individual Employed as a Pilot Beginning on the PRD Date of Hire for That Individual Each air carrier and other operator would report to the PRD all records required by this subpart for each individual employed as a pilot in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator. The FAA is proposing in subpart C of part 111 to require all part 119 certificate holders, 91K fractional ownership operators, persons authorized to conduct air tour operations in accordance with 14 CFR 91.147, persons operating a corporate flight department, entities conducting public aircraft operations, and trustees VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 in bankruptcy to enter relevant data on individuals employed as pilots into the PRD. Relevant data includes: Training, qualification and proficiency records; final disciplinary action records; records concerning separation of employment; drug and alcohol testing records; and verification of motor vehicle driving record search and evaluation. The FAA has determined that there would be no new information collection associated with the proposed requirement. However, industry would be required to report data that they already collect to the PRD. We estimate that burden here. The rule would require that one year after publication present and future records be reported to the PRD. Present and future records are all records going forward. As previously discussed, there would be two methods for reporting data to PRD. The first method would be to transmit data electronically using an automated utility such as XML, so it can be read by both the user and the PRD. The second method would be through direct manual data entry, using the same pre-established data field forms for each record type. The FAA estimated how many air carriers and operators would report data directly from their own electronic databases. The FAA also determined how many air carriers and operators would enter data manually to the PRD, and on how many pilots they PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 would enter data. The following discussion summarizes the estimates of the burden and the cost of reporting records to the PRD. Electronic Reporting of Records to the PRD Air carriers and operators would incur a one-time burden to transfer pilot records electronically from their databases to the PRD. The burden includes the time required for air carriers and operators to develop an encoding program to transfer records from their electronic databases via an automated utility to appropriate fields within the PRD. They could also incur an annual burden to monitor, troubleshoot and modify the transfer of data to the PRD. Industry sources representative of small, medium and large carriers provided the number of hours along with the cost per hour to develop an encoding program. A representative fractional ownership provided an estimated total cost to develop the program. As the fractional ownership did not provide hours or hourly wage rates, the FAA estimated these for the fractional ownership. To do this we averaged the wage rates received from the other operators and divided the fractional ownership total cost by this wage rate. Further, a mid-size carrier estimated an additional annual updating cost of $1,500 for monitoring, trouble- E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17703 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules shooting and modifying, which we applied to mid-size carriers. The tables below indicate the number of respondents (in other words, number of air carriers or operators), estimated hours, hourly rate and the cost of electronic reporting, for electronic reporting of present and future records, both one-time burden and annual updating burden and for electronic reporting of historical records. ONE-TIME BURDEN OF ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF PRESENT AND FUTURE RECORDS Operator type Respondents Hours One-time cost of electronic reporting * Hourly rate * Small 121 ................................................................................................... Mid-size 121 .............................................................................................. Large 121 ................................................................................................... 51 13 4 20 35 400 $120 75 89 $122,400 34,125 142,400 Total 121 ............................................................................................. 68 455 ........................ 298,925 Small 135 ................................................................................................... Mid-size 135 .............................................................................................. 234 2 20 35 120 75 561,600 5,250 Total 135 ............................................................................................. 236 55 ........................ 566,850 Small part 125 ........................................................................................... 18 20 120 43,200 Total 125 ............................................................................................. 18 20 ........................ 43,200 Part 91K ..................................................................................................... 4 1,897 95 720,800 Total 91K ............................................................................................ 4 1,897 ........................ 720,800 Small Corporate Flight Dept ...................................................................... 1,413 20 120 3,391,200 Total Corporate Flight Dept ................................................................ 1,413 20 ........................ 3,391,200 Total One-Time Burden ............................................................... 1,739 2,447 ........................ 5,020,975 * Industry sources representative of small, medium and large carriers provided us with the number of hours along with the cost per hour. See the Regulatory Evaluation available in the docket for more details. ANNUAL COST OF ELECTRONIC REPORTING PRESENT AND FUTURE RECORDS Operator type Respondents Hours * Annual cost of electronic reporting Hourly rate * Mid-size 121 .............................................................................................. Mid-size 135 .............................................................................................. 13 2 20 20 $75 75 $19,500 3,000 Total Annual Burden ........................................................................... 15 40 ........................ 22,500 * Based on information from a mid-size carrier, the additional annual cost per mid-size respondent is $1,500 (=20 hours × $75 hourly rate). See the Regulatory Evaluation available in the docket for more details. Manual Reporting of Present and Future Data To estimate the burden of reporting records manually to the PRD, the FAA first estimated the amount of time that it would take to report pilot records for each of the operator types. The total amount of time per pilot per year for each operating type to manually enter the records to PRD is indicated in the table below (in row labelled ‘‘Amount of time per pilot per year’’). Included in the table is the time for each of the recording events, an estimate of the cost per event and the total cost per pilot per year. These data are used in the calculations of manual reporting costs and time burden by affected operating part. TIME AND COST PER PILOT BY AFFECTED OPERATING PART—MANUAL REPORTING lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 135 121 125 Air tour Manual record entry activity Hourly rate Setting up current pilots in PRD for the first time. Training/checking/testing events per year. Ground training per year ... Initial training/check (one time event for new pilots). $84.74 ............................... 3 $4.24 3 $4.24 3 $4.24 Amount of time per pilot per year. VerDate Sep<11>2014 Time in minutes Cost Time in minutes Cost Time in minutes Cost Time in minutes 91K Cost Time in minutes PAO Cost Time in minutes Cost 3 $4.24 3 $4.24 3 $4.24 $81.19 ............................... 10.8 14.61 10.4 14.07 13.6 $18.39 4 5.41 10.8 14.61 13.6 18.39 $81.19 ............................... $81.19 ............................... 4 0.648 5.41 0.88 4 0.648 5.41 0.88 4 0.540 5.41 0.73 0 0.108 0.00 0.15 4 0.864 5.41 1.17 4 0.540 5.41 0.73 Initial .................................. Recurring ........................... 18.45 15.45 .............. .............. 18.05 15.05 .............. .............. 21.14 18.14 .............. .............. 7.11 4.11 .............. .............. 18.66 15.66 .............. .............. 21.14 18.14 .............. .............. 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17704 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules TIME AND COST PER PILOT BY AFFECTED OPERATING PART—MANUAL REPORTING—Continued 135 Manual record entry activity Total cost per pilot per year. Hourly rate 121 Time in minutes Cost Time in minutes 125 Cost Time in minutes Air tour Cost Time in minutes 91K Time in minutes Cost PAO Cost Time in minutes Cost First Year ........................... .............. 25.14 .............. 24.60 .............. 28.77 .............. 9.80 .............. 25.43 .............. 28.77 Subsequent Years ............. .............. 20.90 .............. 20.36 .............. 24.53 .............. 5.56 .............. 21.19 .............. 24.53 * Time and cost estimates may not sum to totals due to rounding. See the Regulatory Evaluation in the docket for more details. The FAA estimated the number of air carriers and operators (in other words, the number of respondents) who would report data manually to the PRD and the number of pilots working for them. The FAA calculates the hours required for data entry by multiplying the time it takes to enter records per pilot per year by the number of pilots. For example, to enter data manually for a part 121 pilot in year 1 it would take 18.05 minutes/ 60 minutes times the estimated number of pilots (271) or 82 hours. Costs are calculated by multiplying the number of pilots by the cost per pilot per year. For example, the cost of manually entering data in year 1 for pilots working in part 121 is pilots × $24.60 or $6,667.137 The burden to enter present and future records manually to PRD is presented for each operating type for years 1 through 3 of the information collection in the tables below.138 These sums are later averaged over the three years. PART 121 MANUAL ENTRY Number of respondents— part 121 air carriers Year Hours for data entry Pilots Costs 1 ....................................................................................................................... 2 ....................................................................................................................... 3 ....................................................................................................................... 8 8 8 271 273 275 82 68 69 $6,667 5,558 5,599 Total .......................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 219 17,824 PART 125 MANUAL ENTRY Part 125 Manual entry—Operators not approved for electronic Number of respondents— part 125 operators Year Hours for data entry Pilots Costs 1 ....................................................................................................................... 2 ....................................................................................................................... 3 ....................................................................................................................... 52 52 52 528 528 528 186 160 160 $11,162 9,578 9,578 Total .......................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 506 30,318 PART 135 MANUAL ENTRY Part 135 Number of respondents— 135 air carriers lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Year Manual entry—operators not approved for electronic Pilots Number of respondents— 135 operators Hours for data entry Pilots working for 135 operators Hours for data entry Costs 1 ................................. 2 ................................. 3 ................................. 1,649 1,649 1,649 12,627 12,684 12,731 3,883 3,266 3,278 168 168 168 342 344 345 105 89 89 $326,041 272,285 273,288 Total .................... .......................... ........................ 10,427 ........................ ........................ 283 871,614 137 This is the first year cost—subsequent years do not include the cost of entering or ‘‘setting up’’ pilots in the database for the first time except for new pilots (that occur on an annual basis). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 138 The FAA estimates the change in burden and cost for these amendments over three years to align with the three-year approval and renewal cycle for most information collections. The FAA based pilot PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 estimates on internal databases and the FAA forecast. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17705 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules AIR TOUR OPERATORS MANUAL ENTRY Number of respondents air tour operators Year Hours for data entry Pilots Costs 1 ....................................................................................................................... 2 ....................................................................................................................... 3 ....................................................................................................................... 1,091 1,091 1,091 3,088 3,091 3,091 366 212 212 $30,262 17,186 17,186 Total .......................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 790 64,634 . PART 91K MANUAL ENTRY Number of respondents— 91K Year Pilots (1) Hours for data entry Costs 1 ....................................................................................................................... 2 ....................................................................................................................... 3 ....................................................................................................................... 3 3 3 398 399 399 124 104 104 $10,127 8,447 8,447 Total .......................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 332 27,021 PUBLIC AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS MANUAL ENTRY Number of respondents— PAO Year Pilots Hours Costs 1 ....................................................................................................................... 2 ....................................................................................................................... 3 ....................................................................................................................... 323 323 323 2,821 2,824 2,824 994 854 854 $81,159 69,266 69,266 Total .......................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 2,702 219,691 1 2 Estimates based on pilot numbers from FAA databases and FAA forecast. Number of pilots times cost per pilot per previous table. Estimates may not total due to rounding. A summary of the burden for present and future pilot records that we expect would be manually entered to the PRD is presented in the next table. The average annual hour burden is 5,240 and the average annual cost burden is $304,961 for manual entry into the PRD of present and future records. MANUAL ENTRY—PRESENT AND FUTURE lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Type of Operations Hours Cost Respondents Part 121 ....................................................................................................................................... Part 135 ....................................................................................................................................... Part 125 ....................................................................................................................................... Air Tours ...................................................................................................................................... Part 91K ....................................................................................................................................... PAO ............................................................................................................................................. 219 10,710 506 790 332 2,702 $17,824 871,614 30,318 64,634 27,021 219,691 8 1,817 52 1,091 3 323 Total ...................................................................................................................................... 15,259 1,231,102 3,294 Average/year ................................................................................................................................ 5,086 410,367 1,098 111.265 Historical Record Reporting The rule requires that two years after publication historical records be reported to the PRD. Parts 121 and 135 air carriers would report historical records they have maintained back to August 1, 2005 through initial proposed VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 compliance date. Parts 125 and 135 operators and 91K fractional ownerships would report historical records they have maintained back to August 1, 2010 through initial proposed compliance date. Those operators with approved electronic databases would transfer data PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 electronically. The table below summarizes the number of respondents hours/respondent, hourly rate and the one-time cost of electronic reporting. Electronic Data Transfer of Historical Records E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17706 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules ONE-TIME BURDEN OF ELECTRONIC REPORTING HISTORICAL RECORDS Size groupings Respondents Hours/ respondent One-time cost of electronic reporting Hourly rate Small 121 ......................................................................................................... Mid-size 121 .................................................................................................... Large 121 ......................................................................................................... 51 13 4 20 70 400 Total part 121 (1) ...................................................................................... 68 490 Small 135 ......................................................................................................... Mid-size 135 .................................................................................................... 226 2 20 70 120 75 542,400 10,500 Total part 135 (1) ...................................................................................... 228 90 ........................ 552,900 Small part 125 ................................................................................................. 18 20 120 43,200 Total part 125 ........................................................................................... 18 20 ........................ 43,200 Part 91K ........................................................................................................... 4 385 95 146,300 Total Part 91K .......................................................................................... 4 385 ........................ 146,300 Total Burden ............................................................................................. 318 985 ........................ 1,075,450 1 $120 75 89 $122,400 68,250 142,400 333,050 Includes carriers certificated under both parts 121 and part 135. Manual Reporting The FAA estimated the burden to report historical records to PRD, back to August 1, 2005 for part 121 and part 135 air carriers, and back to August 1, 2010 for parts 125 and 135 operators and part 91K fractional ownerships. The FAA first estimated the number of pilots who worked for affected operators and carriers that would manually report historical records. The FAA then estimated a base cost burden to report these records by multiplying the base cost 139 (per pilot per year) by the number of pilots with historical records over the years 2005 through 2018 (that would be manually reported to PRD). Then the FAA added a supplement to represent the additional cost that would be required to report historical records, which would be more difficult to retrieve and transpose to the PRD. The burden using the base cost for reporting historical records to the PRD is summarized in the tables below for each of the operating types that would have to report historical records for years 2005 through 2020.140 The discussion of the supplemental cost follows the tables. PART 121 MANUAL ENTRY HISTORICAL Part 121 Manual Entry—Operators not approved for Electronic Number of respondents— part 121 air carriers lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Part 121 pilots Hours for data entry Costs ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 2,027 2,026 2,055 2,096 2,064 2,030 2,035 2,078 2,139 2,183 2,209 2,254 2,281 2,315 2,331 2,346 508 508 515 526 518 509 510 521 537 548 554 565 572 581 585 588 $41,270 41,249 41,840 42,675 42,023 41,331 41,433 42,308 43,550 44,446 44,975 45,891 46,441 47,133 47,459 47,765 Total .................................................................................. .............................. 34,469 8,645 701,789 139 The base cost is the cost to type the data into PRD once it has been collected. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 140 The end date depends on the publication date of the final rule. At the time of writing and for the purposes this analysis, the FAA assumed the final rule would be published in 2019. The FAA will PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 adjust the estimates of historical records as necessary after the publication of the proposed rule and the end of the comment period. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17707 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules PART 125 MANUAL ENTRY Number of respondents Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Part 125 Pilots Part 125 Hours Costs ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... ......................................................................................... 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 363 355 342 317 306 297 282 288 294 299 300 110 107 103 96 93 90 85 87 89 90 91 $8,902 8,709 8,381 7,780 7,505 7,285 6,928 7,067 7,202 7,338 7,366 Total .................................................................................. .............................. 3,443 1,041 84,463 PART 135 MANUAL ENTRY Number of respondents— 135 air carriers Pilots working for part 135 Carriers ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. ................................................. 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 1,744 17,594 17,389 17,358 18,196 18,112 17,815 17,646 17,554 17,288 17,236 17,145 17,016 17,284 17,555 17,751 17,845 4,530 4,478 4,470 4,685 4,664 4,587 4,544 4,520 4,452 4,438 4,415 4,382 4,451 4,521 4,571 4,595 Total .......................................... ........................ 280,786 72,303 Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Pilots working for 135 operators Hours for data entry 168 168 168 168 168 168 168 168 168 168 168 168 168 168 168 168 .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... 339 336 334 329 328 326 324 329 334 338 340 .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... 87 87 86 85 84 84 83 85 86 87 88 $367,713 363,437 362,784 380,291 378,542 379,423 375,828 373,854 368,202 367,087 365,144 362,406 368,121 373,889 378,068 380,068 ........................ 3,657 942 5,944,857 Number of respondents— 135 operators Hours for data entry Total costs part 135 91K MANUAL ENTRY Number of respondents lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Pilots Hours Costs ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 1,823 1,781 1,716 1,595 1,538 1,491 1,416 1,447 1,472 1,498 1,504 476 465 448 416 401 389 370 378 384 391 393 $38,629 37,739 36,362 33,798 32,590 31,594 30,005 30,662 31,192 31,743 31,870 Total .......................................................................................................... ........................ 17,281 4,511 366,184 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17708 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules The FAA adds a supplemental burden to the base cost burden of reporting historical records, by adding an additional 30 minutes of a training and development manager and an additional 10 minutes of a human resources manager to estimated pilot records kept in 2005 and 2010. The following table summarizes the supplemental cost. MANUAL ENTRY SUPPLEMENTAL COST FOR HISTORICAL RECORDS Training & development manager Time in hours ............................................................................................................................... Wage Rate ................................................................................................................................... Total Extra Cost per Pilot ............................................................................................................ The following table summarizes the base hours and base cost burden for reporting historical records and the supplemental cost burden to represent the additional cost of locating and transposing historical records to the PRD. To derive supplemental hours the FAA multiplied the supplemental time burden 141 described earlier by estimated pilots with records being reported manually in 2005 and 2010. To derive supplemental costs, the FAA Human resources manager 30 $81.19 $40.60 10 $84.74 $14.12 Total added cost $54.72 multiplied the additional supplemental cost per pilot by the estimated pilots with records being reported manually in 2005 and 2010. MANUAL ENTRY—HISTORICAL BASE AND SUPPLEMENTAL BURDEN AND COSTS Base hours Part Part Part Part Supplemental hours (1) Supplemental costs Total hours Total cost Respondents 121 ....................................... 125 ....................................... 135 (2) .................................. 91K ....................................... 8,645 1,041 73,245 4,511 $701,789 84,463 5,944,857 366,184 2,705 242 23,606 1,215 $55,074 5,936 7,563,071 25,746 11,350 1,283 96,851 5,726 $756,863 90,399 13,507,928 391,930 18 33 1,912 5 Total ...................................... 87,442 7,097,293 27,768 7,649,827 115,210 14,747,120 1,968 Average/year (2) ............ .................... .................... ........................ ........................ 57,605 $7,373,560 § 111.425 Discontinued Compliance With Pilot Records Improvement Act The PRIA would be discontinued two years and 90 days after the effective date of the proposed Pilot Records Database. Accordingly, there would be a reduced paperwork burden due to the fact that pilots, carriers and operators would no longer have to complete FAA forms to request PRIA records. The table below indicates the annual number of FAA forms completed by airmen, hiring and previous employers during the hiring process. This burden would be eliminated because air carriers and pilots would no longer have to complete and mail (or fax) forms in order for air carriers to request pilot records and for pilots to allow records to be released. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Base cost 141 An additional 40 minutes, including 10 minutes of a human resources manager and 30 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 Hours saved are estimated by multiplying the time required to complete each form by each entity times the number of forms completed annually. Cost savings are estimated by multiplying the time required to complete the form by the wage rate for each entity completing times the number of forms completed annually. Three different entities would have to complete form 8060–12 while only two different entities would have to complete the other three forms. We expect the same entities would complete each form for one PRIA request. In other words one airman, and one hiring entity would each complete Form 8060–10, Form 8060–11, and Form 8060–11A and in addition one previous employer would complete Form 8060–12 per PRIA request. So as not to double count or under count we take the number of respondents to be the three respondents (airman, hiring entity and previous employer) completing 24,120 forms (Form 8060– 12) or 3 times 24,120. If we multiplied the number of entities completing each form by the number of forms and added the results for all the forms, we would be double counting respondents, as it is likely the same person would complete all the forms. If we chose one of the forms only requiring two entities to complete to estimate number of respondents, we would be underestimating respondents. minutes of a training and development manager or .667 hours. PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17709 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules COST SAVINGS FOR DISCONTINUED COMPLIANCE WITH PILOT RECORDS IMPROVEMENT ACT FAA Form Number of forms completed annually Airman 17,586 28,138 28,138 28,138 10 7 10 6 10 7 10 6 N/A N/A N/A 17 .................. ............ ................ ................ 8060-10 ............................................................................. 8060-11 ............................................................................. 8060-11A ........................................................................... 8060-12 ............................................................................. HRM— hiring entity HRM— previous employer Airman HRM Airman HRM Total Hours $44.66 $84.74 $130,898 146,606 209,438 125,663 $248,373 $278,178 397,397 914,012 $379,271 424,784 606,834 1,039,675 5,862 6,565 9,379 5,628 17,586 28,138 28,138 28,138 612,605 1,837,960 101,999 2,450,565 27,434 Hours to gather records ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4,397 Total Hours including hours to gather records ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 31,831 Respondents Notes: (i) Totals may not add due to rounding. (ii) HRM = Human Resources Manager. The table below summarizes the total paperwork burden in terms of hours, cost and respondents. TOTAL PAPERWORK BURDEN Total paperwork burden Year 1 Respondents § 111.15 Application for database access one-time costs averaged per year—Annual Registration burden ........................................................ 111.205 General (a) (Reporting Present and Future Records) Electronic Data Transfer: Present and Future one-time costs ................................................... Present and Future annual costs ...................................................... Manual Data Entry: Present and Future annual costs ...................................................... 111.265 Historical Record Reporting Electronic: Historical one-time costs .................................................................... Manual Data Entry: Historical per year .............................................................................. Total Burden ............................................................................... Total Savings—Discontinuation of PRIA ............................. Net Burden/Costs ......................................................... Paperwork Impact to the Federal Government Hours Year 2 Cost Hours Year 3 Cost Hours Total Cost Hours Cost 69,761 14,305 $979,621 5,803 $259,162 5,803 $259,162 25,911 $1,497,945 1,739 15 2,447 40 $5,020,975 22,500 ............ 40 .................... 22,500 ................ 40 ...................... 22,500 2,447 120 5,020,975 67,500 1,744 5,740 465,418 4,753 382,320 4,766 1,231,102 15,259 2,078,840 318 985 1,075,450 ............ .................... ................ ...................... 985 1,075,450 1,968 75,545 101,999 ........................ 57,605 81,122 31,831 49,291 7,373,560 14,937,524 4,648,815 10,288,709 57,605 68,201 31,831 36,370 7,373,560 8,037,542 4,648,815 3,388,727 ................ 10,609 31,831 (21,222) ...................... 1,512,764 4,648,815 (3,136,051) 115,210 159,932 95,493 64,439 14,747,120 24,487,830 13,946,444 10,541,386 FAA uses an hourly wage rate for a grade 14 step 5 position of $80.56 to estimate costs.142 The following table summarizes the FAA burden and cost of the PRD. The FAA BURDEN TO DEVELOP AND OPERATE PRD Operations and maintenance costs Year Hours 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................... $2,471,000 2,384,690 2,335,606 30,671 29,600 28,990 Total ................................................................................................................................................. 7,191,296 $89,261 Average ............................................................................................................................. 2,397,099 $29,754 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 *See the Regulatory Evaluation available in the docket for details on the hourly rates and costs The agency is soliciting comments to— (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; 142 2016 locality wage adjusted for the Washington, Maryland, Virginia area, and a fringe benefit rate of 36.25%. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of collecting information on those who are to respond, including by using appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of IT. PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Individuals and organizations may send comments on the information collection requirement to the address listed in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this notice of proposed rulemaking by May 29, 2020. Comments also should be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Desk Officer for FAA, New E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17710 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules Executive Building, Room 10202, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20053. F. International Compatibility and Cooperation In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on International Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to conform to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. The FAA has determined that there are no ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices that correspond to these proposed regulations. Executive Order 13609, Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation, promotes international regulatory cooperation to meet shared challenges involving health, safety, labor, security, environmental, and other issues and to reduce, eliminate, or prevent unnecessary differences in regulatory requirements. The FAA has analyzed this action under the policies and agency responsibilities of Executive Order 13609, and has determined that this action would have no effect on international regulatory cooperation. G. Environmental Analysis FAA Order 1050.1F 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 5–6.6d ‘‘Issuance of regulatory documents (e.g., Notices of Proposed Rulemaking and issuance of Final Rules) covering administration or procedural requirements (Does not include Air Traffic procedures; specific Air Traffic procedures that are categorically excluded are identified under Paragraph 5–6.5 of this Order.)’’ and involves no extraordinary circumstances. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 H. Privacy Analysis The FAA conducted a privacy impact assessment (PIA) in accordance with section 208 of the E-Government Act of 2002, Public Law 107–347, 116 Stat. 2889. The FAA examined the effect the proposed rule may have on collecting, storing, and disseminating personally identifiable information (PII) for use by air carriers in making hiring decisions. A copy of the PIA is included in the docket for this rulemaking and is additionally available at transpotation.gov/privacy. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 VII. Executive Order Determinations A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism The FAA has analyzed this proposed rule under the principles and criteria of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The agency determined that this action will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, or the relationship between the Federal Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government and, therefore, does not have Federalism implications. B. Executive Order 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use The FAA analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (May 18, 2001). The agency has determined that it is not a ‘‘significant energy action’’ under the executive order and it is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. C. Executive Order 13771, Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs This proposed rule is expected to be an E.O. 13771 regulatory action. Details on the estimated costs of this proposed rule can be found in the rule’s economic analysis. VIII. Additional Information A. Comments Invited The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. The agency also invites comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should submit only one time. The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 expense or delay. The agency may change this proposal in light of the comments it receives. Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Under 14 CFR 11.35(b), if the FAA is aware of proprietary information filed with a comment, the agency does not place it in the docket. It is held in a separate file to which the public does not have access, and the FAA places a note in the docket that it has received it. If the FAA receives a request to examine or copy this information, it treats it as any other request under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). The FAA processes such a request under Department of Transportation procedures found in 49 CFR part 7. B. Availability of Rulemaking Documents An electronic copy of rulemaking documents may be obtained from the internet by— 1. Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal (https://www.regulations.gov); 2. Visiting the FAA’s Regulations and Policies web page at https:// www.faa.gov/regulations_policies; or 3. Accessing the Government Printing Office’s web page at https:// www.gpo.gov/fdsys/. Copies may also be obtained 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) 267–9677. Commenters must identify the docket or notice number of this rulemaking. All documents the FAA considered in developing this proposed rule, including economic analyses and E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules technical reports, may be accessed from the internet through the Federal eRulemaking Portal referenced in item (1) above. IX. The Proposed Amendments List of Subjects 14 CFR Part 91 Aircraft, Airmen, Aviation safety, Commercial Operators, Flights for Compensation or Hire, Fractional Ownership, Public aircraft, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. PART 111—PILOT RECORDS DATABASE Subpart A—General Sec. 111.1 Applicability. 111.5 Compliance dates. 111.10 Definitions. 111.15 Application for database access. 111.20 Database access by authorized users and proxies. 111.25 Duration, cancellation and denial of access. 111.30 Unauthorized access or use prohibited. 111.35 Fraud and falsification. 111.40 Fee. 111.45 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. 111.50 Record retention in the PRD. 14 CFR Part 111 Air carriers, Aircraft, Airmen, Air operators, Aviation safety, Public aircraft, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 14 CFR Part 121 Air carriers, Aircraft, Airmen, Air operators, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 14 CFR Part 125 Aircraft, Airmen, Air operators, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 14 CFR Part 135 Air carriers, Aircraft, Airmen, Air operators, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend chapter I of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations as follows: PART 91—GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES 1. The authority for part 91 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40101, 40103, 40105, 40113, 40120, 44101, 44111, 44701, 44704, 44709, 44711, 44712, 44715, 44716, 44717, 44722, 46306, 46315, 46316, 46504, 46506–46507, 47122, 47508, 47528– 47531, 47534, Pub. L. 114–190, 130 Stat. 615 (49 U.S.C. 44703 note); articles 12 and 29 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (61 Stat. 1180), (126 Stat. 11). 2. Amend part 91 by adding § 91.27 to read as follows: ■ lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 § 91.27 Pilot Records Database. (a) Each person that conducts operations as a corporate flight department as defined in § 111.10 of this chapter, must comply with the requirements in part 111 of this chapter in accordance with the applicable timelines in that part. (b) Reserved. ■ 3. Revise § 91.1051 to read as follows: § 91.1051 Pilot Records Database (a) The program manager for any fractional ownership program approved VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 in accordance with this subpart is subject to the requirements of part 111 of this chapter applicable to operators that employ pilots and must achieve compliance in accordance with the applicable timelines in that part. (b) Reserved. ■ 4. Add Part 111 to read as follows: Subpart B—Accessing and Evaluating Records 111.100 Applicability. 111.105 Evaluation of pilot records and limitations on use. 111.110 Motor vehicle driving record request. 111.115 Good faith exception. 111.120 Pilot consent and right of review. 111.125 Release from liability. 111.130 Refusal to hire. 111.135 Duty to maintain privacy and confidentiality of pilot records. 111.140 FAA Records Subpart C—Reporting of Records by Air Carriers and Operators 111.200 Applicability. 111.205 General. 111.210 Format for reporting information. 111.215 Drug and alcohol testing records. 111.220 Training, qualification and proficiency records. 111.225 Final disciplinary action records. 111.230 Records concerning separation of employment. 111.240 Verification of motor vehicle driving record search and evaluation. 111.245 Special rules for protected records. 111.250 Duty to report records promptly. 111.255 Requests for correction of reported information. 111.260 Direct disputes. 111.265 Historical record reporting. 111.270 Reporting by trustee in bankruptcy. Subpart D—Pilot Rights and Responsibilities 111.300 Applicability. 111.305 Application for database access. 111.310 Written consent. 111.315 Pilot right of review. 111.320 Reporting errors and requesting corrections. PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17711 Subpart E—Compliance with Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA)—Transition to PRD 111.400 Applicability. 111.405 Continued compliance with PRIA required. 111.410 Duty to request and evaluate records. 111.415 Duty to furnish records. 111.420 Duty to report historical records to PRD. 111.425 Discontinued compliance with PRIA. 111.430 Expiration of subpart. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701, 44703(h), 44703(i), 44711, 46105. Subpart A—General § 111.1 Applicability. (a) This part establishes the rules governing the mandatory and voluntary use of the Pilot Records Database (PRD). (b) This part applies to the following persons: (1) Each person that holds an air carrier or operating certificate issued in accordance with part 119 of this chapter and is authorized to conduct operations under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter; (2) Each person that conducts air tour operations pursuant to a letter of authorization issued in accordance with § 91.147 of this chapter; (3) Each person that conducts operations pursuant to a fractional ownership program authorized in accordance with subpart K of part 91 of this chapter; (4) Each person that conducts operations as a corporate flight department, as defined in this part, pursuant to the general operating and flight rules in part 91 of this chapter; (5) Each person that conducts public aircraft operations; (6) The trustee in bankruptcy of any air carrier or other operator described in this paragraph; (7) Any other person authorized by the Administrator to access the PRD; (8) Any individual who holds an air transport or commercial pilot certificate issued under part 61 of this chapter or a remote pilot certificate under part 107 of this chapter; and, (9) Any individual who is employed by a person that conducts public aircraft operations. (c) This part does not apply to: (1) Any branch of the United States Armed Forces, National Guard, or reserve component of the Armed Forces; or (2) Any foreign air carrier or other foreign operator of U.S. registered aircraft. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17712 § 111.5 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules Compliance dates. (a) Compliance with subpart B of this part is required by [DATE ONE YEAR AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. (b) Compliance with subpart C of this part is required as follows: (1) For an air carrier or operator conducting operations on [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER], compliance is required with the reporting requirements of this subpart beginning on [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER]; and, (2) For an air carrier or other operator that initiates operations after [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER], compliance is required with the reporting requirements of this subpart within 90 days of the issuance of the air carrier or operator’s operations specifications, unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator. (c) Compliance with the historical records reporting requirements of § 111.420, compliance is required by March 31, 2022. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 § 111.10 Definitions. For purposes of this part, the term— Access the PRD means to use the credentials issued by the Administrator in accordance with § 111.20 or § 111.25 to retrieve information related to a particular individual pilot or to report to the PRD information required by this part, or for a responsible person to manage user access. Air Carrier means any person that holds an air carrier certificate issued in accordance with part 119 of this chapter and is authorized to conduct operations under parts 121 or 135 of this chapter. Authorized user means an individual employed by an air carrier or other operator and designated by a responsible person to access the PRD on behalf of the air carrier or other operator for purposes of reporting and evaluating the records pertaining to an individual pilot applicant. Corporate flight department means a person that operates two or more standard airworthiness airplanes that require a type rating under § 61.31(a) of this chapter, in furtherance of, or incidental to, a business, pursuant to the general operating and flight rules in part 91 of this chapter or operates airplanes being operated under a deviation authority issued under § 125.3 of this chapter. Date an individual begins service as a pilot means the earliest date on which a pilot serves as a flight crewmember for VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 an air carrier or other operator required to comply with the provisions of this part. Directly involved in the hiring decision means any individual who is responsible for making pilot hiring decisions on behalf of the employer or who is responsible for advising the decision maker on whether or not to hire an individual as a pilot. Final disciplinary action record means a record of any corrective action taken by an employer in response to an event pertaining to pilot performance which is not subject to any pending formal or informal dispute initiated by the pilot. No disciplinary action may be considered final until 30 days after action. Final separation from employment record means a last-in-time record of any action ending the employment relationship between a pilot and an air carrier or other operator which is not subject to any pending formal or informal dispute initiated by the pilot. The separation from employment actions include: Resignation, termination, physical (medical) disqualification, professional disqualification, furlough, extended leave, or retirement. No separation from employment may be considered final until 30 days after action. Historical record means a record generated by the Administrator, an air carrier, or other operator in response to a request from another air carrier or operator that must be maintained by the person that generated it in accordance with the Pilot Records Improvement Act, 49 U.S.C. 44703(h)(4) and maintained in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(15)(C)(iii). Individual employed as a pilot means any individual used as a pilot by an air carrier or other operator, as defined in this section, whether that individual is retained directly or on a contract basis for any form of compensation. Operator that employs pilots or other operator means the following groups of persons, other than air carriers, that use one or more individuals as flight crewmember(s): (a) Each person that holds an operating certificate issued by the FAA in accordance with part 119 of this chapter; (b) Each person that conducts air tour operations pursuant to a letter of authorization issued in accordance with § 91.147 of this chapter; (c) Each person that conducts operations pursuant to a fractional ownership program authorized in accordance with subpart K of part 91 of this chapter; PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 (d) Each person that operates a corporate flight department, pursuant to the general operating and flight rules in part 91 of this chapter; (e) Each person that conducts operations of public aircraft; or (f) A trustee in bankruptcy. Participating operator means an operator that employs pilots covered by this part that voluntarily seeks to access the PRD for purposes of assessing the qualifications of a pilot candidate in accordance with subpart B of this part. Pilot means an individual who holds a commercial pilot or airline transport pilot certificate issued under part 61; or an individual who holds a part 107 certificate with an ability to conduct UAS operations carrying people or property for compensation or hire and who is employed by an air carrier or other operator. Pilot Records Database (PRD) or the database means the electronic system for enabling the exchange of pilot information between the FAA, air carriers, and operators, developed by the FAA pursuant to Section 203 of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, Public Law 111–216. PRD Hire Date or PRD Date of Hire means the earliest date on which an individual is expected to begin any form of company required training or to perform any other duty for an air carrier or other employer in preparation for the individual’s service as a pilot. Proxy means a person or entity approved by the Administrator to access the PRD system electronically on behalf of an air carrier or other operator subject to the requirements of this part and designated by a responsible person for an air carrier or other operator. Record pertaining to pilot performance means records of an activity or event specifically related to an individual’s completion of the core duties and responsibilities of a pilot to maintain safe aircraft operations, as assigned by the employer and established by the FAA. Report to the PRD means to access the PRD system electronically, and submit information in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator pertaining to each individual employed as a pilot as required by this part. Responsible person means an individual identified on the application required by § § 111.15 and satisfies the criteria in § 111.15(d). Writing/Written means documented in hard paper copy or electronic format and affixed with a signature. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 § 111.15 Application for database access. (a) Each air carrier and other operator that employs pilots must submit an application for database access to the FAA in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator, including all information described in this section and any additional information that may be requested by the Administrator. (b) The application required by this section must include, at a minimum, the following information as well as any additional information that may be requested by the Administrator in order to verify the identity of all individuals designated by an air carrier or other operator to access the database: (1) The full name, job title, and valid electronic mail address of the individual authorized to submit the application in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section who will act as the responsible person. (2) The purpose(s) for which database access is requested, including whether theapplicant seeks access to comply with subpart B or subpart C of this part, or both. (3) All business names and the address for the principal base of operations for the air carrier or other operator. (4) FAA air carrier or operating certificate number and pilot certificate number, as applicable. (c)(1) The application required by this section may include a request for limited system administrator rights authorizing the responsible person identified in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section to delegate his or her authority to access the database on behalf of the air carrier or other operator to authorized users and proxies of the air carrier or other operator. (2) A proxy identified by a responsible person on an application described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must also submit an application in a form and manner prescribed by the Administrator for approval. (d) The application required by this section must be signed and submitted by a responsible person who meets the following minimum qualifications, or by another individual if approved by the Administrator: (1) For part 121 air carriers, a person serving in a management position required by § 119.65(a) of this chapter. (2) For part 125 operators, a person serving in a management position required by § 125.25(a) of this chapter. (3) For part 135 air carriers and operators, a person serving in a management position required by § 119.69(a) of this chapter. (4) For a part 135 air carrier or operator using only one pilot in its VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 operations, the pilot named in the certificate holder’s operation specifications. (5) For persons conducting operations pursuant to a letter of authorization issued in accordance with § 91.147 of this chapter, an individual designated as a responsible person on the operator’s letter of authorization. (6) For persons conducting operations pursuant to subpart K of part 91 of this chapter, an authorized individual designated by the fractional ownership program manager, as defined in § 91.1001(b) of this chapter, who meets all of the following conditions: (i) The individual must have their identity verified by the FAA in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator; and (ii) The individual must be employed by the operator. (7) For any other operator required to comply with this part, or any trustee appointed in a bankruptcy proceeding, an individual authorized to sign and submit the application required by this section, must meet all of the following conditions: (i) The individual must have their identity verified by the FAA in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator; and (ii) The individual must be employed by the operator. (e)(1) Air carriers and operators must submit an amended application for database access to the FAA in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator no later than 30 days after any change in the information included on the initial application for database access, except in the case of information pertaining to a change to the responsible person. (2) There must be a valid responsible person approved by the Administrator at all times for continued authorized user and proxy access to the database. In the case of any change or information that would cause the current responsible person’s database access to be cancelled or denied, the air carrier or operator must submit an amended application to the FAA identifying a different responsible person who is eligible for database access in accordance with this section and prior to the change in status of the current responsible person. (f) When a request for electronic access to the database is approved by the FAA, the Administrator will issue credentials to the responsible person who submitted the application required by this section, authorizing the responsible person to: (1) Access the database on behalf of the particular air carrier or other PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17713 operator for purposes consistent with the provisions of this part; and (2) Exercise limited database administrator rights to delegate the air carrier or other operator’s authority to access the database to authorized users and proxies in accordance with § 111.20. (g) Credentials issued based on an application submitted to the FAA in accordance with this section, as well as any authority delegated by any responsible person under paragraph (f)(2) of this section, are subject to renewal, cancellation and denial of access by the Administrator in accordance with §§ 111.20 and 111.25. (h) An air carrier or other operator that initiates operations after [DATE 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER] must submit the application required by this section to the FAA at least 90 days before the air carrier or other operator initiates aircraft operations. § 111.20 Database access by authorized users and proxies. (a)(1) If approved in accordance with § 111.15, the responsible person for an air carrier or other operator required to access the database in accordance with this part may delegate to employees of the air carrier or operator, or to a proxy approved in accordance with § 111.15, the authority to access the database on its behalf for purposes of complying with the requirements of subparts B or C of this part. (2) The air carrier or other operator must establish procedures to ensure an authorized user or proxy approved by the Administrator understands and complies with § 111.135 and the terms applicable to database access in paragraph (b) of this section and the privileges and limitations of this part. (b) Access to the database by authorized users and proxies on behalf of the air carrier or other operator is subject to the privileges and limitations applicable to air carriers and operators in this part as well as the following terms and any additional terms that may be established by the Administrator: (1) Any authorized user or proxy delegated authority to access the database on behalf of an air carrier or other operator in order to comply with the evaluation requirements of subpart B of this part, may only use the database registration issued by the Administrator to access information in the database to inform a hiring decision concerning a pilot applicant. (2) Any authorized user or proxy delegated authority to access the database on behalf of an air carrier or other operator in order to comply with E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules the reporting requirements of subpart C of this part, may only use the database registration issued by the Administrator to access the PRD for purposes of reporting information to the database on behalf of the air carrier or other operator. (3) Proxies must provide assurances to the air carrier or other operator that the information obtained using such access will not be used for any purpose other than collecting the information for evaluation by the air carrier or other operator for purposes of making the hiring decision and will be subject to inspection upon request of the Administrator. (c) Access to the database by authorized users and proxies may be subject to the valid access of the responsible person. (1) In the case of cancellation of a responsible person’s database access, the database access of authorized users and proxies will remain valid if the air carrier or other operator submits a new application for database access indicating a new responsible person prior to cancellation of the prior responsible person and obtains approval of that application. (2) In the case of denial of a responsible person’s database access, the database access of authorized persons and proxies may also be denied. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 § 111.25 Duration, cancellation, and denial of access. (a) Duration. Database registration is valid for an amount of time determined by the Administrator unless cancelled or denied and includes both a user identification and a PRD identification. (b) Renewal. The Administrator may require the renewal of credentials issued to any person or individual user at recurring intervals and as necessary to protect the security and integrity of the database. (c) Cancellation. The Administrator may cancel any database registration that remains inactive for an amount of time determined by the Administrator, or if the person or individual user holding the registration no longer satisfies the eligibility criteria prescribed by this part. (d) Denial of access. (1) The Administrator may deny database access to any person or individual user for failure to comply with any of the duties and responsibilities prescribed by this part, including but not limited to: (i) Accessing an individual’s information in the database without first obtaining the written consent of that individual; VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 (ii) Reporting false or fraudulent information to the database; (iii) Misusing or misappropriating user rights or protected information from the database; or (iv) As necessary to preserve the security and integrity of the database. (2) The Administrator may deny access to the database registration of any air carrier or other operator employing a pilot if the operating certificate or other authority to operate is revoked by the FAA. (3) If database access is denied to any person or individual user under (d)(1) of this section, that person or individual user may submit a request for reconsideration in a form and a manner prescribed by the Administrator. Database access will not be permitted pending reconsideration. (e) When access has been cancelled or denied for any person or individual user, that person or individual user must reapply for access, as applicable, in accordance with § 111.15. § 111.30 Unauthorized access or use prohibited. (a) No person may access the database for any purpose except as expressly authorized by this part. (b) No person may share, distribute, publish, or otherwise release any information accessed in the database to any person or individual who is not directly involved in the hiring decision, unless specifically authorized by law. (c) No requirement in this section or this part prohibits the Administrator from accessing and using information maintained in the database for purposes consistent with the oversight authority of the FAA. § 111.35 Fraud and falsification. No person may make, or cause to be made, any of the following: (a) A fraudulent or intentionally false statement in, or a known omission from, any application or any amendment thereto, or in any other record or test result reported to the Pilot Records Database in accordance with the requirements of this part. (b) A fraudulent or intentionally false statement in, or a known omission from, any record or report that is kept, made, or used to show compliance with this part, or to exercise any privileges under this chapter. § 111.40 Fee. (a) The fee for processing each request made by an air carrier, other operator or participating operator, or their designated proxies, made in accordance with subpart B of this part for an individual pilot’s records maintained in PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 the PRD is established using the following methodology and published by the Administrator: (1) User Fee per Request: (F). Equals (2) Annual Cost of Operation and Maintenance of the PRD: (C). Divided by (3) Annual Requests through the PRD: (R). (b) The fee required in paragraph (a) of this section must be paid to the FAA in a form and manner prescribed by the Administrator. (c) The fee will be imposed per pilot record accessed in the PRD. (d) An individual pilot will not be charged a fee for accessing his/her record in the PRD. (e) An air carrier or other employer will not be charged a fee for reporting records to the PRD. § 111.45 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, information reported to the PRD in accordance with the provisions of this part is exempt from the disclosure requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(3)(B). (b) Information reported to the PRD in accordance with the provisions of this part is subject to disclosure as follows: (1) De-identified, summarized information may be disclosed to explain the need for changes in policies and regulations; (2) Information may be disclosed to correct a condition that compromises safety; (3) Information may be disclosed to carry out a criminal investigation or prosecution; (4) Information may be disclosed to comply with 49 U.S.C. 44905, regarding information about threats to civil aviation; and (5) Such information as the Administrator determines necessary may be disclosed if withholding the information would not be consistent with the safety responsibilities of the FAA. § 111.50 Record Retention in the PRD. (a) All information pertaining to an individual pilot that is reported for inclusion in the database in accordance with this part will be maintained in the database until one of the following occurs: (1) The FAA receives official notification of an individual pilot’s death, in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, from the pilot’s next of kin; or E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 EP30MR20.002</GPH> 17714 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules (2) An FAA audit of the database indicates that 99 years have passed since the date of birth on record for the individual. (b) Any notification submitted to the FAA in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section must include the following: (1) The full name of the pilot as it appears on his or her pilot certificate; (2) The pilot’s FAA-issued certificate number; and (3) A certified copy of the individual’s certificate of death. Subpart B—Accessing and Evaluating Records lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 § 111.100 Applicability. (a) The requirements of this subpart are mandatory for any person that: (1) Holds an air carrier or operating certificate issued by the FAA in accordance with part 119 of this chapter and is authorized to conduct operations under part 121, 125, or part 135 of this chapter; (2) Has been issued management specifications to operate in accordance with part 91 subpart K of this chapter; or (3) Has been issued a letter of authorization to conduct air tour operations in accordance with § 91.147 of this chapter. (b) Operators that employ pilots and are subject to the reporting requirements in subpart C of this part, may also include in the application for access to the database under § 111.15 a request to opt in to the requirements of this subpart to assess the qualifications of an individual in determining whether to hire the individual as a pilot, provided: (1) The application for access to the database for purposes of evaluating any information maintained in the database is submitted for approval to the FAA in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator; (2) Any other operator that requests access to the database in accordance with this paragraph may be required to submit a new application or amendment thereto, along with any additional information that may be requested by the Administrator; (3) Any participating operator that is authorized by the Administrator to access the database in accordance with this paragraph must comply with § 111.40 and the requirements of this subpart, with the exception of 111.110, and unless otherwise specified. § 111.105 Evaluation of pilot records and limitations on use. (a) No air carrier or participating operator may permit an individual to VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 begin service as a pilot, unless the person has evaluated all relevant information pertaining to that individual in the course of deciding whether to hire the individual to work as a pilot, including: (1) All information pertaining to the individual maintained in the PRD; (2) All information pertaining to the individual obtained from the chief driver licensing official of each state in accordance with § 111.110, if required; and (3) Records related to the individual that are maintained by another air carrier or other operator in accordance with the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 44703(h) and subpart E of this part, until such time as those provisions expire. (b) No person may access the database for purposes of retrieving the information maintained in the database pertaining to an individual, unless the individual has provided his or her consent in accordance with § 111.120. (c) No person required to access the database for purposes of evaluating the information maintained in the database regarding an individual may allow any individual to access the database on its behalf except as provided in § 111.20. (d) Except as provided in subpart D, no person may use any information pertaining to an individual that is retrieved from the database for any purpose except to assess whether or not to employ that individual as a pilot. (e) Paragraph (a)(3) of this section will expire on [DATE 2 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER]. § 111.110 request. Motor vehicle driving record (a) No air carrier or participating operator may permit an individual to begin service as a pilot, unless the air carrier or participating operator has requested and evaluated all relevant information from the chief driver licensing official of each State, identified through a National Driver Register (NDR) search concerning the individual’s motor vehicle driving history in accordance with the following process: (1) For each individual the air carrier or participating operator is considering employing as a pilot, the air carrier must obtain the written consent of the individual before requesting an NDR search for the individual’s State motor vehicle driving records; (2) After obtaining the written consent of the individual, the air carrier or participating operator must submit a request to the NDR to determine PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17715 whether any State maintains relevant records pertaining to the individual; and (3) When the NDR search result is returned— (i) If the NDR search result indicates a participating State, as defined in 49 U.S.C. 30301, maintains records concerning the individual, the air carrier must submit a request for the relevant motor vehicle driving records to the chief driver licensing official of each State identified in the NDR search result; or (ii) If the NDR search result does not identify any participating State maintaining relevant motor vehicle driving record data concerning the individual, then the air carrier’s obligation under this paragraph is complete. (b) The air carrier or participating operator must report to the PRD, in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator, verification that consent was received from the individual to conduct the NDR record search required in paragraph (a) of this section. (c) Verification that compliance with the requirements of this section has been accomplished must be reported to the PRD in accordance with § 111.240. (d) The air carrier or participating operator must provide to the Administrator, upon request, documentation to establish that the air carrier or participating operator has conducted the search required by paragraph (a) of this section. The air carrier or participating operator documentation must retain this documentation for five years. § 111.115 Good faith exception. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 111.105, an air carrier or participating operator may allow an individual to begin service as a pilot, without first evaluating all records pertaining to the individual’s previous employment as a pilot, only if— (1) The air carrier has made a documented good faith attempt to access the information maintained in the PRD; and (2) The air carrier has received notice from the Administrator that certain information pertaining to an individual’s employment history as a pilot is not contained in the PRD. § 111.120 review. Pilot consent and right of (a) No person may access the PRD for purposes of evaluating the records pertaining to any individual in the course of deciding whether to hire the individual to work as a pilot, unless prior to the date of access, the person has been notified by the Administrator E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17716 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules that the individual whose records the person seeks to access in the database has provided written consent authorizing the release of his or her information maintained in the database to that person. (b) Except as provided in § 111.110, the individual consent required in paragraph (a) of this section must be reported to the database by the individual in accordance with § 111.310 in a form and manner prescribed by the Administrator. (c) Any individual that submits a written consent to an air carrier or other operator in accordance with § 111.310(b) is entitled to request a copy of any State motor vehicle driving records obtained by the prospective employer in accordance with § 111.110. The prospective employer must provide a response to the individual with copies of any State motor vehicle driving records obtained within 30 days. § 111.125 Release from liability. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and notwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement to the contrary, an air carrier or participating operator may require an individual, with respect to whom the air carrier must access records in the database pursuant to this part, to execute a release from liability for any claim arising from: (1) Accessing the individual’s records in the database; or (2) The use of such records by the air carrier in accordance with the requirements of this part. (b) No air carrier may require any individual with respect to whom the carrier is accessing records in the PRD to execute a release from liability for any claim arising from furnishing information known to be false and maintained in violation of a criminal statute. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 § 111.130 Refusal to hire. (a) In addition to reasons related to a pilot applicant’s qualifications, an air carrier or participating operator may refuse to hire an individual as a pilot if: (1) The individual did not provide written consent required in §§ 111.110 and 111.120 of this chapter, in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator, for the air carrier to receive records from the PRD or from the chief driver licensing official of any state; or (2) The individual did not execute the release from liability that may be requested by the air carrier in accordance with § 111.125. (b) No action or proceeding may be brought against an air carrier by or on VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 behalf of an individual who has applied for or is seeking a position as a pilot with the air carrier if the air carrier refused to hire the individual pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section. § 111.135 Duty to maintain privacy and confidentiality of pilot records. Each person authorized to access the database for purposes of retrieving information pertaining to an individual pilot candidate must take action to protect the privacy of any individual whose records are accessed in the database and adequately secure in a normal course of business the confidentiality of such records retrieved from the database. § 111.140 FAA Records. No air carrier or participating operator may permit an individual to begin service as a flight crewmember unless the air carrier or operator’s responsible person has accessed and evaluated all relevant information pertaining to the following FAA records included in the PRD: (a) Records related to current pilot and medical certificate information, including associated type ratings and information on any limitations to those certificates and ratings. (b) Records maintained by the Administrator concerning any failed attempt of an individual to pass a practical test required to obtain a certificate or type rating under part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. (c) Records related to enforcement actions resulting in a finding by the Administrator of a violation of Title 49 of the United States Code or a regulation prescribed or order issued under that title that was not subsequently overturned. (d) Records related to an individual acting as pilot in command or second in command during an aviation accident or incident. (e) Records related to pre-employment and other Department of Transportation modal Administration drug and alcohol testing including: 1. Verified positive drug tests; 2. Alcohol tests resulting in a confirmed breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater; and 3. Refusals to submit to drug or alcohol tests. Subpart C—Reporting of Records by Air Carriers and Operators § 111.200 Applicability. This subpart prescribes the requirements for reporting records on individuals employed as pilots and applies to the following persons: PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 (a) Each person that holds an air carrier or operating certificate issued in accordance with part 119 of this chapter and is authorized to conduct operations under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter; (b) Each person that conducts air tour operations pursuant to a letter of authorization issued in accordance with § 91.147 of this chapter; (c) Each person that conducts operations pursuant to a fractional ownership program authorized in accordance with subpart K of part 91 of this chapter; (d) Each person that conducts operations with a corporate flight department, as defined in this part, pursuant to the general operating and flight rules in part 91 of this chapter; (e) Each person that conducts operations of public aircraft; and (f) The trustee in bankruptcy of an air carrier or operator described in this paragraph. § 111.205 General. (a) Each air carrier and operator must report the information required by this subpart for an individual employed as a pilot beginning on the PRD date of hire for that individual. (b) Each air carrier and operator must report the following information for each individual employed as a pilot: (1) All relevant records described in §§ 111.215 through 111.240 generated by the air carrier or other operator on or after [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]; and (2) The historical records addressed in § 111.265. (c) No person may enter, or cause to be entered, into the database any information covered in § 111.245. § 111.210 Format for reporting information. Each air carrier and other operator must report to the database all records required by this subpart for each individual employed as a pilot in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator. § 111.215 records. Drug and alcohol testing (a) Each air carrier and other operator required to comply with part 120 of this chapter must report to the database the following records concerning drug and alcohol testing for each individual pilot employed by that air carrier or other operator in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator: (1) Records concerning drug testing, including— (i) Any drug test result verified positive, adulterated, substituted, or E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules otherwise non-negative by a Medical Review Officer, which must be retained by the Medical Review Officer and employer in accordance with § 120.111(a)(1) of this chapter; (ii) Any refusal to submit to drug testing, which must be retained by the employer in accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a)(1)(iii); and (iii) All follow-up drug test results, verified by a Medical Review Officer, which must be retained by the Medical Review Officer and employer in accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a)(1)(v). (2) Records concerning alcohol testing, including— (i) A test result with a confirmed breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater, which must be retained by the employer in accordance with § 120.219(a)(2)(i)(B) of this chapter; (ii) Any result pertaining to an occurrence of on-duty alcohol use, preduty alcohol use, or alcohol use following an accident, which must be retained by the employer in accordance with § 120.219 (a)(2)(i)(B) of this chapter; (iii) Any refusal to submit to alcohol testing, which must be retained by the employer in accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a)(1)(iii); and (iv) All follow-up alcohol test results, which must be retained by the employer in accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a)(1)(v). (b) Each drug or alcohol test result that must be reported to the database in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section must include the following information in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator: (1) The type of test administered; (2) The date the test was administered; and (3) The result of the test. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 § 111.220 Training, qualification and proficiency records. (a) Each air carrier and other operator must report to the PRD in a form and manneracceptable to the Administrator, the following records for each individual employed as a pilot: (1) Records documenting an individual’s compliance with FAArequired training, qualifications, and proficiency events, which are kept pursuant to §§ 91.1027(a)(3), 121.683, 125.401 or 135.63(a)(4) of this chapter, as applicable, including any comments and evaluations made by a check pilot; and (2) Other records the air carrier maintains documenting an individual’s compliance with FAA or employerrequired training, checking, testing, currency, proficiency, or other events related to pilot performance concerning VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 the training, qualifications, proficiency, or professional competence of the individual, including any comments and evaluations made by a check pilot. (b) No person may report any of the following information for inclusion in the database: (1) Records related to flight time, duty time and rest time. (2) Records demonstrating compliance with physical examinations or any other protected medical records. (3) Records documenting aeronautical experience. (4) Records identified in § 111.245. (c) Each record reported to the PRD in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section must include all of the following information in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator: (1) Date of the event; (2) Aircraft type; (3) Duty position of the pilot; (4) Training program approval part and subpart of this title, as applicable; (5) Crewmember training/ qualification curriculum and category as reflected in either a FAA-approved or employer-mandated training program; (6) Result of the event (satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and, if unsatisfactory, a brief comment explaining the basis for the unsatisfactory result); and (7) Comments of check pilot, if applicable under subpart K of part 91, part 121, part 125, or part 135 of this chapter. § 111.225 Final disciplinary action records. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each air carrier and other operator must report to the database, in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, any final disciplinary action record pertaining to pilot performance with respect to an individual employed as a pilot. (b) No person may report to the database any record of disciplinary action that was subsequently overturned as a result of any one of the following: (1) A settlement agreement between the employer and the pilot or the pilot’s representative; (2) The official decision or order of any panel or individual given authority to review employment disputes, or by any court of law; or (3) Other mutual agreement of the employer and the pilot. (c) Whenever an air carrier or other operator receives notice that any disciplinary action record, which has been reported to the database under paragraph (a) of this section, was overturned, the air carrier or other operator must request a correction to the pilot’s PRD record in accordance with § 111.255. PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17717 (d) Each final disciplinary action record that must be reported to the database in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section must include the following information in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator: (1) The type of disciplinary action taken by the employer, including written warning, suspension, or termination; (2) The date the corrective action occurred; and (3) A brief summary of the event resulting in corrective action. § 111.230 Records concerning separation of employment. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each air carrier and other operator must report to the PRD, in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, the following records for each individual employed as a pilot: (1) Records concerning release from employment kept pursuant to §§ 91.1027(a)(3), 121.683, 125.401 or 135.63(a)(4) of this chapter; and (2) Records pertaining to pilot performance kept concerning a release from employment or resignation, termination or professional disqualification with respect to employment for each pilot that it employs. (b) No person may report to the database any record regarding separation from employment that has been overturned as a result of any one of the following: (1) A settlement agreement between the employer and the pilot; (2) The official decision or order of any panel or individual given authority to review employment disputes, or by any court of law; or (3) Other mutual agreement of the employer and the pilot. (c) Whenever an air carrier or other operator receives notice that any separation from employment record, which has been reported to the database under paragraph (a) of this section, was overturned, the air carrier or other operator must request a correction to the pilot’s PRD record in accordance with § 111.255. (d) Each separation from employment action record that must be reported to the database in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section must include the following information in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator: (4) The type of separation from employment, which could include: resignation, termination, physical (medical) disqualification, professional disqualification, furlough, extended leave, or retirement; E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17718 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules (5) The date of separation from employment; and (6) For termination or professional disqualification, a brief summary of the event resulting in separation from employment. § 111.240 Verification of motor vehicle driving record search and evaluation. (a) Each air carrier or participating operator subject to the requirements of subpart B of this part must report to the PRD, in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, verification that the requirements in § 111.110 have been met. (b) No person may report any substantive information from the state driving records pertaining to any individual obtained in accordance with § 111.110 for inclusion in the PRD. § 111.245 records. Special rules for protected No person may report any pilot record for inclusion in the PRD that pertains to a safety event, that was reported by any individual as part of an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) or any other approved Voluntary Safety Reporting Program for which the FAA has designated reported information as protected in accordance with part 193 of this chapter. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 § 111.250 Duty to report records promptly. (a) Except as provided in § 111.260 and subpart E for reporting historical records to the PRD, all records created on or after [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER] and required to be reported to the database under this subpart must be reported to the PRD promptly. (b) For purposes of this section, a record will be considered as having been reported promptly if the record is submitted to the FAA within the following timeframe for the type of record submitted— (1) PRD Hire Date. Within 30 days of the PRD Hire Date. (2) Date Individual Begins Service as a Pilot. Within 30 days of beginning service. (3) Training, Qualification and Proficiency Records. Within 30 days of record creation. (4) Drug and Alcohol Testing. Notwithstanding the requirements of §§ 120.113(d)(3) and 120.221(c), within 30 days of the following, as applicable: (i) The date a drug test result is verified by the Medical Review Officer; (ii) The date an alcohol test result is confirmed by the Breath Alcohol Technician; or (iii) The date of the refusal to submit to testing. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 (5) Disciplinary Actions. (i) Each air carrier and other operator must report records of final disciplinary actions no later than 30 days after the disciplinary action is considered final under § 111.225. (ii) If any final disciplinary action is overturned after the information has been reported to the PRD, the air carrier or other operator must submit a request for correction in accordance with § 111.255 within 10 days after the disciplinary action is overturned. (6) Release from Employment. (i) Each air carrier and other operator must report any release from employment or resignation, termination, or disqualification with respect to employment of an individual no later than 30 days after the date of release from employment. (ii) If any decision regarding release from employment is overturned after the information has been reported to the PRD, the air carrier or other operator must submit a request for correction in accordance with § 111.255 within 10 days after the decision to reinstate the pilot. (7) Verification of Motor Vehicle Driving Record Search and Evaluation. Within 45 days of PRD Date of Hire. (8) Other Records Pertaining to Pilot Performance. Within 30 days of record creation. § 111.255 Requests for correction of reported information. (a) An air carrier or other operator that discovers an error or inaccuracy in information previously reported to the PRD must submit a request for correction in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator. (b) Requests for correction must be submitted to the database within 30 days of discovering the error or inaccurate information. § 111.260 Direct disputes. (a) Each air carrier or other operator that employs pilots must have a documented process for resolving disputes with respect to information documented in the PRD. (b) Each air carrier and other operator that employs pilots must respond in a reasonable amount of time to any dispute made by an individual which it has employed as a pilot with respect to information documented in the PRD. (c) Each air carrier and other operator must conduct a reasonable investigation of any dispute made by an individual pilot in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section and § 111.320. (d) The resolution of any dispute made by an individual pilot in accordance with paragraph (a) of this PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 section and § 111.320 must be documented in the PRD by the air carrier or other operator. § 111.265 Historical record reporting. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each person subject to the provisions of this subpart must comply with the requirements in subpart E of this part regarding continued compliance with PRIA and reporting of historical records to the PRD. (b) Persons conducting operations of a corporate aircraft fleet pursuant to the general operating and flight rules in part 91 of this chapter are not required to comply with this section or subpart E of this part. § 111.270 Reporting by trustee in bankruptcy. (a) If any air carrier or other operator subject to the requirements of this part files a petition for protection under the Federal bankruptcy laws, the trustee appointed by the bankruptcy court must comply with all reporting requirements of subpart C and subpart E of this part applicable to the air carrier or other operator. (b) The air carrier or other operator may delegate its authority to the trustee appointed by the bankruptcy court to access the database on its behalf in accordance with § 111.20 or the trustee may submit an application to the FAA requesting access to the database consistent with the requirements of § 111.15. Subpart D—Pilot Access and Responsibilities § 111.300 Applicability. This subpart applies to: (a) Any individual who holds an airline transport or commercial pilot certificate under part 61 of this chapter or a remote pilot certificate under part 107 of this chapter; or (b) Any individual who is employed as a pilot by an operator of a public aircraft. § 111.305 Application for database access. (a) Any pilot may request electronic access to the PRD by submitting an application to the FAA in the form and manner acceptable to the Administrator for one or more of the following purposes: (1) To review and obtain a copy of his or her own comprehensive PRD record; (2) To give consent to a particular air carrier or participating operator to access his or her comprehensive PRD record; or (3) To exercise any other privileges provided by this part. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules (b) The application required in paragraph (a) of this section must include, at a minimum, the following information as well as any additional information that may be requested by the Administrator in order to verify the identity of the pilot requesting access to the database: (1) The pilot’s full name as it appears on his or her pilot certificate; (2) The pilot’s FAA-issued certificate number; (3) A current U.S. mailing address and telephone number; and (4) A valid electronic mail address. (c) The application required in paragraph (a) of this section must be submitted at least 7 days before the pilot seeks to access the PRD for any authorized purpose. (d) Credentials issued by the FAA to any pilot based on application submitted in accordance with this section are subject to renewal, cancellation, and denial of access by the Administrator in accordance with § 111.25. § 111.310 Written consent. (a) Before any air carrier or participating operator may access an individual’s records in the PRD for purposes of retrieving information for compliance with subpart B of this part, the individual must apply for access to the PRD in accordance with § 111.305 and provide written consent to the FAA, in the form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, that authorizes the Administrator to release his or her records maintained in the database to the particular air carrier or participating operator. (b) Before any air carrier or participating operator may submit a request to the NDR for an individual’s motor vehicle driving record for purposes of compliance with § 111.110, the individual must provide written consent to the air carrier or participating operator in the form and manner acceptable to the Administrator. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 § 111.315 Pilot right of review. (a) Once a pilot has been issued credentials by the FAA to access the PRD based on an approved application submitted to the FAA in accordance with § 111.305, the pilot may access the database at any time to review all records pertaining to him or her that have been reported to the PRD (including airman certification information reported by the Administrator) and to submit the written consent required in accordance with § 111.310(a). (b) Any pilot who submits written consent to an air carrier or other VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 operator in accordance with § 111.310(b) may request a copy of any State motor vehicle driving records obtained by the prospective employer in accordance with § 111.110. The prospective employer must provide a response within 30 days of receiving the pilot’s request. § 111.320 Reporting errors and requesting corrections. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement, the Administrator, upon receipt of written request from an individual must provide the individual with a reasonable opportunity to submit written comments to correct any inaccuracies contained in the records. (b) Any pilot who identifies an error or inaccuracy in his or her records maintained in the PRD must submit a notice and request for correction to the person that reported the erroneous information to the PRD. If the information disputed was reported by an air carrier or other operator, the dispute must be made with that person in accordance with the person’s established policies and procedures required in accordance with § 111.255. (c) Any pilot who identifies an error or inaccuracy in his or her FAA data in the database must report the error or inaccuracy to the FAA in the form and manner acceptable to the Administrator consistent with the requirements of the Privacy Act. (d) If a pilot believes a particular record reported to the PRD by any person that has employed the individual or reported by the Administrator is erroneous or inaccurate, the pilot may request, in the form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, that the Administrator enter a notation into the individual’s PRD record indicating that certain information pertaining to the individual in the database has been disputed by the pilot. Subpart E—Compliance With PRIA— Transition to PRD § 111.400 Applicability. (a) This subpart addresses the continuing obligations of air carriers and other operators subject to the requirements of PRIA, and identified in paragraph (b) of this section, until full compliance has been achieved with subparts A through C of this part by each air carrier and other operator. (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, this subpart applies to the following persons: (1) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations under part 121 of this chapter; PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 17719 (2) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations under part 135 of this chapter; (3) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations under part 125 of this chapter; (4) Each person that conducts air tour operations pursuant to a letter of authorization issued in accordance with § 91.147 of this chapter; (5) Each person that conducts operations pursuant to a fractional ownership program approved in accordance with subpart K of part 91 of this chapter; (6) Each person that conducts public aircraft operations; and (7) The trustee in bankruptcy of any air carrier or other operator described in this paragraph. (c) This subpart does not apply to any new entrant air carrier or other operator that initiates aircraft operations on or after [DATE 2 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER]. § 111.405 required. Continued compliance with PRIA Until [DATE 2 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER], each air carrier or other operator described in § 111.400(b) must continue to make a good faith effort to comply with all applicable requirements of PRIA at 49 U.S.C. 44703(h). § 111.410 records. Duty to request and evaluate (a) Until [DATE 2 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER], each air carrier must make a good faith effort to request and receive records in accordance with the requirements of PRIA at 49 U.S.C. 44703(h) if the historical records pertaining to the pilot’s previous employment with an entity are not available in the PRD. (b) Once the records have been obtained in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the air carrier or other operator must evaluate the records before allowing any individual to begin service as a pilot. § 111.415 Duty to furnish records. Until [DATE 2 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER], at the request of a hiring air carrier and with the prior written consent of the pilot applicant, each air carrier and other operator must furnish to the hiring air carrier any records maintained in accordance with PRIA under 49 U.S.C. 44703(h), which have not been reported to the PRD pursuant to § 111.265. E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3 17720 § 111.420 to PRD. Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / Proposed Rules Duty to report historical records (a) Air carriers must report to the PRD all historical records kept in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 44703(h)(4), dating from August 1, 2005, up to [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER] in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator. (b) Operators employing pilots, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, must report to the PRD all historical records kept in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 44703(h)(4), dating from August 1, 2010 up to [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER] in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator. (c) Persons conducting operations pursuant to the general operating and flight rules in part 91 of this chapter are not required to comply with this section. (d) All historical records required to be reported to the PRD in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section must be reported to the PRD no later than [DATE 2 YEARS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER]. (e) All historical records required to be reported to the FAA for inclusion in the PRD in accordance with paragraph (a) and (b) of this section must be maintained by the air carrier or other operator for at least five years after the records have been reported to the PRD, notwithstanding other applicable rules or regulations pertaining to retention of such records. § 111.425 PRIA. Discontinued compliance with lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Beginning on [DATE 2 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER], air carriers or other operators employing pilots may no longer comply with the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 44703(h). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Mar 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 Exclusive compliance with Subparts A– D of Part 111 is required. ■ § 111.430 § 125.401 Expiration of subpart. This subpart sunsets on [DATE 7 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER]. PART 121—OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: DOMESTIC, FLAG, AND SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONS 5. The authority citation for part 121 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40119, 41706, 42301 preceding note added by Pub. L. 112–95, sec. 412, 126 Stat. 89, 44101, 44701–44702, 44705, 44709– 44711, 44713, 44716–44717, 44722, 44729, 44732; 46105; Pub. L. 111–216, 124 Stat. 2348 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note); Pub. L. 112–95 126 Stat 62 (49 U.S.C. 44732 note). 6. Amend § 121.683 by adding new paragraph (d) to read as follows: ■ § 121.683 record. Crewmember and dispatcher * * * * * (d) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations in accordance with this part is subject to the Pilot Records Database requirements applicable to air carriers in part 111 of this chapter and must achieve compliance in accordance with the applicable timelines in that part. PART 125—CERTIFICATION AND OPERATIONS: AIRPLANES HAVING A SEATING CAPACITY OF 20 OR MORE PASSENGERS OR A MAXIMUM PAYLOAD CAPACITY OF 6,000 POUNDS OR MORE; AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT 7. The authority citation for part 125 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 44701–44702, 44705, 44710–44711, 44713, 44716–44717, 44722. PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 9990 8. Amend § 125.401 by adding new paragraph (d) to read as follows: Crewmember record. * * * * * (d) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations in accordance with this part is subject to the Pilot Records Database requirements applicable to operators that employ pilots in part 111 of this chapter and must achieve compliance in accordance with the applicable timelines in that part. PART 135—OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: COMMUTER AND ON DEMAND OPERATIONS AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT 9. The authority citation for part 135 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113,41706, 44701–44702, 44705, 44709, 44711–44713, 44715–44717, 44722, 44730, 45101–45105; Pub. L. 112–95, 126 Stat. 58 (49 U.S.C. 44730). 10. Amend § 135.63 by adding paragraphs (e) to read as follows: ■ § 135.63 Recordkeeping requirements. * * * * * (e) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations in accordance with this part is subject to the Pilot Records Database requirements applicable to air carriers in part 111 of this chapter and must achieve compliance in accordance with the applicable timelines in that part. Issued under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g) 44701(a), and 44703 in Washington, DC, on March 3, 2020. Rick Domingo, Executive Director, Flight Standards Service. [FR Doc. 2020–04751 Filed 3–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P E:\FR\FM\30MRP3.SGM 30MRP3

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 61 (Monday, March 30, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17660-17720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04751]



[[Page 17659]]

Vol. 85

Monday,

No. 61

March 30, 2020

Part III





Department of Transportation





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Federal Aviation Administration





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14 CFR Parts 91, 111, et al.





Pilot Records Database; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 61 / Monday, March 30, 2020 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 17660]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 91, 111, 121, 125, and 135

[Docket No.: FAA-2020-0246; Notice No. 20-05]
RIN 2120-AK31


Pilot Records Database

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA is proposing to require the use of an electronic Pilot 
Records Database (PRD) and implement statutory requirements. The PRD 
would be used to facilitate the sharing of pilot records among air 
carriers and other operators in an electronic data system managed by 
the FAA. Air carriers, specific operators holding out to the public, 
entities conducting public aircraft operations, air tour operators, 
fractional ownerships, and corporate flight departments would be 
required to enter relevant data on individuals employed as pilots into 
the PRD, and this would be available electronically to those entities. 
In addition, this proposal identifies all air carriers, fractional 
ownerships, and some other operators or entities that would be required 
to access the PRD and evaluate the available data for each pilot 
candidate prior to making a hiring decision.

DATES: Send comments on or before June 29, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number [FAA-2020-0246] 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room 
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
    Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments 
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.transportation.gov/privacy.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
https://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions 
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning 
this action, contact Christopher Morris, 3500 S MacArthur Blvd., 
ARB301, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73179; telephone (405) 954-4646; email 
[email protected].

Table of Contents

I. Overview of the Proposal
    A. Summary of Current PRIA Guidance, Public Law 111-216 Section 
203 (49 U.S.C. 44703(i)), and Proposed Requirements for the PRD
    B. Summary of the Costs and Benefits of This Proposed Rule
II. Background
    A. Statement of the Problem
    1. Response to NTSB Recommendations
    2. Congressional Action
    1. Current Elements of PRIA
    a. Pilot Employment Background
    b. Pilot Rights and Protection in Accordance With PRIA
    c. Exceptions to PRIA
    d. FAA Guidance for Compliance With PRIA
    2. History of the Pilot Records Database
    a. Pilot Records Database Aviation Rulemaking Committee
    b. Electronic Database Development
    c. Related Actions to the Pilot Records Database
III. Discussion of the Proposal
    A. Persons Affected by the Proposal (Sec.  111.1)
    1. Air Carriers and Operators That Must Evaluate Records 
(Sec. Sec.  111.100, 111.105)
    2. Operators Employing Pilots That Must Enter Data (Sec. Sec.  
111.200, 111.205)
    3. Overview of Affected Entities (Sec. Sec.  111.200, 111.205, 
111.270)
    a. Part 121 Air Carriers
    b. Part 135 Air Carriers and Operators
    c. Part 125 Operators
    d. Part 91, Subpart K Fractional Ownership Programs
    e. Section 91.147 Air Tour Operators
    f. Corporate Flight Departments
    g. Public Aircraft Operations
    h. Trustees in Bankruptcy
    4. Entities That Will Not Be Required to Report Information
    5. Other Sources of Pilot Records
    a. Training Providers
    b. Institutions of Higher Education
    B. FAA Records To Be Reported to the Pilot Records Database 
(Sec.  111.140)
    1. Comprehensive Airmen Information System
    2. Enforcement Information System
    a. Summaries of Legal Enforcement Actions
    b. Expunction of Legal Enforcement Actions and Airman Records
    c. Pilot Records Database Aviation Rulemaking Committee's 
Position on the FAA's Expunction Policy
    3. Accident/Incident Data System
    4. Drug and Alcohol Records To Be Entered by the FAA
    a. Pre-Employment Testing Records
    C. Reporting Requirements of Historical Records Maintained by 
Air Carriers and Operators Employing Pilots (Sec. Sec.  111.210, 
111.250, 111.265, 111.420)
    1. Data Required for Submission of Historical Records to the 
Pilot Records Database
    2. Reporting Method Option 1: Data Transfer Using an Automated 
Utility
    3. Reporting Method Option 2: Manual Data Entry
    4. Alternative Solutions Considered
    5. Public Input on Historical Records
    D. Reporting Requirements: Present and Future Records 
(Sec. Sec.  111.210, 111.250)
    1. Data Pertaining to the Individual's Performance as a Pilot
    a. Pilot Training, Qualification, and Proficiency Records (Sec.  
111.220)
    i. Part 121 Air Carrier Training Records
    ii. Part 125 Operator Training Records
    iii. Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Training Records
    iv. Part 91 Subpart K Fractional Ownership Training Program 
Records
    v. Pilot Training Records Documented by Commercial Air Tour 
Operators, Corporate Flight Departments, and Entities Conducting 
Public Aircraft Operations
    2. Drug and Alcohol Testing Records (Sec.  111.215)
    3. Disciplinary Action Records (Sec. Sec.  111.225, 111.255, 
111.260)
    a. Definition of Disciplinary Action Record
    b. Timeframes for Entry and Correction of Overturned Records
    4. Proposal for Reporting Records Concerning Separation From 
Employment (Sec.  111.230)
    a. Information to Enter Into the Database
    b. Final Date of Employment
    c. Reinstatement of Employment
    d. Types of Separation
    i. Separation From Employment That Was Not Due to Pilot 
Performance and Was Initiated by an Air Carrier or Operator
    ii. Air Carrier/Operator-Initiated Separation Related to Pilot 
Performance
    iii. Pilot-Initiated Separation Unrelated to Pilot Performance
    5. State Driving Records and the National Driver Register (Sec.  
111.110)
    a. Background on the National Driver Register
    b. Current Process for Air Carrier National Driver Register 
Requests Under the PRD Act
    c. Proposal for Evaluation of Driving Records (Sec.  111.240)
    E. Exclusion of Voluntary Aviation Safety Program Records (Sec.  
111.245)

[[Page 17661]]

    F. Good Faith Exception (Sec.  111.115)
    G. Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) Transition (Sec.  
111.400)
IV. Database Design and Security
    A. Management of Users
    1. Overview of User Roles (Sec. Sec.  111.15, 111.20, 111.25)
    2. Registration for Pilot Records
    3. Registration for User Access (Sec. Sec.  111.15, 111.20, 
111.25)
    B. General Eligibility Requirements for Access to the Pilot 
Records Database
    1. Responsible Persons (Sec. Sec.  111.15, 111.20, 111.25)
    2. Responsible Persons' Delegation Authority (Sec. Sec.  111.15, 
111.20, 111.25)
    3. Authorized Users (Sec. Sec.  111.20, 111.25, 111.30, 111.35)
    4. Proxies (Sec.  111.20, 111.25)
    5. Pilot Users (Sec. Sec.  111.25, 111.300, 111.305)
    C. Protection of the Privacy and Confidentiality of Pilots and 
Other Users (Sec. Sec.  111.45, 111.100, 111.105, 111.135)
    D. Overview of Steps for Processing a Record Request
    1. Pilot Consent (Sec.  111.120, 111.125, 111.310)
    2. Hiring Employer's Role During the Request Process
    3. Record Retention and Removal Upon Death of a Pilot (Sec.  
111.50)
V. User Fee for Accessing the PRD for Purposes of Evaluation (Sec.  
111.40)
VI. Regulatory Notices and Analyses
    A. Regulatory Evaluation, Regulatory Flexibility Determination, 
International Trade Impact Assessment, and Unfunded Mandates 
Assessment
    1. Total Benefits and Costs of This Proposed Rule
    2. Those Potentially Affected by This Proposed Rule
    3. Assumptions
    4. Benefits of This Proposed Rule
    5. Costs of This Proposed Rule
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Determination
    1. Description of Reasons the Agency is Considering the Action
    2. Statement of the Legal Basis and Objectives
    3. Description of the Recordkeeping and Other Compliance 
Requirements
    4. All Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict
    5. Description and an Estimated Number of Small Entities 
Impacted
    6. Alternatives Considered
    C. International Trade Impact Assessment
    D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment
    E. Paperwork Reduction Act
    F. International Compatibility and Cooperation
    G. Environmental Analysis
VII. Executive Order Determinations
    A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism
    B. Executive Order 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
VIII. Additional Information
    A. Comments Invited
    B. Availability of Rulemaking Documents
IX. The Proposed Amendments


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety is found in 
Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.). This rulemaking is 
promulgated under the general authority described in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 
which establishes the authority of the Administrator to promulgate 
regulations and rules, and the specific authority provided by Sec.  203 
of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act 
of 2010 (``the PRD Act''), codified at 49 U.S.C. 44703(h)-(j). The PRD 
Act identifies several rulemaking requirements.
    The PRD Act requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations to 
establish an electronic pilot records database containing records from 
the FAA and records maintained by air carriers and other operators that 
employ pilots. At a minimum, air carriers and operators employing 
pilots must report ``records that are generated by the air carrier or 
other person after [August 1, 2010,]'' as well as ``records that the 
air carrier or other person [was] maintaining, on [August 1, 2010],'' 
on any person employed as a pilot.\1\ The PRD Act also requires air 
carriers to access the database and evaluate any relevant records 
maintained therein pertaining to an individual before allowing that 
individual to begin service as a pilot.
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    \1\ 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(4)(B)(ii). Also, Sec.  44703(h)(4) states 
that ``the Administrator and air carriers shall maintain pilot 
records described in paragraphs (1)(A) and (1)(B) for a period of at 
least 5 years.''
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    The FAA is further required to issue regulations to protect and 
secure the personal privacy of any individual whose records are 
accessed in the new electronic database; to protect and secure the 
confidentiality of those records; and, to prevent further dissemination 
of those records once accessed by an air carrier. The PRD Act also 
requires the implementing regulations to prescribe a timetable for the 
implementation of the PRD as well as a schedule for sunsetting the 
Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996.

I. Overview of the Proposal

    This proposed rule would require all Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 119 certificate holders, fractional ownership 
programs, persons authorized to conduct air tour operations in 
accordance with Sec.  91.147,\2\ persons operating a corporate flight 
department, and governmental entities conducting public aircraft 
operations (collectively referred to as ``covered entities'') to report 
relevant records to an electronic pilot record database (PRD) managed 
by the FAA.
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    \2\ Hereafter referred to as ``air tour operators'' for the 
purposes of this preamble.
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    Currently, the FAA, air carriers and other operators maintain pilot 
records pursuant to the statutory requirements contained in the Pilot 
Records Improvement Act (PRIA).\3\ The FAA maintains records related to 
airman certificates and legal enforcement actions that result in a 
finding of a violation that was not subsequently overturned. Air 
carriers and other operators maintain records related to pilot training 
and qualification, final disciplinary actions, final separation from 
employment actions, and drug and alcohol testing. Currently, under 
PRIA, an employer is required to have a candidate for employment as a 
pilot complete a series of paper forms. Some of the forms are mailed to 
the previous employers to request copies of any available records as 
specified by PRIA. Another form is submitted to the FAA to request the 
FAA records as specified by PRIA. The FAA typically processes the 
requests and provides the appropriate records within 3 business days. 
These records may be provided via mail or email. The FAA processes 
approximately 20,000 individual requests per year. The FAA does not 
have an estimate for how many records requests are exchanged between 
employers annually. FAA currently co-locates its PRIA records in an 
electronic database called the PRD, which was created with funds 
appropriated by Congress and is in beta testing. Air carriers and other 
operators share their records with each other in accordance with a 
manual, paper-based process. Congress mandated the creation of a fully 
electronic database for all of these records collectively, which was 
the genesis for this rulemaking.
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    \3\ 49 U.S.C 44702(h)
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    The proposal does not impose new substantive recordkeeping 
requirements on air carriers or operators. Rather, the proposal would 
require that covered entities report specific data to the PRD from 
records that are required to be kept pursuant to regulations, or from 
records that are otherwise kept by covered entities in their role as an 
employer. When this rule is finalized, the current PRD, which is 
currently populated with FAA records, will also be populated with air 
carrier and operator airman records. Air carriers and other operators 
would be required to electronically transfer into the PRD historical 
records they currently maintain (in accordance with statutory 
requirements) as well as new records they create in the future. The PRD 
would contain the required air carrier, operator, and FAA records for

[[Page 17662]]

the life of the pilot and would be permitted to be used only as a 
hiring tool in an air carrier or operator's decision-making process for 
pilot employment. Pilot consent would be time-limited to a designated 
air carrier to view that pilot's records. Air carriers cannot search 
PRD broadly--the system would limit them to a specific individual's 
records only if the pilot gives consent and the consent period is still 
in effect.
    All air carriers and operators would be required to continue to 
comply with the PRIA until two years and 90 days after the publication 
of the final rule that follows this proposal. As a result, for a period 
of time air carriers and operators would have to comply with both the 
PRIA record retention requirements and the PRD reporting requirements. 
All air carriers and operators that are subject to the reporting 
requirements in this proposal would be required to begin entering 
specific pilot records within one year of the publication date of the 
final rule. Air carriers and operators employing pilots would be 
required to input all historical records into the PRD within two years 
of the publication date of the final rule. Finally, PRIA would cease to 
be effective two years and 90 days after publication of the final rule, 
as set forth in statute.

A. Summary of Current PRIA Requirements, the PRD Act, and Proposed 
Requirements for the PRD

    The establishment of the PRD would eventually phase out the current 
PRIA request process. In addition, the FAA proposes to add certain 
additional requirements that are responsive to the mandates in Public 
Law 111-216 section 206, as well as beneficial from a safety 
perspective. The following table summarizes the current recordkeeping 
and reporting requirements under PRIA, the requirements imposed by 
legislation, and the key recordkeeping and reporting requirements of 
this proposal.

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             Subject               Current PRIA requirements         The PRD Act                  NPRM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accessibility....................  Physical and Electronic..  Electronic..............  Electronic.
Affected Entities................  Part 119 certificate       Part 119 certificate      Part 119 certificate
                                    holders, governmental      holders, governmental     holders, air tour
                                    entities conducting        entities conducting       operators, fractional
                                    public aircraft            public aircraft           ownership programs,
                                    operations, air tour       operations, and other     corporate flight
                                    operators, and             persons.                  departments, and
                                    fractional ownership                                 governmental entities
                                    programs.                                            conducting public
                                                                                         aircraft operations.
FAA Records......................  Current airman             Current airman            Current airman
                                    certificates with          certificates with         certificates with
                                    associated type ratings    associated type ratings   associated type ratings
                                    and limitations; current   and limitations;          and limitations;
                                    airman medical             current airman medical    current airman medical
                                    certificate, including     certificate, including    certificate, including
                                    any limitations; and       any limitations; any      any limitations; any
                                    summaries of FAA legal     failed attempt of an      failed attempt of an
                                    enforcement actions        individual to pass a      individual to pass a
                                    resulting in a finding     practical test required   practical test required
                                    by the Administrator of    to obtain a certificate   to obtain a certificate
                                    a violation that was not   or type rating under 14   or type rating under 14
                                    subsequently overturned.   CFR part 61; and          CFR part 61; and
                                                               summaries of FAA legal    summaries of FAA legal
                                                               enforcement actions       enforcement actions
                                                               resulting in a finding    resulting in a finding
                                                               by the Administrator of   by the Administrator of
                                                               a violation that was      a violation that was
                                                               not subsequently          not subsequently
                                                               overturned.               overturned; accident
                                                                                         and incident
                                                                                         information.
Air Carrier and Operator Records.  Records maintained in      Records maintained in     Records proposed to be
                                    accordance with            accordance with Sec.      reported to the FAA in
                                    appendices I and J to      120.211(a) (drug and      accordance with Sec.
                                    part 121, section VI       alcohol testing           111.215 (drug and
                                    paragraph (A) (drug and    records); Sec.            alcohol testing
                                    alcohol testing            121.683, Sec.             records); Sec.
                                    records); Sec.             125.401, and Sec.         111.220 (training,
                                    121.683, Sec.   125.401;   135.63(a)(4)              qualification, and
                                    and Sec.   135.63(a)(4)    (crewmember records),     proficiency records);
                                    (crewmember records),      excluding records         Sec.   111.225
                                    excluding records          related to flight time,   (disciplinary action
                                    related to flight time,    duty time, and rest       records); Sec.
                                    duty time, and rest        time; disciplinary        111.230 (separation
                                    time, disciplinary         action records not        from employment
                                    action records not         subsequently              records); Sec.
                                    subsequently overturned;   overturned; separation    111.240 (verification
                                    separation from            from employment           of motor vehicle
                                    employment records;        records; national         driving record search
                                    national driver register   driver register records.  and evaluation); and
                                    records, as required in                              Sec.   111.265
                                    accordance with PRIA's                               (historical record
                                    implementing statute.                                reporting).
National Driver Register Search..  Required in accordance     Required................  Required.
                                    with Public Law 104-264,
                                    Section 502.
User Fee.........................  Industry established.....  Reasonable charges by     Fee per record accessed
                                                               the FAA for processing    by an air carrier or
                                                               requests and furnishing   operator.
                                                               copies.
Timeframe of Records Documented..  Previous five years from   (1.) Part 121 and 135     (1.) Part 121 and 135
                                    the date of request as     air carrier records       air carrier records
                                    required in accordance     dating back to August     dating back to August
                                    with Public Law 104-264,   1, 2005 through the       1, 2005, through the
                                    Section 502.               life of the pilot;        life of the pilot or 99
                                                              (2.) Part 125 and 135      years, whichever is
                                                               operator records dating   less;
                                                               back to August 1, 2010   (2.) Part 125 and 135
                                                               through the life of the   operator as well as 91K
                                                               pilot; and,.              fractional ownership
                                                              (3.) FAA records dating    records dating back to
                                                               back to August 1, 2010,   August 1, 2010 through
                                                               through the life of the   the life of the pilot
                                                               pilot.                    or 99 years, whichever
                                                                                         is less; and,
                                                                                        (3.) FAA records dating
                                                                                         back to August 1, 2010,
                                                                                         through the life of the
                                                                                         pilot.
Timeline for Records to be         Within 30 days as          Promptly................  Reported to the PRD
 Reported to a Hiring Air Carrier   required in accordance                               within 30 days of the
 or Operator.                       with Public Law 104-264,                             reportable event and
                                    Section 502.                                         available for review
                                                                                         immediately.

[[Page 17663]]

 
Compliance Schedule..............  In effect................  Established by the FAA    (1.) One year after the
                                                               Administrator.            publication of the
                                                                                         final rule--report
                                                                                         present and future
                                                                                         records; access and
                                                                                         evaluate records in the
                                                                                         PRD, subject to a user
                                                                                         fee.
                                                                                        (2.) Two years after the
                                                                                         publication of the
                                                                                         final rule--report
                                                                                         historical records.
                                                                                        (3.) Two years and 90
                                                                                         days after the
                                                                                         publication of the
                                                                                         final rule--sunset of
                                                                                         PRIA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Summary of the Costs and Benefits of This Proposed Rule

    The FAA estimated quantified costs and savings of this proposed 
rule. After the effective date of the final rule that follows this 
proposal, air carriers and other operators would incur costs to report 
pilot records to the PRD, and to train and register as users of the 
PRD. Air carriers would also receive cost savings once PRIA is phased 
out. The FAA would incur costs of the proposed rule related to the 
operations and maintenance of the PRD.
    Over a 10-year period of analysis from 2021 through 2030,\4\ the 
FAA estimates the proposed rule would result in present value net costs 
to industry and the FAA of about $12.8 million or $1.8 million 
annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the 
proposed rule would result in present value net costs of about $11.5 
million over the same 10-year period or about $1.4 million annualized.
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    \4\ For this preliminary analysis, the FAA assumes the effective 
date of the final rule to be in calendar year 2021 with the 10-
period of analysis of future regulatory impacts to be 2021 through 
2030.
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    However, the FAA estimates industry would receive a net cost 
savings from the proposed rule from the discontinuance of PRIA. Over 
the same 10-year period, the present value net cost savings of the 
proposed rule to industry are about $2.6 million or $0.4 million 
annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the 
proposed rule would have a present value net cost savings to industry 
of about $7.0 million over the same 10-year period or about $0.8 
million annualized.
    In addition to future regulatory costs, the FAA has incurred costs 
to develop the PRD since 2010.\5\ From 2010 through 2020, the FAA 
estimates the present value PRD development costs are about $14.1 
million or $1.5 million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% 
discount rate, the present value PRD development costs are about $18.0 
million over the same period or about $2.4 million annualized.
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    \5\ On August 1, 2010, Congress directed the Administrator to 
establish the PRD (Pub. L. 111-216, Section 203 (49 U.S.C. 
44703(i)).
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    Therefore, the FAA estimates the total impacts of this regulatory 
action over a 21-year period of analysis from 2010 through 2030 that 
includes PRD development costs before the effective date of the final 
rule and future PRD regulatory impacts after the effective date of the 
final rule. Over this 21-year time period, this regulatory action would 
result in present value net costs of about $30.8 million or $2.8 
million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, 
this regulatory action would result in present value net costs of about 
$25.6 million over the 21-year period of analysis or about $1.7 million 
annualized.
    This rulemaking also proposes a user fee to be applied to costs 
related to the operations and maintenance of the PRD beginning one year 
after the effective date of the final rule. Government fees and taxes 
are considered transfer payments per OMB Circular A-4 and are not 
considered a societal cost. These transfers are reported separately 
from the costs and cost savings of this proposed rule. The proposed PRD 
user fee would effectively be a transfer payment from industry to the 
FAA to cover the FAA's PRD operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. The 
FAA estimates the 10-year present value of the user fees to be about 
$13.2 million or $1.9 million annualized using a 7% discount rate, 
reflecting the FAA's underlying O&M costs. Using a 3% discount rate, 
the total present value of the user fees would be about $16.3 million 
over 10 years or about $1.9 million annualized.
    This proposed rule would enhance aviation safety by assisting air 
carriers in making informed hiring and personnel management decisions 
using the most accurate and complete pilot records available and 
electronically accessible. The database created by the proposed rule 
would contain information maintained by the FAA concerning current 
airman certificates with any associated type ratings and current 
medical certificates, including any limitations or restrictions to 
those certificates, airman practical test failures, and summaries of 
legal enforcement actions. The PRD would contain air carrier, operator, 
and FAA records on an individual's performance as a pilot that could be 
used as a hiring tool in an air carrier's decision-making process for 
pilot employment. These records would remain in the PRD for the life of 
the pilot.

II. Background

A. Statement of the Problem

    The Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) \6\ was enacted in 1997 in 
response to a series of air carrier accidents attributed to pilot 
error.\7\ The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that 
although the pilots had a history of poor training performance or other 
indicators of impaired judgment, their backgrounds had not been 
investigated by their current employers.
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    \6\ Public Law 104-264, Sec.  502; 110 Stat. 3259. The 
requirements of PRIA were initially codified at 49 U.S.C. 44936, and 
PRIA became effective on February 7, 1997. Substantive amendments 
were made to PRIA on December 5, 1997 (Pub. L. 105-142; 111 Stat. 
2650) and April 5, 2000 (Pub. L. 106-181; 114 Stat. 61). Currently 
the PRIA requirements are codified at 49 U.S.C. 44703(h) and (j).
    \7\ Congressional Committee report dated October 31, 1997 (H.R. 
Rep. 105-372), explained certain clarifying amendments made to PRIA 
in Public Law 105-142 (H.R. 2626; Dec. 5, 1997), listed the 
following accidents as evidence supporting the enactment of PRIA: 
Continental Airlines flight 1713 (November 15, 1987); Trans-Colorado 
flight 2286 (January 19, 1988); AV Air flight 3378 (February 19, 
1988); Aloha Island Air flight 1712 (October 28, 1989); Scenic Air 
flight 22 (April 22, 1992); Express II flight 5719 (December 1, 
1993); and American Eagle flight 3379 (December 13, 1994). All of 
these operators held a part 119 air carrier certificate, and most of 
these flights were operated under part 135, except Continental 
Airlines flight 1713, which was operated under part 121.
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    Two accidents following the enactment and implementation of PRIA 
led the NTSB to make additional findings and recommendations regarding 
pilot record retention, the sharing of information related to pilot

[[Page 17664]]

performance among air carriers and operators, and the review of 
previous performance records by air carriers. On July 13, 2003, Air 
Sunshine Incorporated flight 527 (d/b/a Tropical Aviation Services, 
Inc.) ditched in the Atlantic Ocean about 7 nautical miles west-
northwest of Treasure Cay Airport (MYAT), Bahamas, after an in-flight 
failure of the right engine. The flight was operating under the 
provisions of 14 CFR part 135 as a scheduled international, passenger-
commuter flight. Out of the nine total passengers, two passengers died 
after evacuating the airplane and five passengers sustained minor 
injuries. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the airplane 
sustained substantial damage.
    The NTSB determined that ``the probable cause of the accident was 
the in-flight failure of the right engine and the pilot's failure to 
adequately manage the airplane's performance after the engine failed.'' 
\8\ The NTSB also found that ``the pilot had a history of below-average 
flight proficiency, including numerous failed flight tests, before the 
flight accident, which contributed to his inability to maintain maximum 
flight performance and reach land after the right engine failed.'' \9\
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    \8\ See NTSB Report AAR-04/03 (Adopted October 13, 2004) at page 
47, which can be obtained at https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR0403.pdf.
    \9\ See NTSB Report AAR-04/03 at page 43.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response to the Air Sunshine 527 accident, the NTSB issued 
recommendation A-05-01, which advised the FAA to require all ``part 121 
and 135 air carriers to obtain any notices of disapproval for flight 
checks for certificates and ratings for all pilot-applicants and 
evaluate this information before making a hiring decision.'' \10\ The 
NTSB recognized the importance of validating FAA ratings and 
certifications, as required by PRIA, but noted that ``additional data 
contained in FAA records, including records of flight check failures 
and rechecks, would be beneficial for a potential employer to review 
and evaluate.'' The NTSB acknowledged that while ``a single notice of 
disapproval for a flight check, along with an otherwise successful 
record of performance, should not adversely affect a hiring decision,'' 
a history of ``multiple notices of disapproval for a flight check might 
be significant[. . .] and should be evaluated before a hiring decision 
is made.'' There is not likely a single algorithm which can tell the 
potential employer if they should hire a pilot based on a ratio of 
satisfactory and unsatisfactory flight checks.\11\ However, providing 
this information about the airman would assist the potential employer 
in developing a more complete picture of that airman's overall 
performance as a pilot.
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    \10\ The January 27, 2005, safety recommendation letter may be 
accessed at https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-recs/RecLetters/A05_01_02.pdf.
    \11\ The purpose of flight checks is to validate certificates 
and ratings--they were not originally developed to inform hiring 
decisions. Accordingly, the FAA has not conducted research to 
document their relationship to general pilot performance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On February 12, 2009, Colgan Air, Inc. flight 3407 (d/b/a 
Continental Connection), crashed into a residence in Clarence Center, 
NY, about 5 nautical miles northeast of the Buffalo-Niagara 
International Airport, New York resulting in the death of all 49 
passengers on board and one person on the ground. The flight was 
operated under 14 CFR part 121.
    The NTSB determined that ``the probable cause of this accident was 
the captain's inappropriate response to activation of the stick shaker, 
which led to an aerodynamic stall from which the airplane did not 
recover.'' \12\ Contributing factors included: ``(1) The flightcrew's 
failure to monitor airspeed in relation to the rising position of the 
low-speed cue, (2) the flightcrew's failure to adhere to sterile 
cockpit procedures, (3) the captain's failure to effectively manage the 
flight, and (4) Colgan Air's inadequate procedures for airspeed 
selection and management during approaches in icing conditions.'' \13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See NTSB Report AAR-10/01 (adopted February 2, 2010) at 
page 155, which can be obtained at https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR1001.pdf.
    \13\ See NTSB Report AAR-10/01 at page 155.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional safety issues identified by the NTSB in the Colgan Air 
3407 accident report included certain deficiencies in the air carrier's 
recordkeeping system, as well as the air carrier's analysis of the 
flightcrew's qualifications and previous performance. Specifically, 
Colgan Air's records showed that the captain had failed his initial 
proficiency check on the Saab 340 on October 15, 2007, received 
additional training, and passed his upgrade proficiency check on 
October 18, 2007. In addition to this particular failed check at 
Colgan, the NTSB stated that the captain failed his practical tests for 
the instrument rating (airplane category) on October 1, 1991; the 
commercial pilot certificate (single-engine land airplane) on May 14, 
2002; and required additional training in three separate training 
events while a first officer at Colgan. The NTSB deemed these 
discrepancies in the captain's training records as noteworthy because 
the captain had demonstrated previous training difficulties during his 
tenure at Colgan Air.
    As a result of its investigation, the NTSB issued recommendation A-
10-19, which provided that the FAA require all ``part 121, 135, and 91K 
operators to provide the training records requested in Safety 
Recommendation A-10-17 to hiring employers to fulfill their requirement 
under PRIA.'' Safety Recommendation A-10-17 advises the FAA to require 
all ``part 121, 135, and 91K operators to document and retain 
electronic and/or paper records of pilot training and checking events 
in sufficient detail so that the carrier and its principal operations 
inspector can fully assess a pilot's entire training performance.'' 
\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ By letter dated February 21, 2014, the NTSB reported that 
``pending implementation of the PRD, including guidance about when 
comments are needed in PRD entries, Safety Recommendation A-10-17 
remains classified Open--Acceptable Response.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the Colgan Air 3407 final aircraft accident report, the NTSB 
noted the issuance of Safety Recommendation A-05-01 as a result of the 
Air Sunshine 527 accident. The NTSB indicated its continued 
recommendation that airman certification information concerning 
previous notices of disapproval should be included in an air carrier's 
assessment of the suitability of a pilot-applicant. The NTSB also 
indicated that notices of disapproval should be considered safety-
related records that must be included in an air carrier's evaluation of 
a pilot's career progression. While recognizing that the FAA had 
revised Advisory Circular (AC) 120-68: The Pilot Records Improvement 
Act of 1996 \15\ to indicate that the hiring employer may, at its 
discretion, request a record of an individual's notices of disapproval 
for flight checks from the FAA,\16\ the NTSB advised that a more 
permanent action through rulemaking would ensure that air carriers be 
required to obtain and evaluate notices of disapprovals for pilot-
applicants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ Including subsequent updates and revisions.
    \16\ See AC 120-68F, paragraph 3-8, Note.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This proposed rule both implements requirements of the PRD Act and 
responds to several open NTSB recommendations. First, consistent with 
NTSB recommendation A-05-01, the FAA proposes to require all air 
carriers and operators to access and evaluate an individual's records 
in the PRD before making a hiring decision. These records would include 
any notices of disapproval that the individual received during a 
practical test attempt for a certificate or rating. The FAA would 
upload data processed in the

[[Page 17665]]

Certification Airmen Information System (CAIS) on a nightly basis to 
ensure both air carriers and operators have the most accurate and up-
to-date information to make an informed hiring decision. Second, 
consistent with A-10-17 and A-10-19, the FAA proposes to require air 
carriers and operators to enter relevant information into the PRD in a 
standardized format. This information is intended to help an air 
carrier to make an informed hiring decision.

B. History of PRIA and PRD

    Following the Colgan Air 3407 accident, Congress enacted the 
Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 
2010 (Pub. L. 111-216; August 1, 2010).\17\ Section 203 of the PRD Act 
required the FAA to establish an electronic pilot records database and 
provided for the subsequent sunset of PRIA. Additionally, Congress has 
since enacted the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 
(FESSA) (Pub. L. 114-190; July 15, 2016). Section 2101 of FESSA 
required the FAA to establish an electronic pilot records database by 
April 30, 2017. This proposed rule implements those statutory mandates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ Referred to as ``the PRD Act'' for the remainder of this 
NPRM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Current Elements of PRIA
a. Pilot Employment Background
    As previously mentioned, Congress enacted PRIA to ensure that air 
carriers adequately investigate an individual's employment background 
and other information pertaining to the individual's performance as a 
pilot before allowing that individual to serve as a flight crewmember 
in air carrier operations. PRIA requires a hiring air carrier to obtain 
records from three distinct sources utilizing standardized forms 
including: (1) Current and previous air carriers or operators that had 
employed the individual as a pilot, (2) the FAA, and (3) the National 
Driver Register (NDR).
    The records that must be requested by a hiring air carrier and 
provided by a pilot's current and previous employers in response to a 
PRIA request include all records kept pursuant to particular provisions 
of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations related to maintaining current 
crewmember records and drug and alcohol testing records,\18\ excluding 
records related to flight time, duty time, and rest time. Also required 
to be in the PRIA request are ``any other records pertaining to the 
individual's performance as a pilot that are maintained by the air 
carrier or person concerning the following: (1) The training, 
qualifications, proficiency, or professional competence of the 
individual, including comments and evaluations made by a check pilot; 
(2) any disciplinary action taken with respect to the individual that 
was not subsequently overturned; and (3) any release from employment or 
resignation, termination, or disqualification with respect to 
employment.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Sec.  121.683; paragraph (A), of section VI of appendix I 
to part 121 and paragraph (A), of section VI of appendix J to part 
121;1 Sec.  125.401; and, Sec.  135.63(a)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In accordance with PRIA, an air carrier must request records 
related to the individual for ``the 5-year period preceding the date of 
the employment application of the individual.'' No person is permitted 
to furnish records in response to a PRIA request ``if the record was 
entered more than 5 years before the date of the request, unless the 
information concerns a revocation or suspension of an airman 
certificate or motor vehicle license that is in effect on the date of 
the request.'' The FAA and previous air carrier and/or operators are 
required to retain all pilot records which would be furnished in 
response to a PRIA request, except NDR-related records, for a period of 
at least 5 years. PRIA permits an air carrier or other person who 
receives a request for records under PRIA to ``establish a reasonable 
charge for the cost of processing the request and furnishing copies of 
the requested records.'' \19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ Sec.  44703(h)(7).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The records furnished in response to a PRIA request are commonly 
used as a ``validation'' tool, rather than a research, screening, or 
selection tool.\20\ Many employers will hire a pilot and then ensure 
all records are received prior to permitting the pilot to begin service 
because the PRIA process can take an extensive amount of time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ Report from the PRD ARC, page 12. Available at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/committees/documents/media/PRDARC-2032011.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Pilot Rights and Protection in Accordance With PRIA
    Since records provided in accordance with PRIA may affect an 
individual's future employment status as a pilot with an air carrier, 
the hiring air carrier must ``obtain written consent to the release of 
those records from the individual that is the subject of the records 
requested.'' \21\ The air carrier is permitted to ``require the 
individual. . . to execute a release from liability for any claim 
arising from the furnishing of such records to or the use of such 
records by such air carrier (other than a claim arising from furnishing 
information known to be false and maintained in violation of a criminal 
statute).'' If an individual seeking employment as a pilot with the air 
carrier refuses to provide written consent to obtain the subject's 
records or refuses to execute a release from liability, an air carrier 
may refuse to hire that individual as a pilot, and no action or 
proceeding may be brought against the air carrier as a result. Notably, 
an air carrier receiving records in response to a PRIA request must 
``take such actions as may be necessary to protect the privacy of the 
pilot and the confidentiality of the records, including ensuring that 
information contained in the records is not divulged to any individual 
that is not directly involved in the hiring decision.'' \22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ Sec.  44703(h)(5).
    \22\ Sec.  44703(h)(11).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Records obtained from the various sources required in accordance 
with PRIA may only be used by an air carrier to assess the 
qualifications of the individual in deciding whether to hire the 
individual as a pilot. Therefore, a person who receives a request for 
records under PRIA must ``provide to the individual who is the subject 
of the records . . . written notice of the request and of the 
individual's right to receive a copy of such records'' as well as a 
copy of such records, if requested by the individual.\23\ Accordingly, 
PRIA requires the current or previous employer to ``make available, 
within a reasonable time, but not later than 30 days after the date of 
the request, to the pilot for review, any and all employment records . 
. . pertaining to the employment of the pilot'' that are maintained by 
the air carrier and subject to being furnished in response to a PRIA 
request.\24\ The subject of the records must also be given the 
``reasonable opportunity to submit written comments to correct any 
inaccuracies contained in the records before an air carrier makes a 
final hiring decision with respect to the individual.'' \25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ Sec.  44703(h)(6).
    \24\ Sec.  44703(h)(10).
    \25\ Sec.  44703(h)(9).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

c. FAA Guidance for Compliance With PRIA
    The provisions of PRIA were self-implementing and the FAA's role in 
the PRIA process was limited; therefore, the FAA did not develop 
implementing regulations. The FAA issued Advisory Circular (AC) 120-68: 
Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 to provide guidance material for 
air carriers, operators and pilots regarding compliance with the PRIA 
statute. AC

[[Page 17666]]

120-68 contains information for FAA inspectors as well as for air 
carriers and operators that must comply with PRIA requirements. The FAA 
has developed and made available on its website additional PRIA-related 
information to further facilitate compliance with the statutory 
requirements.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ See https://www.faa.gov/pilots/lic_cert/pria.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under PRIA, and as described in AC 120-68, every request for 
records pursuant to PRIA involves three parties: The potential 
employer, the past employer, and the pilot-applicant. When an 
individual seeks employment as a pilot for an air carrier, the hiring 
air carrier initiates the process to request and receive all relevant 
records as required under PRIA. The hiring air carrier completes its 
part of the forms for requesting records from current and past 
employers, the FAA, and the NDR, and the pilot-applicant completes the 
necessary forms to provide written consent for the release of his or 
her PRIA-related records before the hiring entity can send the records 
requests forward to the appropriate respondent(s). The pilot-
applicant's completion of these forms satisfies the PRIA requirement 
that a pilot receive written notice that a request for his or her 
records was made. A pilot-applicant is also entitled to a copy of all 
records provided to the hiring carrier under PRIA.
4. History of the Pilot Records Database
a. Pilot Records Database Aviation Rulemaking Committee
    In response to the mandate of Sec. 203 of Public Law 111-216, the 
FAA Administrator chartered the PRD Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) 
on February 3, 2011.\27\ The purpose of the ARC was to assemble a broad 
cross-section of entities involved in pilot records and safety to 
develop recommendations for the FAA on the best way to implement an 
electronic PRD. Participants included representatives from the aviation 
industry, professional associations, organized labor, safety 
organizations, as well as FAA representatives.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ The PRD ARC charter may be found at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/committees/documents/media/PRD.ARC.cht.20110203.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, the ARC examined where the data for the PRD should be 
maintained; what information should be kept in the new database; who 
would have access to the information and what methods would be used to 
make the information accessible; methods for the timely transfer of 
relevant information to the database on an ongoing basis; methods to 
safeguard the data; establishing a written consent/release from 
liability process; developing a common process for air carriers to 
handle disputes by pilots concerning the accuracy of PRD entries; 
developing common definitions and terms for PRD users; determining a 
suitable structure for data tables to maintain training, qualification, 
employment action, and NDR records required by this legislation; and 
methods to initially load the database with historical records.
    The PRD ARC submitted a final report to the Associate Administrator 
for Aviation Safety on July 29, 2011. A complete copy of the report, 
including ARC recommendations, dissenting recommendations, and a list 
of participating organizations has been placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ A copy of the complete final ARC report will be placed in 
the docket for this rulemaking and is also available at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/committees/documents/index.cfm/document/information?documentID=312.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The ARC focused primarily on proposals for implementing the PRD in 
a manner that would most enhance aviation safety for the flying public, 
but did not necessarily consider whether the recommendations would meet 
congressional intent. Thus, the ARC made certain recommendations 
contrary to the plain language of the PRD Act. The ARC Report also 
explicitly stated that certain congressionally mandated requirements 
were left to be interpreted by the FAA at a later date.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/committees/documents/index.cfm/document/information?documentID=312.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Electronic Database Development
    In advance of this rulemaking, the FAA determined it prudent to 
move its PRIA records to an electronic pilot record database, also 
called the PRD.\30\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ The FAA was appropriated ``under section 106(k)(1) of the 
PRD Act and codified at U.S.C. 44703(i)(14), a total of $6,000,000 
for fiscal years 2010 through 2013'' in order to establish a pilot 
records database.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In September 2015, the FAA initiated a phased approach to establish 
the PRD. During the initial implementation stages, the PRD will only 
include FAA records, as required by PRIA. Upon adopting a final rule in 
this rulemaking proceeding, the PRD would include not only the FAA 
records mandated under PRIA, but also the employer records mandated by 
Section 203 of the PRD Act.
    The phased approach was developed to provide direct, uninterrupted 
access to FAA pilot records to air carriers and operators required to 
comply with PRIA. The FAA records, such as pilot certification and 
failed practical tests, would be available for an air carrier or 
operator to make an informed hiring decision. Implementing the FAA 
records portion of the PRD is an important step in fulfilling the 
objective that Congress articulated in the PRD Act. It allows the FAA 
to have at least one portion of the database ready for use on when the 
rule is effective and to allow air carriers to familiarize themselves 
with that process.
c. Related Actions to the Pilot Records Database
    Following the Colgan Air 3407 accident, the FAA issued a Call to 
Action on Airline Safety and Pilot Training, which began with a meeting 
on June 15, 2009 (including participants from the FAA, airlines and 
labor organizations), to specify concrete actions and to elicit 
voluntary commitments from industry.\31\ As a result of that meeting, 
the FAA published an Airline Safety and Pilot Training Action Plan \32\ 
that included a number of key initiatives including a focused review of 
air carrier flight crewmember training, qualification, and management 
practices. In addition, the FAA released an updated version of the PRIA 
AC 120-68E on July 2, 2010, incorporating elements from the Plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ A final report, dated January 2010, ``Answering the Call to 
Action on Airline Safety and Pilot Training'' is available at: 
https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=60224&print=go.
    \32\ https://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=11125.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA also published an Information for Operators (InFO) \33\ on 
August 15, 2011 (InFO 11014), advising all operators that conduct 
operations in accordance with part 91, 121, 125, and 135 to 
indefinitely retain any records on pilots employed in those 
operations.\34\ The FAA published a second InFO on March 13, 2014 (InFO 
14005), further reminding the regulated entities of their 
responsibility to retain pilot records dating back as early as August 
1, 2005.\35\ To verify that air carriers and operators that employ 
pilots are retaining pilot records in accordance with PRIA for future 
inclusion in the database, the

[[Page 17667]]

FAA issued a national policy notice titled ``Pilot Records Retention 
Responsibilities Related to the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation 
Administration Act of 2010.'' The notice directed FAA inspectors to 
verify that air carriers or operators have a system in place to retain 
records that must be reported for inclusion in the database, as 
required by the statute.\36\
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    \33\ An InFO message contains valuable information for operators 
that should help them meet administrative requirements or certain 
regulatory requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on 
safety. InFOs contain information or a combination of information 
and recommended action to be taken by the respective operators 
identified in an InFO.
    \34\ https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/media/2011/InFO11014.pdf.
    \35\ https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/media/2014/InFO14005.pdf.
    \36\ A copy of national policy notice N8900.279, ``Pilot Records 
Retention Responsibilities Related to the Airline Safety and Federal 
Aviation Administration Act of 2010,'' may be viewed at https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N_8900.279.pdf. The 
statutory cite can be found at 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(4)(B)(ii)(II).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 203 of the PRD Act directed the FAA to submit a statement 
to Congress by February 2012, and at least once every three years 
thereafter for a periodic review of the statutory requirements. The 
statement to Congress must contain any FAA recommendations to change 
the records required to be included in the database or the reasons why 
the FAA does not recommend any changes to the records referenced in 
Section 203. In its September 2015 report to Congress the FAA indicated 
that it had initiated a rulemaking project entitled Pilot Records 
Database, Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 2120-AK31. In its most 
recent report to Congress, in February 2018, the FAA indicated that it 
did not recommend any changes in the records referenced in Section 203, 
until it considers public comments on the Pilot Records Database 
rulemaking proposal.

III. Discussion of the Proposal

    The FAA proposes new part 111, Pilot Records Database, to codify 
requirements for accessing and evaluating records, reporting of 
records, and pilot rights and responsibilities. Subpart A contains 
general requirements. Subpart B contains requirements for database 
access and evaluation of records. Subpart C contains requirements for 
record reporting. Subpart D contains pilot rights and responsibilities. 
Subpart E contains requirements regarding compliance with PRIA during 
the PRD transition.

A. Persons Affected by the Proposal

    The PRD Act requires air carriers to access and evaluate the 
records maintained in the PRD pertaining to an individual pilot before 
allowing that individual to begin service as a pilot. The PRD Act also 
requires air carriers, as well as any other person that employs an 
individual as a pilot of a civil or public aircraft, to report 
information concerning the pilots they employ for inclusion in the 
database.\37\
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    \37\ The PRD Act explicitly excludes the Armed Forces and 
National Guard, including reserve components, from the information 
reporting requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA is proposing in subpart C of part 111 to require all part 
119 certificate holders, 91K fractional ownership programs, persons 
authorized to conduct air tour operations in accordance with Sec.  
91.147, persons operating a corporate flight department, covered 
governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations and 
employing pilots, and trustees in bankruptcy to enter relevant data on 
individuals employed as pilots into the PRD. As of May 30, 2018, there 
were an estimated 5,006 air carriers and operators employing pilots 
that would be required to report pilot records to the database. Any 
other entity that employs pilots, such as pilot schools or training 
centers, would not be required to enter data into the PRD.
1. Air Carriers and Other Employers Required To Assess and Review
    The FAA proposes to require all air carriers \38\ who have been 
issued a part 119 air carrier certificate and are authorized to conduct 
operations under part 121 or part 135 to comply with the pilot 
employment background check requirements of subpart B of the proposed 
rule. The PRD Act requires air carriers and certain other persons to 
report information to the FAA for inclusion in the PRD and requires air 
carriers to access the PRD for purposes of evaluating all pertinent 
information pertaining to an individual before allowing that individual 
to begin service as a pilot.
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    \38\ As defined in 49 U.S.C. 40102, ``air carrier'' means a 
citizen of the United States undertaking by any means, directly or 
indirectly, to provide air transportation (i.e. foreign air 
transportation, interstate air transportation, or the transportation 
of mail by aircraft).
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    Additionally, the FAA proposes that part 125 and 135 operators, 91K 
fractional ownership programs, and air tour operators, be required to 
access and evaluate an individual's records in the PRD before making a 
hiring decision. The FAA determined that it was in the interest of 
safety to include these employers, in addition to air carriers, for 
several reasons. Operators that conduct operations under part 125, 135 
or 91K are currently required to review pilot records in accordance 
with PRIA. The FAA interprets the PRD Act to require an enhancement to 
safety. The FAA does not believe that it would enhance safety to remove 
this requirement with respect to this population of employers.
    This proposed rule would also include air tour operators within the 
scope of its applicability. Although PRIA does not require these 
operators to review pilot records, the FAA believes that extending this 
requirement to air tours operators is consistent with the safety 
philosophy underpinning the PRD Act. Air tour operators share some 
similarities with aspects of part 121 and part 135 air carriers. These 
operators are responsible for the carriage of passengers for hire and 
the PICs who conduct these operations must hold at least a commercial 
pilot certificate. Given the similarity to air carrier responsibilities 
to the traveling public, the FAA believes that it is in the interest of 
safety to require air tour operators to review records in the PRD prior 
to making a hiring decision.
    While the requirement for air carriers to conduct a pilot 
employment background check before allowing an individual to begin 
service as a pilot would be mandatory, the FAA proposes to permit 
voluntary compliance with the provisions for access and evaluation of 
records in subpart B for other operators that are required to report 
data to the PRD. If an operator opts into the requirements of subpart B 
for evaluating an individual's records in the PRD, the operator would 
be required to comply with all other aspects of subpart B of the 
proposal and would be included in those persons affected by the 
proposal.\39\ Although not mandated by the PRD, the FAA believes that 
other potential employers of pilots could benefit from accessing the 
information in the PRD prior to making a hiring decision. If an 
employer chooses to opt in, it would be required to comply with all of 
the regulations in subpart B to protect pilots' privacy rights and the 
integrity of the database.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ With one exception--other employers opting into subpart B 
would not have to complete the NDR search and verification.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As mentioned previously, currently, PRIA is often used as a tool 
for validating the record of a pilot rather than as a research, 
screening, or selection tool prior to actually hiring the pilot because 
of the length of time the PRIA process takes. The ARC, in its report, 
asserted that immediate electronic access to information would be a 
benefit of an electronic database in lieu of continuing the paper-based 
PRIA process.\40\ The FAA is requesting comment on whether employers 
believe that PRD will be utilized as a validation tool after an initial 
hiring decision has

[[Page 17668]]

been made, or whether, because of the ease of electronic access, it 
will be utilized earlier in the decision-making process. The FAA 
requests that commenters consider the cost, in terms of employee time 
and processing fees (discussed further in the RIA), when responding to 
this question.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ Report from the PRD ARC, p. 72, available at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/committees/documents/media/PRDARC-2032011.pdf
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Operators Employing Pilots That Must Enter Data
    The express language of the PRD Act requires pilot records from any 
air carrier and ``other person'' to be included in the PRD. While the 
Act did not define ``other person'' \41\ or otherwise define who other 
than air carriers should be subject to the reporting requirements, the 
FAA interprets ``other person'' to mean those ``other persons'' that 
employ pilots that would likely be air carrier pilots or prospective 
air carrier pilots at some later date. The principal reason for this 
interpretation is that the PRD Act mandates that air carriers, but not 
other employers, access the data for hiring decisions. Accordingly, a 
reasonable interpretation of the PRD Act, read in its entirety, is that 
the reporting requirements are limited to those records that would 
assist with air carrier hiring decisions. The FAA does not interpret 
the PRD Act to require other types of employers to incur the burden of 
submitting documents to the PRD that are either unlikely to ever be 
accessed by a hiring air carrier, or that would not assist with an air 
carrier's hiring decision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ Hereinafter these ``other persons'' are referred to as 
``operators employing pilots'' or ``operators.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To determine which employers, other than air carriers, should be 
subject to the proposed reporting requirements, the FAA reviewed its 
implementation of PRIA, the requirements of the PRD Act, the relevance 
of the records kept by other employers of pilots (who are not air 
carriers) to air carriers in making hiring decisions, and the 
characteristics of the different types of requisite flight time that 
pilots accumulate before seeking employment with an air carrier.
    The FAA also studied the following operating characteristics in 
comparison to part 121 air carrier operations to determine which 
operators should be subject to the proposed rule: The operating 
conditions of the flight (including the complexity of the operation and 
the type and complexity of the aircraft flown), the applicable 
operating rules, the applicable recordkeeping rules, and the progress 
and career path of the pilot as affected by the July 15, 2013 Pilot 
Certification and Qualification Requirements for Air Carrier Operations 
final rule.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ 78 FR 42324. Prior to this rulemaking, pilots obtained a 
large portion of their flight hours serving as SIC in part 121 
operations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Individuals desiring a career as a professional pilot for an air 
carrier can seek experience with other operators to obtain the 
requisite flight time. These ``gateway operators'' will be utilized 
with greater frequency in the future as a result of FAA's Pilot 
Certification and Qualification Requirements for Air Carrier Operations 
final rule. That final rule significantly increased the total number of 
required flight hours from 250 to 1,500 for part 121 air carrier 
second-in-command pilots to hold an airline transport pilot (ATP) 
certificate.\43\ The FAA recognizes that an individual may acquire 
flight time various ways to be eligible for a position with a part 121 
air carrier. However, because it is now more time-intensive to receive 
the requisite experience for operations with a 121 carrier than before, 
the FAA expects the traditional path toward a pilot position at a part 
121 air carrier will continue to be used, as opposed to more 
alternative methods of gaining experience, which are discussed below. 
To identify the typical paths for a pilot to acquire the minimum 
aeronautical experience to serve as a PIC in part 121 operations, the 
FAA examined the various aircraft operations and associated operating 
rules through which pilots can acquire flight time towards an ATP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ Certain pilots can obtain a restricted privileges ATP 
certificate with fewer than 1500 logged hours.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Similar operating conditions to a part 121 air carrier include 
operating large, turbine-powered airplanes, carrying passengers from a 
departure to an arrival point, and required training and checking 
events as a function of regulation or pilot certification. The FAA 
further considered which operations are subject to recordkeeping 
requirements on pilot training and performance similar to part 121 
operations by using information identified in GAO reports, the 
Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG) 
reports, data from internal FAA databases, and current FAA regulations.
    The FAA believes that the most useful information for the database 
is captured by applying the record reporting requirements to the 
operators that most likely serve as a gateway for pilots to accumulate 
the required aeronautical experience necessary for an ATP to conduct in 
air carrier operations. As a result of these analyses, the FAA 
identified categories of employers that serve as gateway operators--
that is, operators that often serve as points on the career path of a 
pilot for an air carrier or other passenger-carrying operation. The FAA 
identified gateway operators based on its expertise and experience with 
those pilots and their typical employment pathways and is not based on 
a quantitative analysis of different employment pathways for obtaining 
an ATP. The FAA proposes to define ``operators employing pilots'' that 
would be subject to PRD reporting requirements to include the following 
groups that employ one or more individuals as pilot flight 
crewmember(s): (a) Each person that holds an operating certificate 
issued by the FAA in accordance with part 119 of this chapter; (b) each 
person that conducts air tour operations pursuant to a letter of 
authorization issued in accordance with 14 CFR 91.147; (c) each person 
that conducts operations pursuant to a fractional ownership program 
authorized in accordance with subpart K of part 91 of this chapter; (d) 
each person that operates a corporate flight department, as defined in 
part 111, pursuant to the general operating and flight rules in part 91 
of this chapter; (e) each person that conducts operations of public 
aircraft; and (f) a trustee in bankruptcy. This proposal largely is 
consistent with existing PRIA requirements, with the addition of 
corporate flight departments.
    The FAA considered extending the record-reporting provisions of the 
proposal to other civil aviation operators who employ pilots such as 
part 91 operations utilizing smaller general aviation aircraft, other 
part 91 business aviation operations involving a single aircraft, part 
133 external load operators, part 137 agricultural operators, and 
research and testing flights conducted by aircraft manufacturers.\44\ 
However, the FAA decided not to extend the PRD reporting provisions to 
these operators because they are not ``gateway'' employers to air 
carriers. Since pilots employed by the previously-referenced operators 
do not often transition to careers as pilots in passenger-carrying 
operations, the FAA questions the value that this information would 
provide relative to the attendant regulatory burdens it would impose on 
those operators. The FAA invites comments, with supporting 
documentation, about whether PRD reporting should extend to part 133 
and 137 operators.

[[Page 17669]]

3. Overview of Affected Entities
a. Part 121 Air Carriers
    Part 121 prescribes rules governing the domestic, flag, and 
supplemental operations conducted by persons holding an air carrier or 
operating certificate issued under part 119.\45\ Part 121 air carriers 
operate multi-engine, transport category airplanes with more than nine 
passenger seats or airplanes having a payload capacity of more than 
7,500 pounds between scheduled service cities within the United States, 
as well as internationally originating or terminating in the United 
States, while carrying passengers and freight. These air carriers are 
held to the highest safety standard by the FAA, as required by 49 
U.S.C. 44701-44716, to ensure the public's safety in air travel. As of 
May 30, 2018, the FAA has issued 70 part 119 certificates to persons 
authorizing operations under part 121.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ 14 CFR 121.1(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Part 135 Air Carriers And Operators
    Part 135 air carriers and operators operate aircraft that are 
configured for 30 or fewer passengers or 7,500 pounds of payload or 
less. The operators comprising the commuter and on-demand industry 
segment range from a company with one pilot and one aircraft to a 
company with over 600 aircraft. Operations include short flights to 
small regional airports, cross-country domestic flights to larger 
cities, or international flights. As of May 30, 2018, the FAA had 
issued part 119 air carrier or operating certificates to 2,011 persons 
authorizing operations under part 135, compared to the 70 air carriers 
operating under part 121.
    The operations conducted in accordance with part 135 provide a wide 
array of operating environments for pilots, including airspace 
complexity and operational tasks, similar to those encountered in 
operations conducted in accordance with part 121. Pilots serving in the 
following part 135 operations must also hold an ATP certificate prior 
to acting as pilot-in-command:
    (1) Commuter operations using multiengine airplanes with nine or 
fewer passenger seats (Scheduled 135);
    (2) on-demand operations using airplanes with 10 or more passenger 
seats; and
    (3) turbojets.
c. Part 125 Operators
    Part 125 operators conduct operations not involving common 
carriage, with airplanes having a seating capacity of 20 or more 
passengers or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more.\46\ 
As of May 30, 2018, 71 persons have been issued certificates or letters 
of deviation authority (LODAs) authorizing operations under part 125.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ Non-common carriage is defined in 14 CFR 110.2 as meaning 
``an aircraft operation for compensation or hire that does not 
involve a holding out to others.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While part 125 operators do not offer air transportation services 
to the general public, the type of operation conducted in accordance 
with part 125 is similar in many respects to part 121 and 135 air 
carriers and part 135 operations, including airspace complexity and 
operational tasks. Additionally, a part 125 operator must ensure that 
specific crewmember training is conducted and recorded in accordance 
with Sec.  125.401.\47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ In addition, Sec.  125.401 requires records to be kept 
concerning the release of employment or physical or professional 
disqualification of any flight crewmember for at least 6 months.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Like part 121 air carriers and part 135 air carriers and operators, 
part 125 operators would be required to access and evaluate the 
information contained on an individual in the database, pursuant to 
subpart B of proposed part 111. The proposal for part 125 operators is 
consistent with the FAA's current guidance for compliance with PRIA. 
That guidance advises part 125 operators to obtain an individual's 
pilot records prior to making a hiring decision.
    The FAA is proposing to consider part 125 letter of deviation 
(LODA) holders as corporate flight departments subject to the reporting 
requirements of the PRD. Part 125 LODA holders are part 125 operators 
who do not have to comply with all aspects of part 125 because they 
hold a letter of deviation authority and many operate in a manner that 
is similar to corporate flight departments. The FAA believes those 
operators should be required to comply with the reporting aspects of 
PRD, though not the review elements unless they elect to opt in. The 
FAA addresses LODA holders as a part of the corporate flight department 
discussion in section f.
d. Part 91, Subpart K Fractional Ownership Programs
    Part 91, subpart K (``part 91K'') fractional ownership programs are 
issued management specifications (MSpecs) by the FAA and have 
recordkeeping requirements similar in most respects to part 135 
operators. The part 91K fractional ownership program provides both 
entry-level pilots and highly experienced pilots access to many 
aircraft with operating environments similar to part 135 air carriers, 
especially the type of aircraft operated by a part 91K fractional 
ownership program. The aircraft are typically multi-engine, turbine-
powered fixed wing aircraft that require the pilot in command (PIC) to 
hold an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate during part 91K 
operations.\48\ However, the PIC can hold a commercial pilot 
certificate with an instrument rating if operating any other aircraft. 
As of May 30, 2018, there were 8 part 91K programs, employing about 
3,364 pilots, flying general aviation business aircraft. Many part 91K 
fractional ownerships also hold part 119 air carrier or operating 
certificates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ See 14 CFR 91.1053(a)(2)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A pilot's ability to fly at the ATP certificate level and 
demonstrating this proficiency during evaluation is an important 
regulatory distinction between commercial and private pilot 
certification. Specifically, these pilots gain experience as a PIC of a 
turbine-powered airplane in operations closely aligned with part 121 
operations, such as the carriage of passengers in technologically 
advanced aircraft through complex airspace, as discussed in more detail 
previously. Thus, part 91K programs are more likely than other part 91 
operations, such as private/recreation flying, personal business, or 
banner towing operations, to facilitate a pilot's career progression to 
a part 121 air carrier due to the similarity to part 121 operations.
    Additionally, the FAA also proposes to update the process required 
to be completed by a part 91K program manager in accordance with 
current Sec.  91.1051 to include compliance with proposed part 111. The 
FAA proposes to amend Sec.  91.1051 to require that the pilot safety 
background check include the records maintained in the PRD. A part 91K 
program manager would be required to comply with the requirements of a 
pilot safety background check by requesting an individual's record in 
the PRD, as well as obtaining relevant information on the individual's 
aeronautical experience. This amendment would provide regulatory relief 
to 91K program managers and former employers because they would be able 
to obtain certain pilot records from the PRD instead of requesting them 
from the pilot's previous employers.
e. Section 91.147 Air Tour Operators
    An air tour operator is an individual or company that holds a 
letter of authorization (LOA) to conduct air tours

[[Page 17670]]

within a defined geographic location.\49\ Air tour operators, which 
share some similarities with aspects of part 121 and part 135 air 
carriers, generally maintain useful and reliable information on pilots 
serving in these operations. Like air carriers, these operators are 
responsible for the carriage of passengers and the PICs who conduct 
these operations must hold a commercial pilot certificate or 
higher.\50\ In this regard, air tour operators provide a means by which 
pilots may acquire significant flight time in a short timeframe while 
operating in an environment with similarities to air carrier 
operations. Air tour operators often employ commercial pilot 
certificate holders who ultimately pursue a career as a pilot with a 
part 121 or part 135 air carrier.
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    \49\ As of May 30, 2018, the FAA has issued 1,111 LOAs to 
operators in order to conduct air tours. Many of the LOAs have been 
issued to existing part 119 certificate holders.
    \50\ See 14 CFR 61.133, Commercial pilot privileges and 
limitations.
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    In order for a pilot to operate an aircraft for an air tour 
operator, that pilot would be provided with training in the authorized 
aircraft, airspace, and procedures in conducting the air tour to 
maintain a safe operation.\51\ The training provided, however, is 
likely to be less robust than an air carrier's training and, as such, 
fewer data points exist from which an air tour operator can glean 
information in order to determine a pilot's capability. As a result, 
reviewing prior employer and FAA records could be beneficial to air 
tour operators and, by extension, to the traveling public. Therefore, 
the FAA is proposing to require all air tour operators to comply with 
the access and evaluation requirements of subpart B of part 111 as well 
as enter data on the performance of an individual employed as a pilot 
into the PRD in accordance with subpart C of part 111.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ The FAA requires a responsible person to be named on the 
application for authorization to conduct air tours and provide a 
purpose and details of the air tour. The responsible person must 
ensure that the flight is conducted for compensation or hire while 
using a powered aircraft within a pre-established area of airspace. 
Additionally, the air-tour operator must comply with any other 
requirements listed in the FAA-issued LOA.
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f. Corporate Flight Departments
    The FAA is proposing to require all corporate flight departments to 
enter data on the performance of an individual employed as a pilot into 
the PRD in accordance with subpart C of part 111 of the proposed rule. 
The FAA is proposing to define a corporate flight department as a 
person that operates: (1) A fleet (two or more) of standard 
airworthiness airplanes, (2) that require a type rating under 14 CFR 
61.31(a), and are operated in furtherance of, or incidental to, a 
business, pursuant to the general operating and flight rules of part 91 
or airplanes being operated under a deviation authority issued under 
Sec.  125.3.
    Corporate flight departments are typically owned and operated by a 
company and offer the opportunity for company executives and employees 
to reach customers in a short period of time. The FAA believes that 
corporate flight departments typically operate airplanes that provide 
both entry-level pilots and experienced pilots access to many type-
rated airplanes that offer similarities to those operated by air 
carriers. The operations within these departments are structured in 
ways that resemble many aspects of the air carrier environment 
including aircraft type, airspace complexity, and the carriage of 
passengers. As a result, the FAA believes that the records maintained 
by corporate flight departments would be useful for air carriers to 
review prior to making a hiring decision on a pilot.
    During the analysis of information on corporate flight departments, 
the FAA encountered several significant issues in determining the 
number of corporate flight departments that would be affected by the 
proposed regulations. First, corporate flight departments generally 
conduct operations under part 91 since these operators are not engaged 
in common carriage. Second, the FAA would not be able to determine the 
number of pilots affected by the proposal as the total number of 
corporate flight departments was unknown. Thus, the FAA could not rely 
on its own internal data to substantiate the number of companies that 
have corporate flight departments.
    Several business aviation industry advocates, such as the General 
Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the National Business 
Aviation Association (NBAA), provided data on specific segments of the 
business aviation industry, which is comprised of about 14,960 
individuals, companies, and corporations. Large corporate flight 
departments often employ pilots that continue in their career 
progression to work at an air carrier, whereas this is less common for 
single-aircraft corporate flight departments. Therefore, the FAA 
decided to extend the proposed reporting requirements to only corporate 
flight departments with a fleet of two or more aircraft, as a result of 
weighing the impact of including all business aviation entities against 
the usefulness of the records for air carriers in making a hiring 
decision.
    The FAA examined the data on the number of business jets and large 
turbine powered airplanes in the national airspace system. The FAA 
analyzed the data from the Civil Aviation Registry to differentiate the 
type of aircraft registered in the United States by type certification 
and standard airworthiness certificates. All large airplanes (weighing 
more than 12,500 pounds) or that are turbojet-powered were included in 
the analysis. The FAA further analyzed the number of aircraft in this 
group to determine the number of persons that own more than one 
aircraft, or a fleet of aircraft (excluding single aircraft operators) 
since these operators likely have multiple flight crews assigned to 
their aircraft.
    In the FAA's history of overseeing a variety of types of 
certificate holders, the FAA has learned that a pilot's employment with 
a small operator, such as one with only a single aircraft, does not 
typically lead to employment with a certificate holder that conducts 
operations with many passengers. As a result, the minimal amount of 
pilot records from a small operator is unlikely to result in 
information beneficial for making an air carrier hiring decision. In 
contrast, for corporate flight departments with a fleet of two or more 
aircraft, it is common for insurance companies to require annual formal 
training at a part 142 training center. Because insurance providers 
often require formal flight training provided by a part 142 flight 
school, high quality records will most likely be available to document 
each pilot's performance. These types of pilot records that large 
corporate flight departments hold contain precisely the data that 
hiring air carriers will find beneficial to use when making hiring 
decisions. Additionally, many single aircraft operators only have one 
crewmember. These operators would likely only be reporting records on 
themselves on an individual basis and might not complete formal flight 
training. Furthermore, many might not have the financial resources to 
justify formal flight training when it is not required. In these cases, 
both the records available and the number of associated pilots would be 
minimal; in general, the modest amount of records available might not 
be helpful to operators. Therefore, the FAA concludes only those 
operators who have a fleet of at least two aircraft should be subject 
to the proposed reporting requirement.
    The FAA further believes that a part 125 LODA holder is similar in 
nature to corporate flight departments. A part 125 LODA holder is an 
operator who holds a deviation from Sec. Sec.  119.23 and 125.5 (the 
requirements to hold an operating

[[Page 17671]]

certificate and OpSpecs). The FAA is proposing that part 125 LODA 
holders be considered corporate flight departments that are subject to 
the reporting requirements of the PRD. These operators use 
U.S.[hyphen]registered civil airplanes that have a seating 
configuration of 20 or more passengers, or a maximum payload capacity 
of 6,000 pounds or more when common carriage is not involved. As of 
May, 2018, there were 57 LODA holders. Historically, part 125 LODA 
holders have been regulated most similarly to part 91 operators and are 
typically used in business aviation, serving some of the same functions 
as corporate flight departments. Accordingly, the FAA proposes to treat 
them like corporate flight departments.
    The FAA is seeking comment, with supporting documentation, on 
current corporate, flight departments' safety practices and invites 
commenters to respond to the following:
     Would it be beneficial to require corporate flight 
departments operating a single aircraft to report to PRD? Why or why 
not?
     Do corporate flight departments maintain substantive 
records documenting pilot training, evaluation, performance, 
disciplinary actions, or release from employment or other professional 
disqualification? If so, for how long are such records typically 
retained?
     Would the proposal create a disincentive for corporate 
flight departments to create and retain records that are not otherwise 
mandated by federal regulation?
g. Governmental Entities Conducting Public Aircraft Operations
    The FAA has limited oversight of governmental entities conducting 
public aircraft operations (PAOs), though such operations must comply 
with the regulations applicable to all aircraft operating in the 
National Airspace System (NAS) (i.e., part 91 general operating flight 
rules). The government entity conducting the PAO is responsible for 
oversight of the operation, including aircraft airworthiness and any 
operational requirements imposed by the government entity. Although a 
government entity conducting a PAO is not required to use an FAA-
certificated pilot, many government entities require their pilots to 
hold an FAA pilot certificate and undergo recurrent training throughout 
their employment with the operator.\52\ As a result, pilot records 
maintained by an operator of public aircraft would relate to part 61 
currency requirements and would be similar to those maintained by 
holders of a part 119 operating certificate authorized to conduct 
operations in accordance with part 125. The FAA recognizes that some 
operators of public aircraft contract with part 135 or certificated air 
carriers but they are accounted for in those sections of the proposed 
rule and regulatory analysis. A search of FAA records found 322 current 
entities conducting PAO as of May 30, 2018.\53\
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    \52\ Referenced 14 CFR 61.3(a).
    \53\ The FAA maintains records related to known entities 
conducting public aircraft operations that are conducted by local, 
State, and Federal governments. These records are maintained in the 
FAA's Safety Performance Analysis System (SPAS).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to the PRD Act, the FAA is proposing to require government 
entities that conduct PAO to enter records maintained by the entity on 
individuals who hold an FAA pilot certificate and conduct PAO. These 
requirements are proposed in subpart C. Pilots holding an FAA pilot 
certificate and employed by operators who perform public aircraft 
operations may seek subsequent employment with an air carrier. Pilots 
who do not hold an FAA pilot certificate do not typically proceed 
directly to further employment with air carriers, because in order to 
progress to further employment with an air carrier they would need to 
first obtain the relevant pilot certificate and then likely work for a 
``gateway'' operator to an air carrier. Accordingly, the FAA sees 
limited utility in maintaining these records and do not interpret Sec.  
203 of the PRD Act to include them.
    The FAA seeks comment on: (1) The level of data that would be 
provided to the PRD by government entities on individuals employed as 
pilots for PAO; (2) the type of records maintained by PAOs; and (3) 
cost to government entities to provide these records.
h. Trustees in Bankruptcy
    The PRD Act also requires that a ``trustee in bankruptcy for the 
air carrier or person'' continue to provide records to the PRD in event 
that an air carrier or other operator files for bankruptcy.\54\ 
Therefore, the FAA is proposing in subpart C to 14 CFR 111.270 to 
require trustees in bankruptcy, or the debtor-in-possession if no 
bankruptcy trustee is appointed, to continue to comply with the 
reporting requirements for the PRD. This practice is consistent with 
other safety-based regulations that continue to be enforced while an 
air carrier or other operator is in bankruptcy. The FAA is proposing to 
require the individual accessing the database to be able to have their 
identity validated prior to the FAA granting PRD access, consistent 
with minimum requirements for database access.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ See 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    When an air carrier or operator is in bankruptcy and maintains its 
certificate, the bankruptcy does not alter any regulatory or statutory 
requirements. However, if a hiring air carrier is unable to obtain 
records because an individual's previous employer ceases to exist or is 
otherwise unable to submit pilot records, the PRD Act provides that as 
long as the hiring air carrier makes a ``documented good faith 
attempt'' to access the information and the Administrator provides 
``written notice'' of this lack of information, the pilot may begin 
service with the air carrier.\55\ The FAA proposes to codify this good 
faith exception in Sec.  111.115.
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    \55\ Id., at Sec.  44703(i)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Entities That Will Not Be Required To Report Information
    As previously explained, the FAA interprets the PRD Act requires 
the following employers of pilots to report information about those 
pilots: Part 119 certificate holders, 91K fractional ownership 
programs, persons authorized to conduct air tour operations in 
accordance with Sec.  91.147, persons operating a corporate flight 
department, covered governmental entities conducting public aircraft 
operations and employing pilots, and trustees in bankruptcy. The FAA 
does not interpret the PRD Act to require the following entities to 
report information to the PRD:

 Part 91: Aerial Advertising (Banner Towing), Aerial 
Photography Operators, Airshow Performers and Acrobatic Teams, Business 
Aviation Operators (other than operators of a fleet of airplanes that 
require a type rating under 14 CFR 61.31(a)), Glider Operations, 
Pipeline Patrol, Commercial Hot Air Balloon Operators; and charitable 
sightseers under 14 CFR 91.147(k)
 Part 129: Foreign Air Carriers
 Part 133: External Load Operators
 Part 137: Agriculture Operators
 Aircraft and Equipment Manufacturers
 Living History Flight Experience Exemption Holders

    Most of these entities have historically not been subject to 
recordkeeping requirements, or operating rules and limitations 
comparable to air carriers.
    The operators listed in the preceding paragraph represent those 
that would be

[[Page 17672]]

unlikely to generate useful records for a hiring air carrier. For 
example, not many of their records would be subject to PRD reporting; 
this would create an unnecessary burden on these operators to 
participate in PRD reporting. In addition, even if they have records, 
those records would be of limited value to hiring employers. In the 
FAA's experience, most pilots whom these operators employ are unlikely 
to advance to employment with an air carrier. If they did want to 
eventually work for an air carrier, however, the FAA's experience shows 
that they will, over the course of their careers, progress to 
employment with another ``gateway'' operator required to enter records 
into the PRD, before becoming eligible to seek employment with an air 
carrier. Additionally, the entities excluded from the requirements to 
enter data offer stark differences from the part 121 air carrier 
environment. Many aircraft owners operate their own aircraft, but some 
hire a pilot to fly their aircraft for them. For many of these owners 
who also operate their own aircraft, the operation is purely for 
pleasure or perhaps in furtherance of a business. While some of these 
pilots are trying to acquire flight experience to move into aviation as 
a career, many have no intentions of moving into the industry as a 
commercial pilot. Since PRD is intended to capture the airman history 
for those pilots seeking employment with aviation employers (part 135/
121, for example), these types of operations are not the group targeted 
by the statute. Additionally, many pilots performing operations such as 
these are operating at the floor of the FAA risk assessment. Thus, 
their proficiency and recordkeeping requirements are low. Beyond 
passing the practical test (private pilot for example), they are only 
required to complete a flight review with an instructor every two 
years. This is an informal review, not a practical test, and is 
normally only documented as an endorsement in the pilot's logbook if it 
was satisfactory. The only consistent data the FAA would obtain as 
required records would be flight reviews and perhaps recency of 
takeoffs and landings. These sorts of details are routinely evaluated 
by the hiring air carrier during the logbook reviews. PRIA and PRD was 
designed to make records available to the hiring air carrier which were 
historically difficult to obtain. Of all the record sources to be 
reviewed by the hiring air carrier, the pilot logbook is the most 
accessible and considered a fundamental item reviewed in the hiring 
process.
    Under this proposal, foreign air carriers are excluded from the 
reporting requirements. The FAA assumes that Congress intended the PRD 
requirements to apply only to U.S. citizens because it used the term 
``air carrier'', which is defined in 49 U.S.C. 40102 and includes a 
U.S. citizenship requirement. The agency further assumes that ``or 
other person'' also applies only to U.S. citizens because, if Congress 
had intended for the reporting requirement to apply to non-citizens, it 
would have included the term ``foreign air carrier'' which is also 
found in 49 U.S.C 40102.
    The FAA invites comments on whether data from excluded entities 
would provide information relevant to the evaluation of a pilot 
candidate for employment.
5. Other Sources of Pilot Records
    The FAA also considered applying the record reporting requirement 
in the proposed rule to training providers and institutions of higher 
education. These groups were not addressed by the Act because they do 
not actively employ individuals to serve as pilots in civil or public 
aircraft operations.
    A review of the sources of air carrier pilots (parts 121 and 135) 
by the GAO indicates that the majority of pilots hired by air carriers 
accumulated their hours by working as a flight instructor (CFI).\56\ 
Pilots selected as flight instructors provide training to pilot 
applicants for an FAA certificate or rating. Since individuals employed 
as flight instructors to provide flight training are not employed for 
purposes of operating an aircraft, but for instructing or ``teaching'', 
the FAA does not find that the Act contemplates the reporting to the 
PRD by training providers. Therefore, the FAA is not proposing to 
require compliance by parts 61 or 141 pilot schools or part 142 
training centers with part 111.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \56\ United States Government Accountability Office report 
titled ``Aviation Workforce: Current and Future Availability of 
Airline Pilots,'' p. 23, available at https://www.gao.gov/assets/670/661243.pdf (February 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Similarly, the FAA does not believe the PRD Act extends to 
institutions of higher education (where pilots obtain flight training) 
because these institutions do not employ individuals to serve as pilots 
in commercial operations. As a result, the FAA is not proposing to 
require institutions of higher education that hold an LOA from the FAA 
to report records to the PRD. Individuals obtaining the training for an 
FAA certificate or rating are not employed as pilots but instead are 
paying for flight instruction, or paying the instructors or evaluators 
employed by the institutes of higher education.

B. FAA Records To Be Reported to the Pilot Records Database

    The PRD Act requires the PRD to contain certain records maintained 
by the FAA. The FAA must include records concerning current airman 
certificates, associated ratings, and any limitations to the 
certificate or ratings. Also, the PRD must contain a pilot's current 
medical certificate including any limitations, documentation of a 
failed attempt of an individual to pass a practical test required to 
obtain a certificate (since August 2010) or type rating under 14 CFR 
part 61, and summaries of legal enforcement actions resulting in a 
finding by the Administrator that was not subsequently overturned.
    The above records are currently maintained by the FAA in a manner 
consistent with the PRIA statute. However, since the implementation of 
PRIA, the FAA has received many inquiries from air carriers on how to 
obtain additional FAA information such as accident and incident 
information and other drug and alcohol test records.\57\ The FAA also 
received recommendations from the DOT OIG on any additional information 
that should be provided to an air carrier through a PRIA request.\58\ 
The FAA proposes in Sec.  111.140 to include the previously-mentioned 
records in the PRD, as well as FAA accident and incident information 
and certain drug and alcohol testing records. The additional 
information, including FAA records as identified in Sec.  111.140, 
would provide a holistic historical record of a pilot, when combined 
with the records proposed to be reported to the PRD by air carriers and 
operators that previously employed the individual as a pilot. These 
records are described in greater detail in the text that follows.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \57\ The FAA receives on average 177,533 airmen requests for 
records from air carriers per year via the FOIA. This average was 
deviated from requests accumulated from 2009-2014.
    \58\ The final report was published on August 20, 2015. https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/FAA%20Pilot%20Records%20Database%20Progress%20Final%20Report%5E8-20-15.pdf. Specifically, the DOT OIG recommended that as part of the 
FAA response to a request for records, the FAA should incorporate a 
written notification to air carriers that additional records may be 
available through FOIA and Privacy Act requests.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the appropriate FAA records to be contained in the PRD, the 
proof-of-concept system included several interfaces with current FAA 
systems: The Comprehensive Airmen Information System, Enforcement 
Information System, and Accident/

[[Page 17673]]

Incident Data System. Additionally, the FAA would enter certain records 
related to drug and alcohol testing into the PRD. Any error discovered 
in FAA data must be addressed by the Flight Standards District Office 
or the Drug Abatement Division that originated the record. Any changes 
to the source record would be reflected in the PRD.
1. Comprehensive Airmen Information System
    The Comprehensive Airman Information System (CAIS) contains key 
information derived from airman certificate applications, temporary 
airman certificates, notices of disapprovals, disapproved applications, 
enforcement actions, correspondence, requests for replacement 
certificates, letters of verification of authenticity, and other 
information that supports the issuance of airman certificates. To 
ensure that the PRD contains the most accurate FAA certificate 
information on pilots, CAIS certificate data would be provided to the 
PRD on a nightly basis. Providing CAIS data directly responds to the 
PRD Act mandate to include this information in the PRD.
    CAIS would provide the PRD with the most recent date of a medical 
exam, medical class, and medical limitations (if any). The pilot 
certificate information that would be provided through the PRD would 
include the level of pilot certificate and privileges; associated 
ratings such as category, class, and type of aircraft; and, information 
on any limitations to those certificates and ratings. The date of 
issuance of the individual's pilot certificate and the certificate 
number would also be reported to the PRD from CAIS.
    The verification of an individual's current qualifications would be 
helpful in preventing falsification, which would limit the possibility 
of an operator hiring an individual who does not meet the requirements 
for a particular operation. This verification will be particularly 
helpful to air carriers that receive a high volume of pilot 
applications. However, verifying an individual's current qualifications 
would not provide an air carrier or operator with sufficient 
information alone. The individual's qualifications, historical pilot 
certificate action, and previous operator's records are also necessary 
to provide an accurate history.
2. Enforcement Information System
    Consistent with the PRD Act and the FAA's implementation of PRIA, 
the FAA is proposing to include information on an individual's closed 
enforcement actions.\59\ The enforcement action information would be 
uploaded to the PRD at regularly scheduled intervals via an interface 
with the FAA's internal Enforcement Information System (EIS). The EIS 
contains information about individuals, investigations, legal counsel 
information, and FAA surveillance activity, all related to enforcement. 
The EIS receives all enforcement and compliance data directly from FAA 
Aviation Safety Inspectors and FAA legal counsel. The FAA assigns a 
data steward for each component of the EIS--the person who is 
responsible for reviewing data integrity and accuracy and applying 
retention and data quality procedures. This information is maintained 
in accordance with Federal guidelines, and when applicable, the FAA 
maintains a policy that addresses data retention and destruction within 
the EIS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ The PRD Act specifically requires summaries of legal 
enforcement actions resulting in a finding by the Administrator that 
was not subsequently overturned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. Summaries of Legal Enforcement Actions
    The FAA proposes to allow an air carrier access information from 
the EIS about closed enforcement actions on an individual through the 
PRD for the purpose of evaluating a pilot-applicant's record. If an 
individual has a record or multiple records in the EIS, an air carrier 
will be able to review the following information from a closed 
enforcement record: The FAA's report number, violation date, final 
action date, description of the subject's violation (including 
regulation and regulation description that was indicated in the 
enforcement), and the final sanction imposed on the subject with the 
corresponding certificate number.
    The FAA does not propose to allow access to information regarding a 
pending case or event that was self-disclosed by an individual through 
a voluntary safety reporting program such as an Aviation Safety Action 
Program (ASAP). No ASAP record would be released through the PRD as 
described in Section E of this document, titled Exclusion of Voluntary 
Aviation Safety Program Records.
b. Expunction of Legal Enforcement Actions and Airman Records
    In accordance with long-standing FAA policy, many historical airman 
and enforcement records have been expunged.\60\ The policy provides 
that, generally, records of legal enforcement actions involving 
suspension of an airman certificate or a civil penalty against an 
individual be maintained by the FAA for five years before being 
expunged. Records are not expunged if, at the time expunction is due, 
one or more other legal enforcement actions are pending against the 
same individual. The outcome of the most recent legal enforcement 
action determines when the older action will be expunged (e.g., if a 
pilot's certificate was suspended in May 2000, but received another 
suspension in March 2005, both actions would be expunged in March 2010, 
if no other enforcement actions were brought against the individual 
through March 2010). Actions resulting in revocations are never 
expunged.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \60\ The FAA adopted a policy to expunge records of certain 
closed legal enforcement actions against individuals. This policy 
applies to both airman certificate holders and other individuals, 
such as passengers. FAA Enforcement Records; Expunction Policy. 56 
FR 55788. (Oct. 29, 1991). A copy of this policy has been placed in 
the docket for this proposed rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Following the enactment of the PRD Act, the FAA examined whether 
the expunction of certain enforcement actions could continue in light 
of the data collection, data retention, and FOIA protection 
requirements of the PRD. Under existing policy, the FAA expunges an 
enforcement record in EIS, only the information identifying the subject 
of the enforcement action is deleted (name, address, certificate 
number, etc.); however, the PRD Act obliges the FAA to ``maintain all 
records entered into the [PRD] pertaining to an individual until the 
date of receipt of notification that the individual is deceased.'' As 
FAA records are part of the ``records entered into the [PRD] pertaining 
to an individual,'' the FAA interpreted the PRD to require that a 
pilot's records could not be expunged until the FAA has received notice 
of an individual's death. Accordingly, the FAA published a notice (76 
FR 7893, February 11, 2011) temporarily suspending its expunction 
policy.\61\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \61\ However, the FAA has continued to expunge legal enforcement 
cases closed with no violation found and administrative actions as 
the PRD statute does not require the entry of these records into the 
PRD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA's interpretation notwithstanding, the PRD ARC expressed 
concern that provisions of the PRD Act conflict with the Privacy Act 
requirements to maintain correct, accurate, relevant, and timely 
individual pilot records. The PRD ARC believed that because the records 
in the PRD are to be maintained solely for the purpose of assisting an 
air carrier in making a hiring decision, the requirement to maintain 
enforcement actions should not impact the

[[Page 17674]]

previously established record-retention and expunction policies 
regarding FAA enforcement records. As a result, the ARC recommended 
that the FAA reinstate the 5-year expunction policy or, in the 
alternative, expunge records from all FAA databases other than PRD 
after five years.
    The FAA does not believe the ARC recommendation is consistent with 
the statutory requirement that the FAA maintain the records in the PRD 
for the life of the pilot. Therefore, the FAA is proposing to maintain 
its current suspension of the expunction policy that includes all 
relevant EIS records, as well as CAIS and Accident/Incident Data System 
(AIDS) records, in the PRD for the life of a pilot.
3. Accident/Incident Data System
    The FAA proposes to include information from the Accident/Incident 
Data System (AIDS) to air carriers through the PRD. AIDS contains 
records of aircraft accidents and incidents occurring in the United 
States and those involving U.S.-registered aircraft outside of the 
United States. The information maintained in AIDS is not specifically 
referenced in the PRD Act but is available today to an air carrier via 
a Privacy Act (PA) request with the pilot's written consent. An air 
carrier may obtain a pilot's history of accidents and/or incidents, if 
any exist, upon request. The information obtained from a PA request 
responds to a standard question on air carriers, operators, state 
governments, and Federal government applications for employment.
    The FAA proposes to include information from the AIDS in the PRD to 
streamline the request process for information that could assist in 
making a hiring decision. The FAA believes this data would permit an 
air carrier to receive important information on an individual pilot's 
history in a way that is more efficient for industry and the FAA 
because the air carriers would no longer have to submit privacy act 
requests in addition to conducting an evaluation with the data in the 
PRD. Furthermore, including the information from AIDS would facilitate 
the automated processing of PA requests for information, and permitting 
the FAA to utilize its resources more efficiently.
4. Drug and Alcohol Records To Be Entered by the FAA
a. Pre-Employment Testing Records
    The PRD Act requires air carriers and operators that seek to employ 
pilots to enter certain drug and alcohol records into the PRD for 
individuals employed as pilots. However, in the event that a violation 
occurs during a pre-employment test \62\ and the air carrier does not 
hire the potential employee, the air carrier would not be able to enter 
those records and the FAA would have to enter them instead.
    In accordance with FAA regulations for Drug and Alcohol testing, 14 
CFR part 120, employers or their Medical Review Officer (MRO) are 
required to report to the Federal Air Surgeon any pilot or individual 
holding a part 67 medical certificate that violates the drug and 
alcohol testing requirements, including a pre-employment test. The FAA 
proposes to submit to the PRD those records of pre-employment drug or 
alcohol violations and refusals to submit to testing that are required 
to be submitted to the FAA by air carriers and other employers or their 
MRO. The inclusion of these records is significant because a violation 
of this type would render the individual unqualified to perform as a 
pilot. As a result, these records are directly relevant to an air 
carrier's hiring decision.
    This is also true if the violation occurs while the pilot is acting 
in a safety-sensitive position while employed by an employer regulated 
by another operating administration of DOT. Title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations section 40.25 requires review of whether applicants had a 
previous positive result or refusal at another DOT mode. Consistent 
with the PRD Act's requirement to include records that ``[pertain] to 
the individual's performance as a pilot . . .'' the FAA Drug Abatement 
Division, Special Investigations Branch will enter into PRD those 
records maintained by the FAA that show a positive drug and/or alcohol 
violation from an employer regulated by DOT. Under the provisions of 14 
CFR part 120 and 49 CFR part 40, a future employer is prohibited from 
using those individuals in a safety-sensitive position until the 
return-to-duty process is completed.
    Any drug and alcohol testing records created for an individual 
prior to the ``PRD Date of Hire'' (i.e., pre-employment drug and 
alcohol testing, or refusal) would be entered into PRD by the FAA. 
Specifically, the dates of pre-employment verified positive drug test 
results and alcohol confirmation test results of 0.04 or greater, and 
refusals to submit to drug and/or alcohol testing are important to 
include into PRD because this information enables a hiring air carrier 
to determine if a pilot is qualified.
5. Part 107 Remote Pilot in Command Certificates
    The PRD Act requires all air carriers to request and review records 
prior to allowing an individual to begin service as a pilot. The PRD 
Act applies to air carrier pilots irrespective of the type of aircraft 
they operate. As a result, the Act's requirements apply to pilots of 
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) when those UAS are used in air carrier 
operations.
    The FAA expects that in the future, air carriers and other 
operators that primarily operate sUAS might hire pilots with remote 
pilot in command certificates,\63\ in combination with other FAA 
approvals, to serve as pilots-in-command of their sUAS. These 
certificates would be populated in the Pilot Records Database by the 
FAA for verification by a potential employer. The FAA expects air 
carriers and other operators that utilize UAS to comply with the 
regulations proposed herein when hiring pilots for such operations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ Under 14 CFR part 107, which governs civil small unmanned 
aircraft system (sUAS) operations, the person manipulating the 
controls of a sUAS is issued a remote pilot certificate with an sUAS 
rating.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 17675]]

C. Reporting Requirements of Historical Records Maintained by Air 
Carriers and Operators Employing Pilots

    The PRD Act's requirements for reporting historical records to the 
PRD are twofold. First, the PRD Act requires employers (including air 
carriers and other covered employers) to report records generated after 
August 1, 2010. Second, air carriers (but not other covered employers) 
must report the records they are maintaining pursuant to Sec.  
44703(h)(4) of PRIA, which includes records generated on August 1, 2005 
and later. Therefore, the FAA proposes to require air carriers 
authorized to conduct operations in accordance with parts 121 and 135 
to provide records (also referred to as historical records) on each 
individual employed as a pilot since August 1, 2005, to the PRD. Other 
non-air carrier employers of pilots subject to the reporting 
requirements in this proposed rule would be required to report the 
records they generated as of August 1, 2010 for inclusion in the PRD. 
This requirement is not tied to PRIA, rather, it is a PRD-specific 
requirement, and is applicable to operators authorized to conduct 
operations in accordance with parts 125 and 135, as well as part 91K 
fractional ownerships.
    The FAA does not propose to require air tour operators, corporate 
flight departments, and governmental entities conducting public 
aircraft operations to report historical information to the PRD. The 
historical records they would able to provide to the PRD would likely 
be inconsistent, particularly because any records they keep to document 
compliance with training requirements are not kept in accordance with a 
requirement from a specific regulatory part such as part 121, 135, or 
125. In contrast, prospective records would conform to the reporting 
requirements in this rule. The burden for these small operators to 
input the minimal information they have would likely not be justified 
by any specific benefit these historical records would provide. 
Operators may upload any records they have on a voluntary basis.
    The PRD Act requires that air carriers maintain certain records 
received from other employers in response to a PRIA request. For 
purposes of populating historical records into the PRD, the FAA 
proposes to require that air carriers submit their own historical 
documents which were generated in response to a PRIA request, but not 
those received from other employers via a PRIA request.
    The FAA is interpreting the records referred to in subsection 
(h)(4) as those documents generated by an air carrier in response to a 
PRIA request, as opposed to those records received from another air 
carrier. As each air carrier and operator would be required to input 
its own historical records into PRD, an air carrier or other operator 
would not be required to enter records that it had received from 
another air carrier under PRIA. The FAA believes that this provides the 
least burdensome and non-duplicative requirements for entry of 
historical records into the PRD.
    Upon enactment of the PRD Act, air carriers became responsible for 
the retention of records dated August 1, 2005 to the present. Also, on 
the date of enactment, operators and part 91K fractional ownerships 
became responsible for the retention of records dated on or after 
August 1, 2010. Therefore, the FAA is proposing in Sec. Sec.  111.265 
and 111.420 to require all air carriers authorized to conduct 
operations in accordance with part 121 or part 135 to provide specific 
records kept in accordance with PRIA on or after August 1, 2005, 
through one year after the publication of the final rule. One year 
compliance is proposed so that all affected employers have time to 
adopt use of the system. The FAA is likewise proposing to require 
commercial operators authorized to conduct operations in accordance 
with parts 125 and 135 as well as part 91K fractional ownerships to 
provide specific records kept in accordance with PRIA on and after 
August 1, 2010, through one year after the publication of the final 
rule. The remaining persons affected by the proposed rule--entities 
conducting public aircraft operations, air tour operators, and 
corporate aviation operators--are not required to comply with these 
historical record reporting requirements. These persons may voluntarily 
enter historical records into the PRD.\64\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \64\ The documentation date of records previously maintained in 
accordance with PRIA by air carriers, operators, and fractional 
ownerships will be referred to as ``historical records'' for the 
remainder of the proposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA proposes in Sec.  111.420 that any required historical 
record documented on August 1, 2010 through one year after the 
publication of the final rule would be required to be entered into the 
PRD within two years of the publication of the final rule. The proposed 
extended timeline for the entry of historical records would provide air 
carriers and operators time to enter the applicable records for each 
pilot employed during the documentation dates previously explained.
    Table 2 illustrates the historical record reporting provision of 
the PRD Act for records that have been previously documented by a part 
119 certificate holder and operators employing pilots.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \65\ Part 125 operators operating under a LODA would not be 
required to report historical records.

                     Table 2--Overview of Proposed Historical Record Reporting by Population
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Historical records maintained in accordance with PRIA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Parts 125 and 135
                                        Parts 121 and 135 air    operators and part 91K      Other operators
      Record documentation date                carriers          fractional  ownerships      employing pilots
                                                                          \65\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Records predating 8/1/2005...........  N/A....................  N/A....................  N/A.
Records dating from 8/1/2005 through   Must Report............  N/A....................  N/A.
 7/31/2010.
Records dating from 8/1/2010 through   Must Report............  Must Report............  Voluntary Reporting
 initial proposed compliance date.                                                        Only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 17676]]

1. Data Required for Submission of Historical Records to the Pilot 
Records Database
    As previously discussed, the FAA interprets the persons affected by 
the PRD Act's historical record provision to include part 119 
certificate holders and fractional ownerships only. PRIA identifies 
specific regulations that require a part 119 certificate holder to 
retain documents regarding the training, qualification, and performance 
of a pilot in order to demonstrate compliance with the appropriate 
regulations.\66\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \66\ PRIA excludes flight and duty time recordkeeping 
requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In order to assist part 119 certificate holders and operators in 
their compliance with PRIA, the FAA issued AC 120-68 to create a 
standardized process and best practices for obtaining a pilot's records 
and determining whether a company is required to comply with a PRIA 
request.
    The FAA also acknowledges that historical records are maintained in 
a variety of media, including digital, paper-typed, paper-handwritten, 
microfiche, and scanned. Not all of these media are easily 
transferrable to an electronic database. Furthermore, the ARC indicated 
that ``smaller air carriers may lack the equipment and resources 
required to convert records to an electronic format.'' Based on 
required inspections of part 119 certificate holders by FAA inspectors, 
the FAA finds that approximately 12% of part 119 certificate holders 
maintain historical records electronically.\67\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \67\ FAA inspections required in accordance with national policy 
notice entitled ``Pilot Records Retention Responsibilities Related 
to the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Act of 
2010''; results were collected through December 12, 2015. An 
electronic recordkeeping system is defined by the FAA as ``A system 
of record processing in which records are entered, electronically 
signed, stored, and retrieved electronically by a computer system 
rather than in the traditional ``hardcopy'' or paper form.'' FAA 
Order 8900.1, Vol 3, Ch 31, Sec 1, Para 3-2983(L). This definition 
could include, for example, both scanned copies of records as well 
as structured data sets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since part 119 certificate holders maintain historical records in 
many formats on a variety of media, the FAA is proposing that the 
historical records be submitted to the PRD through a limited number of 
data points entered into a freeform text box which is an on-screen 
rectangular frame into which a person types text. In this case, the 
text will be specific data points, described in the paragraph that 
follows. The general data fields that would be required to match an 
employed or previously employed pilot with a record in the PRD would 
include: The pilot's name, certificate number, and dates of employment. 
A part 119 certificate holder would also be required to enter the 
following records that must be maintained per current regulations:
     Training and qualification event data maintained in 
accordance with 14 CFR 121.683, 125.401, and 135.63(a)(4), except 
flight, duty and rest time;
     Available drug and alcohol testing records maintained in 
accordance with 14 CFR 120.111 and 120.219(a) and 49 CFR 40.333(a);
     Disciplinary action record that was not subsequently 
overturned; and
     Separation from employment record that was not 
subsequently overturned.\68\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \68\ The FAA does not currently regulate, collect or review this 
information, but expects employers would have disciplinary action 
data on a minimal number of pilots employed, depending on their 
internal retention timelines for employment records.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA believes that by clearly defining the specific historical 
data elements in this proposed rule, part 119 certificate holders would 
be able to refine the information about pilots included in the PRD that 
hiring air carriers find the most relevant to hiring decisions, rather 
than entering all data maintained on an individual pilot throughout his 
or her career. Additionally, by limiting the set of historical data 
elements, the FAA would be harmonizing the amount of records each pilot 
would have in his or her respective PRD file, which also would promote 
efficiency for air carrier review of those records. The historical 
record data elements discussed in Table 3 would not differ 
substantively from the data elements collected for a pilot's present 
and future records.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \69\ The pilot data element is only required if the subject has 
been administered any aspect of the data element. The pilot data 
element is not applicable (and therefore not required) if the pilot 
has not attempted the data element.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All proposed data elements required to be reported for each pilot 
employed by a part 119 certificate holder are included in Table 3. As 
previously stated, the amount of data recorded for each pilot is 
expected to vary. For example, some pilots may have multiple dates for 
completion of training events depending on their length of employment.

                 Table 3--Data Elements Required To Be Entered Into a Pilot's Historical Record
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Training and qualification events required by FAA regulation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Aircraft type                             Result
                                                               (model                             satisfactory
       Pilot data element \69\        Date(s) completed    designation as     Duty position       (complete),
                                           YYYYMMDD        listed in FAA       (PIC or SIC)     unsatisfactory,
                                                           order 8900.1)                         or incomplete
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indoctrination......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related Aircraft Differences........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial.............................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upgrade.............................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transition..........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Differences.........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requalification.....................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Experience................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Line Operating Flight Time..........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reestablish Recency of Experience...

[[Page 17677]]

 
Line Check..........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuing Qualification............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recurrent...........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Qualification.......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                                                   Drug and alcohol testing violations, if applicable
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Date(s) for each
                                                   confirmed test
                  Test result                     and/or violation
                                                     YYYY/MM/DD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drug Test Verified Positive....................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refusal to Submit to Drug Testing..............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alcohol Confirmation Test Result of 0.04 or
 Greater.......................................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refusal to Submit to Alcohol Testing...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return-to-Duty and Follow-up Negative Result...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                                                     Disciplinary action record data, if applicable
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Aircraft type
                                                                                    (model                               Date of        Summary of event
                      Type of action                         Date of event      designation as     Duty position       disciplinary      (256 character
                                                               YYYY/MM/DD       listed in FAA       (PIC or SIC)    action YYYY/MM/DD    limit in free
                                                                                order 8900.1)                         to YYYY/MM/DD          text)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written Warning..........................................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suspension...............................................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                                                     Separation from employment data, if applicable
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Aircraft type
                                                                                    (model                               Date of        Summary of event
                      Type of action                           YYYY/MM/DD       designation as     Duty position       disciplinary      (256 character
                                                                                listed in FAA       (PIC or SIC)     action  YYYY/MM/    limit in free
                                                                                order 8900.1)                       DD to  YYYY/MM/DD        text)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination..............................................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resignation..............................................                     .................  .................  .................                N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since many air carriers and operators have maintained records in 
accordance with PRIA in varying degrees of detail, the FAA is proposing 
that part 119 certificate holders enter the specific data elements 
listed in Table 3. The data elements would be entered into an unlimited 
character, free text field for inclusion in the PRD. The FAA is 
proposing two methods for part 119 certificate holders to report 
present, future, and historical data elements to the PRD. Each employer 
could opt to use either of the following acceptable methods:
2. Reporting Method Option 1: Data Transfer Using an Automated Utility
    The first option is to transmit data electronically using an 
automated utility. The data would be transmitted via an automated 
utility such as XML through the PRD application, and the PRD 
application would be able to extract the relevant information for each 
pilot and enter the information into the appropriate fields in the PRD. 
An air carrier would need to code its XML utility to meet the 
requirements of the PRD XML user guide to utilize the application's 
batch upload capability.\70\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \70\ Upon publication of the final rule, an XML user guide will 
be provided to PRD users.
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    The amount of time an air carrier or other operator employing 
pilots spends transmitting data to the PRD using such an automated 
utility would depend on the user's internet connection, bandwidth, and 
volume of data being sent to the PRD. However, the automated utility 
would need to be confirmed compatible with the PRD.

[[Page 17678]]

3. Reporting Method Option 2: Manual Data Entry
    The second method for air carriers and others employing pilots to 
transmit data to the PRD would be through direct manual data entry, 
using the same pre-established data field forms for each record type. 
The FAA expects that this method would only be used by those operators 
without the technical capability to use an automated utility such as an 
XML.
    Under either method, each air carrier would be expected to complete 
a historical record for each pilot employed since August 1, 2005.\71\ 
Each operator operating under parts 125, 135, or 91K fractional 
ownership would complete a historical record for every pilot employed 
since August 1, 2010. The FAA notes that even if pilots have retired, 
resigned, or were disqualified and replaced by other pilots, each pilot 
employed by an air carrier or operator would be required to have a 
record in the PRD, even if those pilots may never again be employed by 
an air carrier or operator. The FAA also notes that the agency does not 
have data on the exact number of historical records we expect to be 
submitted to the database regarding former pilots who are not currently 
employed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \71\ Current FAA source data from the Safety Performance 
Analysis System and the National Vital Information Subsystem 
indicates that the number of pilots currently employed by a part 91 
subpart K operator is 3,364, a part 121 air carrier is 82,131, a 
part 125 operator is 418, a part 135 air carrier/operator is 24,545 
as of May 30, 2018. The Department of Transportation maintains the 
total number of pilots that have operated for the airlines (part 
121) and commercial operations (91K, 125, and 135) dating back to 
1999. The FAA does not maintain data on the number pilots that have 
been active since 2005 but that are not currently employed. https://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/sites/rita.dot.gov.bts/files/publications/national_transportation_statistics/html/table_03_24.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The PRD Act requires that air carriers maintain records for five 
years after reporting them to the PRD.\72\ The FAA is therefore 
proposing in Sec.  111.420 of the proposed regulation that all 
historical records be maintained by the air carrier or operator for 
five years after being reported to the FAA for inclusion in the PRD, 
notwithstanding other applicable rules or regulations (e.g., drug and 
alcohol testing records) pertaining to retention of such records.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \72\ 44703(i)(15)(C)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Alternative Solutions Considered
    The ARC recommended that the FAA consider permitting various file 
formats for submission to the PRD. The ARC also highlighted many issues 
associated with uploading various file formats. The FAA considered 
other options for the form and manner in which historical records could 
be submitted to the PRD by air carriers and operators employing pilots. 
These alternative options included permitting the submission of records 
in portable document format (PDF), Joint Photographic Experts Group 
(JPEG), bitmap (BMP), or other similar electronic file formats; the 
submission of records using coded Extensible Markup Language (XML); or 
the submission of specified information through direct manual data 
entry.
    While the submission of records in PDF, JPEG, BMP, or other similar 
electronic file formats may be preferred and expedient for some air 
carriers and operators, the FAA rejected this option for multiple 
reasons. Primarily, the FAA notes that the ARC highlighted a crucial 
issue with the contents of historical records. The ARC indicated that 
many historical records maintained by the aviation industry contain 
information ``far outside'' the scope of the PRD such as disciplinary 
records unrelated to pilot performance. The acceptance of such file 
formats would allow a large volume of extraneous data to be submitted 
to the PRD, possibly including protected or sensitive information on 
individuals or an air carrier/operator.
    This would create an unnecessary burden for the FAA because the FAA 
would be required to review each individual pilot record and redact 
information to determine whether it included protected or sensitive 
information. The FAA also considered requiring the individual pilots 
who are the subjects of any files uploaded to the PRD to review each 
record prior to an air carrier retrieving them or shortly after being 
uploaded. Either way, this variance and non-standardization could 
result in disagreements between pilots and employers, resulting in the 
FAA acting as an arbitrator in each instance.
    Furthermore, the FAA would need to ensure that the correct record 
is placed in the appropriate individual pilot ``folder'' and that the 
documents uploaded to the system contain information that is legible. 
Unfortunately, there is no assurance that PDF, JPEG, BMP, or other 
similar file formats would be usable by air carriers. If an air 
carrier's computer system could not support the file format or 
voluminous records maintained over the life of a pilot, the files would 
be rendered useless. Variables such as the age and condition of the 
original record, the darkness of the text on the page, and the 
legibility of any handwriting on the page could create a document that 
provides little or no value to the PRD, with no assistance to an air 
carrier or operator employing pilots during the hiring decision. In 
each circumstance, a delay in the availability of pilot records may 
result in an air carrier reviewing incomplete data to make a hiring 
determination. The missing information may be deemed significant by the 
hiring air carrier.
    Foremost, the PRD would serve as a tool to assist an air carrier or 
other operator in making hiring decisions in a manner that positively 
impacts safety, not to serve as a repository for all existing 
information maintained by employers of pilots, or as a replacement for 
existing air-carrier recordkeeping systems. By allowing scanned 
documents or photographs of a pilot's record to be transmitted to the 
PRD, the FAA would be unable to assure that each record submitted 
contained only the types of data relevant to the hiring decision. 
Additionally, including information that is not related to safety in an 
FAA database meant to inform an air carrier's hiring decision is not 
within the FAA's statutory authority. The PRD Act also includes a 
requirement to protect pilots' privacy, and including extraneous 
information would not be consistent with that statutory charge.
5. Public Input on Historical Records
    Commenters are strongly encouraged to provide supporting data when 
responding to the following questions, including data supporting 
anticipated costs associated with compliance with this proposal and to 
provide sample records demonstrating the level of detail captured in 
historical records dating back to August 1, 2005, for each record type 
(e.g., training, checking, release from employment). Such sample 
records should not provide any personally identifiable information 
about employees or other pilots in the docket; rather, only provide 
specific details on record format and content of the historical 
records. The FAA asks commenters to respond to the following questions 
with regard to any historical records maintained by air carriers and 
operators employing pilots in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 
44703(i)(4)(B)(ii):
    1. What level of detail (e.g., training completion dates or the 
pilot's entire training record including each activity/task and 
outcome) do operators keep for historical pilot records dating back to 
August 1, 2005 and how accurately do the data requirements outlined in 
Table 3 reflect that level of detail?
    2. Are air carriers or operators maintaining other relevant records 
used by an air carrier or operator in making a hiring decision that the 
FAA has not considered or not chosen to include as

[[Page 17679]]

a historic data requirement in this proposal?
    3. What amount of effort do employers perceive will be involved in 
reviewing the historic data and structuring it into an XML format? The 
FAA would also welcome information from any employers that do not 
intend to use the back-end XML solution.
    4. How quickly do air carriers and other operators believe they 
will be able to migrate their PRIA records into the PRD?
    5. Would it be helpful from either a pilot or a hiring employer's 
perspective to include a text box (with a limited character count) for 
a pilot to be able to provide a narrative explanation of further 
information concerning a historical record? Would this also be helpful 
for present-day records?
    In addition, the FAA seeks input from the public on alternative 
systems, processes, or technological solutions for efficient and 
accurate reporting of historical records.
D. Reporting Requirements: Present and Future Records
    With respect to current and future records, the PRD Act requires 
the FAA to establish an electronic database to capture certain records 
provided by employers.\73\ First, the PRD Act requires employers to 
report to the FAA for inclusion in the database certain pilot training, 
checking, disciplinary and separation from employment records 
maintained pursuant to Sec. Sec.  121.683, 125.401 and 135.63(a)(4) and 
certain drug and alcohol testing records maintained in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  120.111(a) and 120.219(a).\74\ Second, the PRD Act requires 
employers to report certain categories of other records ``pertaining to 
an individual's performance as a pilot'' to the extent relevant records 
may be kept by the employer.\75\ Third, the PRD Act requires employers 
to report ``information concerning the motor vehicle driving record of 
the individual'' obtained ``from the chief driver licensing official of 
a State'' pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30305(b)(8), which governs the NDR.\76\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \73\ Air carriers and operators that employ pilots will be 
referred to throughout this section as employers.
    \74\ See Sec.  44703(i)(2)(B)(i).
    \75\ See Sec.  44703(i)(2)(B)(ii).
    \76\ See Sec.  44703(i)(2)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Details on the data the FAA proposes to require employers to enter 
into the PRD consistent with the requirements of the PRD Act are 
summarized below and described in the subsections that follow. The data 
includes the following on pilot employees:
     The completion of certain training, qualification, 
proficiency and competency events;
     Other pilot training, qualification, proficiency or 
competency events kept by the employer;
     Drug and alcohol testing records maintained in accordance 
with the FAA's drug and alcohol testing regulations;
     Final disciplinary actions; and
     Final separation from employment actions.
    The FAA proposes in Sec.  111.250 to implement these present and 
future record reporting provisions one year after publication of the 
final rule to give covered employers time to fulfill the requirements 
of this proposed rule. Each action this proposed rule would require 
employers to enter after this time would be entered within 30 days of 
either the PRD hire date or the beginning of service. The FAA proposes 
to define ``PRD hire date'' as the first date on which the pilot is 
expected to begin any form of company-required training or any other 
duties assigned by an air carrier or other operator employing pilots.
    At any time between the effective date of the final rule and one 
year after the publication of the final rule, an air carrier may begin 
entering present and future records into the PRD; however, the date on 
which the air carrier or operator begins entering the records into the 
PRD is the date the air carrier begins compliance and must remain in 
compliance with the rule. At that point, all records from prior to the 
first day of compliance would be considered historical records and all 
records from the first date of compliance and after would be present 
and future records. The FAA will note this unique date, as well as the 
air carrier or operator, for auditing compliance.
    Part 119 certificate holders and fractional ownerships would be 
required to begin accessing and evaluating records in the PRD one year 
after publication of the final rule. Part 119 certificate holders and 
fractional ownerships, as well as any operators opting into the 
evaluation provision of part 111, would be required to access and 
evaluate an individual's PRD records and request PRIA records from 
current and former employers until all required air carriers and 
operators comply with the historical record reporting provision of part 
111. This duplicative requirement would be temporary; the sole purpose 
is to avoid any lapse in PRIA records that were kept during the 
transition, which, as stated previously would conclude by two years 
after publication of the final rule.
    A summary of the compliance periods for reporting records and 
accessing for purposes of evaluation is provided in Table 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \77\ Air carriers, other operators and participating operators 
may neither enter records into the PRD nor access the PRD for non-
FAA records until the effective date of the final rule.

                                 Table 4--Proposed Compliance Timelines for PRD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Action                      Compliance period \77\             Applicable record dates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present and Future Record Reporting.....  By One Year from the         A date determined by the air carrier or
                                           Publication Date of the      operator during the compliance period;
                                           Final Rule.                  however, once the records begin to be
                                                                        entered into the PRD, compliance is
                                                                        mandatory.
Historical Record Reporting.............  By Two Years from the        Beginning on August 1, 2005 or August 1,
                                           Publication Date of the      2010, as applicable, through the date
                                           Final Rule.                  determined by the air carrier or
                                                                        operator when present and future records
                                                                        begin to be reported to the PRD.
Accessing the PRD for Purposes of         By One Year from the         All records documented in the PRD and a
 Evaluating Records.                       Publication Date of the      request for records to current and/or
                                           Final Rule.                  previous employers under PRIA.
                                          By Two Years from the        All records documented in the PRD.
                                           Publication Date of the
                                           Final Rule.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 17680]]

1. Data Pertaining to the Individual's Performance as a Pilot
    As previously stated, the PRD Act requires air carriers to keep 
records pursuant to specific provisions of title 14 (Sec. Sec.  
121.683, 125.401, or 135.63(a)(4)), but also includes a more general 
provision that requires the reporting of certain categories of records 
``pertaining to an individual's performance as a pilot'' by employers 
for inclusion in the PRD. This provision requires air carriers to 
report records concerning: (1) The training, qualifications, 
proficiency or professional competence of an individual; (2) any 
disciplinary action taken with respect to an individual that was not 
subsequently overturned; and (3) any release from employment or 
resignation, termination or disqualification with respect to 
employment. These reporting requirements specifically extend to any 
other records that are kept by an employer (even if the record is not 
explicitly required to be kept by a provision in 14 CFR). However, as 
provided in the PRD Act, only those records in each of these categories 
that ``pertain to pilot performance'' would be reported for inclusion 
in the PRD.
    The FAA proposes to define the term ``records pertaining to pilot 
performance,'' consistent with the agency's interpretation of this 
phrase in PRIA, as meaning ``[r]ecords of an activity or event 
specifically related to an individual's completion of the core duties 
and responsibilities of a pilot to maintain safe aircraft operations, 
as assigned by the employer and established by the FAA.'' \78\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \78\ See FAA's Office of the Chief Counsel legal interpretation 
to Lorenzon, dated September 12, 2014. A copy of this legal 
interpretation has been placed in the docket for this proposed 
rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Records related to pilot performance are not limited solely to 
events arising out of the pilot's demonstration of proficient flying 
skills (i.e., when the pilot is seated at the controls of an aircraft) 
and the demonstration of compliance with FAA regulatory 
requirements.\79\ A pilot's duties and responsibilities to ensure safe 
aircraft operations includes demonstrating adherence to certain 
established company procedures during all aspects of an aircraft 
operation. Records of relevant events subject to the reporting 
requirements would also include certain events that occurred on the 
ground pre-flight or post-flight (e.g., conducting aircraft exterior 
pre-flight and post-flight inspections, visual icing inspections, drug 
and alcohol violations) in connection with a flight operation. 
Moreover, the duty to maintain safe aircraft operations includes 
ensuring the safety of crewmembers, passengers, cargo, the aircraft and 
the operating environment.\80\ Therefore, the proposed definition would 
extend to both FAA-established requirements and certain standards set 
by the employer that reflect activity that is linked to the statutory 
requirement that the database include records pertaining to the 
individual's performance as a pilot.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \79\ Id.
    \80\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA considers certain documentation to be unrelated to an 
individual's performance as a pilot and, therefore, beyond the scope of 
the PRD Act mandate. As proposed, the database reporting requirements 
would exclude records maintained by an operator related to an 
individual's performance of job functions unrelated to serving as a 
flight crewmember during the operation of an aircraft (for example, an 
individual's performance of duties while serving as a flight engineer, 
instructor, or evaluator in simulators) or while an individual 
performed services that do not require a pilot certificate issued under 
part 61.
    Additionally, in accordance with the PRD Act mandate, the FAA 
proposes in Sec.  111.220(b) to exclude flight time, duty time, and 
rest records from the reporting requirement. The FAA is also proposing 
in Sec.  111.220(b) to prohibit the entry of records containing 
physical examination data or any other protected personal medical 
information into the database. Exclusion of these records is directed 
by the PRD Act and other medical privacy laws. The PRD Act does require 
certain records to be kept concerning compliance with required medical 
examinations and information concerning release from employment due to 
physical disqualification. Inclusion of those documents in the PRD are 
discussed in the section regarding CAIS records and in the section 
regarding separation from employment, respectively. The FAA also notes 
that data concerning a pilot's active medical certificate would be 
reported by the FAA to the PRD, as required by the PRD Act, and 
previously discussed in this preamble. Records concerning 
disqualification are addressed further in the discussion titled 
``Separation from Employment''.
a. Pilot Training, Qualification, and Proficiency Records (Sec.  
111.220)
    As previously indicated, the PRD Act requires employers to report 
to the FAA for inclusion in the database records kept pursuant to 14 
CFR 121.683, 125.401, and 135.63(a)(4) and any records related to pilot 
performance specific to the training, qualifications, proficiency or 
professional competence of an individual.\81\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \81\ See 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(2)(B)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Accordingly, the FAA is proposing in Sec.  111.220(a) to require 
employers to enter records maintained in accordance with an established 
provision of FAA regulations related to pilot training, qualifications, 
and proficiency events, as well as certain additional records that may 
be kept voluntarily by covered employers.\82\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \82\ All records maintained in accordance with an established 
training, qualification, proficiency, or professional competency 
regulation, such as those cited in the PRD Act, Sec. Sec.  121.683, 
125.401, and 135.63(a)(4) are referenced as ``pilot training'' 
records throughout the remainder of the section, unless otherwise 
noted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As proposed in Sec.  111.220(c), the minimum data required to be 
reported by all populations would include: The date of the event, 
aircraft type, duty position (PIC or SIC), training program approval 
part and subpart, the crewmember training/qualification curriculum and 
category as reflected in the FAA-approved or employer-mandated training 
program, the result of the action (satisfactory or unsatisfactory), and 
limited comments, if appropriate.\83\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \83\ The FAA notes that some of this information could be 
populated in the database in advance by the FAA using information 
from the air carrier's user registration. Thus, the employer may not 
be required to enter all data points for each record reported. For 
example, the training program approval part in 14 CFR, which would 
be reported in accordance with Sec.  111.220(c)(4) of the proposed 
rule, would likely be pre-filled, when possible.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comments would be reported to the PRD in two circumstances. First, 
employers operating under parts 121, 125, or 135 would be required to 
report any comments from a check pilot associated with a qualification 
record. Check pilot comments would be accepted for parts 121, 125, and 
135 users because pilots employed in these contexts are qualified by a 
check pilot.\84\ By contrast, comments on the performance of a pilot 
that were documented by someone other than a check pilot, such as a 
flight instructor, would not be accepted in the database. The FAA 
believes that neither validation events \85\ (in an Advanced 
Qualification Program,\86\ or AQP) nor

[[Page 17681]]

instructor comments should be included in the PRD. First, the PRD Act 
does not require employers to report either of these types of data to 
the PRD. Second, the FAA does not believe that flight instructor notes 
would have sufficient value as a hiring tool to warrant including them. 
In the safety recommendation A-95-116, issued to the FAA on November 
15, 1995, the NTSB asked the FAA to require all air carriers and their 
training facilities to maintain pertinent information on the quality of 
pilot performance, including subjective evaluations by individual 
instructors, check pilots, or FAA inspectors. The FAA responded that 
the inclusion of such information in a pilot's permanent record might 
make a training event a punitive experience rather than one in which a 
pilot could learn from mistakes. On January 3, 2000, the NTSB stated 
that the FAA had provided a convincing argument about the 
inappropriateness of subjective information in pilot records and the 
possibility that pilot training could be negatively affected.\87\ 
Finally, the FAA believes that validation events and instructor 
comments should not be entered into the database to ensure 
standardization among all other training and certification regulations. 
Other training and certification regulations do not include validation 
events and instructor comments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \84\ As per 14 CFR 135.337, a check pilot is ``a person who is 
qualified to conduct flight checks in an aircraft, in a flight 
simulator, or in a flight training device for a particular type 
aircraft.''
    \85\ Validation events are used during AQP pilot training to 
ensure a pilot can demonstrate the ability to meet specific training 
requirements. This ensures an appropriate level of competency has 
been achieved before advancing to related or more complex tasks 
outlined in the training program.
    \86\ AQP allows for an alternative method for training and 
evaluating pilots based on instructional systems design, advanced 
simulation equipment, and comprehensive data analysis to 
continuously validate curriculums. Requirements of subparts N and O 
that are not specifically addressed in the certificate holder's AQP 
continue to apply to the certificate holder and to the individuals 
being trained and qualified by the certificate holder.
    \87\ https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.recsearch/Recommendation.aspx?Rec=A-95-116.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The second instance in which comments would be accepted to the PRD 
would be when a certificate holder enters the category of pilot 
training and curriculum segment in which a pilot participated (e.g., 
ground training or flight training). The results of each specific 
curriculum segment would be reflected in the database as satisfactory 
or unsatisfactory.\88\ If the result is entered as unsatisfactory, a 
comment briefly explaining the unsatisfactory performance would be 
required for completion of that particular pilot training database 
record.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \88\ A satisfactory or unsatisfactory result may also be 
submitted to the PRD as a pass or fail, or complete or incomplete, 
since these terms may be used synonymously by certificate holders 
with approved training programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA includes detailed guidance regarding examples of specific 
data elements that could be reported by each population in Draft AC 
111, a copy of which has been placed in the docket for this rulemaking. 
The FAA notes that the proposal would not require the reporting of 
compliance with training and qualification events to a specific task 
level because particular training, qualification, and proficiency 
requirements may not be the same for every pilot depending on the 
training program and the duty position for which they are training to 
serve.
i. Part 121 Air Carrier Training Records
    The FAA is proposing in Sec.  111.220 to require: (1) Part 121 air 
carriers to enter into the PRD any record documenting an individual's 
compliance with FAA-required training, qualifications, and proficiency 
events kept in accordance with Sec.  121.683, subject to limited 
exceptions proposed in Sec.  111.220(b); and (2) employers to report 
any other records that may be kept documenting compliance with other 
requirements. Such records could be relevant to training, 
qualifications, proficiency, or professional competence, including 
check pilot comments that are not otherwise excluded by proposed Sec.  
111.220(b), as discussed previously.
    All training and qualifying events conducted through an approved 
part 121 training program are required to be recorded in accordance 
with Sec.  121.683, regardless of the subpart under which the training 
program is approved. Certificate holders that conduct operations under 
part 121 may train and qualify pilots in accordance with the provisions 
of current subparts N and O or under an Advanced Qualification Program 
(AQP) in accordance with subpart Y of part 121.\89\ The record for a 
pilot trained in accordance with part 121, subpart Y, includes training 
records for the indoctrination curriculum, qualification curriculum, 
and continuing qualification curriculum. Because curricula vary, 
however, not every possible entry applies to each individual air 
carrier or operator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \89\ AQP allows for an alternative method for training and 
evaluating pilots based on instructional systems design, advanced 
simulation equipment, and comprehensive data analysis to 
continuously validate curriculums. Requirements of subparts N and O 
that are not specifically addressed in the certificate holder's AQP 
continue to apply to the certificate holder and to the individuals 
being trained and qualified by the certificate holder. See Sec.  
121.903(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

ii. Part 125 Operator Training Records
    As required by the PRD Act, the agency proposes in Sec.  111.220 to 
require records maintained pursuant to Sec.  125.401 by part 125 
certificate holders to be reported to the PRD, except for flight time, 
duty time, and rest time. Additionally, Sec.  111.220(a)(2) would 
require employers to report any other records that may be kept 
documenting compliance with other FAA- or employer-required events 
related to training, qualifications, proficiency, or professional 
competence, including check pilot comments. Part 125 letter of 
deviation (LODA) holders \90\ would comply with the reporting 
requirements of a corporate flight department because LODA holders have 
been given relief from the recordkeeping requirements of part 125.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \90\ The FAA has issued 57 letters of deviation from Sec.  
119.23 and Sec.  125.5 (the requirement to hold an operating 
certificate and Operation Specifications) to operators likely 
meeting the part 125 training requirements. These operators operate 
aircraft which are U.S.-registered civil airplanes with a seating 
configuration of 20 or more passengers or a maximum payload capacity 
of 6,000 pounds or more when common carriage is not involved. The 
number of operators holding a part 125 letter of deviation was 
retrieved for the FAA's Web Based Operations Safety System (WebOPSS) 
on May 30, 2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Part 125 operators are required to maintain records pursuant to 
Sec.  125.401 demonstrating compliance with the prescribed 
qualification and testing requirements in subpart I of part 125. 
Furthermore, part 125 establishes testing requirements for pilot 
initial and recurrent qualification. An operator must maintain the 
records on the completion of a part 125 required test as well as a 
pilot's currency requirements referenced in Sec.  61.51(a)(2). The FAA 
proposes to require employers to report all of the records described in 
this paragraph regardless of whether they are identified in part 125 or 
cross-references to part 61.
    Additionally, pursuant to Sec.  111.220(a)(2), the FAA is proposing 
to require all part 125 operators to enter records concerning an 
individual's performance as a pilot, including records that demonstrate 
compliance with recent flight experience and the applicable training 
and qualification regulations in part 125.\91\ These records include 
initial and recurrent pilot testing requirements and instrument 
proficiency checks. In accordance with Sec.  125.291(a), each PIC must 
pass a written or oral test on specific knowledge of the aircraft and 
operation. Additionally, a PIC must pass an instrument proficiency 
check in accordance with Sec.  125.291(a) and complete an approach 
procedure in accordance with Sec.  125.291(b). Pursuant to Sec.  
125.283, second in command pilots also must demonstrate compliance with

[[Page 17682]]

the recent instrument experience required in Sec.  61.57. Check pilot 
comments designated in accordance with Sec.  125.295 must also be 
included. The FAA proposes to require part 125 employers to report 
these records because they would provide information that is directly 
pertinent to the pilot's past performance, and would therefore be 
useful to a prospective air carrier employer. These records would also 
provide an established baseline of a pilot's career for air carriers to 
evaluate against a pilot's personal recordkeeping system in their pilot 
logbook to ensure consistency and to help employers detect intentional 
or inadvertent logbook inaccuracies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \91\ In accordance with the regulatory requirements prescribed 
in Sec.  61.51, Pilot logbooks, the FAA is proposing to require all 
part 125 operators to enter specific information into the database 
that displays compliance with recent flight experience regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

iii. Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Training Records
    As previously discussed, the PRD Act requires records maintained 
pursuant to Sec.  135.63(a)(4) to be entered into the PRD, as well as 
other records the air carrier may be maintaining related to the 
training, qualifications, proficiency, or professional competence of 
the pilot, including check pilot comments maintained in accordance with 
Sec.  135.337.\92\ Some of the records maintained in accordance with 
Sec.  135.63(a)(4) are basic identifying information, such as a pilot's 
name; FAA pilot certificate type, ratings held, and number; and duties. 
Other records kept pursuant to Sec.  135.63(a)(4) require training 
records specific to the pilot to be maintained, which include: (1) The 
date and result of each of the initial and recurrent competency tests 
and proficiency and route checks required by part 135 and the type of 
aircraft flown during that test or check; and (2) the date and 
completion of the initial phase and each recurrent phase of the 
training required by part 135. Additionally, Sec.  135.63(a)(4) 
requires a certificate holder to maintain a record of the pilot's 
aeronautical experience, flight time, authorizations to act as a check 
pilot, and any action taken concerning the pilot's release from 
employment for physical or professional disqualification.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \92\ See Sec.  44703(i)(2)(B)(ii)(I).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

iv. Part 91 Subpart K Fractional Ownership Training Program Records
    Part 91 subpart K (91K) fractional ownerships would be required to 
report records to the PRD. In 91K operations, per Sec.  91.1053, pilots 
either complete a training program approved by the FAA or complete 
training for the continued currency of a pilot certificate issued in 
accordance with part 61. The FAA also believes that many operators have 
voluntarily established a pilot training or proficiency program for 
operational safety purposes. Therefore, in Sec.  111.220(a)(1), the FAA 
is proposing to require 91K fractional ownerships to report certain 
records described below to the database, which are kept in accordance 
with Sec.  91.1027(a)(3). In addition, under Sec.  111.220(a)(2), 91K 
fractional ownerships would be required to report any other records 
kept documenting an individual's compliance with other FAA- or 
employer-required training, checking, testing, currency, proficiency, 
or other events related to pilot performance, including check pilot 
comments as applicable.
    All 91K programs, per Sec.  91.1073, must have an approved training 
program for their pilots. However, a 91K fractional ownership may seek 
approval for a pilot training program in accordance with Sec. Sec.  
91.1065 through 91.1107, or in accordance with part 135, subparts E, G, 
and H, or subparts N and O, or Y, of part 121.\93\ For any training 
that is conducted in accordance with the various methods of approval to 
qualify a pilot to conduct operations under subpart K of part 91, the 
recordkeeping requirements in Sec.  91.1027(a)(3) still apply. Under 
Sec.  91.1027(a)(3), each program manager is required to maintain an 
individual record of each pilot used in subpart K of part 91. 
Therefore, the FAA is proposing to require each 91K program manager to 
enter the pilot records kept pursuant to Sec.  91.1027(a)(3). Examples 
of specific values for PRD entry are provided in the Draft AC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \93\ A training program approved in this manner for a fractional 
ownership would enter a different value for the approved training 
program subpart that differs slightly from that of a traditional 91K 
training program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While Sec.  111.220(a) would require the reporting of all records 
kept in accordance with Sec.  91.1027(a)(3) concerning compliance with 
training and checking events, records concerning flight time, medical 
certification and the pilot's assigned duties would be excepted in 
accordance with Sec.  111.220(b).
    The pilot training and currency requirements that would be required 
to be recorded for operations conducted in accordance with part 91 are 
prescribed in part 61 and incorporated by reference in part 91. For 
example, part 61 prescribes that each pilot certificated under the part 
is required to complete a flight review, recent flight experience, and 
a proficiency check, if operating under instrument flight rules, at 
regularly scheduled intervals.\94\ The purpose of these events is 
similar to that of the required training and checking events of other 
rule parts. Therefore, as proposed in Sec.  111.220(a)(2), 91K 
operators would be required to report to the PRD records that document 
compliance with part 61 requirements for flight review, recent flight 
experience, and proficiency checks. The 91K operator would also be 
required to report other relevant records concerning training, 
qualification, proficiency or professional competence that may be kept 
by the employer, as required by the PRD Act. The FAA believes these 
records fall within the PRD mandate because they include data that is 
directly pertinent to the pilot's past performance and are therefore 
relevant to an air carrier's hiring decision. These records would also 
provide an established baseline of a pilot's career for air carriers to 
evaluate against a pilot's personal recordkeeping system in his or her 
pilot logbook. Examples of records are detailed in the Draft AC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \94\ See Sec.  61.56 for exceptions that apply under certain 
circumstances for pilot currency.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA notes that 91K fractional ownerships would only be required 
to report check pilot comments in accordance with proposed Sec.  
111.220(a) if the 91K fractional ownership uses a training program 
approved under parts 121 or 135. When 91K fractional owners do not have 
an approved training program, they are not generally required to keep a 
record of pilot check rides, and would not be by this rule.
    The FAA is also proposing to amend Sec.  91.1051: Pilot safety 
background check, for consistency with the requirements proposed in new 
part 111; the proposed amendment replaces the current background check 
requirements with a reference to the new part.
v. Pilot Training Records Documented by Commercial Air Tour Operators, 
Corporate Flight Departments, and Entities Conducting Public Aircraft 
Operations
    Commercial air tour operators authorized by Sec.  91.147, corporate 
flight departments operating a fleet (two or more) of type-rated 
airplanes, and governmental entities conducting public aircraft 
operations would be required to report records to the PRD. The 
statutory mandate at 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(2)(B)(ii) extends to records 
required to be kept pursuant to an FAA regulation and other records 
employers keep voluntarily. Therefore, the FAA is proposing in Sec.  
111.220 to require these employers to report these records to the PRD.
    The FAA recognizes that commercial air tour operators, corporate 
flight departments, and entities conducting public aircraft operations 
are not

[[Page 17683]]

required to maintain an approved pilot training program or maintain 
records concerning employer-mandated pilot training and qualification 
events. However, all pilots must record certain events in their pilot 
logbooks to maintain their currency \95\ with an FAA pilot certificate 
pursuant to Sec.  61.57. While these events are required to be recorded 
by pilots in their logbooks, the FAA expects that operators employing 
pilots maintain similar pilot training and currency records 
demonstrating compliance with part 61 to document that their pilots are 
trained, qualified and current for operational safety and regulatory 
compliance purposes. These records, which document compliance with part 
61 requirements for flight review, recent flight experience, and 
proficiency checks, would be reported to the PRD under proposed Sec.  
111.220 and methods of compliance are explained further in the draft 
AC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \95\ Currency requirements include flight maneuvers which must 
be performed by a pilot to maintain the privileges of their 
certificate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Drug and Alcohol Testing Records
    The PRD Act requires records maintained pursuant to Sec. Sec.  
121.111(a) and 121.219(a) to be included in the database.\96\ The FAA 
believes Congress intended to refer to the same drug and alcohol 
testing regulatory provisions in the PRD Act as referenced in PRIA, 
which can be found under in part 120, at Sec. Sec.  120.111 and 
120.219(a), respectively.\97\ These are the same records required to be 
retained by 49 CFR 40.333(a).
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    \96\ The references to these particular provisions in part 121 
appear to be the result of a typographical error, as those sections 
of the regulations, which were in effect when Public Law 111-216 was 
enacted, do not relate to recordkeeping.
    \97\ The recordkeeping requirements set forth in Sec. Sec.  
120.111(a) and 120.219(a) remain unchanged substantively from the 
time Congress enacted PRIA.
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    Currently under PRIA, an air carrier must furnish drug and alcohol 
testing records maintained in accordance with Appendices I and J to 
part 121.\98\ These regulations require certain records pertaining to 
employees serving in safety-sensitive positions to be maintained by a 
part 119 certificate holder conducting operations under parts 121 or 
135, as well as persons authorized to conduct air tour operations 
pursuant to Sec.  91.147.\99\ The records required to be maintained 
demonstrate an employer's compliance with pre-employment, reasonable 
cause/suspicion, random, post-accident, return-to-duty, follow-up 
testing for use of prohibited drugs or misuse of alcohol, and 
documentation of other violations within the Department of 
Transportation modal administration drug and alcohol testing 
regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \98\ In 2009, the drug and alcohol provisions referenced in PRIA 
were recodified without substantive change, and these requirements 
may now be found in 14 CFR part 120.
    \99\ These persons subject to the requirements of part 120 are 
collectively referred to as ``employers'' throughout this section. 
The remainder of the PRD-user community would not be impacted by 
this aspect of the proposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA is proposing in subpart C of part 111 to require employers 
to report specific records maintained in accordance with Sec. Sec.  
120.111 and 120.219(a) to the database, subject to certain limitations, 
as well as additional drug and alcohol testing records kept in 
accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a), which the FAA believes are necessary 
to ensure a comprehensive history for each individual subject to drug 
and alcohol testing is available in the PRD.
    The FAA is proposing to require the reporting to the database of 
verified positive drug test results or refusals to submit to testing in 
accordance with Sec.  120.111 and violations of the alcohol misuse 
prohibitions and refusals to submit to testing in accordance with Sec.  
120.219(a)(2)(i)(B). As proposed in subpart C of part 111, all 
employers required to comply with part 120 would report the date of the 
verified or confirmed test or when the refusal occurred, the type of 
test administered or refused, and the result of the test (e.g., whether 
it was a verified positive drug test result, alcohol result with a 
breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater, or refusal to submit 
to testing).
    The majority of the requirements in Sec. Sec.  120.111 and 
120.219(a) require records about a company's training procedures for 
personal testing and handling of drug and alcohol tests, rather than 
individual pilot results to be retained by an employer. The FAA is only 
proposing to require the reporting to PRD of those records that relate 
specifically to individual pilot testing and occurrences of prohibited 
drug use and alcohol misuse, because other records kept in accordance 
with these provisions are not related to individual pilot performance.
    Additionally, consistent with 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)((2)(B)(ii), the 
FAA is proposing in Sec.  111.215 to require certain other drug and 
alcohol testing records related to pilot performance maintained by 
employers in accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a)(1)(iii) and (v) to be 
reported to the database. As proposed, employers would be required to 
report records concerning any refusal to submit to drug or alcohol 
testing, which must be retained by the employer in accordance with 
Sec.  40.333(a)(1)(iii), records concerning all required return-to-duty 
drug or alcohol testing, and follow-up drug or alcohol testing, which 
must be retained by employers in accordance with Sec.  40.333(a)(1)(v). 
Employers would not report follow-up testing schedules to the PRD. It 
is appropriate to include this additional information in the PRD 
because the limited records kept in accordance with Sec. Sec.  120.111 
and 120.219(a) would not provide an individual's comprehensive drug and 
alcohol testing history with a single employer.\100\ In addition, the 
records kept in accordance with Sec.  40.333(a)(1) relate to the 
professional competence of a pilot.\101\ The FAA interprets the PRD Act 
to require employers to report information to provide prospective 
employers with a pilot's comprehensive drug and alcohol testing history 
on which to base a hiring decision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \100\ For a complete and accurate representation of an 
individual's drug and alcohol testing history to be conveyed in the 
database to a hiring air carrier, the FAA will also include 
applicable records to the database as previously discussed.
    \101\ See 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(2)(B)(ii)(I).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA is proposing to include follow-up and return-to-duty 
testing information in the PRD, including verified negative drug test 
results and alcohol test results with a concentration of less than 
0.02. These results demonstrate a pilot's progress in an employer's 
rehabilitation program, which is required by FAA regulations. Whether a 
pilot has or has not completed a rehabilitation program is necessary 
for an air carrier's hiring decision. The FAA is not proposing to 
require other negative test results to be reported to the PRD.
    Under existing regulation, if the pilot has a second occurrence of 
a verified positive drug test result or one occurrence of drug use 
while the pilot is on duty, he or she is permanently disqualified from 
performing pilot duties.\102\ Additionally, an individual performing a 
safety-sensitive function is permanently disqualified from performing 
pilot duties after two confirmed alcohol violations or one occurrence 
of alcohol use during the performance of a safety-sensitive function. 
Since these records would demonstrate an individual's professional 
competency to prospective employers, the FAA believes it is appropriate 
to require the reporting of these records to PRD. According to the

[[Page 17684]]

drug and alcohol testing regulations in part 120, when a pilot has 
violated the drug and alcohol testing regulatory prohibitions related 
to on-duty, pre-duty or use following an accident, the employer is 
required to remove a pilot from the performance of safety-sensitive 
functions, and the employer must not return the pilot until the pilot 
has completed the return-to duty process. These violations, which could 
professionally disqualify a pilot, are provided to the FAA through an 
employer's current requirement to report to the Federal Air Surgeon. 
These reports must include documentation to support the employer's 
determination that the pilot has violated the prohibitions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \102\ As contained under 14 CFR part 120, a person employed in a 
safety-sensitive position who has two verified positive drug test 
results or two confirmed alcohol violations or engaged in prohibited 
drug use or alcohol misuse while on-duty after September 19, 1994 is 
permanently disqualified from performing the safety-sensitive 
functions the employee performed prior to the second drug or alcohol 
test or on-duty violation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Once the pilot has completed the return-to-duty process, the drug 
and alcohol testing regulations do not prescribe any other employer 
actions. However, the employer may choose to take other employment 
related/disciplinary actions, including terminating the pilot. Because 
these violations do not necessarily involve a positive drug or alcohol 
test result, the FAA is proposing to require an employer to provide the 
details of the action taken related to a pilot's violation of the on-
duty, pre-duty, and use following an accident drug and alcohol testing 
prohibitions into the pilot's disciplinary action record, as opposed to 
as a part of the drug and alcohol testing record. Under the 
disciplinary action record, the employer would enter a detailed summary 
of the violation in the text field that is limited to 256 characters.
    The proposed requirements would provide a future air carrier with 
the most meaningful and useful information about an individual's drug 
and alcohol testing history. This proposal would not impact the five-
year record retention requirements for drug and alcohol records or the 
requirement to provide records of notification to the Federal Air 
Surgeon of refusals to submit to drug and alcohol testing, verified 
positive drug test results, and violations of the alcohol misuse 
prohibitions within two working days in accordance with 14 CFR part 120 
or 49 CFR part 40 for employers.
    Employers could remove drug and alcohol records from their files 
after five years, as appropriate. However, any information from those 
records required by PRD would remain in the PRD for the life of the 
pilot. The agency notes that to the extent this information remains in 
PRD, the availability and use of that information is limited by the PRD 
Act and the proposed rule in Sec.  111.105 for purposes of employers 
making a hiring decision. The FAA recognizes that the record retention 
period in the PRD Act is different from the record retention period 
applicable to the FAA's drug and alcohol testing program. The FAA 
welcomes comment on the proposal to retain drug and alcohol records for 
the life of the pilot, recognizing the constraints of the PRD Act.
3. Disciplinary Action Records
    Under the PRD Act, relevant disciplinary action records to be 
reported for inclusion in the PRD are those records of disciplinary 
actions, maintained by an employer, that pertain to pilot performance 
and have not been overturned.\103\ The FAA is proposing to define 
``final disciplinary action record'' for purposes of proposed part 111 
as ``a record of any corrective action taken by an employer in response 
to an event pertaining to pilot performance, which is not subject to 
any pending formal or informal dispute initiated by the pilot.'' Each 
final disciplinary action record meeting the proposed definition would 
be required to be reported promptly to the database in accordance with 
Sec.  111.225 after a 30-day waiting period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \103\ See Sec.  44703(i)(2)(B)(ii)(II).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As previously discussed, records pertaining to pilot performance 
are not limited to records solely regarding the pilot's demonstration 
of proficient flying skills and compliance with FAA regulatory 
requirements. A pilot's duty to maintain safe aircraft operations also 
includes adherence to certain established company procedures during 
aircraft operations. As proposed, the disciplinary action records 
pertaining to pilot performance would not be limited to the events that 
occurred while the pilot is seated at the controls during flight; they 
would extend to records of events that occurred in connection with the 
pilot's completion of duties and responsibilities on the ground, during 
the pre-flight or post-flight operations of an aircraft that is 
intended for operation (for example, events occurring during exterior 
pre-flight or post-flight inspections, visual icing inspections, or 
behavior related to on-duty drug or alcohol use, pre-duty alcohol use 
and alcohol use following an accident).
    Records of disciplinary action resulting from events specifically 
related to a pilot's performance of assigned duties and 
responsibilities to maintain safe flight operations and adhere to 
standard operating procedures could reflect deficiencies relevant to 
future employers' hiring decisions. The NTSB has identified 
deficiencies in operators' adherence to standard operating procedures 
as contributing causal factors in aviation accidents.\104\ As indicated 
in the NTSB report on the February 9, 2009 Colgan accident (NTSB/AAR-
10/01), the investigation revealed that noncompliance with standard 
operating procedures was a contributing factor to the accident. 
Therefore, the proposal for reporting disciplinary records extends to 
records kept concerning compliance with both FAA-established 
requirements, as well as certain standards set by the employer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \104\ See Safety Recommendation A-07-8, as a result of the 
accident involving Pinnacle Airlines flight 3701 in Jefferson City, 
Missouri, for a comparative example.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The PRD Act requires disciplinary action records that are not 
subsequently overturned to be included in the PRD. Accordingly, the FAA 
proposes the same requirement in Sec.  111.225.
    Congress expanded PRIA with its enactment of the PRD Act and uses 
much of the same language to describe requirements related pilot 
records. Accordingly, the FAA interprets language in the PRD Act to 
have the same meaning as language in PRIA when the language is 
identical or substantively similar. As described below, the FAA 
interprets language in the PRD Act related to disciplinary actions to 
have the same meaning as in PRIA.
    For example, in a U.S. House of Representatives Report (``House 
Report'') accompanying certain amendments to PRIA in 1997, Congress 
clarified the intended meaning of a disciplinary action that has been 
``subsequently overturned.'' \105\ The House Report clarified that `` 
`subsequently overturned' means either discipline that has been 
rescinded as a result of a legitimate settlement agreement between the 
employer and the pilot or the pilot's representative or discipline that 
has been reversed by the employer or by a panel or an individual given 
authority to review employment disputes.'' Congress indicated ``[a] 
legitimate settlement agreement could include instances where the 
parties agree that the action that was the subject of discipline did 
not occur or was not the pilot's fault. However, it should not include 
instances where the airline agrees to wipe the pilot's record clean in 
order to pass him or her onto another unsuspecting carrier.'' 
Therefore, ``[i]n the Committee's view, in cases where the discipline 
is rescinded or reversed . . . the documents reflecting the charges 
underlying the initial decision to impose the discipline are not 
required to be maintained or disclosed.'' In light of the foregoing, 
the FAA

[[Page 17685]]

continues to interpret the meaning of ``disciplinary action that was 
subsequently overturned'' in accordance with this legislative 
direction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \105\ See H.R. Rep. 105-372 (Oct. 31, 1997).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA recognizes that a disciplinary action may be overturned 
through a number of formal and informal processes, such as an internal 
company dispute or legal adjudication. Therefore, the FAA is proposing 
in Sec.  111.225 to require an employer to report disciplinary action 
records pertaining to an individual's performance as a pilot within 30 
days after the action has been documented as final in the pilot's 
employment record.
    In the event of a dispute, the record must be entered in the PRD 
within 30 days after the dispute is considered resolved or closed by 
the employer. All carriers would have to have a documented dispute 
process and conduct a reasonable investigation and publish these 
policies and procedures, as proposed in Sec.  111.260. However, if a 
dispute develops after the disciplinary action is entered into the PRD 
and action is subsequently overturned by the employer, then the air 
carrier or other operator would be required to remove or correct the 
data entered into the PRD within 10 days of the disciplinary action 
being overturned as proposed in Sec.  111.250(b)(5)(ii).
    Additionally, as proposed, disciplinary records arising out of 
actions or events unrelated to the pilot's completion of core duties 
and responsibilities to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft would 
not be reported to the FAA for inclusion in the database. Examples of 
disciplinary records that should not be reported to the database 
include those related to an individual's noncompliance with behavior or 
morality-based company policies such as attendance policy; adhering to 
appearance or grooming standards; or failure to conduct oneself 
appropriately with the public, passengers, or vendors. Specifically, a 
disciplinary action related to insubordination and where there is no 
indication the pilot's actions impacted the safe operation of an 
aircraft has previously been found by the agency to be unrelated to 
pilot performance.\106\ The FAA would not expect such a disciplinary 
record to be reported to the database.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \106\ See Lorenzon interpretation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA would also not require an employer to report an oral 
warning to the database. The FAA determined it was inappropriate to 
require the reporting of data concerning oral warnings because an oral 
warning may not be documented in a suitable manner for verification 
purposes.
    In contrast, the FAA expects that a disciplinary action record 
pertaining to an incorrect aircraft maintenance log entry would be 
reported to the database to the extent it ``relates to pilot 
performance because the record indicates the pilot failed to comply 
with post-flight procedures related to the condition of the aircraft 
for continued flight.'' \107\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \107\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In keeping with the other types of records that would be required 
to be reported for inclusion in the PRD, the FAA proposes to require 
the reporting of disciplinary action records in a standardized format. 
The method of compliance for this format is detailed in the PRD Draft 
AC. The employer would be required to report disciplinary action 
records, including: Identifying pilot information (e.g., the pilot's 
last name and FAA pilot certificate number); the type of disciplinary 
action taken by the employer in response to the event (e.g., written 
warning, suspension, or termination); and a brief summary of the event 
resulting in discipline. The data field for the summary of event would 
be limited to no more than 256 characters entered as free text. The 
summary field would be used by the employer to briefly summarize the 
underlying event that resulted in discipline and provide additional 
relevant information about the disciplinary action taken, such as the 
length of a suspension, if applicable. Additional information must 
consist only of those details that can be confirmed from the employer's 
personnel records, with no extraneous information that cannot be 
independently verified in written record included.
    Unlike the current process under PRIA, the proposed requirements 
ensure the standardized collection of and access to safety data 
regarding disciplinary actions by clearly defining the type of event, 
the type of disciplinary action, timeframes for data entry, and 
specific data that must be reported to the PRD for evaluation by a 
future employer. The proposed requirements for reporting certain 
disciplinary records to the PRD would ensure that air carriers and 
other employers have access to relevant records that would help the 
employer evaluate the ability of a pilot-applicant to engage in safe 
aircraft operations.
    The FAA is obligated to ensure that only information that is 
relevant to a hiring employer's review of a potential employee is 
housed in the system. Limiting the data elements available to hiring 
employers is critical because the PRD requires the FAA to ensure pilot 
privacy is protected. This mandate is specific to PRD. Standardized 
reporting of pilot disciplinary actions is beneficial for both ease of 
review for the air carrier and to ensure each pilot is treated fairly. 
Additionally, allowing uploading disciplinary reports in lieu of 
standardized data entry introduces record-quality concerns, such as 
readability of document scans. Even in cases in which the visual 
quality of the records uploaded is insufficient, uploads of records 
would still be accepted into the PRD. Operators would only discover the 
content of disciplinary records once a hiring air carrier or operator 
later requests those records. This could be months or years after the 
record was uploaded and the original record may no longer be available. 
The Administrator cannot effectively review for quality control every 
record that an operator may upload into the PRD. As a result, the FAA 
proposes requiring standardized formats for such records.\108\ By using 
such formats, the PRD would ensure that specific data points are 
validated at the time of record upload. The PRD functionality would not 
include an ability to cross-reference or cross-check records against 
one another, however. To the extent that a pilot identifies an 
inconsistency or error, it would be incumbent on him or her to flag the 
record as in dispute and contact the record originator for resolution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \108\ Upon implementation of the PRD (following a final rule), 
the FAA would encourage pilots to review their PRD records 
periodically. Although the FAA may (at some point in the future) 
implement an automatic notification feature when new records are 
added, during the initial implementation phases, this functionality 
will likely not be available.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed earlier in this preamble, the FAA is soliciting 
comment on whether a PRD query would function similarly to current PRIA 
queries as a ``validating'' mechanism toward the end of the hiring 
process. The FAA recognizes that there may be situations where a hiring 
operator is unable to gain access to the underlying content of 
disciplinary record summarized in the PRD because the record no longer 
exists or the party responsible for originally entering the record does 
not share it with the hiring operator. The FAA considered, but is not 
proposing, allowing for a lengthier summary of the event in situations 
where the pilot and the operator mutually agree upon the full language 
summarizing the incident in PRD. The FAA specifically solicits comment 
on its proposal to limit the text summarizing a pilot event in the

[[Page 17686]]

PRD to 256 characters and whether this limitation or another 
alternative would most optimally balance the need for concise, fact-
based summaries with potential limitations in being able to access the 
underlying record in certain circumstances. When providing comment on 
this, commenters are encouraged to review the example PRD record 
summaries outlined in ``Examples of Termination Records Entered into 
the PRD''.
4. Proposal for Reporting Records Concerning Separation From Employment
    Among the records that must be kept by operators pursuant to 
Sec. Sec.  121.683, 125.401, and 135.63(a)(4), and thus reported to the 
PRD in accordance with the PRD Act, are records ``concerning the 
release from employment or physical or professional disqualification of 
any flightcrew member . . .'' \109\ In addition, the PRD Act requires 
air carriers and operators that employ pilots to report any other 
records pertaining to pilot performance that are maintained by the 
employer concerning ``any release from employment or resignation, 
termination or disqualification with respect to employment.'' \110\
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    \109\ See 14 CFR, 121.683(a)(2), 125.401(a)(2), and 
135.63(a)(4)(ix).
    \110\ See Sec.  44703(i)(2)(B)(ii)(III).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. Separation Information To Enter Into the Database
    As proposed in Sec.  111.230, air carriers and operators would be 
required to access the PRD and enter limited, specific information 
pertaining to a pilot's final separation of employment. In particular, 
the data required to be entered would include the following fields: (1) 
The final date of employment; (2) a multiple-option category field to 
indicate the nature of the separation of employment that would require 
the employer to select the type of separation in a drop-down menu such 
as resignation, termination, physical (medical) disqualification, 
professional disqualification, furlough, extended leave, or retirement; 
and (3) for certain types of separations, a brief summary of the action 
resulting in the separation with the employer, as discussed further in 
this section. The record concerning separation of employment would be 
entered into the database by all employers in a standardized electronic 
format, provided in the draft AC 111.
b. Final Date of Employment
    As proposed in Sec.  111.230, a record regarding a pilot's 
separation from employment would only be required to be reported by 
employers once the separation action is considered final. Individual 
pilots and others have contacted the FAA with questions regarding what 
separation from employment records must be furnished by an employer in 
response to a PRIA request. In one hypothetical presented to the agency 
for consideration, a pilot asked whether a termination record that is 
overturned by an employer and replaced by a resignation record in 
accordance with a settlement agreement must be reported in response to 
an air carrier's PRIA request, or whether the final resignation record 
solely must be reported.
    The FAA proposes a last-in-time requirement for separation from 
employment records consistent with the agency's proposal for 
disciplinary action records. As proposed, only the most chronologically 
recent disposition of an individual's separation from employment would 
be reported to the PRD for each period of employment with a particular 
operator. If a termination is overturned, as in the preceding 
hypothetical, the termination record must not be reported to the PRD. 
Moreover, if any informal or formal dispute is pending between the 
pilot and the employer regarding the circumstances of the pilot's 
separation from employment, the record would not be considered final 
and would not be reported to the PRD. If any separation has been 
overturned as a result of a settlement agreement, an official decision 
by a panel or individual with the authority to review employment 
disputes or a court of law, or mutual agreement of the employer and 
pilot, the employer would be prohibited from entering that record.
c. Reinstatement of Employment
    In some situations, such as the hypothetical previously discussed, 
after a termination is finalized, a pilot may successfully appeal his 
or her termination to the air carrier and be reinstated. In these 
situations, an air carrier would be required to submit a correction 
request to remove the separation record from the database within 30 
days of reinstatement.
d. Types of Separation
    All covered employers subject to the proposed rule would be 
required to report each pilot's separation from employment that is 
related to pilot performance for inclusion in the PRD, including 
certain minimum details. The FAA believes this information is necessary 
in order to provide potential hiring air carriers with information 
relevant to a hiring decision.
i. Separation From Employment That Was Not Due to Pilot Performance and 
Was Initiated by an Air Carrier or Operator
    The FAA acknowledges that many situations could exist that result 
in a pilot being released from employment unrelated to his or her 
performance as a pilot. Typical examples of a pilot being released from 
employment are a pilot being furloughed or being placed on extended 
leave. In such cases, the air carrier or operator would be required to 
enter the individual's final date of employment and the reason for 
being released from employment, but no further information would be 
required.
ii. Air Carrier/Operator-Initiated Separation Related to Pilot 
Performance
    If a pilot were terminated due to unsatisfactory performance as a 
pilot or as a result of disciplinary action related to pilot 
performance, the air carrier or operator that terminated the individual 
would be required to input the final date of employment of the pilot, 
indicate that the individual was terminated, and provide a brief 
summary of action resulting in termination. The FAA understands that 
most disciplinary actions do not result in termination of employment; 
however, as previously indicated, some actions or events involving a 
pilot's performance could lead the employer to take disciplinary action 
in the form of termination. In such a case, the FAA notes that the 
employer would be required to complete PRD entries for both the record 
concerning the disciplinary action as well as the record concerning 
termination, provided the underlying action or event was related to the 
individual's performance, and the decision was not subsequently 
overturned by the employer. Both decisions would have to be final 
determinations before the information is reported to PRD. The FAA does 
not believe that the entry of both records into the PRD is overly 
burdensome because the record concerning release from employment would 
be limited to the data elements previously described, and requiring 
both sets of information is consistent with the requirements of the PRD 
Act. Moreover, if the termination were overturned but the disciplinary 
action was not, that is important information for an air carrier to 
consider in a future hiring decision. The FAA notes that these entries 
would not be connected to one another in the database--each record 
would appear independently.
    Additionally, a pilot may be required to separate from an employer 
as a result

[[Page 17687]]

of disqualification from employment as a pilot. The reasons could stem 
from no longer holding the appropriate pilot or medical 
certificate,\111\ not meeting the requisite eligibility terms of 
employment as a pilot (e.g., maintaining a valid passport or other 
terms listed in a company's general operations manual), or violating 
the drug- and alcohol-testing requirements. These examples of 
disqualification are sometimes unrelated to a pilot's performance; 
however, they greatly affect the individual's legal obligations related 
to the operation of an aircraft for an air carrier or operator. The air 
carrier or operator would be required to enter the final date of 
employment with the employer and indicate that the pilot was 
disqualified through the appropriate category selection as listed 
previously.
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    \111\ If an individual were no longer able to hold a first-class 
medical certificate and, as a result, could no longer act as a PIC 
but was able to hold a second-class medical certificate and act as 
an SIC, an air carrier or operator would be required to input into 
the PRD that the individual was physically disqualified as a PIC. A 
final date of employment would not be entered into the PRD in this 
situation since the pilot continues to be employed as an SIC.
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    The FAA is proposing to require a brief summary of the action to be 
reported to the PRD under certain circumstances of separation. If the 
air carrier or operator initiated the separation with the pilot due to 
termination or professional disqualification, a brief summary of the 
final action would be required, but the selection of any other 
separation category field (i.e., resignation, physical (medical) 
disqualification, furlough, extended leave, or retirement) would not 
permit an explanation to be entered into the PRD. The FAA believes this 
summary would provide a benefit to the prospective employers of the 
individual pilot, as well as a direct benefit to the individual pilot, 
because a limited amount of objective details surrounding the 
individual's final separation would be available to prospective 
employers. The following examples demonstrate the type of entries the 
FAA would (or would not) expect an air carrier or operator to input 
when reporting a summary of an event leading to a pilot's termination 
or for professional disqualification:
Examples of Termination Records Entered Into the PRD
     Joe Smith was terminated on May 29, 2015, due to failed 
training events as an SIC. The failures occurred on April 28, 2015, May 
1, 2015, and May 28, 2015.
     Joe Smith was terminated on May 29, 2015, due to an 
accident involving a company aircraft.
Examples of Professional Disqualification Records Entered Into the PRD
     Joe Smith was disqualified as a PIC on May 28, 2015, due 
to failure of a recurrent proficiency check. Joe is scheduled for SIC 
training for requalification.
     Joe Smith was disqualified as an SIC on May 29, 2015, due 
to a failed line check. Joe is not able to operate as an SIC until 
completing requalification training.
     Joe Smith was disqualified as a PIC and SIC on May 29, 
2015, due to poor performance during upgrade training. Joe may 
requalify as an SIC after the completion of SIC training.
     Joe Smith was disqualified as a PIC on May 29, 2015, due 
to incomplete required differences training. Joe will requalify once 
the training has been completed successfully.
     Joe was disqualified as a pilot on May 29, 2015, due to 
violating the pre-duty alcohol use prohibition. Joe may return to 
perform duties upon completion of the substance abuse professional's 
report and a negative return-to-duty test.
Example of Termination Records Not Accepted Into the PRD \112\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \112\ The separation-of-employment date would be documented in 
the PRD and include a statement that the individual was terminated 
from employment for other than pilot-performance issues, as defined 
by PRD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Joe Smith was terminated on May 29, 2015, due to 
noncompliance with the company's dress-code policy. In the company's 
manual, the company requires the pilot to be in uniform at all times 
while on duty. Joe was given a written warning on May 12, 2014, and 
final warning on January 2, 2015, before his termination.
     Joe Smith was terminated on May 29, 2015, due to 
noncompliance with the company's attendance policy. Joe was tardy for 
check-in at the beginning of a trip on October 12, 2012, late for 
check-in during a scheduled overnight on January 5, 2013, and absent 
for a trip on December 25, 2014.
     Joe Smith was terminated on May 29, 2015, due to 
insubordination. The pilot was instructed by crew scheduling to operate 
a flight from OKC-ORD on January 15, 2015; however, Joe declined to 
operate the flight.
iii. Pilot-Initiated Separation Unrelated to Pilot Performance
    If a pilot employee resigns his or her position with an air carrier 
or other operator (voluntarily or at the direction of the employer), 
the air carrier or operator would be required to enter the final date 
of employment with the employer and indicate that the pilot resigned. 
Because resignations are pilot-initiated, they do not generate employer 
records that are otherwise covered under the PRD Act or this proposed 
rule. Accordingly, employers would not be required to enter information 
other than the date of resignation into the database.
    The FAA recognizes that generally, in the employment context, 
employers and employees reach an agreement under which the employee 
resigns in lieu of termination. For the purposes of this proposal, the 
FAA does not believe that it will affect the purpose and integrity of 
the PRD. If a resignation in lieu of termination occurs for safety or 
performance related reasons, there would be other information submitted 
to PRD documenting those issues. If the resignation is for other 
reasons unrelated to the pilot's qualifications, that information would 
be outside the scope of reportable information. Lastly, if a pilot 
resigned subsequent to a disciplinary action related to his or her 
performance as a pilot, that disciplinary action would remain 
reportable the PRD irrespective of the resignation.
1. State Driving Records and the National Driver Register
    Section 44703(i)(2)(C) requires the PRD to contain ``information 
concerning the motor vehicle driving record of the individual.'' This 
information must be obtained ``[i]n accordance with Sec.  30305(b)(8) 
of [title 49 U.S.C.] from the chief driver licensing official of a 
[s]tate,'' as provided in the PRD Act. Moreover, Sec.  
44703(i)(4)(B)(i) requires this information to be reported by ``air 
carriers and other persons . . . to the Administrator promptly'' for 
inclusion in the database.
    Currently under PRIA, a prospective air carrier employer or 
authorized agent must request and receive relevant ``information 
concerning the motor vehicle driving record of [an] individual'' using 
the National Driver Register (NDR) ``pointer system,'' before allowing 
the individual to begin service as a pilot. The NDR, which is 
maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
(NHTSA), is a system for identifying whether an individual has a record 
of certain driving offenses in ``participating'' States.\113\
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    \113\ A ``participating State'' is ``a State that has notified 
the Secretary under [49 U.S.C. 30303] of its participation in the 
National Driver Register.'' Currently, all 50 States and the 
District of Columbia participate in the NDR.

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[[Page 17688]]

    In current practice, consistent with PRIA and AC 120-68, the air 
carrier obtains the pilot candidate's consent prior to searching the 
NDR for that candidate's driving records. Next, the air carrier submits 
a request to the State that has issued the individual pilot's driver's 
license to perform an inquiry in the NDR. The NDR database performs a 
query on the individual to match any of the following information: 
State of record, full legal names and/or alias names, date of birth, 
driver's license number, social security number (State law permitting), 
height, weight, eye color, and gender.
    If no matches are found, that means that there are no records on 
driving offenses in the NDR on that particular person, a file 
indicating that no ``hits'' were found is sent to the air carrier from 
the NDR, and the process is complete. However, if a match is found, the 
NDR then returns a search result to the air carrier, with information 
pointing to the State with relevant driving offense information for the 
individual subject of the search. The prospective employer then submits 
a request for those records to the State or States indicated in the 
search.
    Accordingly, under PRIA, the air carrier's obligation is complete 
when either: (1) The NDR search returns a negative result indicating no 
participating State has relevant records pertaining to the individual; 
or (2) in the event of a positive NDR search result, the air carrier 
has requested and received all relevant State driving records from each 
participating State listed in the NDR search result.
    The PRD Act builds on the PRIA mandate by placing an affirmative 
obligation on the air carrier to evaluate the records an air carrier 
requests and receives. See 49 U.S.C. 44703(h)(1)(C) and 44703(i)(2)(C). 
As a result, the FAA's proposal for implementing the PRD Act's NDR 
requirements largely mirrors the existing PRIA framework for air 
carriers to obtain driving records using the NDR, as documented in AC 
120-68. The notable difference is, in addition to directing hiring air 
carriers to request and receive records from the NDR, the proposed rule 
also directs the air carrier to evaluate the records, or lack thereof, 
during the hiring process. The proposed rule does not require or 
contemplate that the hiring operator would record its evaluation of a 
pilot's driving record within the PRD.
    The FAA acknowledges that the PRD Act could be interpreted to 
require driving records identified in an NDR search to be included in 
the PRD (see 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(2)(C) and (i)(4)(B)(i)); however, the 
FAA does not believe that would be a reasonable interpretation. 
Requiring air carriers to copy NDR ``pointer information'' and 
substantive State driving record information related to an individual 
pilot into the PRD creates an unreasonable conflict with existing State 
authority over driver recordkeeping and expunction of records, would 
conflict with 49 U.S.C. 30305, and creates an unnecessary duplication 
of records. The FAA does not interpret the PRD Act to supersede these 
other statutory provisions. Reading the requirements of these 
authorities together, the FAA does not interpret the PRD Act to create 
new reporting or record keeping requirements that would duplicate 
existing NDR and State processes and authorities.
    To facilitate compliance with the statutory requirement that air 
carriers and participating operators review any pointer information, 
this proposed rule would require employers retain a record of the 
completion of the NDR search for potential audit by an FAA inspector. 
Employers would verify they completed the search by checking a box 
which will be contained in the PRD.

E. Exclusion of Voluntary Aviation Safety Program Records

    The FAA proposes in Sec.  111.245 to prohibit entry into the PRD of 
any record containing information regarding an event (e.g., training or 
evaluation) imposed by an air carrier or other person, above and beyond 
usual FAA-required training and proficiency requirements, as a 
corrective action related to the subject of a protected voluntary 
safety report. The FAA has created several voluntary safety programs to 
encourage the disclosure of safety events or incidents that occur 
within the aviation industry, which might otherwise remain unreported 
due to an individual's fear of disciplinary action or the potential for 
FAA enforcement action. The goal of these programs is to identify and 
correct potential safety hazards. Among these programs is the Aviation 
Safety Action Program (ASAP), established in 1997, which encourages 
voluntary reporting by preventing the FAA and employers from using the 
voluntary reports as a basis to take legal enforcement action and 
disciplinary action, respectively.\114\ Further, the ASAP report is 
protected from disclosure to the public, with certain defined 
exceptions.\115\ The information contained within voluntary safety 
programs is protected from disclosure by 49 U.S.C. 40123 and the 
agency's implementing regulations at 14 CFR part 193. The PRD ARC 
expressed concern about the treatment of ASAP and other voluntary 
safety reporting records in the context of PRD and recommended that 
these records be excluded from the PRD. The ARC stated that these 
programs have been very effective in enhancing aviation safety, and 
that the ability of employers, unions, and the FAA to discuss de-
identified information in a non-punitive atmosphere was key to the 
success of ASAP and other programs like it. To include such information 
in the PRD would have a chilling effect on these programs, and 
therefore harm their safety effectiveness and compromise the FAA 
mission.
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    \114\ More information about ASAP can be found in AC 120-66.
    \115\ Voluntarily provided information can be disclosed if 
``withholding it would not be consistent with the FAA's safety and 
security responsibilities.'' 14 CFR 193.9. One example of this is 
de-identified, summarized information used to explain the need for 
changes in policies and regulations. The FAA may also disclose 
information if, among other situations, it is needed ``to correct a 
condition that compromises safety or security, if that condition 
continues uncorrected.'' Sec.  193.9(a)(2). Also, individual 
programs like ASAP can also have their own disclosure policies 
``consistent with the FAA's safety and security responsibilities'' 
that cover additional situations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although events reported through ASAP might ``pertain [ ] to the 
individual's performance as a pilot'' as well as the individual's 
``professional competence'' and any resulting corrective action 
assigned could include training, the FAA agrees with the ARC that it is 
appropriate to exclude ASAP reports from the PRD. The FAA does not 
interpret the PRD Act to supersede the existing protection given to 
voluntarily provided ASAP records under Sec.  40123 and 14 CFR part 
193. To do so would have a chilling effect on these programs, harm 
their safety effectiveness, and compromise the FAA's mission. Nothing 
in the PRD Act points to this intended outcome. Therefore, the FAA is 
not proposing to include any voluntarily submitted report or any 
information related to the underlying event reported through ASAP or 
other approved voluntary safety reporting program otherwise protected 
by a part 193 designation, which would potentially reveal the source or 
substance of the voluntarily submitted report.

F. Good Faith Exception

    The PRD Act provides an exception that permits air carriers or 
operators to hire pilots without obtaining the required records from 
the PRD if the carrier makes a good faith effort to access them.\116\ 
This exception is limited the circumstances discussed

[[Page 17689]]

below. The FAA believes that many air carriers and operators would need 
to utilize this exception to hire individuals as pilots since more than 
750 companies, including commercial carriers, from 2010 through 2015 
have ceased operations and no longer hold an FAA certificate.\117\ 
Additionally, the DOT OIG estimates an additional 550 commercial 
carriers will cease operations prior to the implementation of the PRD. 
In an effort to ensure pilots that were previously employed by air 
carriers and operators that have ceased operations are not disqualified 
for employment opportunities as a pilot, the FAA is proposing to 
implement the ``good faith exception'' in Sec.  111.115.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \116\ Codified at 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(12).
    \117\ DOT OIG audit report (page 8) entitled ``FAA Delays in 
Establishing a Pilot Records Database Limit Air Carriers' Access to 
Background Information.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The good faith exception would have limitations to prevent its 
misuse. If an individual was employed as a pilot by an air carrier 
after August 1, 2005, all of the pilot's records would have to be 
included in the PRD if the air carrier were still in operation at the 
time of PRD implementation. Additionally, if an individual was employed 
by a part 125 or 135 operator as a pilot after August 1, 2010, all of 
the pilot's records would have to be included in the PRD if the 
operator were still in operation at the time of PRD implementation. 
However, if the air carrier or operator was not in business at the time 
of PRD implementation, the individual's records related to performance 
as a pilot may not be able to be included in the PRD. In these 
circumstances, the good faith exception would apply. However, the 
records not reported to the PRD on an individual's performance as a 
pilot by a defunct air carrier or operator would not need to be 
considered for hiring purposes and would be considered to satisfy the 
``good faith exception.''

G. Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) Transition

    The PRD Act gives the FAA the discretion to determine an 
appropriate transition period from the PRIA to the PRD requirements. 
The FAA proposes to sunset the PRIA requirements two years and 90 days 
after the effective date of the final rule that follows this proposal. 
During that time, affected operators would be responsible for complying 
with both the PRD and the PRIA requirements. The FAA believes this is 
appropriate because, during the transition period, the PRD will contain 
some--but not all--historical records. Accordingly, not all pilots 
would have a complete record in the database for prospective employers 
to search.
    PRIA's continuation would be a necessary component of the 
transition to an electronic database by allowing air carriers and other 
operators a period of time during which to transition their present and 
future records to an electronic system. The continuation of PRIA would 
also provide additional time to develop a mechanism by which to 
transfer historical records to the PRD. During this transition, air 
carriers and other operators would still be able to report, access, and 
evaluate the PRIA records necessary for employment of pilots.
    The FAA determined that two years and 90 days would be an 
appropriate length of time in which to maintain PRIA after publishing a 
final PRD rule. This overlap in PRD and PRIA requirements is intended 
to provide time for air carriers or operators who may not yet be 
compliant with proposed PRD to resolve any remaining issues regarding 
completeness of PRD records and hiring carriers or operators to fulfill 
pilot applicant evaluation obligations. The FAA anticipates it will 
take time for air carriers and operators, particularly the larger 
companies who have thousands of records, to establish procedures and 
the technical ability to begin uploading records into the PRD. Not all 
air carriers might be able to comply with the requirements 
simultaneously. The proposed period of overlap provides time for air 
carriers to transfer their historical records while still beginning to 
comply with PRD for their present and future records. This will 
facilitate the gathering of pilot records from all sources while the 
transition is ongoing.
    This proposed rule would allow up to 1 year from publication of the 
final rule for these companies to establish the policies and procedures 
and to begin uploading records into the PRD. After they begin 
uploading, it will take additional time to complete the process of 
compliance, based on the number records to be entered, the process 
selected, and the resources each company devotes to the task. 
Considering the wide range of air carriers and operators that would be 
required to upload records, this proposed rule provides an additional 
year to completely upload all historical and current records into the 
PRD once the process of inputting the records begins. During this 
uploading period, it will be impossible for a hiring aviation employer 
to know which records have been uploaded to the PRD and which are still 
only maintained by previous employers. It will be necessary, therefore, 
for the hiring employers to review all FAA records maintained in the 
PRD as well as request records from previous employers using the PRIA 
process to ensure they have evaluated all pertinent records. The FAA 
welcomes comments on whether the period of overlap during the 
transition between PRD and PRIA should be shortened or extended. The 
FAA recognizes that there are inefficiencies associated with this 
overlap, and that air carriers and operators that are compliant ahead 
of schedule may wish to direct queries to the PRD rather than respond 
to paper-based PRIA inquiries. The FAA also welcomes comment on whether 
it would be helpful for the FAA to maintain a publicly available list 
of all air carriers and operators who are fully compliant with PRD 
ahead of schedule so that prospective employers can query the PRD 
directly. The FAA would consider providing reasonable incentives for 
early compliance, and invites comments on possible incentives for early 
compliance.
    Additionally, during the transition to PRD, entities that conduct 
public aircraft operations, air tour operators who conduct operations 
under Sec.  91.147, and trustees in bankruptcy would also be required 
to respond to PRIA requests from other air carriers and operators. 
These operators would be required to report records under the proposed 
PRD and are currently required to comply with PRIA to different 
extents, as discussed previously in this NPRM. For consistency with the 
PRD reporting requirements, the FAA has determined that these operators 
would also be required to report records in accordance with the 
existing PRIA reporting process, during the transition to PRD, once PRD 
is effective. Essentially, all carriers should be using the PRD for FAA 
records and should be receiving air carrier records via PRIA until the 
compliance period is complete.

IV. Database Design and Security

    The PRD application would contain sensitive information whose loss, 
misuse, or unauthorized access could drastically affect the privacy of 
application users or affect the conduct of Federal government programs. 
With this threat in mind, the FAA will adhere to National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST) Federal Information Security Management 
Act (FISMA) 800.53 Security and Privacy Controls for Federal 
Information Systems and Organizations to secure information contained 
in PRD.
    The PRD application would categorize PRD users into different roles 
when they register for PRD access. The

[[Page 17690]]

functionality available to each user would be determined by this 
categorization. User access would be tightly controlled, with the 
majority of users (i.e., pilot-users) only able to view data. Users 
representing air carriers and operators employing pilots that are 
required to report data into the PRD would be granted data entry 
permission, and PRD administrative users within the FAA would be 
granted permission to manage system-level issues, such as the pilot-
consent expiration period. A small set of PRD users within the FAA 
would be granted sufficient privileges to update PRD-specific reference 
tables used to define and support PRD records. The FAA believes that 
the security constraints on the PRD would enable the database to 
operate securely.

A. Management of Users

    The PRD Act directs the Administrator to ``prescribe such 
regulations as may be necessary . . . to protect and secure . . . the 
personal privacy of any individual whose records are accessed'' in the 
database and to protect and secure ``the confidentiality of those 
records''.\118\ Furthermore, the PRD Act requires that the FAA 
prescribe regulations ``as may be necessary to preclude the further 
dissemination of records received . . . by the person who accessed the 
records''.\119\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \118\ See Sec.  44703(i)(11)(A).
    \119\ See Sec.  44703(i)(11)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The information expected to be stored in the PRD and its supporting 
systems would be maintained with the highest practicable degree of 
security by implementing protective features to provide a secure system 
to store personal and confidential records on the performance of an 
individual as a pilot. However, the FAA believes that database security 
features alone would not provide sufficient protection of pilot records 
due to the number of certificated pilots and others expected to utilize 
the database. Therefore, the FAA is proposing to control access to the 
PRD through the establishment of a process to manage user access to the 
database, as well as any activity within the PRD. The proposed process 
would ensure the highest practicable degree of protection of privacy 
and confidentiality of the information contained in the PRD, while 
facilitating permissible actions by approved users. This proposed 
process is consistent with the limits imposed in the PRD Act on 
electronic access to the PRD, as well as how PRD data may be used.\120\
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    \120\ See Sec.  44703(i)(9) and (13).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All users of the PRD must have an FAA user account prior to 
accessing the PRD. FAA user accounts are used to validate identity of 
the user and serves as a gate-keeper for several FAA systems, one of 
which is the PRD. All internal users (FAA employees and contractors) 
already hold FAA user accounts and no additional action is needed prior 
registering for a specific PRD user account. All external users must 
successfully create an FAA user account, if not already obtained, which 
includes an identity verification process. In the event an airman 
cannot successfully create an FAA user account, they will not be able 
to access the PRD directly. In these cases, an alternate process exists 
which allows an airman to sign a consent for to release his or her 
records to a potential aviation employer without the airman accessing 
the PRD.
    After an individual who needs access to the PRD has obtained an FAA 
user account, they may register for the appropriate PRD specific user 
account. The PRD provides different account types dependent on the 
functions to be fulfilled by each user. Some PRD users will have more 
than one PRD user account type, referred to as user roles.
    Pilots who will use the PRD to allow others to review their records 
would register for an airman role within the PRD. Those users will only 
be able to view their own record.
    Collectively, the roles held by individuals who work directly for a 
particular air carrier or other operator are called authorized user 
roles. Authorized user roles include more specific roles supported by 
the PRD such as authorized responsible person role, authorized user 
manager role, and authorized consumer role. Individuals who will manage 
records, manage other user accounts, and be accountable for all actions 
taken within the PRD for a particular air carrier or other operator 
would register for an authorized responsible person role. The FAA 
Flight Standards person in the PRD Administrator Role must approve the 
responsible person. As part of the approval, the FAA would check the 
list of fiduciaries maintained by the FAA inspector for that air 
carrier to further verify the correct person is requesting to be the 
responsible person.
    Individuals who will manage records for a particular aviation 
employer would register for an authorized consumer role. They would not 
have the same level of access as an authorized responsible person. 
Individuals who will manage other user accounts for a particular 
aviation employer would register for an authorized user manager role. 
These roles are also available in cases of third parties accessing the 
PRD on behalf of a particular air carrier or other operator. Third 
party users are referred to as proxies and include proxy responsible 
persons, proxy authorized consumers, and proxy user managers.
    The FAA expects that approximately 210,000 individuals would 
initially apply for access to the PRD, most of whom would be individual 
pilots seeking access to verify their own records. Table 5 depicts the 
users expected to initially apply for access to the PRD. However, air 
carriers and operators who would be required to report pilot data to 
the PRD would be required to apply to the FAA for access to the PRD 
within one year after the final rule's publication to obtain user 
credentials, before the deadline to report this information. The 
individuals who seek access to the database on behalf of an air carrier 
or operator would be granted greater access privileges, as discussed 
later in this proposal, compared to individual pilots with limited 
access to their own records.

    Table 5--Users Expected to Initially Apply for Access to the PRD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 121 Air Carriers...................................              70
Part 125 Operators......................................              71
Part 135 Air Carriers and Operators.....................           2,011
91.147 Air tour Operators...............................           1,111
Public Aircraft Operations..............................             322
91K Fraction Ownerships.................................               8
Corporate Flight Departments............................           1,413
Pilots..................................................         193,000
Authorized Users........................................          10,000
Proxies.................................................           1,904
                                                         ---------------
    Total...............................................         210,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Of the approximately 210,000 individuals expected (through the 
proposed requirements) to register for PRD access in accordance with 
the implementation of the PRD, the FAA expects that 5,006 requests 
would be received from air carriers and operators employing pilots that 
would be required to report data to the PRD.
    All individuals registering for access to the database on behalf of 
an air carrier or other operator employing pilots whose registrations 
are approved would be issued a unique identifier representing their 
user account that would be verified using appropriate methods designed 
to provide the level of security necessary to protect the database from 
unauthorized use. The FAA anticipates air carriers or operators 
employing many pilots may seek FAA approval for the responsible person 
to delegate database access to other individuals (e.g., individuals 
working in

[[Page 17691]]

a human resource department) to input and access data in the PRD.\121\ 
The expected average number of users with access privileges per air 
carrier or operator would be two; based on that assumption, the FAA 
expects 5,006 air carriers and operators to assign a total of 10,000 
individuals user rights to the PRD. The FAA also expects part 121 
certificate holders to have a higher number of users with access 
privileges than other air carriers and operators.
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    \121\ Operators employing less than five pilots may not choose 
to use multiple users because they have different resource 
allocations than a larger operator would and therefore would likely 
have fewer individuals performing jobs that would require 
interaction with the database. An analysis of the FAA's Safety 
Performance Analysis System (SPAS) on December 2, 2015, indicated 
that 1,442 air carriers and operators employing pilots have less 
than five pilots employed at the time of analysis.
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    Finally, individual pilots would be provided access the PRD for two 
purposes: To provide consent to air carriers or other prospective 
employer to access their records during the hiring process, and to 
access and review for accuracy their own individual information 
maintained in the database at any time. The FAA proposes to limit pilot 
access to the PRD to holders of an FAA-issued commercial pilot 
certificate, airline transport pilot certificate, or remote pilot 
certificate, where applicable.\122\
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    \122\ In accordance with Sec. Sec.  61.89, 61.101, 61.113, and 
61.315, only commercial and ATP certificate holders may operate an 
aircraft for compensation or hire as a pilot.
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    All air carriers, operators, and eligible pilots would be required 
to register for user rights to the PRD through a web-based process 
proposed in Sec. Sec.  111.15 or 111.305, as applicable. The FAA would 
then issue user IDs only electronically to an air carrier, operator, 
company, or eligible individual pilot upon completion of the 
registration process and validation of the information.
    The basic eligibility requirement for access to the PRD would be 
that the air carrier, operator, or individual is known to the FAA 
before the registration process begins. This would ensure the air 
carrier, operator, company, or individual has had an identification 
verification completed in accordance with FAA procedures by an FAA 
Aviation Safety Inspector, Aviation Safety Technician, designee of the 
Administrator, or other authorized person. During PRD implementation, 
the FAA may find that some operators have not already been verified by 
the FAA because they have not had prior interaction with their local 
Flight Standards District Office. Those operators would have to verify 
themselves to the FAA prior to registering for the PRD. The FAA expects 
that this number would be small.
1. Overview of User Roles and Registration
    Approved registrants would be issued user IDs via their user 
account, subject to renewal, cancellation and denial, in order for the 
FAA to continuously manage all database users and maintain system 
security. The FAA proposes that all prospective users would identify 
the requested user role through the registration process. Individuals 
registering for user rights to the PRD would select the appropriate 
role requested depending on the access type needed with the PRD. Only a 
single unique ID is needed to register for multiple roles with the PRD. 
As previously described, the roles available are authorized responsible 
person, authorized consumer, and authorized user manager. This role 
structure is duplicated for proxy users.
    The FAA proposes in Sec.  111.15(b) that the user registration 
process require all users to provide the FAA with the individual's full 
name, the individual's date of birth, a valid electronic mail address, 
all business names and the address for the principal base of operations 
for the air carrier or other operator, the purpose for which database 
access is requested, the individual's job title, the FAA air carrier or 
operating certificate number and pilot certificate number, as 
applicable, and any additional information the Administrator may 
request in order to verify identity. Additional information would not 
be requested unless the registrant's identity cannot be verified with 
the information provided. Additionally, if an individual is registering 
for an authorized responsible person user role, the individual would 
include information regarding the applicable eligibility criteria 
provided in Sec.  111.15(d). All of this information is necessary for 
identity verification.
    If an operator employing pilots--such as an entity conducting 
public aircraft operations, corporate flight department, or a trustee 
in a bankruptcy proceeding--does not have an FAA-issued operating 
certificate number, the operator would provide its principal business 
address, the type of aircraft operated, and the number of aircraft 
operated. The FAA would use this information to determine eligibility 
for PRD access and location of the operator.
2. Registration for Pilot Records
    Each air carrier or other operator required to enter data into the 
PRD would be assigned a pilot records database identification (PRD ID) 
in order to track all activity conducted in the PRD by each air carrier 
or operator. The PRD ID would be used to identify an air carrier or 
operator during any activity conducted in the PRD by a responsible 
person, authorized user, or proxy. A PRD ID would be assigned to an air 
carrier or operator during the initial registration process for access 
to the PRD. The PRD ID would be valid as long as the air carrier or 
operator maintains an active responsible person for the PRD. However, 
the PRD ID would be subject to cancellation if it did not have any 
responsible persons assigned to the account for a period of 24 months. 
Additionally, all individual users, including users in the pilot role, 
would be issued individual user IDs via their user account that can be 
used to track PRD activity.
B. General Eligibility Requirements for Access to the Pilot Records 
Database
    The FAA is proposing to establish eligibility requirements for 
required users of the PRD to further ensure system security. One such 
required user is a responsible person, who is the primary point of 
contact for each employer and has the most control over each employer's 
relationship with the PRD. Responsible persons would be required to 
meet the strictest eligibility criteria since that user role would be 
provided the most access rights to the PRD of any user other than the 
Administrator. Other individuals with database access would be 
assigned, edited, or deactivated by the responsible person. 
Additionally, the responsible person and air carrier or operator would 
assume any liability for a user accessing the PRD through the air 
carrier or operator's assigned PRD ID, as proposed in Sec.  111.20. All 
activity in the PRD would be tracked by the user ID, and the log would 
be maintained by system usage to ensure system security. The FAA 
expects that responsible persons for air carriers and operators would 
establish additional requirements and procedures for authorized users 
and proxies prior to delegating access to the PRD.
1. Authorized Responsible Persons
    One eligible individual employed by each air carrier and operator 
would be required to register as an authorized responsible person (RP) 
through the air carrier's PRD ID. Air carriers would be accountable for 
the RP. The air carrier or operator and the RP would be responsible for 
entering, accessing, editing, and monitoring all activity, subject to 
the limitations of use, in the PRD by the air carrier or operator. 
Since

[[Page 17692]]

the RP would be responsible for all of the air carrier's or operator's 
interaction with the personal and confidential information within the 
PRD, the individual would be required to meet several eligibility 
requirements to achieve a high level of security. The eligibility 
requirements proposed for the PRD would ensure that the individual's 
identity is verified by the FAA.
    The FAA is proposing in Sec.  111.15(d)(1) that an individual 
registering for access to the PRD as a RP, on behalf of a part 119 
certificate holder authorized for operations under parts 121 or part 
135, be a person who serves in a management position listed under Sec.  
119.65(a) or 119.69(a) (as applicable) and is listed on the air 
carrier's operations specifications. Those management positions include 
the Director of Safety, Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, Director 
of Maintenance, and Chief Inspector for part 121 and Director of 
Operations, Chief Pilot, and Director of Maintenance for part 135. The 
FAA does not assume that management personnel will fulfill all of the 
air carrier's PRD obligations. Thus, the FAA proposes to permit the RP 
to delegate the authority to fulfill the air carrier's PRD obligations 
to another employee (i.e., authorized consumer or user manager) or 
proxy. The RP and air carrier would continue to be held accountable for 
actions of any individuals delegated the authority to use the PRD.
    If the RP no longer meets the criteria in Sec.  111.15 to serve in 
that position, his or her PRD user credentials would be cancelled once 
the FAA is notified. The air carrier would then have to seek FAA 
approval of a new RP through the process described in Sec.  111.15(e).
    If a RP's database access is cancelled, the delegation of database 
access to authorized users and proxies would remain valid as long as 
the air carrier or other operator submits an application for database 
access for a new RP prior to the cancellation of the prior RP's 
credentials, in accordance with proposed Sec. Sec.  111.15(e) and 
111.20(c)(1). If the RP role is unoccupied for any period of time, the 
database access of authorized users and proxies may also be denied 
until a new RP is in place. Additionally, if the access of a RP is 
denied for any reason provided in Sec.  111.25(d), the database access 
of authorized persons and proxies connected to that responsible person 
may also be denied. These access limitations are to ensure database 
integrity and security and to provide the FAA with the authority to 
limit database access in a case of misuse by a database user.
    In accordance with Sec.  111.15(d)(2), individuals registering for 
access to the PRD as a RP on behalf of a part 125 operator would be 
required to serve in a required management position under Sec.  
125.25(a), which would be a Director of Operations position. The FAA is 
proposing that all part 125 operator RPs meet the eligibility 
requirements similar to the proposal for part 121 responsible persons. 
Similarly, the FAA would therefore permit the RP to delegate the 
authority to use the PRD to other employees or proxies.
    The FAA is proposing in Sec.  111.15(d)(4) that the RP listed on an 
application for an air tour operator to register for access to the PRD 
would be the same responsible person listed on the operator's letter of 
authorization. The FAA expects that the responsible person named on the 
operator's letter of authorization would input pilot records into the 
PRD since the operations are typically seasonal, and air tour operators 
employ fewer pilots than other entities required to report data to the 
PRD. However, responsible persons for an air tour operator would also 
be permitted to delegate authority to another individual meeting the 
eligibility requirements outlined in Sec.  111.20 for data entry 
purposes (and retrieval, if appropriate). The air tour operator and 
responsible persons would be held accountable by the FAA for the 
responsible person's actions within the PRD.
    A registration for PRD access from a fractional ownership program 
under part 91 subpart K would be required to designate the program 
manager as defined in Sec.  91.1001(b)(9), or another individual 
designated as being officially able to apply for and receive management 
specifications for the program manager to serve as the operator's RP. 
The designated individual who may register for and receive management 
specifications issued in accordance with Sec.  91.1015 must be listed 
on the fractional ownership's management specification in paragraph 
A007. Additionally, the individual registering for access to the PRD as 
a RP on behalf of the 91K fractional ownership must meet the remaining 
requirements proposed in Sec.  111.15(d)(6)--that is, the individual 
must be employed by the fractional ownership program, and that the FAA 
must verify that individual's identity in accordance with Federal IT 
practices. If the program manager meets the requirements of Sec.  
111.15(d)(6), that individual would be able to register for access to 
the PRD on behalf of the fractional ownership program--otherwise, it 
must be a different individual listed on the management specification 
in paragraph A007. The FAA believes that the additional requirements 
for a RP of a fractional ownership program are necessary since a 
program manager is not required to hold an FAA certificate and thus may 
be unknown to the FAA. The FAA believes that the security of the PRD 
would be enhanced by the proposed requirement that responsible persons 
be known to the FAA.
    Entities conducting public aircraft operations and corporate flight 
departments would also be required to register for a user ID from the 
FAA and select a responsible person for PRD access. These operators 
would be required to designate as their responsible person an 
individual who serves in a position equivalent to a chief pilot and who 
is responsible for either the management of the pilots on staff or the 
management of its business. The individual must be employed by the 
operator applying for access and have their identity verified by the 
FAA in order to receive access.
    The FAA proposes to define employment with an entity conducting 
public aircraft operations or corporate flight department in the same 
way as it would define employment for a fractional ownership program. 
The FAA proposes to define the term employed for the purposes of these 
types of operators as being paid for more than 20 hours per week for 
services rendered to operator.
    At the time of registration, a responsible person applying for 
credentials for an entity conducting public aircraft operations, a 
corporate flight department, or any operator that does not have FAA-
approved management personnel would be required to furnish a statement 
to the FAA declaring his or her intention to act as the operator's 
point of contact for PRD matters. This statement would be required in 
addition to the information required of all other responsible persons 
as proposed in Sec.  111.15(d)(6). This statement is necessary to 
establish the applicant's authority to act as the RP within the PRD and 
will be retained by the FAA.
    In addition, the responsible person would be required to furnish 
the principal business address of the operator, the type of aircraft 
operated, and the number of aircraft operated to confirm that the 
proposed rule's reporting requirements apply to the operator. The 
information the registrant provides would be verified by the FAA's PRD 
program manager by using the information on file with the FAA. If the 
information is verified, the PRD would

[[Page 17693]]

issue a user ID and user credentials to the responsible person. If the 
operator is not required to comply with the proposed part 111 
requirements, the system will notify the registrant of the option to 
report information to the PRD on a voluntary basis. If the operator 
elects to report, all information entered into the PRD would have to 
comply with the appropriate regulations.
2. Responsible Persons' Delegation Authority and Authorized Users
    An individual designated as an air carrier's or operator's 
responsible person would be issued credentials with delegation 
authority. The air carrier's or operator's responsible person would use 
his or her delegation authority to grant PRD access to other authorized 
users employed by the operator (i.e., authorized consumers and 
authorized user managers) or proxies that meet the eligibility 
requirements of Sec.  111.20. All user delegations would be completed 
electronically through the PRD and would not require FAA approval, 
authorization, or action other than the issuance of a different user 
ID, which would be used to track the authorized users. Each authorized 
user or proxy would have a unique user ID used, which would remain 
active only while the authorized user is employed by the operator or 
air carrier.
    If any individual were to take action inconsistent with any 
provision of part 111, the air carrier's or operator's RP, and the 
employer, may be subject to enforcement action. The FAA notes that an 
air carrier or operator could grant user access rights to an individual 
who is not certificated, or otherwise known by the FAA, if the 
individual is an employee of the air carrier or operator, or is an 
employee of a proxy that has already obtained a user ID from the FAA. 
However, the air carrier or operator would be required to assume 
liability for any individual accessing the PRD on its behalf.
    Air carriers and operators would be responsible for selecting 
authorized users and could change the individuals or the access rights 
for individuals at any time within the PRD. An air carrier may impose 
additional eligibility requirements on authorized users, and may assign 
this role to multiple persons.
    As proposed in Sec.  111.25, the registration would be valid for an 
amount of time to be determined by the Administrator from the date of 
issuance, unless it is cancelled or denied. The Administrator may also 
require renewal of credentials at recurring intervals. Currently, for 
access to the PRD for FAA PRIA records, user credentials are renewed 
every 365 days. This will likely be continued for end-state PRD subject 
to change of identity validation platforms, but the FAA would do so in 
accordance with all applicable information security guidance. PRD 
registration is subject to denial if the responsible person or any user 
fails to comply with the duties and responsibilities of PRD access or 
as necessary for its security. Failure to comply might include but is 
not limited to accessing information without consent, reporting false 
or fraudulent information to the PRD (as discussed in proposed Sec.  
111.35), and misuse of information from the PRD. Section 111.30 
proposes to prohibit unauthorized access or use of the PRD. If database 
access is denied under Sec.  111.25(d)(1), that person or individual 
user may submit a request for reconsideration in a form and a manner 
prescribed by the Administrator as proposed in Sec.  111.25(d)(3), but 
database access would not be permitted pending reconsideration in order 
to preserve database security.
    Additionally, if any air carrier or other operator with database 
access has its operating certificate or other authority to operate 
revoked by the FAA, per Sec.  111.25(d)(2), the Administrator may deny 
database access.
3. Proxies
    Air carriers or operators may elect to have outside organizations 
query or report data to the database on their behalf. Such an 
organization would be referred to as a proxy. The FAA proposes in Sec.  
111.20(a) to permit air carriers and operators employing pilots to 
delegate access rights to proxies. The air carrier's responsible person 
could delegate authority to individuals employed by a company that has 
obtained a user ID and employs individuals to comply with the 
requirements of subparts B or C of the proposed part 111.\123\ The 
specific requirements that could be delegated include the entry of data 
on pilots employed by a specific air carrier or operator and requesting 
a pilot's records after receiving consent from the pilot during the 
hiring process for a specific air carrier or operator. Proxies would 
have limited use of the PRD based on the authority delegated by an air 
carrier or operator employing pilots. Additionally, air carriers and 
operators who elect to utilize a proxy would have to ensure that 
established procedures exist to ensure any proxy is able to comply with 
the proposed regulations in part 111 and any additional requirements 
imposed by the air carrier or operator. The air carrier or operator 
would not be permitted to delegate any responsibility or liability to 
the proxy. The FAA expects that procedures would be in place by the air 
carrier, operator, or proxy to ensure that all database regulations are 
adhered to during any use by the proxy.
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    \123\ As of November 1, 2014, approximately 51 companies offered 
services to air carrier and operators that are qualified to act on 
their behalf to comply with PRIA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proxies would not be permitted to access the PRD without specific 
consent from an air carrier or operator since all activity in the 
database must be connected with an air carrier or operator. Each proxy 
would receive their own user ID. However, air carrier or operator user 
IDs (which are issued to responsible persons) would only function with 
the proxy's user ID if the responsible person has delegated authority 
to the proxy. Therefore, any activity performed in the database on 
behalf of an air carrier or operator would be authorized by the 
responsible person and tracked by the database if any misuse were to 
occur. The FAA believes that proposing the ability to utilize a proxy 
for complying with the reporting and accessing requirements would 
alleviate some time burden from air carriers or operators as long as 
the management of the proxies is actively monitored by the responsible 
person.
4. Pilot Users
    As provided by the PRD Act, pilots would be required to provide 
consent for an air carrier to access and evaluate their PRD records 
during the hiring process. Additionally, the FAA would encourage all 
individual pilots to review their PRD records for accuracy and to 
submit correction requests if necessary. Individual pilots would be 
granted access to the PRD electronically by following the registration 
process in this section-specifically, by providing the requested 
identity information during the registration process. Individual pilots 
who have been certificated by the FAA have already been identified and 
vetted through an established process. Thus, these users pose minimal 
known risks to the PRD. Additionally, access to the PRD through an 
individual pilot-user role would be limited, and all access to the PRD 
would be tracked via a unique username for each user.
    Pilots may access the PRD, as proposed in Sec.  111.305, to review 
their own records and to give consent for an air carrier to access 
their record during the hiring process. A pilot's application for PRD 
access must include the pilot's full name from his or her pilot 
certificate, place of birth, FAA-issued

[[Page 17694]]

certificate number, a current U.S. mailing address and phone number, 
and a valid email address. These credentials would be subject to the 
same renewal, cancellation, and denial discussed in Sec.  111.25.
    Pilot consent is time-limited to a designated air carrier to see 
the FAA records in the PRD. Air carriers cannot search PRD broadly--the 
system would limit them to a specific individual's records only if the 
pilot gives consent and the consent period is still in effect. The 
pilot can revoke consent at any time. When granting consent, the pilot 
selects the length of time the record will be available.\124\ The fee 
is only charged at the point the record is actually accessed by the 
hiring operator. No fees would be incurred in the event that a pilot's 
consent expires, is revoked, or reissued prior to the employer 
accessing the record. The time-limited consent period would only be for 
the operator's ability to access the record in the PRD; once 
downloaded, the operator could maintain the pilot's record within its 
internal paper or electronic systems, subject to applicable law 
relating to retention of personal information about an applicant.
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    \124\ For example, options could distinct time periods such as--
30, 45, or 60 days or a specific date. The specific details and time 
intervals available are subject to final system development and 
implementation processes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Protection of the Privacy and Confidentiality of Pilots and Other 
Users

    Section 203(b) of the PRD Act, codified in 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(11), 
generally requires the FAA to implement regulations necessary to 
protect the privacy of individuals whose records are reported to the 
PRD, to protect the confidentiality of those records, and to prevent 
further dissemination of records obtained from the database.
    The FAA proposes Sec.  111.135 to require each person who accesses 
the PRD to actively protect the privacy of records and prevent their 
dissemination by keeping them secure. The FAA also proposes to prohibit 
an air carrier (or any other person who opts into the evaluation 
requirements as permitted in Sec.  111.100 of this proposed rule) from 
accessing the PRD for an unauthorized purpose and from using any 
information retrieved from the PRD for any purpose other than 
``assessing the qualifications of the individual in deciding whether to 
hire the individual as a pilot.''
    The FAA also believes users of the PRD must effectively manage the 
retention and storage of any information accessed from the PRD for the 
purposes of evaluating an individual for employment. However, the FAA 
considered including specific restrictions on the retention and storage 
of data retrieved by an air carrier, operator, or other person from the 
PRD. The FAA also considered whether it would be appropriate to build 
another control into the system that disallows printing of an 
individual's information.
    The FAA recognizes that there is significant variation among 
recordkeeping systems across the populations of air carriers and 
operators that would be subject to the information reporting and 
retrieval provisions of this proposed rule. The agency also recognizes 
that air carriers and operators would continue to use other sources of 
information, in addition to information in the PRD, such as information 
obtained separately through the NDR and personnel information from 
other available sources, to evaluate an individual in making a hiring 
decision. Therefore, the FAA believes it would disrupt the aviation 
industry's hiring processes to prevent information accessed in the PRD 
from being printed. The agency also notes that even if a print function 
were excluded from the PRD system, the information accessed in the PRD 
could be captured and retained by users of the system in other ways 
(e.g., using the print screen function, taking a photograph of the 
screen, or copying the information into another format). Additionally, 
the FAA does not believe that a proposal to limit the period of time 
for which an air carrier or operator employing pilots may retain the 
records accessed from the PRD would be beneficial. The agency believes 
it is important to allow air carriers and operators the flexibility to 
build appropriate controls for protecting privacy and confidentiality 
of information into their existing recordkeeping systems.
    The FAA recognizes that setting performance-based standards would 
provide the necessary flexibility to database users while ensuring the 
FAA would be able to take appropriate action in the event that an 
individual's privacy or confidentiality were compromised. The FAA 
proposes in Sec.  111.135 to require all air carriers and operators to 
affirmatively protect the privacy and confidentiality of the records it 
has access to in the PRD. Each individual who interacts with the 
database would have a responsibility to protect the privacy and 
confidentiality of PRD records, and if the FAA found that an individual 
violated that responsibility by being misusing a pilot's information, 
the employer would be subject to enforcement for violation of this 
provision.
    The FAA also proposes in Sec.  111.105 to prohibit any air carrier 
or operator employing pilots, and proxies that access the PRD and 
retrieve information pertaining to an individual, from disseminating 
that information, for any purpose, to any person who is not directly 
involved in the hiring decision. The FAA emphasizes that in the event 
individual data retrieved from the PRD is used for any unauthorized 
purpose, is shared with any unauthorized individual, or is otherwise 
disseminated in violation of these provisions, the agency would 
exercise its enforcement authority to the greatest extent permitted by 
law.
    Additionally, Sec.  111.45 provides that, generally, information 
provided to the PRD, except the information specifically excepted in 
paragraph (b), could not be disclosed pursuant to FOIA, as required by 
the PRD Act.\125\ The following exceptions would apply, as provided by 
the PRD Act: De-identified, summarized information may be disclosed to 
explain the need for changes in policies and regulations; information 
may be disclosed to correct a condition that compromises safety; 
information may be disclosed to carry out a criminal investigation or 
prosecution; information may be disclosed to comply with 49 U.S.C. 
44905, regarding information about threats to civil aviation; and such 
information as the Administrator determines necessary may be disclosed 
if withholding the information would not be consistent with the safety 
responsibilities of the FAA. Records within the PRD may be disclosed 
outside of FAA to the extent permitted by the Privacy Act, including 
any routine uses described in the System of Records Notice for DOT/FAA 
847, Aviation Records on Individuals (75 FR 68849, Nov. 9, 2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \125\ 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(9)(B)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Lastly, 32 CFR 2002 sets forth instructions for federal agencies' 
handing of controlled unclassified information (CUI). Pilot records 
data that is determined to be CUI would be handled in accordance with 
the DOT and FAA's CUI policies, once implemented.

D. Electronic Access to Records

    The PRD Act requires the FAA to provide air carriers with access to 
the PRD for purposes of evaluating the records pertaining to each 
individual the air carrier is considering to hire as a pilot. The FAA 
also may permit ``an individual designated by an air carrier to have 
electronic access to the database'' subject to certain limitations 
included in the PRD Act and other

[[Page 17695]]

terms proposed by the FAA. All individuals who would access the PRD 
must have their identity validated prior to access.
    In addition, the PRD Act requires that air carriers and certain 
other persons report information ``to the Administrator promptly for 
entry into the database'' with regard to any individual used as a pilot 
in the air carrier or other person's operations. However, the PRD Act 
leaves the FAA discretion to determine the means by which the 
information is to be reported to the FAA for inclusion in the PRD. The 
FAA has determined that the most appropriate means for air carriers and 
operators to report information for inclusion in the PRD is to 
establish a process to grant direct electronic access to whoever would 
be required to report information.
    By granting a user direct electronic access to the PRD, the FAA 
would facilitate the expedient use of timely and reliable information 
for an air carrier or operator employing pilots in making a hiring 
decision on a pilot seeking employment. The FAA contemplated utilizing 
physical documents for air carriers and other persons to record data, 
which then would have been mailed to the FAA for data entry; however, 
this process was duplicative and time-intensive compared to direct user 
entry in an electronic format. A record mailed to the FAA for entry 
into the PRD may be delayed by shipping and processing time, which 
could result in inaccurate or outdated information being available to a 
hiring air carrier or operator employing pilots.
    The PRD Act also requires air carriers to ``obtain the written 
consent of an individual before accessing records pertaining to the 
individual'' in the PRD. The FAA is prohibited from allowing ``an air 
carrier to access records pertaining to an individual from the database 
. . .'' unless the air carrier has demonstrated ``to the satisfaction 
of the Administrator that the air carrier has obtained the written 
consent of the individual.'' In order to ensure that no information 
pertaining to any individual is accessed in the PRD without the 
explicit permission of that individual, the FAA believes it is 
appropriate to automate the process for pilots to provide their consent 
for a particular air carrier or operator employing pilots to access 
their individual PRD data.
    The electronic format for a pilot to submit his or her consent to 
the PRD for a particular air carrier or other person to gain access to 
his or her PRD records would ensure a standardized and accurate process 
that can be completed in a timely manner. This consistent, electronic 
process would permit a pilot to grant consent and enable the air 
carrier or other PRD user to access the pilot's information more 
quickly than a physical document that must be recorded and tracked by 
the user accessing the system.
    As provided in Sec. Sec.  111.15 and 111.305 of the proposed rule, 
all PRD users, including air carriers and operators, other pilot 
employers, and individual pilots, would be required to register for 
access and use of the PRD.
1. Pilot Consent
    Before a hiring air carrier or operator may access the PRD to 
obtain an individual's records, the individual responsible for hiring 
must obtain consent from the pilot. As proposed, consent would be 
provided by the individual seeking employment with a particular air 
carrier or other operator and expire after a period of time, set by the 
pilot, that does not exceed 60 days. Once the pilot has become an 
authorized user of the PRD, that pilot would be able to provide consent 
for a particular air carrier to retrieve that pilot's PRD record. As 
provided in the PRD Act and proposed in Sec.  111.125, the hiring 
employer may also require a pilot-applicant ``to execute a release from 
liability for any claim arising from accessing the records or the use 
of such records.'' \126\ This would be completed outside of the PRD 
through the hiring employer.\127\
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    \126\ In drafting this waiver, air carriers should take care to 
avoid expanding the release beyond what is permitted in the statute. 
Section 40.27 of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) bars 
employers from having their employees execute any release ``with 
respect to any part of the drug or alcohol testing process.'' This 
section does not, however, exclude drug- and alcohol-testing records 
stored in and supplied by the PRD from the permitted waiver. For the 
purpose of FAA enforcement, the FAA considers drug- and alcohol-
testing records stored in the PRD to be outside the drug- or 
alcohol-testing process, as stated in 49 CFR 40.27.
    \127\ Some records could contain derogatory information. In the 
RIA, the FAA acknowledges this possibility and the uncertainty in 
the amount of derogatory information that may be revealed in PRD.
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2. Hiring Employer's Role During the Request Process
    After obtaining pilot consent, the hiring employer or its proxy 
would access the pilot-applicant's PRD records by entering the pilot's 
first or last name and FAA pilot certificate number. The FAA emphasizes 
that, except for the Administrator, only personnel directly involved in 
making the hiring decision would be allowed to access and evaluate the 
pilot-applicant's PRD record. During its review and evaluation, the 
hiring employer would be required to take the appropriate actions 
necessary to protect the privacy of the pilot and the confidentiality 
of the records. Any questions developed by the air carrier or operator 
should be directed to the individual during the interview phase of the 
hiring process.
    Consistent with current practice under PRIA and in accordance with 
the PRD Act, the FAA proposes in Sec.  111.130 that if an individual 
seeking employment as a pilot with the air carrier refuses to provide 
written consent to obtain the subject's records or refuses to execute a 
release from liability, an air carrier may refuse to hire that 
individual as a pilot. In this case, no action or proceeding may be 
brought against the air carrier.
    The hiring employer should report to the PRD Program Manager any 
information that the hiring employer discovers outside the PRD that 
should have been included in the PRD. The Program Manager will advise 
the prior employer of the discrepancy.
3. Record Retention and Removal Upon Death of a Pilot
    The FAA is required to ``maintain all records entered into the 
database under [the PRD Act] pertaining to an individual until the date 
of receipt of notification that the individual is deceased; and may 
remove the individual's records from the database after that date.'' 
However, the FAA does not historically receive pilot death 
notifications unless the individual was involved in a fatal accident. 
In order to remove records in a timely manner from the PRD, the FAA 
proposes to maintain an individual's records in the PRD until the FAA 
receives official notification of the pilot's death from the pilot's 
next of kin, or until 99 years have passed since the individual's date 
of birth. This would ensure a pilot's records remain in the PRD as 
required by the PRD Act, while also providing a method for removing 
records absent official notification of an individual pilot's death. 
The FAA acknowledges that it may never receive such notification and 
proposes this alternative to ensure compliance with the PRD Act's 
provision on removal of a deceased pilot's PRD record. Notification of 
a pilot's death would be made in accordance with the provisions of 
proposed Sec.  111.50. The FAA notes that in a dissent to the PRD ARC 
report, some ARC members suggested the FAA remove and store, for an 
undefined period of time, deceased pilots' records from the PRD, in a 
location where the records would remain available to the

[[Page 17696]]

FAA for security purposes or assistance with an investigation.\128\
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    \128\ Report from the PRD ARC, p. 102.
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    The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 \129\ 
provides for a permanent bar for employees who have been found to have 
committed alcohol-or-drug related misconduct after successfully 
completing a rehabilitation program from performing the same duties 
that they performed before such conduct. Since the individual reaching 
99 years of age is a sufficient amount of time to serve as a lifetime 
ban, the FAA believes this number is an appropriate amount of time 
after which records can be deleted in order to maintain a current 
database when no notification of death is received.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \129\ 49 U.S.C.A. Sec. Sec.  45101-45106 (1995).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. User Fee for Accessing the PRD for Purposes of Evaluation

    The PRD Act permits the FAA to recover a reasonable fee related to 
processing a request and furnishing copies to an air carrier or 
operator through the PRD.\130\ The PRD Act further requires that fees 
recovered through the processing and furnishing of records in the 
database must be applied to certain costs related to the operation and 
maintenance of the database. Pursuant to this authority and to ensure 
the application's sustainability, the FAA proposes a user fee 
applicable to air carriers and operators that access a pilot's record 
in the database for the purpose of evaluating employee records, but not 
for reporting records. This user fee will also not apply to individual 
pilots accessing their own records in the PRD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \130\ See 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(8).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA proposes to implement the user fee requirement one year 
after the date of publication of the final rule to coincide with the 
requirement for air carriers and operators to meet the PRD pilot record 
evaluation requirements of subpart B of part 111. Therefore, all users 
that access and evaluate an individual's records in the PRD would be 
subject to the proposed user fee beginning one year after the effective 
date of the final rule.
    To establish a fee, the FAA developed a report (``Pilot Records 
Database Fee Methodology Report'') to provide an explanation concerning 
the methodology for the PRD user fee structure.\131\ The user fee was 
designed by taking into consideration costs associated with the 
projected operations and maintenance of the PRD. As described in the 
user-fee report, the FAA proposes to charge a fee each time an air 
carrier or operator accesses an individual's record in the database. 
That fee is based on the following equation:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \131\ A copy of the user fee development report has been placed 
in the docket with this proposal.

User Fee per Request: F equals C (the annual cost of operation and 
maintenance of the PRD) divided by R (the annual requests through 
the PRD).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30MR20.001

    When using this formula, the projected user fee would be $110 in 
Fiscal Year 2020. By imposing a fee per use based on the elements of 
the equation, the FAA would have the flexibility to update the fee, 
consistent with the Office of Management and Budget's Advisory Circular 
A-25, as the application's projected operations and maintenance costs 
change over its life. Thus, the user fee can be updated based on the 
number of requests to access an individual's records in the PRD and the 
application's annual cost of operation and maintenance.

VI. Regulatory Notices and Analyses

A. Regulatory Evaluation

    Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic 
analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563 direct 
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 (Pub. 
L. 96-354) requires agencies to analyze the economic impact of 
regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the Trade Agreements Act 
(Public Law 96-39) 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 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 with base year of 1995). This portion of the preamble 
summarizes the FAA's analysis of the economic impacts of this proposed 
rule. A full regulatory evaluation is available in the docket for this 
rulemaking.
    In conducting these analyses, FAA has determined that this proposed 
rule: (1) Is not an economically ``significant regulatory action'' as 
defined in section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866; (2) would have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; 
(3) would not create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of 
the United States; and (4) would not impose an unfunded mandate on 
state, local, or tribal governments, or on the private sector by 
exceeding the threshold identified above. These analyses are summarized 
below.
1. Summary of Total Benefits and Costs
    After the effective date of the final rule that follows this 
proposal, air carriers and other operators would incur costs to report 
pilot records to the PRD, and to train and register as users of the 
PRD. Air carriers would also receive future cost savings once PRIA is 
phased out. The FAA would incur costs of the proposed rule related to 
the operations and maintenance of the PRD.
    Over a 10-year period of analysis from 2021 through 2030,\132\ the 
FAA estimates the proposed rule would result in present value net costs 
to industry and the FAA of about $12.8 million or $1.8 million 
annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the 
proposed rule would result in present value net costs of about $11.5 
million over the same 10-year period of analysis or about $1.4 million 
annualized.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \132\ For this preliminary analysis, the FAA assumes the 
effective date of the final rule to be in calendar year 2021 with 
the 10-period of analysis of future regulatory impacts to be 2021 
through 2030.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    However, the FAA estimates industry would receive a net cost 
savings from the proposed rule due to the discontinuance of PRIA. Over 
the same 10-year period of analysis, the present value net cost savings 
of the proposed rule to industry are about $2.6 million or $0.4 million 
annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the 
proposed rule would have a present value net cost savings to industry 
of about $7.0 million over the same 10-year period of analysis or about 
$0.8 million annualized.
    In addition to future regulatory costs, the FAA has incurred costs 
to prototype and develop the PRD since 2010.\133\ From 2010 to 2020, 
the FAA estimates the present value PRD development costs are about 
$14.1 million or $1.5

[[Page 17697]]

million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, 
the present value PRD development costs are about $18.0 million over 
the same period or about $2.4 million annualized.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \133\ On August 1, 2010, Congress directed the Administrator to 
establish the PRD (Pub. L. 111-216, Section 203 (49 U.S.C. 
44703(i)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Therefore, the FAA estimates the total impacts of this regulatory 
action over a 21-year period of analysis from 2010 through 2030 that 
includes PRD development costs before the effective date of the final 
rule and future PRD regulatory impacts after the effective date of the 
final rule. Over this 21-year time period, this regulatory action would 
result in present value net costs of about $30.8 million or $2.8 
million annualized using a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount rate, 
this regulatory action would result in present value net costs of about 
$25.6 million over the 21-year period of analysis or about $1.7 million 
annualized.
    The following table summarizes the total benefits, costs and 
savings of the proposed rule to industry and the FAA.

                               Table 6--Summary of PRD Benefits, Costs and Savings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Benefits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Enhanced aviation safety by assisting air carriers in making informed hiring and personnel management
 decisions..
 Provides faster retrieval of pilot records compared to PRIA............................................
 Reduce inaccurate information and interpretation compared to PRIA......................................
 Easier storage and access of pilot records than PRIA...................................................
 Allow for electronic searching of information on pilot records.........................................
     Allows pilots to consent to releasing records--pilots have the opportunity to view the records.....
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Net Costs (Millions)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Category                     Estimate........................         Discount Rate \1\
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
                                                                                              7%              3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       10-Year Regulatory Period (after effective date of rule), 2021-2030
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry Cost Savings from Discontinuance of    10-Year Present Value...........         ($24.2)         ($30.8)
 PRIA [a].
                                                Annualized......................           (3.5)           (3.6)
Industry Costs [b]............................  10-Year Present Value...........            21.6            23.7
                                                Annualized......................             3.1             2.8
FAA Costs [c].................................  10-Year Present Value...........            15.4            18.6
                                                Annualized......................             2.2             2.2
Net Regulatory Costs [d = a + b + c] \2\......  10-Year Present Value...........            12.8            11.5
                                                Annualized......................             1.8             1.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      11-Year Development Period (before effective date of rule), 2010-2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Development Costs [e].........................  11-Year Present Value...........            18.0            14.1
                                                Annualized (over 11 years)......             2.4             1.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           21-Year Total Development and Regulatory Periods, 2010-2030
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Costs...................................  21-Year Present Value [= d + e].            30.8            25.6
                                                Annualized (over 21 years)......             2.8             1.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
\1\ Estimates may not total due to rounding and parenthesis ``( )'' around estimates denote savings.
\2\ Industry and FAA costs are higher in the beginning of the period of analysis than industry cost savings
  resulting in net present value and annualized costs. This results a larger present value net regulatory cost
  estimate at a 7% discount rate compared to a 3% discount rate.

2. Scope of Affected Entities
    The entities potentially affected by this proposed rule are: Part 
119 certificate holders, fractional ownership programs, persons 
authorized to conduct air tour operations in accordance with Sec.  
91.147, persons operating a corporate flight department, and 
governmental entities conducting public aircraft operations.
3. Assumptions
     Analysis uses 2016 dollars.\134\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \134\ Based on the best available information of impacts 
developed at the time of writing. Some information and data used in 
this analysis are based on 2016 FAA studies and data analysis of 
information technology costs and user fee calculations, such as the 
Pilot Records Database Fee Methodology Report (available in the 
docket). The FAA plans to update these studies, reports and data 
analysis for the final rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The period of analysis includes 11 years of past PRD 
development costs that occur before the effective date of the final 
rule (2010-2020) and 10 years of future PRD regulatory impacts that 
would occur after the effective date of the final rule (2021-2030) for 
a total of 21 years (2010-2030).
     Air carriers who currently have FAA-approved electronic 
databases would continue to record pilot records into their own 
electronic database systems and transfer these records via automated 
utility to the PRD.
     Corporate flight departments are assumed to all have 
electronic databases.
     Parts 125 and 91K operators, and part 135 operators 
without FAA approval for electronic databases, are assumed to enter 
data manually into PRD.
     Air tour operators and entities conducting public aircraft 
operations are assumed to enter records manually.
     All others who do not currently have electronic databases 
are assumed to maintain the in-house systems and, in addition, would 
enter data manually into PRD.
     At the time of writing, the FAA only had data for 
additional annual cost of $1,500 for monitoring, trouble-

[[Page 17698]]

shooting and modifying for mid-size carriers. Therefore, for years two 
through ten, we added an additional $1,500 per mid-size carrier per 
year--see the regulatory Impact Analysis in the docket for more 
information. The FAA believes these incremental costs associated with 
operation and maintenance would be realized by all operators as a 
result of this proposal over and above existing information management 
practices, but is uncertain how to quantify them. The FAA is also 
uncertain if these costs would be at the same level annually or if they 
would diminish over time. The FAA requests comments with information 
and data on adding similar annual operation and maintenance costs that 
covering monitoring and troubleshooting for small and large operators, 
not just mid-sized.
4. Benefits
    This proposed rule would result in enhanced aviation safety by 
assisting air carriers in making informed hiring and personnel 
management decisions using the most accurate and complete pilot records 
available and accessible electronically. The proposed rule would 
require the expanded use of the PRD that includes information 
maintained by the FAA concerning current airman certificates with any 
associated type ratings and current medical certificates, including any 
limitations or restrictions to those certificates, airman practical 
test failures, and summaries of legal enforcement actions. The PRD 
would contain air carrier, operator, and FAA records on an individual's 
performance as a pilot for the life of the individual that could be 
used as a hiring tool in an air carrier's decision-making process for 
pilot employment.
    By requiring that pilot records be entered into the PRD and 
reviewed by the hiring air carrier, this proposal would:
     Enhance aviation safety by assisting air carriers in 
making informed hiring and personnel management decisions using the 
most accurate and complete pilot records available and electronically 
accessible. As previously discussed, there is not likely a single 
algorithm which can tell the potential employer if they should hire a 
pilot based on a ratio of satisfactory and unsatisfactory flight 
checks. However, providing this information about the airman would 
assist the potential employer in developing a more complete picture of 
that airman's overall performance as a pilot;
     Allow for speedier retrieval of pilot records from PRD 
than is possible with PRIA; with PRIA the hiring air carrier would have 
to request the records from sometimes multiple carriers and wait to 
receive the records. With PRD, the carrier would just have to log on to 
the database and search for the records;
     Lower the potential of inaccurate interpretation of pilot 
records by allowing for easier reading of pilot records, as the PRIA 
records might sometimes be handwritten and difficult to read;
     Allow for easier storage and access of pilot records than 
PRIA; and,
     Allow for electronic searching of information on pilot 
records.
5. Cost Savings
    This proposal would result in quantified cost savings to industry 
because the proposed PRD would replace PRIA two years and 90 days after 
the final rule is effective. Today under PRIA, air carriers, operators, 
and pilots complete and mail (or fax) forms to authorize requests for 
pilots' records to be provided. Under the proposal, most of this 
process would occur electronically. Over the 10-year regulatory period 
after the effective date of the final rule (2021-2030), the FAA 
estimates industry would receive present value cost savings of $24.2 
million or $3.5 million at a 7% discount rate. Using a 3% discount 
rate, the present value cost savings to industry would be about $30.8 
million over the same 10-year period of analysis or about $3.6 million 
annualized. The preliminary analysis suggests industry cost savings 
from the discontinuance of PRIA would offset industry costs to 
implement PRD.
6. Costs
    This proposed rule would require industry to report pilots' records 
to the FAA--present, future, and historical--and to register and train 
users of the PRD. The FAA acknowledges there's an initial cost to 
reporting historical records that will not be recurring. The following 
table summarizes the net industry costs of the proposed rule.

 Table 7--Summary of Net Industry Costs (After Effective Date of Rule),
                       10-Year Period of Analysis
                              [2021-2030] *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Industry Costs by Major Provision Category
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting Present and Future Records.................         $9,194,728
Reporting Historical Records.........................         10,470,382
Train and Register PRD Users.........................          5,955,764
Total Industry Costs of Proposed PRD.................         25,620,873
Total Cost Savings from Discontinuing PRIA...........       (37,190,516)
Total Net Costs......................................       (11,569,643)
7% Present Value.....................................        (2,603,728)
3% Present Value.....................................        (7,040,752)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Parenthesis ``( )'' around numbers are used to indicate savings and
  distinguish from costs.

    The following table summarizes the impacts to industry and the FAA 
after the effective date of the final rule. Over a 10-year period of 
analysis from 2021 through 2030, the FAA estimates the proposed rule 
would result in present value net costs to industry and the FAA of 
about $12.8 million or $1.8 million annualized using a 7% discount 
rate. Using a 3% discount rate, the proposed rule would result in 
present value net costs of about $11.5 million over the same 10-year 
period of analysis or about $1.4 million annualized.

[[Page 17699]]



                                           Table 8--Summary of Impacts to Industry and FAA (After Effective Date of Rule), 10-Year Period of Analysis
                                                                                          [2021-2030] *
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Industry costs and savings                                       Net cost of proposed rule
                                                                                 ------------------------------------------------                -----------------------------------------------
                                                                     Potential                     Cost savings
                              Year                                calendar  year                       from                          FAA costs                      7% Present      3% Present
                                                                                       Costs       discontinuing        Net                        Undiscounted        value           value
                                                                                                       PRIA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................................................            2021     $13,119,306  ..............     $13,119,306      $2,301,395     $15,420,701     $14,411,870     $14,971,554
2...............................................................            2022       5,561,251  ..............       5,561,251       2,275,204       7,836,455       6,844,663       7,386,610
3...............................................................            2023         864,779     (4,648,815)     (3,784,035)       2,254,025     (1,530,010)     (1,248,944)     (1,400,176)
4...............................................................            2024         865,700     (4,648,815)     (3,783,114)       2,236,273     (1,546,841)     (1,180,078)     (1,374,348)
5...............................................................            2025         866,582     (4,648,815)     (3,782,233)       2,197,556     (1,584,677)     (1,129,853)     (1,366,956)
6...............................................................            2026         867,295     (4,648,815)     (3,781,519)       2,160,898     (1,620,621)     (1,079,888)     (1,357,245)
7...............................................................            2027         867,906     (4,648,815)     (3,780,908)       2,124,240     (1,656,668)     (1,031,690)     (1,347,023)
8...............................................................            2028         868,627     (4,648,815)     (3,780,187)       2,087,581     (1,692,606)       (985,112)     (1,336,159)
9...............................................................            2029         869,355     (4,648,815)     (3,779,460)       2,050,923     (1,728,537)       (940,210)     (1,324,780)
10..............................................................            2030         870,071     (4,648,815)     (3,778,744)       2,014,265     (1,764,479)       (896,972)     (1,312,938)
                                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................  ..............      25,620,873    (37,190,516)    (11,569,643)      21,702,361      10,132,717      12,763,788      11,538,541
                                                                                                                                                                 -------------------------------
        Annualized Net Costs....................................................................................................................................       1,817,276       1,352,669
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Notes: (i) Totals may not add due to rounding.
(ii) In this table, parenthesis ``( )'' around numbers are used to indicate savings and distinguish from costs.
(iii) Total undiscounted net cost is lower than present value estimates due to higher initial cost of reporting historical records discounted less than savings that occur after PRIA is
  discontinued.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354) (RFA) 
establishes ``as a principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall 
endeavor, consistent with the objectives of the rule and of applicable 
statutes, to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale 
of the businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions 
subject to regulation. To achieve this principle, agencies are required 
to solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain 
the rationale for their actions to assure that such proposals are given 
serious consideration.'' 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 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.
    This proposed rule is expected to have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. Under Sections 603(b) 
and (c) of the RFA, the initial regulatory flexibility analysis for a 
proposed rule must:

 Describe the reasons the agency is considering the action
 State the legal basis and objectives
 Describe the recordkeeping and other compliance requirements
 State all federal rules that may duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict
 Describe the estimated number of small entities impacted
 Describe alternatives considered
1. Description of Reasons the Agency Is Considering the Action
    The FAA is publishing this rule to comply with the Airline Safety 
and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, which 
requires the FAA to establish an electronic database of pilot records. 
Congress introduced this legislation in response to the Colgan Air 
airplane crash in 2009, which killed 50 people.
    In response to the Colgan Air flight 3407 accident findings by the 
NTSB, Congress passed H.R. 5900, which amended many longstanding 
aviation programs, including PRIA. H.R. 5900 was signed into law by the 
President as Public Law 111-216, the Airline Safety and Federal 
Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (the PRD Act). Section 
203 of the PRD Act requires the FAA to establish a pilot records 
database that contains records from various sources related to 
individual pilot performance and to issue implementing regulations. 
Section 203 of the PRD Act amended PRIA by requiring the FAA to 
establish an electronic database that contains pilot records, which 
must be evaluated by air carriers prior to hiring an individual as a 
pilot. To address the requirements of Section 203, the FAA chartered an 
ARC to make recommendations on the implementation of the pilot records 
database.
2. Statement of the Legal Basis and Objectives
    The FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety is found in 
Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.). This rulemaking is 
promulgated under the general authority described in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 
which establishes the authority of the Administrator to promulgate 
regulations and rules, and the specific authority provided by Sec.  203 
of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act 
of 2010 (``the PRD Act''), codified at 49 U.S.C. 44703(h)-(j).
    The authority for this particular rulemaking is derived from Sec.  
44703(i), which requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations to 
establish an electronic database containing records from the FAA and 
records maintained by air carriers and operators that employ 
individuals as pilots.
3. Description of the Recordkeeping and Other Compliance Requirements
    The proposed rule would require all part 119 certificate holders, 
fractional ownership programs, persons authorized to operate air tour 
operations in accordance with Sec.  91.147, persons operating a 
corporate flight department, and entities conducting public aircraft 
operations to report relevant records to an electronic PRD managed by 
the FAA. The PRD would include records from air carriers and persons 
that employ pilots regarding pilot training, qualification, 
proficiency, professional competence, drug and alcohol testing, final 
disciplinary action, and final separation from employment action. Air 
carriers and operators would also be required to enter verifying data 
in the PRD for each individual considered for employment as a pilot. 
Additionally, the database would include information maintained by the 
FAA concerning current airman certificates with any associated type 
ratings and current medical certificates, including any limitations or 
restrictions to those certificates, airman practical

[[Page 17700]]

test data, and summaries of legal enforcement actions.
4. All Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict
    The FAA would discontinue PRIA 2 years and 90 days after the 
publication of this rule. While it may seem that the FAA's PRD 
requirements overlap with PRIA, only the time period overlaps which 
would allow sufficient time for industry to begin using PRD and to 
finish entering historical data into PRD. This would allow PRIA to be 
available so hiring air carriers could receive the pilot records that 
have not yet been entered into the PRD. Hiring air carriers would, for 
approximately two years, continue to engage in the PRIA process for air 
carrier records in order to ensure that no records are missed in the 
intervening time. The full implementation of PRD after PRIA expires 
will result in significant improvement to ease of access to those 
records and no duplication of records.
5. Description and an Estimated Number of Small Entities Impacted
    This proposed rule would affect substantial numbers of small 
entities operating under 91K, parts 121 and 135, air tour operators, 
entities conducting public aircraft operations, and corporate flight 
departments. There are four dozen small part 121 carriers and two 
thousand small part 135 carriers and operators. All part 125 operators 
are small. Air tour operators are also typically small. These operators 
may involve a couple of pilots flying less than five passengers per air 
tour. The FAA expects that all fractional ownerships are large with 
revenues exceeding $16.5 million. The FAA also estimates that entities 
flying public use aircraft are associated with large governmental 
jurisdictions. The FAA assumes that any corporation that could afford a 
corporate flight department would have in excess of $16.5 million in 
revenues and is therefore a large entity. The table below offers more 
details on the operator types effected.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \135\ For definitions of the NAICS codes please refer to 2017 
NAICS Manual, pg. 380 https://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/2017NAICS/2017_NAICS_Manual.pdf. Also, please note that these 
definitions may not completely align with the definitions set out in 
the FAA Code of Federal Regulations.

                                   Table 9--Summary of Small Entities Impacted
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Number of                                         SBA size
          Type/part               entities             NAICS code \135\             standard           Size
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 121 Air Carriers........              76  481111--Scheduled Passenger Air  Less than 1,500  45 small, 31
                                                Transportation; 481112--         employees.       large.
                                                Scheduled Freight Air
                                                Transportation; 481211--
                                                Nonscheduled Chartered
                                                Passenger Air Transportation;
                                                481212--Nonscheduled Chartered
                                                Freight Air Transportation.
Part 135 Air Carriers and               2,053  481111--Scheduled Passenger Air  Less than 1,500  2050 small, 3
 Operators.                                     Transportation; 481112--         employees.       large.
                                                Scheduled Freight Air
                                                Transportation; 481211--
                                                Nonscheduled Chartered
                                                Passenger Air Transportation;
                                                481212--Nonscheduled Chartered
                                                Freight Air Transportation.
Part 125 Operators...........              70  481219--Other Nonscheduled Air   less than        All small.
                                                Transportation.                  $16.5M in
                                                                                 revenues.
Part 91.147 Air Tour                    1,091  481219--Other Nonscheduled Air   less than        All small.
 Operators.                                     Transportation.                  $16.5M in
                                                                                 revenues.
Part 91.K Fractional                        7  481219--Other Nonscheduled Air   less than        All large.
 Ownership.                                     Transportation.                  $16.5M in
                                                                                 revenues.
Public Use Aircraft..........             323  481219--Other Nonscheduled Air   Large            All large.
                                                Transportation.                  Governmental
                                                                                 Jurisdictions.
Corporate Flight Departments.           1,413  481219--Other Nonscheduled Air   less than        All large.
                                                Transportation.                  $16.5M in
                                                                                 revenues.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Size information is based on data available from eVID (FAA Management Information System, Vital Information
  Subsystem).

    While there is a substantial number of small entities that would be 
affected by this rule, the FAA maintains that small entities would be 
affected to a smaller extent than large entities. This is because costs 
are a function of size. For instance, costs to manually enter data on 
pilots depends on the number of pilots that work and have worked for 
the operator. Both air tour operators and Part 125 operators are 
comprised entirely of small businesses. The FAA estimated that an 
average of about 3 pilots work for an air tour operator and 8 for a 
part 125 operator. Air tour operators would not be required to report 
historical records and would incur a cost of $56 per operator per year 
(or about $20 per pilot per year), and part 125 operators would incur a 
cost of $526 per operator (or about $65 per pilot) per year.
6. Alternatives Considered
    The FAA considered four alternatives for the proposed rule. Some of 
these alternatives could have been less costly for small entities but 
the FAA rejected them because the advantages of selecting those 
alternatives were outweighed by policy considerations described below. 
Rather than proposing to require reporting from employers that might 
never employ pilots who would conduct operations on behalf of an air 
carrier, the proposed rule would only require reporting from entities 
that employ pilots who are or who would likely become air carrier 
pilots. The agency determined that requiring the submission of 
documents to the PRD that are unlikely to be accessed by a hiring air 
carrier or would not assist with an air carrier's hiring decision would 
be unduly burdensome and unnecessary for compliance with the PRD Act. 
The applicability of this proposed rule would minimize the burden 
because it would apply only to those employers that the PRD Act covers.
Alternative 1
    The FAA considered requiring all of the past pilot historical data, 
but decided the proposed requirements would be sufficient, which is 
information that hiring air carries find most significant to review. 
The FAA believes those entering the data would be better able to refine 
this information and that hiring air carriers and operators would be 
more attentive to this more relevant data. Also, by limiting the set of 
historical data elements, the FAA would be harmonizing the amount of 
records each pilot would have in his or her respective PRD file.
Alternative 2
    The FAA considered other options for the form and manner in which 
historical

[[Page 17701]]

records could be submitted to the PRD by air carriers and operators 
employing pilots. These alternative options included permitting the 
submission of records in portable document format (PDF), JPEG, bitmap 
(BMP), or other similar electronic file formats; the submission of 
records using coded XML; or the submission of specified information 
through direct manual data entry.
    While the submission of records in PDF, JPEG, BMP, or other similar 
electronic file formats maybe the most expedient and least costly \136\ 
for some air carriers and operators, the FAA rejected this option for 
multiple reasons. First, the FAA notes that the PRD ARC highlighted a 
crucial issue with the contents of historical records and indicated 
that many historical records maintained by the aviation industry 
contain information ``far outside'' the scope of the PRD. The 
acceptance of such file formats (e.g., PDF, JPEG or BMP) would allow a 
large volume of extraneous data to be submitted to the PRD, possibly 
including protected or sensitive information on individuals or an air 
carrier or operator. The FAA would be required to review each 
individual pilot record and redact information as appropriate. This 
review may cause the availability of the uploaded records to be delayed 
until such time that the FAA could redact inappropriate information, if 
any existed within the file.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \136\ Submitting PDF, JPEG, BMP or similar electronic formats 
might be less costly because the operator would not have to 
transcribe records from one format to another.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the FAA believes Congress intended the PRD to serve as a 
tool to assist an air carrier or operator in actually making hiring 
decisions, not only to serve as a repository for all existing 
information maintained by employers of pilots, or as a replacement for 
existing air carrier and operator recordkeeping systems. By allowing 
scanned documents or photographs of a pilot's record to be transmitted 
to the PRD, the FAA could not provide assurance that each record 
submitted would contain only the types of data relevant to the hiring 
decision, unless the FAA were to review each and every pilot record 
uploaded to the PRD. Furthermore, the FAA could not provide such 
assurances on every individual pilot record since much of the 
information could only be confirmed by the subject of the record.
Alternative 3
    The FAA considered and rejected interpreting the PRD Act broadly 
and requiring all employers of pilots to comply with the proposed PRD 
requirements, regardless of whether the information would be useful to 
hiring air carriers or not. This could have included 22,000 employers. 
However, the FAA did not believe that this was a reasonable 
interpretation of the PRD Act. Looking at the statute as a whole, the 
FAA interpreted the requirement to be that ``other persons'' means 
those likely to employ pilots that would subsequently apply to be air 
carrier pilots. This interpretation is discussed in more detail in 
section III. Therefore, the FAA determined that applying the proposed 
requirements to those aircraft operators whose operations are most 
similar to air carrier operations would ensure the most relevant data 
would be available to hiring air carriers when conducting pilot 
employment background checks and would limit any potential database 
security issues that may arise from maintaining a high volume of 
employment information.
Alternative 4
    Finally, the FAA has considered an alternative of requiring that 
air carriers and operators report present and future pilot records to 
the PRD, but continue to send historical records under PRIA until the 
PRD has 5 years of pilot records (by the start of 2025, the PRD would 
have data from 2020 to 2024), at which point PRIA could be 
discontinued. With this alternative, a hiring air carrier or operator 
would be able to access at least 5 years of pilot records back from 
when they are considering hiring the pilot (either because they would 
receive them via a PRIA request, or because they would be in PRD). This 
alternative might be less costly for some operators than submitting 
historical records through PRD because sending historical records under 
PRIA would not require them to transcribe records into the PRD format. 
However, the FAA rejected this alternative because the lack of a 
singular database would be detrimental to the purpose of the rulemaking 
and would diminish efficiency of review of pilot records by other 
employers who would have to access pilot records through both PRIA and 
PRD.
    Therefore, this proposed rule would have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The FAA solicits 
comments regarding this determination.

C. International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39), as amended by the 
Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), prohibits Federal 
agencies from establishing standards or engaging in related activities 
that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United 
States. Pursuant to these Acts, the establishment of standards is not 
considered an unnecessary obstacle to the foreign commerce of the 
United States, so long as the standard has a legitimate domestic 
objective, such as the protection of safety, and does not operate in a 
manner that excludes imports that meet this objective. The statute also 
requires consideration of international standards and, where 
appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards. The FAA has 
determined this proposed rule addresses a Congressional mandate to 
ensure the safety of the American public. As a result, this rule does 
not create an unnecessary obstacle to foreign commerce. As a result, 
this rule is not considered as creating an unnecessary obstacle to 
foreign commerce.

D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-
4) 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 
(in 1995 dollars) 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 $155.0 million in lieu of $100 
million. This proposed rule does not contain such a mandate; therefore, 
the requirements of Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Assessment Reform 
Act do not apply.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires 
that the FAA consider the impact of paperwork and other information 
collection burdens imposed on the public. According to the 1995 
amendments to the Paperwork Reduction Act (5 CFR 1320.8(b)(2)(vi)), 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.
    This action contains the following proposed amendments to the 
existing information collection requirements previously approved under 
OMB Control Number 2120-0607. As required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995

[[Page 17702]]

(44 U.S.C. 3507(d)), the FAA has submitted these proposed information 
collection amendments to OMB for its review.
    Summary: The FAA is proposing to require air carriers, specific 
operators holding out to the public, entities conducting public 
aircraft operations, air tour operators, fractional ownerships, and 
corporate flight departments to enter relevant data on individuals 
employed as pilots into the Pilot Records Database (PRD). The records 
that would be required to be entered into the PRD include those related 
to: Pilot training, qualification, proficiency, or professional 
competence of the individual, including comments and evaluations made 
by a check pilot; drug and alcohol testing; disciplinary action; 
release from employment or resignation, termination, or 
disqualification with respect to employment; and the verification of a 
search date of the National Drivers Register.
    Use: The information collected in accordance with 44703(i) and 
maintained in the Pilot Records Database would be used by hiring air 
carriers to evaluate the qualification of an individual prior to making 
a hiring determination as a pilot in accordance with 44703(i)(1).

Paperwork Impact to Industry

Subpart A--General

Sec.  111.15 Application for Database Access
    Registering Users--In order to get to access the PRD, users would 
have to go through a registration process with the FAA. The table below 
indicates the number of users expected to apply for access to the PRD, 
the estimated time it would take each user to register, the hourly rate 
of the persons registering and the estimated hour burden for all users 
to register.

                        Initial Burden for Users To Apply/Register for Access to the PRD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Users expected to apply for                                                    Total cost  to     Hours for
access to the PRD to comply with    Respondents    Hourly rate *      Time to      register  PRD     users to
               PRD                                                   register          users         register
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsible persons.............           5,033          $84.74            0.50        $213,248           2,517
Pilots..........................         175,860           44.66            0.33       2,591,790          58,034
Authorized Individuals..........          10,066           84.74            0.50         426,496           5,033
Proxies.........................           1,904           84.74            0.50          80,672             952
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................         192,863  ..............  ..............       3,312,207          66,536
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* See the Regulatory Evaluation available in the docket for details on the hourly rates and costs.

Subpart B--Accessing and Evaluating Records

Sec.  111.240 Verification of Motor Vehicle Driving Records
    Air carriers and participating operators must be able to provide 
supporting documentation to the Administrator upon request that a 
search of the NDR was conducted, and that documentation must be kept 
for five years. The FAA considers this burden de minimis.

Subpart C--Reporting of Records by Air Carriers and Operators

Sec.  111.205 General, (a) Each Air Carrier and Operator Must Report 
the Information Required by This Subpart for an Individual Employed as 
a Pilot Beginning on the PRD Date of Hire for That Individual
    Each air carrier and other operator would report to the PRD all 
records required by this subpart for each individual employed as a 
pilot in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator.
    The FAA is proposing in subpart C of part 111 to require all part 
119 certificate holders, 91K fractional ownership operators, persons 
authorized to conduct air tour operations in accordance with 14 CFR 
91.147, persons operating a corporate flight department, entities 
conducting public aircraft operations, and trustees in bankruptcy to 
enter relevant data on individuals employed as pilots into the PRD. 
Relevant data includes: Training, qualification and proficiency 
records; final disciplinary action records; records concerning 
separation of employment; drug and alcohol testing records; and 
verification of motor vehicle driving record search and evaluation.
    The FAA has determined that there would be no new information 
collection associated with the proposed requirement. However, industry 
would be required to report data that they already collect to the PRD. 
We estimate that burden here.
    The rule would require that one year after publication present and 
future records be reported to the PRD. Present and future records are 
all records going forward.
    As previously discussed, there would be two methods for reporting 
data to PRD. The first method would be to transmit data electronically 
using an automated utility such as XML, so it can be read by both the 
user and the PRD. The second method would be through direct manual data 
entry, using the same pre-established data field forms for each record 
type. The FAA estimated how many air carriers and operators would 
report data directly from their own electronic databases. The FAA also 
determined how many air carriers and operators would enter data 
manually to the PRD, and on how many pilots they would enter data. The 
following discussion summarizes the estimates of the burden and the 
cost of reporting records to the PRD.

Electronic Reporting of Records to the PRD

    Air carriers and operators would incur a one-time burden to 
transfer pilot records electronically from their databases to the PRD. 
The burden includes the time required for air carriers and operators to 
develop an encoding program to transfer records from their electronic 
databases via an automated utility to appropriate fields within the 
PRD. They could also incur an annual burden to monitor, trouble-shoot 
and modify the transfer of data to the PRD.
    Industry sources representative of small, medium and large carriers 
provided the number of hours along with the cost per hour to develop an 
encoding program. A representative fractional ownership provided an 
estimated total cost to develop the program. As the fractional 
ownership did not provide hours or hourly wage rates, the FAA estimated 
these for the fractional ownership. To do this we averaged the wage 
rates received from the other operators and divided the fractional 
ownership total cost by this wage rate. Further, a mid-size carrier 
estimated an additional annual updating cost of $1,500 for monitoring, 
trouble-

[[Page 17703]]

shooting and modifying, which we applied to mid-size carriers.
    The tables below indicate the number of respondents (in other 
words, number of air carriers or operators), estimated hours, hourly 
rate and the cost of electronic reporting, for electronic reporting of 
present and future records, both one-time burden and annual updating 
burden and for electronic reporting of historical records.

                      One-Time Burden of Electronic Reporting of Present and Future Records
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               One-time cost  of
                Operator type                    Respondents        Hours       Hourly rate *      electronic
                                                                                                  reporting *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small 121....................................              51              20            $120           $122,400
Mid-size 121.................................              13              35              75             34,125
Large 121....................................               4             400              89            142,400
                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total 121................................              68             455  ..............            298,925
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small 135....................................             234              20             120            561,600
Mid-size 135.................................               2              35              75              5,250
                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total 135................................             236              55  ..............            566,850
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small part 125...............................              18              20             120             43,200
                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total 125................................              18              20  ..............             43,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 91K.....................................               4           1,897              95            720,800
                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total 91K................................               4           1,897  ..............            720,800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Corporate Flight Dept..................           1,413              20             120          3,391,200
                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Corporate Flight Dept..............           1,413              20  ..............          3,391,200
                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total One-Time Burden................           1,739           2,447  ..............          5,020,975
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Industry sources representative of small, medium and large carriers provided us with the number of hours along
  with the cost per hour. See the Regulatory Evaluation available in the docket for more details.


                         Annual Cost of Electronic Reporting Present and Future Records
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Annual cost of
                Operator type                    Respondents       Hours *      Hourly rate *      electronic
                                                                                                   reporting
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-size 121.................................              13              20             $75            $19,500
Mid-size 135.................................               2              20              75              3,000
                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Annual Burden......................              15              40  ..............             22,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Based on information from a mid-size carrier, the additional annual cost per mid-size respondent is $1,500
  (=20 hours x $75 hourly rate). See the Regulatory Evaluation available in the docket for more details.

Manual Reporting of Present and Future Data

    To estimate the burden of reporting records manually to the PRD, 
the FAA first estimated the amount of time that it would take to report 
pilot records for each of the operator types. The total amount of time 
per pilot per year for each operating type to manually enter the 
records to PRD is indicated in the table below (in row labelled 
``Amount of time per pilot per year''). Included in the table is the 
time for each of the recording events, an estimate of the cost per 
event and the total cost per pilot per year. These data are used in the 
calculations of manual reporting costs and time burden by affected 
operating part.

                                                              Time and Cost per Pilot by Affected Operating Part--Manual Reporting
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             135                  121                  125                Air tour               91K                  PAO
                                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Manual record entry  activity               Hourly rate          Time in              Time in              Time in              Time in              Time in              Time in
                                                                      minutes     Cost     minutes     Cost     minutes     Cost     minutes     Cost     minutes     Cost     minutes    Cost
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Setting up current pilots in PRD for     $84.74....................         3     $4.24          3     $4.24          3     $4.24          3     $4.24          3     $4.24          3     $4.24
 the first time.
Training/checking/testing events per     $81.19....................      10.8     14.61       10.4     14.07       13.6    $18.39          4      5.41       10.8     14.61       13.6     18.39
 year.
Ground training per year...............  $81.19....................         4      5.41          4      5.41          4      5.41          0      0.00          4      5.41          4      5.41
Initial training/check (one time event   $81.19....................     0.648      0.88      0.648      0.88      0.540      0.73      0.108      0.15      0.864      1.17      0.540      0.73
 for new pilots).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount of time per pilot per year......  Initial...................     18.45  .........     18.05  .........     21.14  .........      7.11  .........     18.66  .........     21.14  ........
                                         Recurring.................     15.45  .........     15.05  .........     18.14  .........      4.11  .........     15.66  .........     18.14  ........
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 17704]]

 
Total cost per pilot per year..........  First Year................  ........     25.14   ........     24.60   ........     28.77   ........      9.80   ........     25.43   ........     28.77
                                         Subsequent Years..........  ........     20.90   ........     20.36   ........     24.53   ........      5.56   ........     21.19   ........     24.53
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Time and cost estimates may not sum to totals due to rounding. See the Regulatory Evaluation in the docket for more details.

    The FAA estimated the number of air carriers and operators (in 
other words, the number of respondents) who would report data manually 
to the PRD and the number of pilots working for them. The FAA 
calculates the hours required for data entry by multiplying the time it 
takes to enter records per pilot per year by the number of pilots. For 
example, to enter data manually for a part 121 pilot in year 1 it would 
take 18.05 minutes/60 minutes times the estimated number of pilots 
(271) or 82 hours.
    Costs are calculated by multiplying the number of pilots by the 
cost per pilot per year. For example, the cost of manually entering 
data in year 1 for pilots working in part 121 is pilots x $24.60 or 
$6,667.\137\ The burden to enter present and future records manually to 
PRD is presented for each operating type for years 1 through 3 of the 
information collection in the tables below.\138\ These sums are later 
averaged over the three years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \137\ This is the first year cost--subsequent years do not 
include the cost of entering or ``setting up'' pilots in the 
database for the first time except for new pilots (that occur on an 
annual basis).
    \138\ The FAA estimates the change in burden and cost for these 
amendments over three years to align with the three-year approval 
and renewal cycle for most information collections. The FAA based 
pilot estimates on internal databases and the FAA forecast.

                                              Part 121 Manual Entry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of
                                                   respondents--                     Hours for
                      Year                         part 121  air      Pilots        data entry         Costs
                                                     carriers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................................               8             271              82          $6,667
2...............................................               8             273              68           5,558
3...............................................               8             275              69           5,599
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............             219          17,824
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                              Part 125 Manual Entry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Part 125 Manual entry--Operators not approved for electronic
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of
                      Year                         respondents--                     Hours for
                                                     part 125         Pilots        data entry         Costs
                                                     operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................................              52             528             186         $11,162
2...............................................              52             528             160           9,578
3...............................................              52             528             160           9,578
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............             506          30,318
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                  Part 135 Manual Entry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Part 135 Manual entry--operators not approved for electronic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Number of
                                          respondents--                   Hours for data     Number of    Pilots working  Hours for data
                  Year                       135 air          Pilots           entry       respondents--      for 135          entry           Costs
                                             carriers                                      135 operators     operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1......................................            1,649          12,627           3,883             168             342             105        $326,041
2......................................            1,649          12,684           3,266             168             344              89         272,285
3......................................            1,649          12,731           3,278             168             345              89         273,288
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total..............................  ...............  ..............          10,427  ..............  ..............             283         871,614
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 17705]]


                                         Air Tour Operators Manual Entry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of
                                                    respondents                      Hours for
                      Year                           air tour         Pilots        data entry         Costs
                                                     operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................................           1,091           3,088             366         $30,262
2...............................................           1,091           3,091             212          17,186
3...............................................           1,091           3,091             212          17,186
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............             790          64,634
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                              Part 91K Manual Entry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of
                      Year                         respondents--    Pilots (1)       Hours for         Costs
                                                        91K                         data entry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................................               3             398             124         $10,127
2...............................................               3             399             104           8,447
3...............................................               3             399             104           8,447
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............             332          27,021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                     Public Aircraft Operations Manual Entry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Number of
                     Year                       respondents--PAO      Pilots           Hours           Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................................              323            2,821             994         $81,159
2.............................................              323            2,824             854          69,266
3.............................................              323            2,824             854          69,266
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................  ................  ..............           2,702         219,691
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Estimates based on pilot numbers from FAA databases and FAA forecast.
\2\ Number of pilots times cost per pilot per previous table. Estimates may not total due to rounding.

    A summary of the burden for present and future pilot records that 
we expect would be manually entered to the PRD is presented in the next 
table. The average annual hour burden is 5,240 and the average annual 
cost burden is $304,961 for manual entry into the PRD of present and 
future records.

                                        Manual Entry--Present and Future
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Type of Operations                              Hours           Cost         Respondents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 121........................................................             219         $17,824               8
Part 135........................................................          10,710         871,614           1,817
Part 125........................................................             506          30,318              52
Air Tours.......................................................             790          64,634           1,091
Part 91K........................................................             332          27,021               3
PAO.............................................................           2,702         219,691             323
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................          15,259       1,231,102           3,294
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Average/year....................................................           5,086         410,367           1,098
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

111.265 Historical Record Reporting
    The rule requires that two years after publication historical 
records be reported to the PRD. Parts 121 and 135 air carriers would 
report historical records they have maintained back to August 1, 2005 
through initial proposed compliance date. Parts 125 and 135 operators 
and 91K fractional ownerships would report historical records they have 
maintained back to August 1, 2010 through initial proposed compliance 
date. Those operators with approved electronic databases would transfer 
data electronically. The table below summarizes the number of 
respondents hours/respondent, hourly rate and the one-time cost of 
electronic reporting.
Electronic Data Transfer of Historical Records

[[Page 17706]]



                           One-Time Burden of Electronic Reporting Historical Records
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   One-time cost
                 Size groupings                     Respondents       Hours/       Hourly  rate    of electronic
                                                                    respondent                       reporting
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small 121.......................................              51              20            $120        $122,400
Mid-size 121....................................              13              70              75          68,250
Large 121.......................................               4             400              89         142,400
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total part 121 (1)..........................              68             490                         333,050
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
Small 135.......................................             226              20             120         542,400
Mid-size 135....................................               2              70              75          10,500
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total part 135 (1)..........................             228              90  ..............         552,900
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
Small part 125..................................              18              20             120          43,200
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total part 125..............................              18              20  ..............          43,200
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
Part 91K........................................               4             385              95         146,300
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Part 91K..............................               4             385  ..............         146,300
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Burden................................             318             985  ..............       1,075,450
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes carriers certificated under both parts 121 and part 135.

Manual Reporting
    The FAA estimated the burden to report historical records to PRD, 
back to August 1, 2005 for part 121 and part 135 air carriers, and back 
to August 1, 2010 for parts 125 and 135 operators and part 91K 
fractional ownerships. The FAA first estimated the number of pilots who 
worked for affected operators and carriers that would manually report 
historical records. The FAA then estimated a base cost burden to report 
these records by multiplying the base cost \139\ (per pilot per year) 
by the number of pilots with historical records over the years 2005 
through 2018 (that would be manually reported to PRD). Then the FAA 
added a supplement to represent the additional cost that would be 
required to report historical records, which would be more difficult to 
retrieve and transpose to the PRD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \139\ The base cost is the cost to type the data into PRD once 
it has been collected.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The burden using the base cost for reporting historical records to 
the PRD is summarized in the tables below for each of the operating 
types that would have to report historical records for years 2005 
through 2020.\140\ The discussion of the supplemental cost follows the 
tables.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \140\ The end date depends on the publication date of the final 
rule. At the time of writing and for the purposes this analysis, the 
FAA assumed the final rule would be published in 2019. The FAA will 
adjust the estimates of historical records as necessary after the 
publication of the proposed rule and the end of the comment period.

                                        Part 121 Manual Entry Historical
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Part 121 Manual Entry--Operators not approved for Electronic
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Number of
                                        respondents--                         Hours for data
                Year                     part 121 air     Part 121 pilots         entry              Costs
                                           carriers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005................................                 18              2,027                508            $41,270
2006................................                 18              2,026                508             41,249
2007................................                 18              2,055                515             41,840
2008................................                 18              2,096                526             42,675
2009................................                 18              2,064                518             42,023
2010................................                 18              2,030                509             41,331
2011................................                 18              2,035                510             41,433
2012................................                 18              2,078                521             42,308
2013................................                 18              2,139                537             43,550
2014................................                 18              2,183                548             44,446
2015................................                 18              2,209                554             44,975
2016................................                 18              2,254                565             45,891
2017................................                 18              2,281                572             46,441
2018................................                 18              2,315                581             47,133
2019................................                 18              2,331                585             47,459
2020................................                 18              2,346                588             47,765
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...........................  .................             34,469              8,645            701,789
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 17707]]


                                              Part 125 Manual Entry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Number of
                Year                     respondents      Part 125  Pilots   Part 125  Hours         Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010................................                 33                363                110             $8,902
2011................................                 33                355                107              8,709
2012................................                 33                342                103              8,381
2013................................                 33                317                 96              7,780
2014................................                 33                306                 93              7,505
2015................................                 33                297                 90              7,285
2016................................                 33                282                 85              6,928
2017................................                 33                288                 87              7,067
2018................................                 33                294                 89              7,202
2019................................                 33                299                 90              7,338
2020................................                 33                300                 91              7,366
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...........................  .................              3,443              1,041             84,463
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                  Part 135 Manual Entry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Pilots
                                                            Number of      working                    Number of       Pilots
                          Year                            respondents--    for part    Hours for    respondents--    working     Hours for   Total costs
                                                             135 air         135       data entry   135 operators    for 135     data entry    part 135
                                                            carriers       Carriers                                 operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005...................................................           1,744       17,594        4,530             168  ...........  ...........     $367,713
2006...................................................           1,744       17,389        4,478             168  ...........  ...........      363,437
2007...................................................           1,744       17,358        4,470             168  ...........  ...........      362,784
2008...................................................           1,744       18,196        4,685             168  ...........  ...........      380,291
2009...................................................           1,744       18,112        4,664             168  ...........  ...........      378,542
2010...................................................           1,744       17,815        4,587             168          339           87      379,423
2011...................................................           1,744       17,646        4,544             168          336           87      375,828
2012...................................................           1,744       17,554        4,520             168          334           86      373,854
2013...................................................           1,744       17,288        4,452             168          329           85      368,202
2014...................................................           1,744       17,236        4,438             168          328           84      367,087
2015...................................................           1,744       17,145        4,415             168          326           84      365,144
2016...................................................           1,744       17,016        4,382             168          324           83      362,406
2017...................................................           1,744       17,284        4,451             168          329           85      368,121
2018...................................................           1,744       17,555        4,521             168          334           86      373,889
2019...................................................           1,744       17,751        4,571             168          338           87      378,068
2020...................................................           1,744       17,845        4,595             168          340           88      380,068
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total..............................................  ..............      280,786       72,303  ..............        3,657          942    5,944,857
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                91k Manual Entry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of
                      Year                          respondents       Pilots           Hours           Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010............................................               5           1,823             476         $38,629
2011............................................               5           1,781             465          37,739
2012............................................               5           1,716             448          36,362
2013............................................               5           1,595             416          33,798
2014............................................               5           1,538             401          32,590
2015............................................               5           1,491             389          31,594
2016............................................               5           1,416             370          30,005
2017............................................               5           1,447             378          30,662
2018............................................               5           1,472             384          31,192
2019............................................               5           1,498             391          31,743
2020............................................               5           1,504             393          31,870
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................  ..............          17,281           4,511         366,184
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 17708]]

    The FAA adds a supplemental burden to the base cost burden of 
reporting historical records, by adding an additional 30 minutes of a 
training and development manager and an additional 10 minutes of a 
human resources manager to estimated pilot records kept in 2005 and 
2010. The following table summarizes the supplemental cost.

                              Manual Entry Supplemental Cost for Historical Records
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Training &         Human
                                                                    development      resources     Total  added
                                                                      manager         manager          cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time in hours...................................................              30              10
Wage Rate.......................................................          $81.19          $84.74
Total Extra Cost per Pilot......................................          $40.60          $14.12          $54.72
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following table summarizes the base hours and base cost burden 
for reporting historical records and the supplemental cost burden to 
represent the additional cost of locating and transposing historical 
records to the PRD. To derive supplemental hours the FAA multiplied the 
supplemental time burden \141\ described earlier by estimated pilots 
with records being reported manually in 2005 and 2010. To derive 
supplemental costs, the FAA multiplied the additional supplemental cost 
per pilot by the estimated pilots with records being reported manually 
in 2005 and 2010.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \141\ An additional 40 minutes, including 10 minutes of a human 
resources manager and 30 minutes of a training and development 
manager or .667 hours.

                                             Manual Entry--Historical Base and Supplemental Burden and Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Supplemental    Supplemental
                                                      Base  hours   Base cost      hours (1)         costs      Total hours   Total cost    Respondents
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 121............................................        8,645     $701,789           2,705         $55,074       11,350     $756,863              18
Part 125............................................        1,041       84,463             242           5,936        1,283       90,399              33
Part 135 (2)........................................       73,245    5,944,857          23,606       7,563,071       96,851   13,507,928           1,912
Part 91K............................................        4,511      366,184           1,215          25,746        5,726      391,930               5
                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...........................................       87,442    7,097,293          27,768       7,649,827      115,210   14,747,120           1,968
                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Average/year (2)............................  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............       57,605   $7,373,560
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec.  111.425 Discontinued Compliance With Pilot Records Improvement 
Act
    The PRIA would be discontinued two years and 90 days after the 
effective date of the proposed Pilot Records Database. Accordingly, 
there would be a reduced paperwork burden due to the fact that pilots, 
carriers and operators would no longer have to complete FAA forms to 
request PRIA records. The table below indicates the annual number of 
FAA forms completed by airmen, hiring and previous employers during the 
hiring process. This burden would be eliminated because air carriers 
and pilots would no longer have to complete and mail (or fax) forms in 
order for air carriers to request pilot records and for pilots to allow 
records to be released. Hours saved are estimated by multiplying the 
time required to complete each form by each entity times the number of 
forms completed annually. Cost savings are estimated by multiplying the 
time required to complete the form by the wage rate for each entity 
completing times the number of forms completed annually. Three 
different entities would have to complete form 8060-12 while only two 
different entities would have to complete the other three forms. We 
expect the same entities would complete each form for one PRIA request. 
In other words one airman, and one hiring entity would each complete 
Form 8060-10, Form 8060-11, and Form 8060-11A and in addition one 
previous employer would complete Form 8060-12 per PRIA request. So as 
not to double count or under count we take the number of respondents to 
be the three respondents (airman, hiring entity and previous employer) 
completing 24,120 forms (Form 8060-12) or 3 times 24,120. If we 
multiplied the number of entities completing each form by the number of 
forms and added the results for all the forms, we would be double 
counting respondents, as it is likely the same person would complete 
all the forms. If we chose one of the forms only requiring two entities 
to complete to estimate number of respondents, we would be 
underestimating respondents.

[[Page 17709]]



                                       Cost Savings for Discontinued Compliance With Pilot Records Improvement Act
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Number of
                                    forms               HRM--      HRM--
           FAA  Form              completed   Airman    hiring    previous   Airman    HRM      Airman        HRM        Total      Hours    Respondents
                                  annually              entity    employer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8060-10........................      17,586       10         10        N/A   $44.66   $84.74    $130,898    $248,373    $379,271     5,862        17,586
8060-11........................      28,138        7          7        N/A                       146,606    $278,178     424,784     6,565        28,138
8060-11A.......................      28,138       10         10        N/A                       209,438     397,397     606,834     9,379        28,138
8060-12........................      28,138        6          6         17                       125,663     914,012   1,039,675     5,628        28,138
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 ..........  .......  .........  .........                       612,605   1,837,960   2,450,565    27,434       101,999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Hours to gather records.....................................................................................................     4,397
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Hours including hours to gather records...............................................................................    31,831
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: (i) Totals may not add due to rounding.
(ii) HRM = Human Resources Manager.

    The table below summarizes the total paperwork burden in terms of 
hours, cost and respondents.

                                                                 Total Paperwork Burden
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Total paperwork burden                            Year 1                Year 2                  Year 3                  Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Respondents    Hours       Cost      Hours       Cost       Hours        Cost        Hours       Cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   111.15 Application for database                69,761   14,305     $979,621    5,803     $259,162      5,803      $259,162    25,911   $1,497,945
 access one-time costs averaged per year--
 Annual Registration burden.................
111.205 General (a) (Reporting Present and
 Future Records) Electronic Data Transfer:
    Present and Future one-time costs.......           1,739    2,447   $5,020,975  .......  ...........  .........  ............     2,447    5,020,975
    Present and Future annual costs.........              15       40       22,500       40       22,500         40        22,500       120       67,500
Manual Data Entry:
    Present and Future annual costs.........           1,744    5,740      465,418    4,753      382,320      4,766     1,231,102    15,259    2,078,840
111.265 Historical Record Reporting
 Electronic:
    Historical one-time costs...............             318      985    1,075,450  .......  ...........  .........  ............       985    1,075,450
Manual Data Entry:
    Historical per year.....................           1,968   57,605    7,373,560   57,605    7,373,560  .........  ............   115,210   14,747,120
        Total Burden........................          75,545   81,122   14,937,524   68,201    8,037,542     10,609     1,512,764   159,932   24,487,830
            Total Savings--Discontinuation           101,999   31,831    4,648,815   31,831    4,648,815     31,831     4,648,815    95,493   13,946,444
             of PRIA........................
                Net Burden/Costs............  ..............   49,291   10,288,709   36,370    3,388,727   (21,222)   (3,136,051)    64,439   10,541,386
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Impact to the Federal Government
    The following table summarizes the FAA burden and cost of the PRD. 
The FAA uses an hourly wage rate for a grade 14 step 5 position of 
$80.56 to estimate costs.\142\

                  FAA Burden To Develop and Operate PRD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Operations and
                Year                  maintenance costs        Hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................           $2,471,000          30,671
2..................................            2,384,690          29,600
3..................................            2,335,606          28,990
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total..........................            7,191,296         $89,261
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Average....................            2,397,099         $29,754
                                    ------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*See the Regulatory Evaluation available in the docket for details on
  the hourly rates and costs

    The agency is soliciting comments to--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \142\ 2016 locality wage adjusted for the Washington, Maryland, 
Virginia area, and a fringe benefit rate of 36.25%.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of collecting information on those who are 
to respond, including by using appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of IT.
    Individuals and organizations may send comments on the information 
collection requirement to the address listed in the ADDRESSES section 
at the beginning of this notice of proposed rulemaking by May 29, 2020. 
Comments also should be submitted to the Office of Management and 
Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Desk 
Officer for FAA, New

[[Page 17710]]

Executive Building, Room 10202, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 
20053.

F. International Compatibility and Cooperation

    In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to conform to 
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and 
Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. The FAA has 
determined that there are no ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices 
that correspond to these proposed regulations.
    Executive Order 13609, Promoting International Regulatory 
Cooperation, promotes international regulatory cooperation to meet 
shared challenges involving health, safety, labor, security, 
environmental, and other issues and to reduce, eliminate, or prevent 
unnecessary differences in regulatory requirements. The FAA has 
analyzed this action under the policies and agency responsibilities of 
Executive Order 13609, and has determined that this action would have 
no effect on international regulatory cooperation.

G. Environmental Analysis

    FAA Order 1050.1F 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 5-6.6d ``Issuance of regulatory 
documents (e.g., Notices of Proposed Rulemaking and issuance of Final 
Rules) covering administration or procedural requirements (Does not 
include Air Traffic procedures; specific Air Traffic procedures that 
are categorically excluded are identified under Paragraph 5-6.5 of this 
Order.)'' and involves no extraordinary circumstances.

H. Privacy Analysis

    The FAA conducted a privacy impact assessment (PIA) in accordance 
with section 208 of the E-Government Act of 2002, Public Law 107-347, 
116 Stat. 2889. The FAA examined the effect the proposed rule may have 
on collecting, storing, and disseminating personally identifiable 
information (PII) for use by air carriers in making hiring decisions. A 
copy of the PIA is included in the docket for this rulemaking and is 
additionally available at transpotation.gov/privacy.

VII. Executive Order Determinations

A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    The FAA has analyzed this proposed rule under the principles and 
criteria of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The agency determined 
that this action will not have a substantial direct effect on the 
States, or the relationship between the Federal Government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government and, therefore, does not have Federalism 
implications.

B. Executive Order 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    The FAA analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211, 
Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use (May 18, 2001). The agency has determined that it 
is not a ``significant energy action'' under the executive order and it 
is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy.

C. Executive Order 13771, Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs

    This proposed rule is expected to be an E.O. 13771 regulatory 
action. Details on the estimated costs of this proposed rule can be 
found in the rule's economic analysis.

VIII. Additional Information

A. Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. The agency 
also invites comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, 
or federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in 
this document. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion 
of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit only one time.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before 
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed 
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The agency may change this proposal in 
light of the comments it receives.
    Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial 
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by 
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), 
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to 
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is 
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and 
that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you 
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page 
of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat 
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will 
not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing 
CBI should be sent to the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of this document. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.
    Under 14 CFR 11.35(b), if the FAA is aware of proprietary 
information filed with a comment, the agency does not place it in the 
docket. It is held in a separate file to which the public does not have 
access, and the FAA places a note in the docket that it has received 
it. If the FAA receives a request to examine or copy this information, 
it treats it as any other request under the Freedom of Information Act 
(5 U.S.C. 552). The FAA processes such a request under Department of 
Transportation procedures found in 49 CFR part 7.

B. Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of rulemaking documents may be obtained from the 
internet by--
    1. Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal (https://www.regulations.gov);
    2. Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies web page at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies; or
    3. Accessing the Government Printing Office's web page at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/. Copies may also be obtained 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-
9677. Commenters must identify the docket or notice number of this 
rulemaking.
    All documents the FAA considered in developing this proposed rule, 
including economic analyses and

[[Page 17711]]

technical reports, may be accessed from the internet through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal referenced in item (1) above.

IX. The Proposed Amendments

List of Subjects

14 CFR Part 91

    Aircraft, Airmen, Aviation safety, Commercial Operators, Flights 
for Compensation or Hire, Fractional Ownership, Public aircraft, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

14 CFR Part 111

    Air carriers, Aircraft, Airmen, Air operators, Aviation safety, 
Public aircraft, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

14 CFR Part 121

    Air carriers, Aircraft, Airmen, Air operators, Aviation safety, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

14 CFR Part 125

    Aircraft, Airmen, Air operators, Aviation safety, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

14 CFR Part 135

    Air carriers, Aircraft, Airmen, Air operators, Aviation safety, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend chapter I of Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations as follows:

PART 91--GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES

0
1. The authority for part 91 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40101, 40103, 40105, 40113, 
40120, 44101, 44111, 44701, 44704, 44709, 44711, 44712, 44715, 
44716, 44717, 44722, 46306, 46315, 46316, 46504, 46506-46507, 47122, 
47508, 47528-47531, 47534, Pub. L. 114-190, 130 Stat. 615 (49 U.S.C. 
44703 note); articles 12 and 29 of the Convention on International 
Civil Aviation (61 Stat. 1180), (126 Stat. 11).

0
2. Amend part 91 by adding Sec.  91.27 to read as follows:


Sec.  91.27   Pilot Records Database.

    (a) Each person that conducts operations as a corporate flight 
department as defined in Sec.  111.10 of this chapter, must comply with 
the requirements in part 111 of this chapter in accordance with the 
applicable timelines in that part.
    (b) Reserved.
0
3. Revise Sec.  91.1051 to read as follows:


Sec.  91.1051   Pilot Records Database

    (a) The program manager for any fractional ownership program 
approved in accordance with this subpart is subject to the requirements 
of part 111 of this chapter applicable to operators that employ pilots 
and must achieve compliance in accordance with the applicable timelines 
in that part.
    (b) Reserved.
0
4. Add Part 111 to read as follows:

PART 111--PILOT RECORDS DATABASE

Subpart A--General

Sec.
111.1 Applicability.
111.5 Compliance dates.
111.10 Definitions.
111.15 Application for database access.
111.20 Database access by authorized users and proxies.
111.25 Duration, cancellation and denial of access.
111.30 Unauthorized access or use prohibited.
111.35 Fraud and falsification.
111.40 Fee.
111.45 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
111.50 Record retention in the PRD.
Subpart B--Accessing and Evaluating Records
111.100 Applicability.
111.105 Evaluation of pilot records and limitations on use.
111.110 Motor vehicle driving record request.
111.115 Good faith exception.
111.120 Pilot consent and right of review.
111.125 Release from liability.
111.130 Refusal to hire.
111.135 Duty to maintain privacy and confidentiality of pilot 
records.
111.140 FAA Records
Subpart C--Reporting of Records by Air Carriers and Operators
111.200 Applicability.
111.205 General.
111.210 Format for reporting information.
111.215 Drug and alcohol testing records.
111.220 Training, qualification and proficiency records.
111.225 Final disciplinary action records.
111.230 Records concerning separation of employment.
111.240 Verification of motor vehicle driving record search and 
evaluation.
111.245 Special rules for protected records.
111.250 Duty to report records promptly.
111.255 Requests for correction of reported information.
111.260 Direct disputes.
111.265 Historical record reporting.
111.270 Reporting by trustee in bankruptcy.
Subpart D--Pilot Rights and Responsibilities
111.300 Applicability.
111.305 Application for database access.
111.310 Written consent.
111.315 Pilot right of review.
111.320 Reporting errors and requesting corrections.
Subpart E--Compliance with Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA)--
Transition to PRD
111.400 Applicability.
111.405 Continued compliance with PRIA required.
111.410 Duty to request and evaluate records.
111.415 Duty to furnish records.
111.420 Duty to report historical records to PRD.
111.425 Discontinued compliance with PRIA.
111.430 Expiration of subpart.

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701, 
44703(h), 44703(i), 44711, 46105.

Subpart A--General


Sec.  111.1   Applicability.

    (a) This part establishes the rules governing the mandatory and 
voluntary use of the Pilot Records Database (PRD).
    (b) This part applies to the following persons:
    (1) Each person that holds an air carrier or operating certificate 
issued in accordance with part 119 of this chapter and is authorized to 
conduct operations under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter;
    (2) Each person that conducts air tour operations pursuant to a 
letter of authorization issued in accordance with Sec.  91.147 of this 
chapter;
    (3) Each person that conducts operations pursuant to a fractional 
ownership program authorized in accordance with subpart K of part 91 of 
this chapter;
    (4) Each person that conducts operations as a corporate flight 
department, as defined in this part, pursuant to the general operating 
and flight rules in part 91 of this chapter;
    (5) Each person that conducts public aircraft operations;
    (6) The trustee in bankruptcy of any air carrier or other operator 
described in this paragraph;
    (7) Any other person authorized by the Administrator to access the 
PRD;
    (8) Any individual who holds an air transport or commercial pilot 
certificate issued under part 61 of this chapter or a remote pilot 
certificate under part 107 of this chapter; and,
    (9) Any individual who is employed by a person that conducts public 
aircraft operations.
    (c) This part does not apply to:
    (1) Any branch of the United States Armed Forces, National Guard, 
or reserve component of the Armed Forces; or
    (2) Any foreign air carrier or other foreign operator of U.S. 
registered aircraft.

[[Page 17712]]

Sec.  111.5   Compliance dates.

    (a) Compliance with subpart B of this part is required by [DATE ONE 
YEAR AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
    (b) Compliance with subpart C of this part is required as follows:
    (1) For an air carrier or operator conducting operations on [DATE 1 
YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER], compliance 
is required with the reporting requirements of this subpart beginning 
on [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER]; 
and,
    (2) For an air carrier or other operator that initiates operations 
after [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL 
REGISTER], compliance is required with the reporting requirements of 
this subpart within 90 days of the issuance of the air carrier or 
operator's operations specifications, unless otherwise authorized by 
the Administrator.
    (c) Compliance with the historical records reporting requirements 
of Sec.  111.420, compliance is required by March 31, 2022.


Sec.  111.10  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part, the term--
    Access the PRD means to use the credentials issued by the 
Administrator in accordance with Sec.  111.20 or Sec.  111.25 to 
retrieve information related to a particular individual pilot or to 
report to the PRD information required by this part, or for a 
responsible person to manage user access.
    Air Carrier means any person that holds an air carrier certificate 
issued in accordance with part 119 of this chapter and is authorized to 
conduct operations under parts 121 or 135 of this chapter.
    Authorized user means an individual employed by an air carrier or 
other operator and designated by a responsible person to access the PRD 
on behalf of the air carrier or other operator for purposes of 
reporting and evaluating the records pertaining to an individual pilot 
applicant.
    Corporate flight department means a person that operates two or 
more standard airworthiness airplanes that require a type rating under 
Sec.  61.31(a) of this chapter, in furtherance of, or incidental to, a 
business, pursuant to the general operating and flight rules in part 91 
of this chapter or operates airplanes being operated under a deviation 
authority issued under Sec.  125.3 of this chapter.
    Date an individual begins service as a pilot means the earliest 
date on which a pilot serves as a flight crewmember for an air carrier 
or other operator required to comply with the provisions of this part.
    Directly involved in the hiring decision means any individual who 
is responsible for making pilot hiring decisions on behalf of the 
employer or who is responsible for advising the decision maker on 
whether or not to hire an individual as a pilot.
    Final disciplinary action record means a record of any corrective 
action taken by an employer in response to an event pertaining to pilot 
performance which is not subject to any pending formal or informal 
dispute initiated by the pilot. No disciplinary action may be 
considered final until 30 days after action.
    Final separation from employment record means a last-in-time record 
of any action ending the employment relationship between a pilot and an 
air carrier or other operator which is not subject to any pending 
formal or informal dispute initiated by the pilot. The separation from 
employment actions include: Resignation, termination, physical 
(medical) disqualification, professional disqualification, furlough, 
extended leave, or retirement. No separation from employment may be 
considered final until 30 days after action.
    Historical record means a record generated by the Administrator, an 
air carrier, or other operator in response to a request from another 
air carrier or operator that must be maintained by the person that 
generated it in accordance with the Pilot Records Improvement Act, 49 
U.S.C. 44703(h)(4) and maintained in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 
44703(i)(15)(C)(iii).
    Individual employed as a pilot means any individual used as a pilot 
by an air carrier or other operator, as defined in this section, 
whether that individual is retained directly or on a contract basis for 
any form of compensation.
    Operator that employs pilots or other operator means the following 
groups of persons, other than air carriers, that use one or more 
individuals as flight crewmember(s):
    (a) Each person that holds an operating certificate issued by the 
FAA in accordance with part 119 of this chapter;
    (b) Each person that conducts air tour operations pursuant to a 
letter of authorization issued in accordance with Sec.  91.147 of this 
chapter;
    (c) Each person that conducts operations pursuant to a fractional 
ownership program authorized in accordance with subpart K of part 91 of 
this chapter;
    (d) Each person that operates a corporate flight department, 
pursuant to the general operating and flight rules in part 91 of this 
chapter;
    (e) Each person that conducts operations of public aircraft; or
    (f) A trustee in bankruptcy.
    Participating operator means an operator that employs pilots 
covered by this part that voluntarily seeks to access the PRD for 
purposes of assessing the qualifications of a pilot candidate in 
accordance with subpart B of this part.
    Pilot means an individual who holds a commercial pilot or airline 
transport pilot certificate issued under part 61; or an individual who 
holds a part 107 certificate with an ability to conduct UAS operations 
carrying people or property for compensation or hire and who is 
employed by an air carrier or other operator.
    Pilot Records Database (PRD) or the database means the electronic 
system for enabling the exchange of pilot information between the FAA, 
air carriers, and operators, developed by the FAA pursuant to Section 
203 of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension 
Act of 2010, Public Law 111-216.
    PRD Hire Date or PRD Date of Hire means the earliest date on which 
an individual is expected to begin any form of company required 
training or to perform any other duty for an air carrier or other 
employer in preparation for the individual's service as a pilot.
    Proxy means a person or entity approved by the Administrator to 
access the PRD system electronically on behalf of an air carrier or 
other operator subject to the requirements of this part and designated 
by a responsible person for an air carrier or other operator.
    Record pertaining to pilot performance means records of an activity 
or event specifically related to an individual's completion of the core 
duties and responsibilities of a pilot to maintain safe aircraft 
operations, as assigned by the employer and established by the FAA.
    Report to the PRD means to access the PRD system electronically, 
and submit information in the form and manner prescribed by the 
Administrator pertaining to each individual employed as a pilot as 
required by this part.
    Responsible person means an individual identified on the 
application required by Sec.  Sec.  111.15 and satisfies the criteria 
in Sec.  111.15(d).
    Writing/Written means documented in hard paper copy or electronic 
format and affixed with a signature.

[[Page 17713]]

Sec.  111.15   Application for database access.

    (a) Each air carrier and other operator that employs pilots must 
submit an application for database access to the FAA in the form and 
manner prescribed by the Administrator, including all information 
described in this section and any additional information that may be 
requested by the Administrator.
    (b) The application required by this section must include, at a 
minimum, the following information as well as any additional 
information that may be requested by the Administrator in order to 
verify the identity of all individuals designated by an air carrier or 
other operator to access the database:
    (1) The full name, job title, and valid electronic mail address of 
the individual authorized to submit the application in accordance with 
paragraph (d) of this section who will act as the responsible person.
    (2) The purpose(s) for which database access is requested, 
including whether theapplicant seeks access to comply with subpart B or 
subpart C of this part, or both.
    (3) All business names and the address for the principal base of 
operations for the air carrier or other operator.
    (4) FAA air carrier or operating certificate number and pilot 
certificate number, as applicable.
    (c)(1) The application required by this section may include a 
request for limited system administrator rights authorizing the 
responsible person identified in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section to delegate his or her authority to access the database on 
behalf of the air carrier or other operator to authorized users and 
proxies of the air carrier or other operator.
    (2) A proxy identified by a responsible person on an application 
described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must also submit an 
application in a form and manner prescribed by the Administrator for 
approval.
    (d) The application required by this section must be signed and 
submitted by a responsible person who meets the following minimum 
qualifications, or by another individual if approved by the 
Administrator:
    (1) For part 121 air carriers, a person serving in a management 
position required by Sec.  119.65(a) of this chapter.
    (2) For part 125 operators, a person serving in a management 
position required by Sec.  125.25(a) of this chapter.
    (3) For part 135 air carriers and operators, a person serving in a 
management position required by Sec.  119.69(a) of this chapter.
    (4) For a part 135 air carrier or operator using only one pilot in 
its operations, the pilot named in the certificate holder's operation 
specifications.
    (5) For persons conducting operations pursuant to a letter of 
authorization issued in accordance with Sec.  91.147 of this chapter, 
an individual designated as a responsible person on the operator's 
letter of authorization.
    (6) For persons conducting operations pursuant to subpart K of part 
91 of this chapter, an authorized individual designated by the 
fractional ownership program manager, as defined in Sec.  91.1001(b) of 
this chapter, who meets all of the following conditions:
    (i) The individual must have their identity verified by the FAA in 
a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator; and
    (ii) The individual must be employed by the operator.
    (7) For any other operator required to comply with this part, or 
any trustee appointed in a bankruptcy proceeding, an individual 
authorized to sign and submit the application required by this section, 
must meet all of the following conditions:
    (i) The individual must have their identity verified by the FAA in 
a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator; and
    (ii) The individual must be employed by the operator.
    (e)(1) Air carriers and operators must submit an amended 
application for database access to the FAA in the form and manner 
prescribed by the Administrator no later than 30 days after any change 
in the information included on the initial application for database 
access, except in the case of information pertaining to a change to the 
responsible person.
    (2) There must be a valid responsible person approved by the 
Administrator at all times for continued authorized user and proxy 
access to the database. In the case of any change or information that 
would cause the current responsible person's database access to be 
cancelled or denied, the air carrier or operator must submit an amended 
application to the FAA identifying a different responsible person who 
is eligible for database access in accordance with this section and 
prior to the change in status of the current responsible person.
    (f) When a request for electronic access to the database is 
approved by the FAA, the Administrator will issue credentials to the 
responsible person who submitted the application required by this 
section, authorizing the responsible person to:
    (1) Access the database on behalf of the particular air carrier or 
other operator for purposes consistent with the provisions of this 
part; and
    (2) Exercise limited database administrator rights to delegate the 
air carrier or other operator's authority to access the database to 
authorized users and proxies in accordance with Sec.  111.20.
    (g) Credentials issued based on an application submitted to the FAA 
in accordance with this section, as well as any authority delegated by 
any responsible person under paragraph (f)(2) of this section, are 
subject to renewal, cancellation and denial of access by the 
Administrator in accordance with Sec. Sec.  111.20 and 111.25.
    (h) An air carrier or other operator that initiates operations 
after [DATE 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL 
REGISTER] must submit the application required by this section to the 
FAA at least 90 days before the air carrier or other operator initiates 
aircraft operations.


Sec.  111.20  Database access by authorized users and proxies.

    (a)(1) If approved in accordance with Sec.  111.15, the responsible 
person for an air carrier or other operator required to access the 
database in accordance with this part may delegate to employees of the 
air carrier or operator, or to a proxy approved in accordance with 
Sec.  111.15, the authority to access the database on its behalf for 
purposes of complying with the requirements of subparts B or C of this 
part.
    (2) The air carrier or other operator must establish procedures to 
ensure an authorized user or proxy approved by the Administrator 
understands and complies with Sec.  111.135 and the terms applicable to 
database access in paragraph (b) of this section and the privileges and 
limitations of this part.
    (b) Access to the database by authorized users and proxies on 
behalf of the air carrier or other operator is subject to the 
privileges and limitations applicable to air carriers and operators in 
this part as well as the following terms and any additional terms that 
may be established by the Administrator:
    (1) Any authorized user or proxy delegated authority to access the 
database on behalf of an air carrier or other operator in order to 
comply with the evaluation requirements of subpart B of this part, may 
only use the database registration issued by the Administrator to 
access information in the database to inform a hiring decision 
concerning a pilot applicant.
    (2) Any authorized user or proxy delegated authority to access the 
database on behalf of an air carrier or other operator in order to 
comply with

[[Page 17714]]

the reporting requirements of subpart C of this part, may only use the 
database registration issued by the Administrator to access the PRD for 
purposes of reporting information to the database on behalf of the air 
carrier or other operator.
    (3) Proxies must provide assurances to the air carrier or other 
operator that the information obtained using such access will not be 
used for any purpose other than collecting the information for 
evaluation by the air carrier or other operator for purposes of making 
the hiring decision and will be subject to inspection upon request of 
the Administrator.
    (c) Access to the database by authorized users and proxies may be 
subject to the valid access of the responsible person.
    (1) In the case of cancellation of a responsible person's database 
access, the database access of authorized users and proxies will remain 
valid if the air carrier or other operator submits a new application 
for database access indicating a new responsible person prior to 
cancellation of the prior responsible person and obtains approval of 
that application.
    (2) In the case of denial of a responsible person's database 
access, the database access of authorized persons and proxies may also 
be denied.


Sec.  111.25  Duration, cancellation, and denial of access.

    (a) Duration. Database registration is valid for an amount of time 
determined by the Administrator unless cancelled or denied and includes 
both a user identification and a PRD identification.
    (b) Renewal. The Administrator may require the renewal of 
credentials issued to any person or individual user at recurring 
intervals and as necessary to protect the security and integrity of the 
database.
    (c) Cancellation. The Administrator may cancel any database 
registration that remains inactive for an amount of time determined by 
the Administrator, or if the person or individual user holding the 
registration no longer satisfies the eligibility criteria prescribed by 
this part.
    (d) Denial of access.
    (1) The Administrator may deny database access to any person or 
individual user for failure to comply with any of the duties and 
responsibilities prescribed by this part, including but not limited to:
    (i) Accessing an individual's information in the database without 
first obtaining the written consent of that individual;
    (ii) Reporting false or fraudulent information to the database;
    (iii) Misusing or misappropriating user rights or protected 
information from the database; or
    (iv) As necessary to preserve the security and integrity of the 
database.
    (2) The Administrator may deny access to the database registration 
of any air carrier or other operator employing a pilot if the operating 
certificate or other authority to operate is revoked by the FAA.
    (3) If database access is denied to any person or individual user 
under (d)(1) of this section, that person or individual user may submit 
a request for reconsideration in a form and a manner prescribed by the 
Administrator. Database access will not be permitted pending 
reconsideration.
    (e) When access has been cancelled or denied for any person or 
individual user, that person or individual user must reapply for 
access, as applicable, in accordance with Sec.  111.15.


Sec.  111.30   Unauthorized access or use prohibited.

    (a) No person may access the database for any purpose except as 
expressly authorized by this part.
    (b) No person may share, distribute, publish, or otherwise release 
any information accessed in the database to any person or individual 
who is not directly involved in the hiring decision, unless 
specifically authorized by law.
    (c) No requirement in this section or this part prohibits the 
Administrator from accessing and using information maintained in the 
database for purposes consistent with the oversight authority of the 
FAA.


Sec.  111.35  Fraud and falsification.

    No person may make, or cause to be made, any of the following:
    (a) A fraudulent or intentionally false statement in, or a known 
omission from, any application or any amendment thereto, or in any 
other record or test result reported to the Pilot Records Database in 
accordance with the requirements of this part.
    (b) A fraudulent or intentionally false statement in, or a known 
omission from, any record or report that is kept, made, or used to show 
compliance with this part, or to exercise any privileges under this 
chapter.


Sec.  111.40  Fee.

    (a) The fee for processing each request made by an air carrier, 
other operator or participating operator, or their designated proxies, 
made in accordance with subpart B of this part for an individual 
pilot's records maintained in the PRD is established using the 
following methodology and published by the Administrator:
    (1) User Fee per Request: (F). Equals
    (2) Annual Cost of Operation and Maintenance of the PRD: (C). 
Divided by
    (3) Annual Requests through the PRD: (R).
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30MR20.002
    
    (b) The fee required in paragraph (a) of this section must be paid 
to the FAA in a form and manner prescribed by the Administrator.
    (c) The fee will be imposed per pilot record accessed in the PRD.
    (d) An individual pilot will not be charged a fee for accessing 
his/her record in the PRD.
    (e) An air carrier or other employer will not be charged a fee for 
reporting records to the PRD.


Sec.  111.45   Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, 
information reported to the PRD in accordance with the provisions of 
this part is exempt from the disclosure requirements of 5 U.S.C. 
552(b)(3)(B).
    (b) Information reported to the PRD in accordance with the 
provisions of this part is subject to disclosure as follows:
    (1) De-identified, summarized information may be disclosed to 
explain the need for changes in policies and regulations;
    (2) Information may be disclosed to correct a condition that 
compromises safety;
    (3) Information may be disclosed to carry out a criminal 
investigation or prosecution;
    (4) Information may be disclosed to comply with 49 U.S.C. 44905, 
regarding information about threats to civil aviation; and
    (5) Such information as the Administrator determines necessary may 
be disclosed if withholding the information would not be consistent 
with the safety responsibilities of the FAA.


Sec.  111.50  Record Retention in the PRD.

    (a) All information pertaining to an individual pilot that is 
reported for inclusion in the database in accordance with this part 
will be maintained in the database until one of the following occurs:
    (1) The FAA receives official notification of an individual pilot's 
death, in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, from the 
pilot's next of kin; or

[[Page 17715]]

    (2) An FAA audit of the database indicates that 99 years have 
passed since the date of birth on record for the individual.
    (b) Any notification submitted to the FAA in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section must include the following:
    (1) The full name of the pilot as it appears on his or her pilot 
certificate;
    (2) The pilot's FAA-issued certificate number; and
    (3) A certified copy of the individual's certificate of death.

Subpart B--Accessing and Evaluating Records


Sec.  111.100   Applicability.

    (a) The requirements of this subpart are mandatory for any person 
that:
    (1) Holds an air carrier or operating certificate issued by the FAA 
in accordance with part 119 of this chapter and is authorized to 
conduct operations under part 121, 125, or part 135 of this chapter;
    (2) Has been issued management specifications to operate in 
accordance with part 91 subpart K of this chapter; or
    (3) Has been issued a letter of authorization to conduct air tour 
operations in accordance with Sec.  91.147 of this chapter.
    (b) Operators that employ pilots and are subject to the reporting 
requirements in subpart C of this part, may also include in the 
application for access to the database under Sec.  111.15 a request to 
opt in to the requirements of this subpart to assess the qualifications 
of an individual in determining whether to hire the individual as a 
pilot, provided:
    (1) The application for access to the database for purposes of 
evaluating any information maintained in the database is submitted for 
approval to the FAA in the form and manner prescribed by the 
Administrator;
    (2) Any other operator that requests access to the database in 
accordance with this paragraph may be required to submit a new 
application or amendment thereto, along with any additional information 
that may be requested by the Administrator;
    (3) Any participating operator that is authorized by the 
Administrator to access the database in accordance with this paragraph 
must comply with Sec.  111.40 and the requirements of this subpart, 
with the exception of 111.110, and unless otherwise specified.


Sec.  111.105   Evaluation of pilot records and limitations on use.

    (a) No air carrier or participating operator may permit an 
individual to begin service as a pilot, unless the person has evaluated 
all relevant information pertaining to that individual in the course of 
deciding whether to hire the individual to work as a pilot, including:
    (1) All information pertaining to the individual maintained in the 
PRD;
    (2) All information pertaining to the individual obtained from the 
chief driver licensing official of each state in accordance with Sec.  
111.110, if required; and
    (3) Records related to the individual that are maintained by 
another air carrier or other operator in accordance with the provisions 
of 49 U.S.C. 44703(h) and subpart E of this part, until such time as 
those provisions expire.
    (b) No person may access the database for purposes of retrieving 
the information maintained in the database pertaining to an individual, 
unless the individual has provided his or her consent in accordance 
with Sec.  111.120.
    (c) No person required to access the database for purposes of 
evaluating the information maintained in the database regarding an 
individual may allow any individual to access the database on its 
behalf except as provided in Sec.  111.20.
    (d) Except as provided in subpart D, no person may use any 
information pertaining to an individual that is retrieved from the 
database for any purpose except to assess whether or not to employ that 
individual as a pilot.
    (e) Paragraph (a)(3) of this section will expire on [DATE 2 YEARS 
AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER].


Sec.  111.110  Motor vehicle driving record request.

    (a) No air carrier or participating operator may permit an 
individual to begin service as a pilot, unless the air carrier or 
participating operator has requested and evaluated all relevant 
information from the chief driver licensing official of each State, 
identified through a National Driver Register (NDR) search concerning 
the individual's motor vehicle driving history in accordance with the 
following process:
    (1) For each individual the air carrier or participating operator 
is considering employing as a pilot, the air carrier must obtain the 
written consent of the individual before requesting an NDR search for 
the individual's State motor vehicle driving records;
    (2) After obtaining the written consent of the individual, the air 
carrier or participating operator must submit a request to the NDR to 
determine whether any State maintains relevant records pertaining to 
the individual; and
    (3) When the NDR search result is returned--
    (i) If the NDR search result indicates a participating State, as 
defined in 49 U.S.C. 30301, maintains records concerning the 
individual, the air carrier must submit a request for the relevant 
motor vehicle driving records to the chief driver licensing official of 
each State identified in the NDR search result; or
    (ii) If the NDR search result does not identify any participating 
State maintaining relevant motor vehicle driving record data concerning 
the individual, then the air carrier's obligation under this paragraph 
is complete.
    (b) The air carrier or participating operator must report to the 
PRD, in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator, 
verification that consent was received from the individual to conduct 
the NDR record search required in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) Verification that compliance with the requirements of this 
section has been accomplished must be reported to the PRD in accordance 
with Sec.  111.240.
    (d) The air carrier or participating operator must provide to the 
Administrator, upon request, documentation to establish that the air 
carrier or participating operator has conducted the search required by 
paragraph (a) of this section. The air carrier or participating 
operator documentation must retain this documentation for five years.


Sec.  111.115  Good faith exception.

    (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec.  111.105, an air carrier 
or participating operator may allow an individual to begin service as a 
pilot, without first evaluating all records pertaining to the 
individual's previous employment as a pilot, only if--
    (1) The air carrier has made a documented good faith attempt to 
access the information maintained in the PRD; and
    (2) The air carrier has received notice from the Administrator that 
certain information pertaining to an individual's employment history as 
a pilot is not contained in the PRD.


Sec.  111.120   Pilot consent and right of review.

    (a) No person may access the PRD for purposes of evaluating the 
records pertaining to any individual in the course of deciding whether 
to hire the individual to work as a pilot, unless prior to the date of 
access, the person has been notified by the Administrator

[[Page 17716]]

that the individual whose records the person seeks to access in the 
database has provided written consent authorizing the release of his or 
her information maintained in the database to that person.
    (b) Except as provided in Sec.  111.110, the individual consent 
required in paragraph (a) of this section must be reported to the 
database by the individual in accordance with Sec.  111.310 in a form 
and manner prescribed by the Administrator.
    (c) Any individual that submits a written consent to an air carrier 
or other operator in accordance with Sec.  111.310(b) is entitled to 
request a copy of any State motor vehicle driving records obtained by 
the prospective employer in accordance with Sec.  111.110. The 
prospective employer must provide a response to the individual with 
copies of any State motor vehicle driving records obtained within 30 
days.


Sec.  111.125  Release from liability.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and 
notwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement to the 
contrary, an air carrier or participating operator may require an 
individual, with respect to whom the air carrier must access records in 
the database pursuant to this part, to execute a release from liability 
for any claim arising from:
    (1) Accessing the individual's records in the database; or
    (2) The use of such records by the air carrier in accordance with 
the requirements of this part.
    (b) No air carrier may require any individual with respect to whom 
the carrier is accessing records in the PRD to execute a release from 
liability for any claim arising from furnishing information known to be 
false and maintained in violation of a criminal statute.


Sec.  111.130  Refusal to hire.

    (a) In addition to reasons related to a pilot applicant's 
qualifications, an air carrier or participating operator may refuse to 
hire an individual as a pilot if:
    (1) The individual did not provide written consent required in 
Sec. Sec.  111.110 and 111.120 of this chapter, in the form and manner 
prescribed by the Administrator, for the air carrier to receive records 
from the PRD or from the chief driver licensing official of any state; 
or
    (2) The individual did not execute the release from liability that 
may be requested by the air carrier in accordance with Sec.  111.125.
    (b) No action or proceeding may be brought against an air carrier 
by or on behalf of an individual who has applied for or is seeking a 
position as a pilot with the air carrier if the air carrier refused to 
hire the individual pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section.


Sec.  111.135   Duty to maintain privacy and confidentiality of pilot 
records.

    Each person authorized to access the database for purposes of 
retrieving information pertaining to an individual pilot candidate must 
take action to protect the privacy of any individual whose records are 
accessed in the database and adequately secure in a normal course of 
business the confidentiality of such records retrieved from the 
database.


Sec.  111.140  FAA Records.

    No air carrier or participating operator may permit an individual 
to begin service as a flight crewmember unless the air carrier or 
operator's responsible person has accessed and evaluated all relevant 
information pertaining to the following FAA records included in the 
PRD:
    (a) Records related to current pilot and medical certificate 
information, including associated type ratings and information on any 
limitations to those certificates and ratings.
    (b) Records maintained by the Administrator concerning any failed 
attempt of an individual to pass a practical test required to obtain a 
certificate or type rating under part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations.
    (c) Records related to enforcement actions resulting in a finding 
by the Administrator of a violation of Title 49 of the United States 
Code or a regulation prescribed or order issued under that title that 
was not subsequently overturned.
    (d) Records related to an individual acting as pilot in command or 
second in command during an aviation accident or incident.
    (e) Records related to pre-employment and other Department of 
Transportation modal Administration drug and alcohol testing including:
    1. Verified positive drug tests;
    2. Alcohol tests resulting in a confirmed breath alcohol 
concentration of 0.04 or greater; and
    3. Refusals to submit to drug or alcohol tests.

Subpart C--Reporting of Records by Air Carriers and Operators


Sec.  111.200   Applicability.

    This subpart prescribes the requirements for reporting records on 
individuals employed as pilots and applies to the following persons:
    (a) Each person that holds an air carrier or operating certificate 
issued in accordance with part 119 of this chapter and is authorized to 
conduct operations under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter;
    (b) Each person that conducts air tour operations pursuant to a 
letter of authorization issued in accordance with Sec.  91.147 of this 
chapter;
    (c) Each person that conducts operations pursuant to a fractional 
ownership program authorized in accordance with subpart K of part 91 of 
this chapter;
    (d) Each person that conducts operations with a corporate flight 
department, as defined in this part, pursuant to the general operating 
and flight rules in part 91 of this chapter;
    (e) Each person that conducts operations of public aircraft; and
    (f) The trustee in bankruptcy of an air carrier or operator 
described in this paragraph.


Sec.  111.205   General.

    (a) Each air carrier and operator must report the information 
required by this subpart for an individual employed as a pilot 
beginning on the PRD date of hire for that individual.
    (b) Each air carrier and operator must report the following 
information for each individual employed as a pilot:
    (1) All relevant records described in Sec. Sec.  111.215 through 
111.240 generated by the air carrier or other operator on or after 
[DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]; 
and
    (2) The historical records addressed in Sec.  111.265.
    (c) No person may enter, or cause to be entered, into the database 
any information covered in Sec.  111.245.


Sec.  111.210   Format for reporting information.

    Each air carrier and other operator must report to the database all 
records required by this subpart for each individual employed as a 
pilot in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator.


Sec.  111.215   Drug and alcohol testing records.

    (a) Each air carrier and other operator required to comply with 
part 120 of this chapter must report to the database the following 
records concerning drug and alcohol testing for each individual pilot 
employed by that air carrier or other operator in the form and manner 
prescribed by the Administrator:
    (1) Records concerning drug testing, including--
    (i) Any drug test result verified positive, adulterated, 
substituted, or

[[Page 17717]]

otherwise non-negative by a Medical Review Officer, which must be 
retained by the Medical Review Officer and employer in accordance with 
Sec.  120.111(a)(1) of this chapter;
    (ii) Any refusal to submit to drug testing, which must be retained 
by the employer in accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a)(1)(iii); and
    (iii) All follow-up drug test results, verified by a Medical Review 
Officer, which must be retained by the Medical Review Officer and 
employer in accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a)(1)(v).
    (2) Records concerning alcohol testing, including--
    (i) A test result with a confirmed breath alcohol concentration of 
0.04 or greater, which must be retained by the employer in accordance 
with Sec.  120.219(a)(2)(i)(B) of this chapter;
    (ii) Any result pertaining to an occurrence of on-duty alcohol use, 
pre-duty alcohol use, or alcohol use following an accident, which must 
be retained by the employer in accordance with Sec.  120.219 
(a)(2)(i)(B) of this chapter;
    (iii) Any refusal to submit to alcohol testing, which must be 
retained by the employer in accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a)(1)(iii); 
and
    (iv) All follow-up alcohol test results, which must be retained by 
the employer in accordance with 49 CFR 40.333(a)(1)(v).
    (b) Each drug or alcohol test result that must be reported to the 
database in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section must include 
the following information in the form and manner prescribed by the 
Administrator:
    (1) The type of test administered;
    (2) The date the test was administered; and
    (3) The result of the test.


Sec.  111.220   Training, qualification and proficiency records.

    (a) Each air carrier and other operator must report to the PRD in a 
form and manneracceptable to the Administrator, the following records 
for each individual employed as a pilot:
    (1) Records documenting an individual's compliance with FAA-
required training, qualifications, and proficiency events, which are 
kept pursuant to Sec. Sec.  91.1027(a)(3), 121.683, 125.401 or 
135.63(a)(4) of this chapter, as applicable, including any comments and 
evaluations made by a check pilot; and
    (2) Other records the air carrier maintains documenting an 
individual's compliance with FAA or employer-required training, 
checking, testing, currency, proficiency, or other events related to 
pilot performance concerning the training, qualifications, proficiency, 
or professional competence of the individual, including any comments 
and evaluations made by a check pilot.
    (b) No person may report any of the following information for 
inclusion in the database:
    (1) Records related to flight time, duty time and rest time.
    (2) Records demonstrating compliance with physical examinations or 
any other protected medical records.
    (3) Records documenting aeronautical experience.
    (4) Records identified in Sec.  111.245.
    (c) Each record reported to the PRD in accordance with paragraph 
(a) of this section must include all of the following information in 
the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator:
    (1) Date of the event;
    (2) Aircraft type;
    (3) Duty position of the pilot;
    (4) Training program approval part and subpart of this title, as 
applicable;
    (5) Crewmember training/qualification curriculum and category as 
reflected in either a FAA-approved or employer-mandated training 
program;
    (6) Result of the event (satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and, if 
unsatisfactory, a brief comment explaining the basis for the 
unsatisfactory result); and
    (7) Comments of check pilot, if applicable under subpart K of part 
91, part 121, part 125, or part 135 of this chapter.


Sec.  111.225  Final disciplinary action records.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each air 
carrier and other operator must report to the database, in a form and 
manner acceptable to the Administrator, any final disciplinary action 
record pertaining to pilot performance with respect to an individual 
employed as a pilot.
    (b) No person may report to the database any record of disciplinary 
action that was subsequently overturned as a result of any one of the 
following:
    (1) A settlement agreement between the employer and the pilot or 
the pilot's representative;
    (2) The official decision or order of any panel or individual given 
authority to review employment disputes, or by any court of law; or
    (3) Other mutual agreement of the employer and the pilot.
    (c) Whenever an air carrier or other operator receives notice that 
any disciplinary action record, which has been reported to the database 
under paragraph (a) of this section, was overturned, the air carrier or 
other operator must request a correction to the pilot's PRD record in 
accordance with Sec.  111.255.
    (d) Each final disciplinary action record that must be reported to 
the database in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section must 
include the following information in the form and manner prescribed by 
the Administrator:
    (1) The type of disciplinary action taken by the employer, 
including written warning, suspension, or termination;
    (2) The date the corrective action occurred; and
    (3) A brief summary of the event resulting in corrective action.


Sec.  111.230  Records concerning separation of employment.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each air 
carrier and other operator must report to the PRD, in a form and manner 
acceptable to the Administrator, the following records for each 
individual employed as a pilot:
    (1) Records concerning release from employment kept pursuant to 
Sec. Sec.  91.1027(a)(3), 121.683, 125.401 or 135.63(a)(4) of this 
chapter; and
    (2) Records pertaining to pilot performance kept concerning a 
release from employment or resignation, termination or professional 
disqualification with respect to employment for each pilot that it 
employs.
    (b) No person may report to the database any record regarding 
separation from employment that has been overturned as a result of any 
one of the following:
    (1) A settlement agreement between the employer and the pilot;
    (2) The official decision or order of any panel or individual given 
authority to review employment disputes, or by any court of law; or
    (3) Other mutual agreement of the employer and the pilot.
    (c) Whenever an air carrier or other operator receives notice that 
any separation from employment record, which has been reported to the 
database under paragraph (a) of this section, was overturned, the air 
carrier or other operator must request a correction to the pilot's PRD 
record in accordance with Sec.  111.255.
    (d) Each separation from employment action record that must be 
reported to the database in accordance with paragraph (a) of this 
section must include the following information in the form and manner 
prescribed by the Administrator:
    (4) The type of separation from employment, which could include: 
resignation, termination, physical (medical) disqualification, 
professional disqualification, furlough, extended leave, or retirement;

[[Page 17718]]

    (5) The date of separation from employment; and
    (6) For termination or professional disqualification, a brief 
summary of the event resulting in separation from employment.


Sec.  111.240   Verification of motor vehicle driving record search and 
evaluation.

    (a) Each air carrier or participating operator subject to the 
requirements of subpart B of this part must report to the PRD, in a 
form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, verification that the 
requirements in Sec.  111.110 have been met.
    (b) No person may report any substantive information from the state 
driving records pertaining to any individual obtained in accordance 
with Sec.  111.110 for inclusion in the PRD.


Sec.  111.245   Special rules for protected records.

    No person may report any pilot record for inclusion in the PRD that 
pertains to a safety event, that was reported by any individual as part 
of an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) or any other approved 
Voluntary Safety Reporting Program for which the FAA has designated 
reported information as protected in accordance with part 193 of this 
chapter.


Sec.  111.250  Duty to report records promptly.

    (a) Except as provided in Sec.  111.260 and subpart E for reporting 
historical records to the PRD, all records created on or after [DATE 1 
YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER] and required 
to be reported to the database under this subpart must be reported to 
the PRD promptly.
    (b) For purposes of this section, a record will be considered as 
having been reported promptly if the record is submitted to the FAA 
within the following timeframe for the type of record submitted--
    (1) PRD Hire Date. Within 30 days of the PRD Hire Date.
    (2) Date Individual Begins Service as a Pilot. Within 30 days of 
beginning service.
    (3) Training, Qualification and Proficiency Records. Within 30 days 
of record creation.
    (4) Drug and Alcohol Testing. Notwithstanding the requirements of 
Sec. Sec.  120.113(d)(3) and 120.221(c), within 30 days of the 
following, as applicable:
    (i) The date a drug test result is verified by the Medical Review 
Officer;
    (ii) The date an alcohol test result is confirmed by the Breath 
Alcohol Technician; or
    (iii) The date of the refusal to submit to testing.
    (5) Disciplinary Actions.
    (i) Each air carrier and other operator must report records of 
final disciplinary actions no later than 30 days after the disciplinary 
action is considered final under Sec.  111.225.
    (ii) If any final disciplinary action is overturned after the 
information has been reported to the PRD, the air carrier or other 
operator must submit a request for correction in accordance with Sec.  
111.255 within 10 days after the disciplinary action is overturned.
    (6) Release from Employment.
    (i) Each air carrier and other operator must report any release 
from employment or resignation, termination, or disqualification with 
respect to employment of an individual no later than 30 days after the 
date of release from employment.
    (ii) If any decision regarding release from employment is 
overturned after the information has been reported to the PRD, the air 
carrier or other operator must submit a request for correction in 
accordance with Sec.  111.255 within 10 days after the decision to 
reinstate the pilot.
    (7) Verification of Motor Vehicle Driving Record Search and 
Evaluation. Within 45 days of PRD Date of Hire.
    (8) Other Records Pertaining to Pilot Performance. Within 30 days 
of record creation.


Sec.  111.255  Requests for correction of reported information.

    (a) An air carrier or other operator that discovers an error or 
inaccuracy in information previously reported to the PRD must submit a 
request for correction in a form and manner acceptable to the 
Administrator.
    (b) Requests for correction must be submitted to the database 
within 30 days of discovering the error or inaccurate information.


Sec.  111.260   Direct disputes.

    (a) Each air carrier or other operator that employs pilots must 
have a documented process for resolving disputes with respect to 
information documented in the PRD.
    (b) Each air carrier and other operator that employs pilots must 
respond in a reasonable amount of time to any dispute made by an 
individual which it has employed as a pilot with respect to information 
documented in the PRD.
    (c) Each air carrier and other operator must conduct a reasonable 
investigation of any dispute made by an individual pilot in accordance 
with paragraph (a) of this section and Sec.  111.320.
    (d) The resolution of any dispute made by an individual pilot in 
accordance with paragraph (a) of this section and Sec.  111.320 must be 
documented in the PRD by the air carrier or other operator.


Sec.  111.265  Historical record reporting.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each 
person subject to the provisions of this subpart must comply with the 
requirements in subpart E of this part regarding continued compliance 
with PRIA and reporting of historical records to the PRD.
    (b) Persons conducting operations of a corporate aircraft fleet 
pursuant to the general operating and flight rules in part 91 of this 
chapter are not required to comply with this section or subpart E of 
this part.


Sec.  111.270   Reporting by trustee in bankruptcy.

    (a) If any air carrier or other operator subject to the 
requirements of this part files a petition for protection under the 
Federal bankruptcy laws, the trustee appointed by the bankruptcy court 
must comply with all reporting requirements of subpart C and subpart E 
of this part applicable to the air carrier or other operator.
    (b) The air carrier or other operator may delegate its authority to 
the trustee appointed by the bankruptcy court to access the database on 
its behalf in accordance with Sec.  111.20 or the trustee may submit an 
application to the FAA requesting access to the database consistent 
with the requirements of Sec.  111.15.

Subpart D--Pilot Access and Responsibilities


Sec.  111.300   Applicability.

    This subpart applies to:
    (a) Any individual who holds an airline transport or commercial 
pilot certificate under part 61 of this chapter or a remote pilot 
certificate under part 107 of this chapter; or
    (b) Any individual who is employed as a pilot by an operator of a 
public aircraft.


Sec.  111.305  Application for database access.

    (a) Any pilot may request electronic access to the PRD by 
submitting an application to the FAA in the form and manner acceptable 
to the Administrator for one or more of the following purposes:
    (1) To review and obtain a copy of his or her own comprehensive PRD 
record;
    (2) To give consent to a particular air carrier or participating 
operator to access his or her comprehensive PRD record; or
    (3) To exercise any other privileges provided by this part.

[[Page 17719]]

    (b) The application required in paragraph (a) of this section must 
include, at a minimum, the following information as well as any 
additional information that may be requested by the Administrator in 
order to verify the identity of the pilot requesting access to the 
database:
    (1) The pilot's full name as it appears on his or her pilot 
certificate;
    (2) The pilot's FAA-issued certificate number;
    (3) A current U.S. mailing address and telephone number; and
    (4) A valid electronic mail address.
    (c) The application required in paragraph (a) of this section must 
be submitted at least 7 days before the pilot seeks to access the PRD 
for any authorized purpose.
    (d) Credentials issued by the FAA to any pilot based on application 
submitted in accordance with this section are subject to renewal, 
cancellation, and denial of access by the Administrator in accordance 
with Sec.  111.25.


Sec.  111.310   Written consent.

    (a) Before any air carrier or participating operator may access an 
individual's records in the PRD for purposes of retrieving information 
for compliance with subpart B of this part, the individual must apply 
for access to the PRD in accordance with Sec.  111.305 and provide 
written consent to the FAA, in the form and manner acceptable to the 
Administrator, that authorizes the Administrator to release his or her 
records maintained in the database to the particular air carrier or 
participating operator.
    (b) Before any air carrier or participating operator may submit a 
request to the NDR for an individual's motor vehicle driving record for 
purposes of compliance with Sec.  111.110, the individual must provide 
written consent to the air carrier or participating operator in the 
form and manner acceptable to the Administrator.


Sec.  111.315  Pilot right of review.

    (a) Once a pilot has been issued credentials by the FAA to access 
the PRD based on an approved application submitted to the FAA in 
accordance with Sec.  111.305, the pilot may access the database at any 
time to review all records pertaining to him or her that have been 
reported to the PRD (including airman certification information 
reported by the Administrator) and to submit the written consent 
required in accordance with Sec.  111.310(a).
    (b) Any pilot who submits written consent to an air carrier or 
other operator in accordance with Sec.  111.310(b) may request a copy 
of any State motor vehicle driving records obtained by the prospective 
employer in accordance with Sec.  111.110. The prospective employer 
must provide a response within 30 days of receiving the pilot's 
request.


Sec.  111.320  Reporting errors and requesting corrections.

    (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement, the 
Administrator, upon receipt of written request from an individual must 
provide the individual with a reasonable opportunity to submit written 
comments to correct any inaccuracies contained in the records.
    (b) Any pilot who identifies an error or inaccuracy in his or her 
records maintained in the PRD must submit a notice and request for 
correction to the person that reported the erroneous information to the 
PRD. If the information disputed was reported by an air carrier or 
other operator, the dispute must be made with that person in accordance 
with the person's established policies and procedures required in 
accordance with Sec.  111.255.
    (c) Any pilot who identifies an error or inaccuracy in his or her 
FAA data in the database must report the error or inaccuracy to the FAA 
in the form and manner acceptable to the Administrator consistent with 
the requirements of the Privacy Act.
    (d) If a pilot believes a particular record reported to the PRD by 
any person that has employed the individual or reported by the 
Administrator is erroneous or inaccurate, the pilot may request, in the 
form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, that the Administrator 
enter a notation into the individual's PRD record indicating that 
certain information pertaining to the individual in the database has 
been disputed by the pilot.

Subpart E--Compliance With PRIA--Transition to PRD


Sec.  111.400  Applicability.

    (a) This subpart addresses the continuing obligations of air 
carriers and other operators subject to the requirements of PRIA, and 
identified in paragraph (b) of this section, until full compliance has 
been achieved with subparts A through C of this part by each air 
carrier and other operator.
    (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, this 
subpart applies to the following persons:
    (1) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations under 
part 121 of this chapter;
    (2) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations under 
part 135 of this chapter;
    (3) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations under 
part 125 of this chapter;
    (4) Each person that conducts air tour operations pursuant to a 
letter of authorization issued in accordance with Sec.  91.147 of this 
chapter;
    (5) Each person that conducts operations pursuant to a fractional 
ownership program approved in accordance with subpart K of part 91 of 
this chapter;
    (6) Each person that conducts public aircraft operations; and
    (7) The trustee in bankruptcy of any air carrier or other operator 
described in this paragraph.
    (c) This subpart does not apply to any new entrant air carrier or 
other operator that initiates aircraft operations on or after [DATE 2 
YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER].


Sec.  111.405  Continued compliance with PRIA required.

    Until [DATE 2 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN 
FEDERAL REGISTER], each air carrier or other operator described in 
Sec.  111.400(b) must continue to make a good faith effort to comply 
with all applicable requirements of PRIA at 49 U.S.C. 44703(h).


Sec.  111.410   Duty to request and evaluate records.

    (a) Until [DATE 2 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE 
IN FEDERAL REGISTER], each air carrier must make a good faith effort to 
request and receive records in accordance with the requirements of PRIA 
at 49 U.S.C. 44703(h) if the historical records pertaining to the 
pilot's previous employment with an entity are not available in the 
PRD.
    (b) Once the records have been obtained in accordance with 
paragraph (a) of this section, the air carrier or other operator must 
evaluate the records before allowing any individual to begin service as 
a pilot.


Sec.  111.415   Duty to furnish records.

    Until [DATE 2 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN 
FEDERAL REGISTER], at the request of a hiring air carrier and with the 
prior written consent of the pilot applicant, each air carrier and 
other operator must furnish to the hiring air carrier any records 
maintained in accordance with PRIA under 49 U.S.C. 44703(h), which have 
not been reported to the PRD pursuant to Sec.  111.265.

[[Page 17720]]

Sec.  111.420  Duty to report historical records to PRD.

    (a) Air carriers must report to the PRD all historical records kept 
in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 44703(h)(4), dating from August 1, 2005, 
up to [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER] 
in the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator.
    (b) Operators employing pilots, except as provided in paragraph (c) 
of this section, must report to the PRD all historical records kept in 
accordance with 49 U.S.C. 44703(h)(4), dating from August 1, 2010 up to 
[DATE 1 YEAR AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER] in 
the form and manner prescribed by the Administrator.
    (c) Persons conducting operations pursuant to the general operating 
and flight rules in part 91 of this chapter are not required to comply 
with this section.
    (d) All historical records required to be reported to the PRD in 
accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section must be reported 
to the PRD no later than [DATE 2 YEARS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL RULE 
IN FEDERAL REGISTER].
    (e) All historical records required to be reported to the FAA for 
inclusion in the PRD in accordance with paragraph (a) and (b) of this 
section must be maintained by the air carrier or other operator for at 
least five years after the records have been reported to the PRD, 
notwithstanding other applicable rules or regulations pertaining to 
retention of such records.


Sec.  111.425   Discontinued compliance with PRIA.

    Beginning on [DATE 2 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF FINAL 
RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER], air carriers or other operators employing 
pilots may no longer comply with the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 44703(h). 
Exclusive compliance with Subparts A-D of Part 111 is required.


Sec.  111.430   Expiration of subpart.

    This subpart sunsets on [DATE 7 YEARS AND 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION 
OF FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER].

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

0
5. The authority citation for part 121 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40119, 
41706, 42301 preceding note added by Pub. L. 112-95, sec. 412, 126 
Stat. 89, 44101, 44701-44702, 44705, 44709-44711, 44713, 44716-
44717, 44722, 44729, 44732; 46105; Pub. L. 111-216, 124 Stat. 2348 
(49 U.S.C. 44701 note); Pub. L. 112-95 126 Stat 62 (49 U.S.C. 44732 
note).

0
6. Amend Sec.  121.683 by adding new paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  121.683   Crewmember and dispatcher record.

* * * * *
    (d) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations in 
accordance with this part is subject to the Pilot Records Database 
requirements applicable to air carriers in part 111 of this chapter and 
must achieve compliance in accordance with the applicable timelines in 
that part.

PART 125--CERTIFICATION AND OPERATIONS: AIRPLANES HAVING A SEATING 
CAPACITY OF 20 OR MORE PASSENGERS OR A MAXIMUM PAYLOAD CAPACITY OF 
6,000 POUNDS OR MORE; AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH 
AIRCRAFT

0
7. The authority citation for part 125 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 44701-44702, 44705, 
44710-44711, 44713, 44716-44717, 44722.

0
8. Amend Sec.  125.401 by adding new paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  125.401   Crewmember record.

* * * * *
    (d) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations in 
accordance with this part is subject to the Pilot Records Database 
requirements applicable to operators that employ pilots in part 111 of 
this chapter and must achieve compliance in accordance with the 
applicable timelines in that part.

PART 135--OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: COMMUTER AND ON DEMAND OPERATIONS 
AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT

0
9. The authority citation for part 135 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113,41706, 44701-44702, 
44705, 44709, 44711-44713, 44715-44717, 44722, 44730, 45101-45105; 
Pub. L. 112-95, 126 Stat. 58 (49 U.S.C. 44730).

0
10. Amend Sec.  135.63 by adding paragraphs (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  135.63   Recordkeeping requirements.

* * * * *
    (e) Each certificate holder authorized to conduct operations in 
accordance with this part is subject to the Pilot Records Database 
requirements applicable to air carriers in part 111 of this chapter and 
must achieve compliance in accordance with the applicable timelines in 
that part.

    Issued under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g) 
44701(a), and 44703 in Washington, DC, on March 3, 2020.
Rick Domingo,
Executive Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-04751 Filed 3-27-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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