Darren Smith, Flight Instructor, CFI Homepage

The volume of emails has increase dramatically over the last month. Of the full number of email requests I got in July and part of August, 19% of the emails were questions about rumors of changes to part 91, part 61, etc etc. So I figured some research was in order to help the readers of this website understand the scope of the proposed changes. Please note, these are ONLY proposals. They have not become rule. The following was published today (8/31/2009) in the Federal Register.

Proposed Changes to Part 61
§ 61.1(b)(3) This is a proposal to revise the definition of ‘‘complex airplane’’ to include airplanes equipped with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and move it from § 61.31(e) to § 61.1(b)(3).

The FAA proposes to revise the definition of ‘‘complex airplane’’ to include airplanes that are equipped with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system consisting of a digital computer and associated accessories for controlling both the engine and propeller with a single lever control. Airplanes equipped with a retractable landing
gear, flaps, and a FADEC system meet the definition of a ‘‘complex airplane’’ and may be used for the training and practical test to meet the ‘‘complex airplane’’ requirement for the airplane single-engine and multi-engine land ratings at the commercial pilot certification and flight instructor certification.

§ 61.58(a)(1) & (2) and (d)(1)–(4) This is a proposal to require a § 61.58 PIC proficiency check for PICs of single piloted, turbojet-powered airplanes.

§ 61.65(a)(1) This is a proposal to permit the application for and the issuance of an instrument rating
concurrently with a private pilot certificate for pilots.

The FAA proposes to revise § 61.65(a)(1) to allow applicants for a private pilot certificate and instrument rating to apply concurrently for the private pilot certificate with an instrument rating.

§ 61.71(c) This is a proposal to allow the conversion of a foreign pilot license to a U.S. pilot certificate based on an Implementation Procedure for Licensing (IPL) agreement.

§ 61.129(a)(3)(ii) Commercial pilot certificate, airplane single engine class rating—This is a proposal to replace the 10 hours of complex airplane aeronautical experience with 10 hours of advanced instrument training.

The FAA proposes to eliminate the requirement for 10 hours of aeronautical experience in a complex airplane in
§ 61.129(a)(3)(ii) and replace it with 10 hours of advanced instrument training in a single-engine airplane, or in a flight simulator, flight training device, or an aviation training device that replicates a single-engine airplane.

The training must include instrument approaches consisting of both precision and nonprecision approaches, holding at navigational radio stations, intersections, waypoints, and crosscountry flying that involve performing takeoff, area departure, enroute, area arrival, approach, and missed approach phases of flight.

The FAA proposes to revise the Commercial Pilot Certification—Airplane Single Engine (Land and Sea) rating because fewer single-engine airplanes are being produced with retractable landing gears. Manufacturers of general aviation airplanes now produce technologically advanced airplanes with ‘‘glass cockpits,’’ but which do not have retractable landing gears. Many pilot schools have complained about the necessity to keep 30-year old Cessna 172RGs and Piper Arrows in inventory, which are less technically advanced airplanes, for the sole purpose of providing 10 hours of complex airplane training.

§ 61.129(b)(3)(ii) Commercial pilot certificate, airplane multiengine class rating—This is a proposal to replace
the 10 hours of complex multiengine airplane aeronautical experience with 10 hours of advanced instrument training.

See discussion above.

Proposed Change to Part 91
§ 91.109(a) and (b)(3) This is a proposal to expand the use of airplanes with a single, functioning throwover control
wheel for providing expanded flight training. This proposal parallels the long standing grants of exemptions that the FAA has issued to many petitioners for use with certain airplanes with a single, functioning throwover control wheel.

The FAA proposes to revise § 91.109(a) to allow for use of an airplane with a single, functioning throwover control wheel for conducting flight instruction. We also propose to revise § 91.109(b)(3) to allow for the use of an airplane with a single, functioning throwover control wheel for conducting a flight review, performing recent flight experience, instrument flight experience, and instrument competency checks.

Proposed Changes to Part 141
§ 141.45 This is a proposal to allow pilot schools and provisional pilot schools an exception to the requirement to have a ground training facility when the training course is an online, computer-based training program.

§ 141.55(c)(1) This is a proposal to allow pilot schools and provisional pilot schools an exception to the requirement to describe each room used for ground training when the training course is an online, computer-based training program.

Part 141, Appx D, para. 4.(b)(1)(ii) Commercial pilot certification course for an airplane single engine class rating—This is a proposal to replace the 10 hours of complex airplane training with 10 hours of advanced instrument training.