The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) has submitted its response and concerns to the FAA’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing the inclusion of a photo on every pilot certificate.
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA) of 2004 requires the FAA to issue new pilot licenses that include photographs. While NAFI supports the FAA’s efforts to comply with this act, the association’s officials believe the NPRM raised points with regard to logistics, requirements, and potential effects on flight training in the United States.
Advocating on behalf of NAFI’s membership within the flight-training industry, Executive Director Jason Blair spearheaded a nearly two-month initiative by a committee of members to carefully analyze the contents of the NPRM and its possible effects on flight training.
In its submission, NAFI noted that there are potential inconsistencies between the proposed rule changes and the law that Congress passed. Blair noted concern about the expedited nature of this NPRM due in part to Congressional pressure on the FAA. “The possible effects on student pilots and flight training cannot be overlooked,” he said.
One example includes a six- to eight-week delay between application and issuance of the photo certificate, which could unnecessarily prolong the time between when a student starts training and first solos, the first time they’d need that certificate. Currently, the cost-to-pilots estimates are inaccurate due to some regulatory flexibility allowed to the FAA, but NAFI objects to the need for pilots to re-apply every time they are issued a new certificate.
NAFI noted concern that the proposal could also require pilots to incur significant costs for certificates when they obtained multiple certificates in rapid succession during concentrated flight training. The association proposed that one possible solution would be to issue one “pilot identification certificate” that would be issued periodically (such as every eight years) and that would be accompanied by a traditional certificate that provides a pilot’s limitations and privileges.
The NPRM was ambiguous as to whether the proposed changes would apply to flight instructor certificates. NAFI advocated that CFI certificates be excluded from the photo requirement. Since a CFI certificate is only valid when accompanied by an appropriate pilot certificate, inclusion of a photograph on a CFI certificate would represent a duplicative requirement with no additional security benefit. Additionally, the CFI certificate currently requires renewal every two years, and adding a photo requirement would represent an increased and unnecessary burden and cost to the CFI community.
The impetus for the NPRM was the reaction of Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) to non-compliance by the FAA with laws passed in 2004 that gave the FAA a one-year deadline to implement the use of pilot licenses with photo identification and biometric identifiers, such as fingerprint data. Those laws, known as the “Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act” specifically outline the requirements and deadlines for the new certificates. Specifically, according to the rule, the licenses need to be tamper resistant, include a photo of the airman, and have the ability to accommodate biometrics. Shortly after issuing a memo to the heads of the FAA, TSA, and Homeland Security, the FAA responded with this NPRM.
NAFI’s comments can be viewed on the association’s website
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All of this overreaction to an enemy’s actions is placing very unnecessary constraints on daily living for all Americans. It totally ignores the basic truth that anyone can find a way to commit almost any crime if they are not concerned about getting away without being punished after the event is completed. There is no such thing an absolute security. This is a myth being touted by the security services and politicians to gain more control over the population. Anyone who wants to learn to fly can easily accomplish this by avoiding flight schools and flight instructors entirely and having any reasonably competent licensed pilot teach them the basics they need to know. The teacher does not even have to be an American. We would probably be surprised to learn how many unlicensed but reasonably capable persons have learned to fly but do not have a pilot’s certificate attesting to the fact. How many persons sing fantastically yet have never had a voice or singing coach? How many talented and successful businessmen have never gone to business school? Pick your skill and you can probably call someone to mind that can do better than many so called professionals. How about the cooking mothers? Just as a college degree does not make a person educated any more than a self taught but passionate student. Does anyone remember Abraham Lincoln?
We are making too much ado about happenings and , thereby, giving up our freedom in many areas.