Several general aviation advocacy groups have asked the FAA to extend the effective date for several exemptions or extensions for pilot medical certifications, training proficiency, and a host of other requirements contained in Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 118.
The relief package, which became effective April 30, 2020, with most extensions expiring June 30, 2020, provides regulatory relief for pilots to remain in compliance with several FAA mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a May 29 letter to FAA Associate Administration for Aviation Safety Ali Bahrami, the GA associations expressed gratitude to the FAA for the agency’s quick response to the compliance challenges caused by stay-at-home and other mandates resulting from COVID-19. While many states are lifting stay-at-home mandates, and businesses are beginning to reopen, some restrictions continue to negatively impact general aviation, the advocates advised.
To ensure general aviation can continue to play a vital role in COVID-19 response, management and recovery, the associations requested:
- An additional month of flexibility for pilots, operators, and certificate holders to comply with certain training, recent experience, testing and checking requirements provided in SFAR 118;
- Additional relief until Sept. 30 for duration, medical, and renewal requirements provided in SFAR 118, and;
- Relief for pilots, operators, and certificate holders facing expiring experience, testing, checking, duration, medical, and renewal requirements in July, August and September.
“The aviation community continues to move through an unprecedented and unpredictable period in our nation’s history,” the associations said in the letter. “The nation’s return to unrestricted movement and person-to-person contact is taking longer than expected. While government entities continue to progress through various stages of reopening, additional flexibility will allow airmen and examiners to abide by CDC and individual state recommendations, while stimulating the economy and moving medical and emergency supplies when needed. The current mitigations in SFAR 118 will continue to ensure the safety of these operations during this additional extension.”
“While states and businesses are reopening, we are still far from normal,” said Brian Koester, director of flight operations and regulations for the National Business Aviation Association, one of the groups signing the letter. “This extension will give pilots and operators an opportunity to meet training and proficiency requirements in a safe manner, and allow pilots to fill critical roles in COVID-19 recovery.”
Besides the NBAA, associations signing on to the letter include the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) and National Air Transportation Association (NATA).