8-4 advanced meteorology for air carrier operations, icing/deicing procedures and processes, and extreme weather and flight regimes.
8.4.4 Module 4: Transport category aircraft automation and autoflight systems, including normal and non-normal operations.
8.4.5 Modules 5 and 6: Turbine aircraft systems and operations in normal and non-normal environments.
8.5 Phase IV: Aircraft-Specific Training.
8.5.1 Ground and Flight Training. An EQP must include an aircraft-specific training program developed by the air carrier as part of the curriculum. This program must comply with 14 CFR part 61 subpart B and resemble a type rating training curriculum. It must include aircraft ground and flight training and culminate in a maneuver evaluation that incorporates elements of a type rating practical test.
Note: Phase IV of an EQP curriculum must be accomplished in the same type aircraft as used in Phase V.
8.5.2 Training Modules. At the air carrier’s discretion, an actual type rating practical test resulting in the issuance of a type rating for the specific aircraft may replace the maneuvers evaluation. Regardless of whether the program contains a maneuvers evaluation or type rating practical test, the objective remains the same: to ensure the eligible pilot has a thorough understanding and working knowledge of transport category aircraft to include, but not limited to, automation and autoflight systems. The modules include:
8.5.2.1 Module 1: Transport category aircraft automation and autoflight systems, including normal and non-normal operations.
8.5.2.2 Module 2: Turbine aircraft systems and operations in normal and non-normal environments.
8.5.2.3 Module 3: Maneuvers evaluation. This training culminates with the eligible pilot successfully completing a maneuvers evaluation incorporating the elements of an FAA Type Rating Practical Test. At the option of the air carrier, the evaluation may include an actual FAA Type Rating Practical Test.
Note: The eligible pilot must successfully complete the aircraft-specific training curriculum to move to Phase V unless Phases IV and V are combined.
8.6 Phase V: Air-Carrier-Specific Training.
8.6.1 Air-Carrier-Specific Procedures. An EQP must include air-carrier-specific training as part of its curriculum. This program must incorporate air-carrier-specific procedures aligned with objectives and learning standards outlined in the modules of this section. The training may only be delivered to eligible pilots who have completed Phases I through IV
8-5 and passed the ATP-Multiengine Airplane Knowledge Test unless Phases IV and V are combined.
Note: Phase V of an EQP curriculum must be accomplished in the same type aircraft as used in Phase IV.
8.6.2 Training Modules. The program must feature instruction on air carrier checklist usage and SOPs. It must also include aircraft-specific training conducted in appropriate flight simulation training devices (FSTD) that represent the specific aircraft type. This training must integrate CRM and scenario-based training to ensure thorough preparation for air carrier operations. The modules include:
8.6.2.1 Module 1: Specific air carrier’s operations, policies, procedures, SOPs, and safety programs, including aircraft-specific operations.
8.6.2.2 Modules 2 and 3: Module 2 completes the aircraft-specific training, and the eligible pilot should be capable of successfully completing a practical test required of an ATP Type Rating while also meeting the specific air carrier’s requirements. At the option of the air carrier, Module 3 may include an actual FAA Type Rating Practical Test.
8.6.2.3 Module 4: Line-Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) and Line-Operational Simulations (LOS).
Note 1: The air carrier may elect to combine Phases IV and V of an EQP curriculum.
Note 2: At the completion of Phase V, the pilot may complete operational familiarization consisting of two flight segments conducted under domestic or flag operations at the 14 CFR part 121 air carrier if authorized under 14 CFR § 121.547.
9-1 CHAPTER 9. TRANSFERABILITY
9.1 Credit Transfer.
9.1.1 Transfer of credit for previously completed EQP phases is at the discretion of the air carrier providing subsequent training. If a pilot is eligible to transfer credit for an EQP phase or phases previously completed at another air carrier, the administering air carrier may still choose to readminister those phases. Additionally, the air carrier may conduct further testing or require the pilot to review the content before accepting the transfer of credit.
9.1.2 An EQP is designed to be a concentrated and immersive training program. Training delivered with minimal gaps fosters better learning and skill development. To ensure adequate retention of content, all required EQP phases must be completed within 24 months regardless of whether the pilot completes the EQP under a single air carrier’s program.
9.2 Limitations. Transferability of the EQP curriculum:
9.2.1 Phase I: Pilot Assessment. Each EQP must include a module to assess each pilot prior to entry. However, at the air carrier’s discretion, the pilot assessment from another EQP provider may be accepted and used to satisfy the Phase I module.
9.2.2 Phase II: Review/Introduction to Air Carrier Concepts. An air carrier may accept transfer credit for Phase II if the eligible pilot has successfully completed it within the previous 12 months under another EQP. The transferability may be conditioned on a review or testing of Phase II content.
9.2.3 Phase III: Non-Air-Carrier-Specific Academic/Practical Training. An air carrier may accept transfer credit for Phase III if the eligible pilot successfully completed it within the previous 12 months under another EQP. The air carrier may require review or testing of Phase III content as a condition for acceptance.
9.2.4 Phase IV: Aircraft-Specific Training. An air carrier may accept transfer credit for Phase IV if the eligible pilot completed it within the previous 12 months in a transport category aircraft used by a U.S. air carrier under another EQP. The aircraft type must be the same as the type used to complete Phase V of an EQP. The air carrier may require review or testing of Phase IV content as a condition for acceptance.
9.2.5 Phase V: Air-Carrier-Specific Training. Phase V is not transferable. Each air carrier must administer Phase V to eligible pilots regardless of previous completion under another EQP. If Phases IV and V are combined, the combined training is also nontransferable.
The aircraft type must be the same as the type used to complete Phase IV of an EQP.
9-2 Table 9-1. EQP Credit Transferability EQP Curriculum Phase/Component Transferable Not Transferable Phase I: Pilot Assessment X Phase II: Review/Introduction to Air Carrier Concepts X Phase III: Non-Air-Carrier-Specific Academic/Practical Training X Phase IV: Aircraft-Specific Training X* Phase V: Air-Carrier-Specific Training X FAA ATP-Multiengine Airplane Knowledge Test X Type Rating (if included by air carrier) X * Transferable only if the air carrier does not combine Phases IV and V. If Phases IV and V are combined, neither are transferable.
Appendix A A-1 APPENDIX A. SAMPLE EQP LETTER Sample Letter of Certification from the Principal Operations Inspector (POI) to the Air Carrier February 1, 2025 Mr. Sam A. Frost Director of Operations Transcon Express, Inc.
6 Old School Rd.
Utica, NY 12158 Dear Mr. Frost, After a thorough review of your submission on [01/20/2025] of Transcon Express, Inc.’s Enhanced Qualification Program, the Administrator finds this program to meet all certification requirements as set forth in Advisory Circular (AC) 120-127, Enhanced Qualification Program.
Please retain a copy of this letter for your record.
Sincerely, Jon M. Smith Principal Operations Inspector Northeast CMO
OMB Control Number: 2120-0746 Expiration Date:12/31/2027 Advisory Circular Feedback Form Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0746. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 20 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering, and maintaining the data needed, completing, and reviewing the collection of information.
All responses to this collection of information are voluntary. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
If you find an error in this Advisory Circular, have recommendations for improving it, or have suggestions for new items/subjects to be added, you may let us know by emailing this form to the Air Transportation Division at 9-AFS-200-Correspondence@faa.gov or the Flight Standards Directives Management Officer at 9-AWA-AFB-120-Directives@faa.gov.
Subject: AC 120-127, Enhanced Qualification Program Date: _____________________ Please mark all appropriate line items:
☐ An err or (procedural or typographical) has been noted in paragraph ____________ on page _______.
☐ Recommend paragraph _____________ on page __________ be changed as follows:
☐ In a future change to this AC, please cover the following subject:
(Briefly describe what you want added.)
☐ Other comments:
☐ I would like to discuss the above. Please contact me using the information below.
Submitted by: Date: ______________________ FAA 1320-73 (01/25) SUPERSEDES PREVIOUS EDITIONS