AC 120-68J

Advisory circular · Pilot Records Database and Pilot Records Improvement Act

Approved
June 28, 2021
Last reviewed
August 15, 2024
Cancels
AC120-68H
Family
AC 120-68 · 10 versions
Revision
J
14 CFR parts
111, 119, 91, 125, 61, 107, 120, 121, 135, 110

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed November 21, 2025.

Show pages 78–89

Appendix A A-6 Table A-3. Part 121 Subpart Y Training Record Options Data Element Regulation Allow Evaluator’s Comments Task or Maneuver Which was Unsatisfactory or Incomplete Description Indoctrination Curriculum

121.911 N/A N/A The certificate holder’s policies and operating practices and general operational knowledge appropriate to the duty position.

Qualification Curriculum

121.913(b) N/A N/A Training, evaluation, and certification activities that are aircraft- and equipment-specific to qualify a person for a particular duty position on, or duties related to the operation of, a specific make, model, series, or variant aircraft.

Qualification Curriculum – Special Qualification Training

121.913 N/A N/A Training conducted by a certificate holder to qualify flightcrew members beyond the scope of basic training.

Qualification Curriculum – Systems Knowledge Validation

121.913 N/A N/A Assessment of an individual’s technical systems knowledge.

Qualification Curriculum – Maneuvers Validation

121.913 Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Validation of an individual’s proficiency in the execution of maneuvers.

Qualification Curriculum – Line Operational Evaluation

121.913(b) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete A means to evaluate a pilot’s proficiency in the performance of their duties in their assigned tasks in an operational setting.

Qualification Curriculum – Operating Experience

121.913(c) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Initial operating experience.

Appendix A A-7 Data Element Regulation Allow Evaluator’s Comments Task or Maneuver Which was Unsatisfactory or Incomplete Description Qualification Curriculum – Line Check

121.913(c) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete For flightcrew members: Initial line check.

Qualification Curriculum – Special Tracking

121.913(b)(4) N/A N/A When an air carrier has assigned a pilot to an augmented schedule of training, checking, or both.

Continuing Qualification Curriculum

121.915(a)(2)(ii) N/A N/A Training, evaluation, and certification activities that are aircraft- and equipment-specific to qualify a person for a particular duty position on, or duties related to the operation of, a specific make, model, series, or variant aircraft.

Continuing Qualification Curriculum – Special Qualification Training

121.915 No N/A Training conducted by a certificate holder to qualify flightcrew members beyond the scope of basic training.

Continuing Qualification Curriculum – Maneuvers Validation

121.915 Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Validation of an individual’s proficiency in the execution of maneuvers.

Continuing Qualification Curriculum – Line Operational Evaluation

121.915(b)(1)(i) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete A means to evaluate a pilot’s proficiency in the performance of their duties in their assigned tasks in an operational setting.

Continuing Qualification Curriculum – Line Check

121.915(b)(2)(i) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Line checks.

Appendix A A-8 Data Element Regulation Allow Evaluator’s Comments Task or Maneuver Which was Unsatisfactory or Incomplete Description Continuing Qualification Curriculum – Special Tracking

121.915(a) N/A N/A When an air carrier has assigned a pilot to an augmented schedule of training, checking, or both.

Secondary Curriculum – Transition

121.434 N/A N/A This curriculum is applicable for an employee who has been previously trained and qualified in a specific duty position by the certificate holder and is being assigned the same duty position on a different aircraft.

Secondary Curriculum – Conversion

121.434 N/A N/A This curriculum is for an employee who has been previously trained and qualified as an FE for the certificate holder and is being assigned as an SIC for the same aircraft type in which he or she was previously trained and qualified.

Secondary Curriculum – Upgrade

121.434 N/A N/A This curriculum is for an employee who has been previously trained and qualified as an SIC for the certificate holder and is being assigned as a PIC for the same aircraft type in which he or she was previously trained and qualified.

Secondary Curriculum – Requalification

121.915(e) N/A N/A The individual must be requalified under a secondary curriculum to resume serving in that duty position.

Secondary Curriculum – Refresher

121.434 N/A N/A This curriculum is for an individual who has not met the time requirements of consolidation.

Other Other Optional Optional A pilot training or performance record kept in accordance with §§ 121.683 and 121.415(g).

Appendix A A-9 Table A-4. Part 135 Training Record Options Data Element Regulation Allow Evaluator’s Comments Task or Maneuver Which was Unsatisfactory or Incomplete Description Initial Knowledge Test; Written/Oral

135.293(a) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Knowledge testing.

Recurrent Knowledge Test;

Written/Oral

135.293(a) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Knowledge testing.

Initial Competency Check

135.293(b) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Flight test to meet the currency requirements of § 135.293.

Recurrent Competency Check

135.293(b) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Flight test to meet the currency requirements of § 135.293.

Instrument Proficiency Check

135.297 Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Instrument proficiency check (IPC).

Initial Line Check 135.299 Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete A line check for the PIC.

Recurrent Line Check

135.299 Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete A line check for the PIC.

Initial Training 135.345,

135.347 N/A N/A The training required for crewmembers who have not qualified and served in the same capacity on an aircraft.

Transition Training

135.345,

135.347 N/A N/A The training required for crewmembers who have qualified and served in the same capacity on another aircraft.

Upgrade Training 135.345,

135.347 N/A N/A The training required for crewmembers who have qualified and served as SIC on a particular aircraft type, before they serve as PIC on that aircraft.

Appendix A A-10 Data Element Regulation Allow Evaluator’s Comments Task or Maneuver Which was Unsatisfactory or Incomplete Description Differences Training

135.345,

135.347 N/A N/A The training required for crewmembers who have qualified and served on a particular type aircraft, when the Administrator finds differences training is necessary before a crewmember serves in the same capacity on a particular variation of that aircraft.

Recurrent Training 135.351(b),

135.351(c) N/A N/A The training required for crewmembers to remain adequately trained and currently proficient for each aircraft, crewmember position, and type of operation in which the crewmember serves.

Requalification Training

135.321(a)(8) N/A N/A The training required for crewmembers previously trained and qualified, but who have become unqualified due to not having met within the required period.

Initial Crew Resource Management Training

135.330 N/A N/A Crew resource management training.

Recurrent Crew Resource Management Training

135.330 N/A N/A Crew resource management training.

Emergency Training

135.331 N/A N/A Each training program must provide emergency training under this section for each aircraft type, model, and configuration, each crewmember, and each kind of operation conducted, as appropriate for each crewmember and the certificate holder.

Other Other Optional Optional A pilot training or performance record kept in accordance with § 135.329(e).

Appendix A A-11 Table A-5. Part 125 Testing Record Options Data Element Regulation Allow Evaluator’s Comments Task or Maneuver Which was Unsatisfactory or Incomplete Description Initial Knowledge Test; Written/Oral

125.287(a) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Knowledge testing.

Recurrent Knowledge Test; Written/Oral

125.287(a) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Knowledge testing.

Initial Competency Check

125.287(b) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Flight test to meet the currency requirements of § 125.287(b).

Recurrent Competency Check

125.287(b) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Flight test to meet the currency requirements of § 125.287(b).

Instrument Proficiency Check

125.291 Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Testing requirements to meet the initial qualifications of a PIC for part 125 operations.

Other Other Optional Optional A pilot training or performance record kept in accordance with § 125.401.

Appendix A A-12 Table A-6. Part 91 Subpart K Fractional Ownership Operator’s Training Record Options Data Element Regulation Allow Evaluator’s Comments Task or Maneuver Which was Unsatisfactory or Incomplete Description Initial Training 91.1101,

91.1081(b) N/A N/A Initial training requirements to meet the initial qualifications of a pilot in part 91 subpart K operations.

Transition Training

91.1101,

91.1081(b) N/A N/A Training requirements to meet the transition qualifications of a pilot in part 91 subpart K operations.

Upgrade Training 91.1101,

91.1103 N/A N/A Training requirements to meet the upgrade qualifications of a pilot in part 91 subpart K operations.

Differences Training

91.1097(b)(4) N/A N/A Training requirements to meet the differences qualifications of a pilot in part 91 subpart K operations.

Recurrent Training 91.1107(b),

91.1107(c) N/A N/A Continuing training requirements to meet the qualifications of a pilot in part 91 subpart K operations.

Requalification Training

91.1063(d)(8) N/A N/A The training required for crewmembers previously trained and qualified, but who have become unqualified.

Initial Knowledge Test; Written/Oral

91.1065(a) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Training and testing requirements to meet the initial qualifications of a pilot in part 91 subpart K operations.

Initial Competency Check

91.1065(b) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Training and testing requirements to meet the initial qualifications of a pilot in part 91 subpart K operations.

Recurrent Knowledge Test;

Written/Oral

91.1065(a) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Training and testing requirements to meet the initial qualifications of a pilot in part 91 subpart K operations.

Recurrent Competency Check

91.1065(b) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Training and testing requirements to meet the initial qualifications of a pilot in part 91 subpart K operations.

Appendix A A-13 Data Element Regulation Allow Evaluator’s Comments Task or Maneuver Which was Unsatisfactory or Incomplete Description Instrument Proficiency Check;

Written/Oral

91.1069(d) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Training and testing requirements to meet the initial qualifications of a pilot in part 91 subpart K operations.

Instrument Proficiency Check

91.1069(d) Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete Training and testing requirements to meet the initial qualifications of a pilot in part 91 subpart K operations.

Emergency Training

91.1083 N/A N/A Emergency training in an approved training program.

Other Other Optional Optional A pilot training or performance record kept in accordance with § 91.1027.

Appendix A A-14 Table A-7. Public Use, Air Tour, and Corporate Operators Record Options Data Element Regulation Allow Evaluator’s Comments Task or Maneuver Which was Unsatisfactory or Incomplete Description Pilot-in-Command Proficiency Check

61.58 Yes Required if unsatisfactory or incomplete PIC proficiency check: Operation of an aircraft that requires more than one pilot flightcrew member or is turbojet powered.

Instrument Proficiency Check

61.57(d) N/A N/A A proficiency check used to reestablish instrument currency Initial Training N/A N/A N/A Initial ground/flight training Recurrent Training N/A N/A N/A Recurrent ground/flight training Other Other Optional Optional A pilot training or performance record kept by the operator

Appendix B B-1 APPENDIX B. DRUG AND ALCOHOL RECORDS Table B-1. Data Fields Data Element Description Reporting Entity Designator:

Designator (or PRD equivalent) of the air carrier or operator entering the record (automatically populates with assigned credential).

Reporting Entity Name: Name of the certificate holder or operator as it appears on the certificate or is otherwise recorded in the FAA records (automatically populates with assigned credential).

Other DOT Agency Entity Name*:

• This is the source of records that are reported to the FAA by employers regulated under another DOT agency where an individual worked as a pilot.

• [Text field] Regulating Agency (Non-FAA)*:

• FMCSA – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

• FRA – Federal Railroad Administration

• FTA – Federal Transit Administration

• PHMSA – Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration

• USCG – U.S. Coast Guard Pilot Certificate Number: Certificate number of the pilot receiving the action.

Pilot Last Name: Name of the pilot as it appears on their certificate.

Date of Test or Occurrence:

Date Record Type: Valid options:

• Drug Test

• Alcohol Misuse Report Type*: See Table B-2 (these options change based on selection above).

Type of Test*: See Table B-2 (these options change based on selection above).

* Some items identified in Table B-2 are only applicable to records being entered by the FAA.

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Appendix B B-2 Table B-2. Report Type Options (Record Type) Report Type Type of Test Options Description (Drug Test) Verified Positive Drug Test Result Random Record of a random drug test conducted in accordance with 14 CFR § 120.109(b) that was verified positive by the employer’s Medical Review Officer.

(Drug Test) Verified Positive Drug Test Result Post-Accident Record of a post-accident drug test conducted in accordance with 14 CFR § 120.109(c) that was verified positive by the employer’s Medical Review Officer.

(Drug Test) Verified Positive Drug Test Result Reasonable Cause Record of a reasonable cause drug test conducted in accordance with 14 CFR § 120.109(d) that was verified positive by the employer’s Medical Review Officer.

(Drug Test) Verified Positive Drug Test Result Return-to-Duty Record of a return-to-duty drug test conducted in accordance with 14 CFR § 120.109(e) that was verified positive by the employer’s Medical Review Officer.

(Drug Test) Verified Positive Drug Test Result Follow-Up Record of a follow-up drug test conducted in accordance with 14 CFR § 120.109(f) that was verified positive by the employer’s Medical Review Officer.

(Drug Test) Verified Positive Drug Test Result Pre-employment* Record of a pre-employment drug test conducted in accordance with 14 CFR § 120.109(a) that was verified positive by the employer’s Medical Review Officer.

(Drug Test) Verified Positive Drug Test Result Other DOT Agency Test (Non-FAA modes)* Record of a pilot that submitted to a DOT drug test conducted by an employer under another DOT agency regulation that is verified positive by the employer’s Medical Review Officer.

(Drug Test) Refusal to Submit to Drug Test Random Record of a refusal to submit to a random drug test required under 14 CFR § 120.109(b), including any conduct listed under 49 CFR § 40.191.

(Drug Test) Refusal to Submit to Drug Test Post-Accident Record of a refusal to submit to a post-accident drug test required under 14 CFR § 120.109(c), including any conduct listed under 49 CFR § 40.191.

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Appendix B B-3 (Record Type) Report Type Type of Test Options Description (Drug Test) Refusal to Submit to Drug Test Reasonable Cause Record of a refusal to submit to a reasonable cause drug test required under 14 CFR § 120.109(d), including any conduct listed under 49 CFR § 40.191.

(Drug Test) Refusal to Submit to Drug Test Return-to-Duty Record of a refusal to submit to a returnto-duty drug test required under 14 CFR § 120.109(e), including any conduct listed under 49 CFR § 40.191.

(Drug Test) Refusal to Submit to Drug Test Follow-Up Record of a refusal to submit to a followup drug test required under 14 CFR § 120.109(f), including any conduct listed under 49 CFR § 40.191.

(Drug Test) Refusal to Submit to Drug Test Pre-employment* Record of a refusal to submit to a preemployment drug test required under 14 CFR § 120.109(a), including any conduct listed under 49 CFR § 40.191.

(Drug Test) Refusal to Submit to Drug Test Other DOT Agency Test (Non-FAA modes)* Record of a pilot that refused to submit to a drug test required under another DOT agency regulation, including any conduct listed under 49 CFR § 40.191.

(Drug Test) Negative Drug Test Result Return-to-Duty Record of a return-to-duty drug test conducted in accordance with 14 CFR § 120.109(e) that was verified negative by the Medical Review Officer.

(Drug Test) Negative Drug Test Result Follow-Up Record of a follow-up drug test conducted in accordance with 14 CFR § 120.109(f) that was verified negative by the Medical Review Officer.

(Alcohol Misuse) Breath alcohol result at or above 0.04 Random Record of a random alcohol test conducted under 14 CFR § 120.217(c) and confirmed with a breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater.

(Alcohol Misuse) Breath alcohol result at or above 0.04 Post-Accident Record of a post-accident alcohol test conducted under 14 CFR § 120.217(b) and confirmed with a breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater.