25 The provider should identify appropriate reference materials that the presenter will use during the presentation. The provider should print an individual lesson plan for each core and elective topic, or unit of training, on its own page(s). The individual lesson plans will contain at least the following elements:
11.10.1 L esson or Module Title. In a practical sense, the lesson or module title section will be the title of the lesson or module unit of training. If the module contains more than a single topic, this section should identify (in broad terms) the topic(s) covered in that module.
11.10.2 Lesson Objective. The “Lesson Objective” section of a FIRC provider’s lesson plan should clearly specify the desired attendee learning outcomes and should be consistent with the objectives and subject matter elements of the particular module or unit of training. The FAA understands that in any session of training the presenter will offer a great deal of information, and that the attendee will not realistically be expected to memorize the material verbatim. The attendee should retain the bulk of the material and the key specific points presented. It is important to fully identify lesson objectives; be specific. As examples, two lesson objective descriptions are shown below; one inadequate, followed by a more acceptable example:
11.10.2.1 I nadequate Example. At the end of this lesson, the attendee will know about Crew Resource Management (CRM).
11.10.2.2 Adequate Example. At the completion of this lesson, the attendee will:
• Be able to describe the basic tenets of CRM and its importance to flight safety, including its applicability to training in technically advanced aircraft (TAA);
• Understand how CRM differs between single-pilot and two-pilot environments, and the attendee will have learned effective methods to teach cockpit management skills to their clients/students in the classroom and in the cockpit; including chart placement, note/clearance taking, and accessibility to alternate charts and flight information in the event the pilot must deviate to another airport; and
• Understand the importance of being able to effectively communicate this information to their clients/students in a clear and concise manner.
11.10.3 S ubject Matter . The subject matter portion of each lesson plan should offer an expanded discussion of the specific subject matter elements the presenter will teach in a particular module or unit of training, as identified in the “Module Objectives” section. This is not intended to be a comprehensive discussion. The subject matter elements presented in the FIRC provider’s lesson plan should make clear to the reviewer what the intent of the provider is regarding the subject matter and identify the principal knowledge components of the topic(s) that the provider intends to transfer to the attendee. The FAA is interested in the major points of information that the provider is offering the attendees in the specific topics for which they are approved. FIRC providers are required to present all of
26 the subject matter elements listed in its lesson plans during the delivery of its presentation and align those subject matter elements to its exam questions.
11.10.4 C ompletion Standards. The completion standards should state the observable or measurable level of knowledge and skills required of each attendee at the end of the course, module, or lesson. For example, the following statement, “The instructor attendee must score a minimum of 70 percent on each written examination given,” would combine both the observable and measurable levels of knowledge and skill. The provider may set the minimum standard higher if they wish; however, they may not reduce the standard below 70 percent. If the provider wishes to employ a nontraditional method of completion standard, they should contact the General Aviation and Commercial Division.
11.10.5 Testing Procedures. To meet TCO development standards, the provider should provide a description of the testing procedure used to measure the attendee’s proficiency. This discussion should identify and describe the form of test (e.g., individual paper tests handed out, tests presented on a screen, etc.). For example, “The attendee will answer a series of multiple choice questions related to this topic at the end of the day in which the topic was presented, and again in the final test at the end of the program. The test will be in printed form and handed to the applicant for completion.” This statement says that the provider will specifically test the applicant on this topic or module on two different occasions using a printed multiple choice format.
11.10.6 Testing Timeframe. Total testing time that may be credited toward the 16- hour FIRC minimum time requirement may not exceed a 1-hour cumulative period. The FIRC provider may allot additional testing time beyond the 16-hour minimum FIRC timeframe.
11.11 W ritten Test Questions. The FIRC provider will provide a comprehensive written test or test question pool with an answer key in the submitted TCO.
11.11.1 The provider should provide source materials (references) from which the answers to the questions were derived. References should be sufficiently detailed to allow FAA personnel to easily locate those references if FAA personnel feel it is necessary to verify or confirm specific information presented in the test. Inadequate references will result in denial of the approval.
11.11.2 Test questions need to be appropriate to the lesson plans and subject areas the provider will teach. Test questions should reflect the key points of each lesson. FIRC testing standards require all multiple choice test questions to offer at least three challenging (plausible—not giveaway) answer choices (a, b, or c choices). Standards for post-lesson testing do not allow true/false questions. The FAA encourages essay questions whenever feasible. The FAA expects all providers to administer closed-book exams for tests given at live, in-person FIRCs.
11.11.3 Since many courses present as many as 16 lessons, including electives, the provider should require each attendee to answer at least 60 unique test questions to ensure adequate testing in all subject areas. All 60 test questions do not have to be given at the same time; however, at least 30 of the questions will be given at the end of the entire
27 FIRC program, and that final test will be comprehensive, rather than simply covering material presented subsequent to any possible earlier tests given during the FIRC. A participant’s successful completion of the FIRC is dependent upon a minimum score of 70 percent on each written test administered. Individual providers may set higher standards.
11.11.4 The provider may provide the test questions, answers, and references as an appendix to the TCO to allow other non-FAA personnel to see the TCO without seeing the tests and their answers. However, the FAA requires the provider to submit it as a component part of the TCO when seeking FAA approval.
Note 1: The FAA requires FIRC providers to update and revise the written test(s) question pool at least once during each biennial approval period. This does not necessarily mean replacement of each of the questions. The provider should update the questions to reflect any changes in the course content and any regulatory or policy changes that may have occurred during the previous approval period. In addition, the provider should alter multiple choice answer sequences (where used) and should reword or recast preexisting questions.
Note 2: See paragraph 12 for additional information pertaining to internet-based FIRC testing.
11.12 Graduation Certificate. The provider should include a copy of the graduation certificate that it will issue to its attendee and a copy of a completion certificate (if one is to be used) in the TCO package presented for review. See paragraph 10.11 for the details outlining the specific information that is required on the graduation certificate.
11.13 Remedial Training. I f the provider plans to offer remedial training for those attendees who fail to meet the minimum completion standards, the TCO should include a description of the method to accomplish such remedial training and subsequent retesting.
The 16-hour minimum course timeframe requirement does not include remedial training or remedial testing. As with all FIRC exams, the provider will conduct remedial testing as a closed-book exam. Providers who elect not to provide remedial training and testing to instructor attendees who fail to meet the minimum testing standards should include a statement in their TCO to that effect. In this case, the TCO would reflect the fact that graduation certificates will not be issued to instructor attendees who fail to satisfactorily complete the full course requirements, including all tests administered.
12 INTERNET-BASED PROGRAMS.
12.1 Internet/Web-Based Programs. The FAA will evaluate all internet or web-based FIRC curricula on a case-by-case basis. Groups or individuals who wish to submit an internet-based FIRC program will contact the General Aviation and Commercial Division and notify them of their intent. Provider applicants are encouraged to provide graphical outline representations of their proposed training programs for review and consideration by the General Aviation and Commercial Division. The graphical representation of an internet-based FIRC should contain a step-by-step description of how participants will
28 enroll and access the study and support material for each lesson in order to effectively navigate through the course to completion. An internet-based FIRC program should be prepared in accordance with applicable guidance and recommendations contained in this AC. The FAA neither requires nor expects the applicant to print every screenshot used in the FIRC presentation; online access for the FAA to review this material prior to approval is sufficient. The FAA requires all FIRC applicants to submit a brief TCO that contains general information about the FIRC, as well as the items listed in paragraphs 12.1.1 through 12.1.10. Where a stated requirement is not considered applicable to an internet-based FIRC program, the provider should identify that requirement and provide a reason for its inapplicability. The provider is required to make available to the FAA free-form access to the completed FIRC training site, as well as the actual lesson mode used for the attendee. Free-form access means that the FAA is able to navigate freely throughout the program as desired, rather than being compelled to follow topics sequentially or meet course time requirements required for the attendee. This includes access to testing. The FAA strongly recommends that a provider or organization, intending to present an internet-based FIRC program, arrange to meet with the General Aviation and Commercial Division in advance to discuss the planned program outline before committing time and effort to its development. This will assist in ensuring that the program follows a standardized process to the extent possible and might help reduce the time needed for its development, review, and approval by the FAA. Outlines for internet-based FIRCs should contain, as a minimum, the following information considered specifically applicable to an online FIRC curriculum:
12.1.1 Minimum Hour Verification Statement. The FAA requires all providers to ensure that the FIRC provided, and the attendee completed, a minimum 16-hour FIRC. The FAA does not expect an online FIRC provider to require a minute-to-minute 16-hour minimum course timeframe. The FAA recognizes that an online course has different characteristics from a live FIRC. An online FIRC is an automated, web-based, one-on-one instructional process that should provide flexibility for the attendee’s individual learning style. An online FIRC, however, is required to legitimately deliver a 16-hour course that is equivalent to a live FIRC. Online FIRC providers are required to include a minimum hour verification statement in their TCO. This statement should include a description of how the provider will ensure that the attendee completed the minimum 16 hours of course (see paragraph 10.5). The verification statement should explain the provider’s method to ensure that each attendee will actively participate and complete all the lessons presented in the course. The FAA requires that a FIRC provider’s planned method of assurance include the following procedures:
12.1.1.1 Minimum Hour Assurance Plan Matrix. All authorized online FIRCs will present a minimum of 16 hours of course material, as determined by each online provider’s Minimum Hour Assurance Plan Matrix. Like the live FIRC, the 16-hour minimum course period includes provisions for attendees’ breaks, lessons, graphics, and testing. The online FIRC provider is required to create a minimum hour assurance plan and include this plan in a matrix as a component of the organization’s TCO (see the example provided in Appendix B, References and Job Aids, Table B-1, Minimum Hour Assurance Plan Matrix).
12.1.1.2 Integrated Lesson Plans. The sample matrix provided in Appendix B shows a breakdown of a sample TCO in terms of individual core topics. While some providers structure their TCO in this manner, this sample matrix is not meant to imply that this method is required. Rather, the sample matrix is designed to provide understanding of the FAA’s intent for the minimum hour assurance.
The FAA recognizes that some FIRC providers integrate various core topics in theme-based lessons that combine the topics over several segments. In that case, the FAA would expect the FIRC application to contain a Minimum Hour Assurance Plan Matrix that corresponds to the structure of the TCO.
12.1.1.3 Lesson Presentation Period Integrity. FIRC training standards require that all attendees open and view each lesson. To facilitate this training standard, the provider’s online automation courseware (learning management system (LMS)) needs to ensure that the attendee views and completes each lesson in its entirety without skipping any portion. FIRC training standards require audio/video, aural, and text lesson presentations to contain and present a cumulative period of no less than 720 minutes (12 hours) of the FIRC’s 16-hour minimum course content (see Appendix B). If the attendee exits the lesson anywhere before the end, the attendee should return to the point of exit and complete the lesson. The provider’s LMS (courseware) will determine the point of exit from an incomplete lesson.
12.1.2 S ource Materials . The source of all study materials used to support the course elements that will appear on the internet, and a description of all drawings, mockups, demos, or links used by the provider in the course.
12.1.3 Identity Verification. T he methodology proposed to determine the identity of course participants at logon and during navigation of the lessons, including intentional or unintentional disruption of the lesson flow. Additionally, the TCO should describe methodologies proposed to prevent multiple concurrent logons by a course participant for the purpose of viewing or printing material during inappropriate stages of the lesson.
12.1.4 Testing Materials Security. A FIRC provider should include a statement in its TCO stating that the provider will ensure that attendees are not given access to any completion test(s) until the course materials for which the test is applicable have been satisfactorily completed. This statement should include an explanation that the provider’s LMS will ensure that the test will remain inaccessible to the attendee until the attendee completes the prerequisite lesson(s).
12.1.5 FAA Access. T he methodology proposed to allow the FAA access to course materials, tests, and test results for the express purpose of reviewing and monitoring the course as deemed appropriate by the FAA.
12.1.6 Online Attendee List Availability. A statement that the provider will, upon request, provide the FAA a listing of all internet FIRC program participants that contains, at a minimum, the provider’s name and location, the instructor attendee’s name, identification
30 number or code, the date(s) the course was administered, and the completion status of all course participants.
12.1.7 D ata Security . Methodologies proposed to ensure data availability, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability for course materials, participant information, and lesson plans.
12.1.8 Recent Experience or Reinstatement Validation Methodology. If appropriate, the manner in which the provider will process applications to validate flight instructor recent experience or reinstatement of privileges in accordance with § 61.199(a)(1) or § 61.427(a), as applicable.
12.1.9 Revisions. The manner in which the provider will present future revisions to the approved TCO. The FAA has the responsibility to approve these revisions before they are included in the online program.
12.1.10 Other Information. A ny other information the provider may consider necessary or appropriate by the FAA during development of the online program.
13 T ESTING PROCEDURES.
13.1 Minimum Testing Standards. The most effective practical method for assessing the retention of material presented during the FIRC is using a knowledge test. This is most frequently presented in the form of multiple choice questions, although some providers employ essay questions or a mixture of both. All are acceptable methods of providing quantitative data reflecting the flight instructor’s current state of knowledge in specific areas. The expectation of a test at the conclusion of any course of study will motivate a student to increased levels of attention. It is no different at a FIRC. The mission of a FIRC is to ensure that the attendees take with them what the providers give them in terms of practical knowledge and a safe operational mindset. It is incumbent upon the FIRC providers to take this aspect of the FIRC very seriously and design their tests in light of this mission. Tests should be sufficiently demanding so the exam provides a true measurement of knowledge transfer from the course to the attendee. Tests should be reflective of the material presented. The provider should not ask any question that does not relate to the course material. A minimum passing score is 70 percent. Since the mission is knowledge transfer, providers may retrain deficient attendees to 100 percent if they choose to, provided that they give adequate retraining in the attendee’s deficient knowledge areas. The provider needs to retest attendees who receive additional retraining only on the deficient areas; however, the questions used for the makeup test portions must be different from the ones first answered incorrectly.
13.2 Test Questions. Written tests will consist of a minimum of 60 unique multiple choice questions relating to the material covered. Providers may, and are encouraged to, use more if they choose. FIRC exam questions should include at least four reasonably challenging and up-to-date questions, which align with (are derived from) the subject matter elements of each lesson plan. Providers may give a single final test of 60 questions, or they may break out 30 of those 60 questions into smaller units given at
31 different times during the 16-hour program. Duplicated questions do not meet FIRC testing standards. The remaining minimum of 30 questions should be in the form of a comprehensive final test given at the conclusion of the training. This final test should include at least 10 unique questions derived from earlier lessons prior to any previous test and at least 20 questions from the remaining lessons to make the final test comprehensive and reflect all the material presented throughout the entire 16-hour course.
13.3 Alternative Testing. Providers may use methods other than multiple choice questions for testing. An acceptable alternative would be essay questions. In such a case, the provider must conduct at least 50 percent of the total testing at the conclusion of the FIRC program. These tests must be comprehensive in nature, covering all of the material presented throughout the entire course. True/false questions do not meet FIRC testing standards and the FAA will not authorize them. Note that a provider may use true/false questions for lesson pretesting, as some providers use pretesting as a teaching technique.
Providers may explore other methods of testing; however, they must coordinate with the General Aviation and Commercial Division and must provide sufficient justification for deviation from the standard methods.
Note: Because of the inherent flexibility in taking an internet-based FIRC, internet FIRC providers may employ testing at the end of each module as an alternative. No fewer than 5 questions per module will be acceptable, and the total of all questions need to meet or exceed the minimum of 60 questions. (See paragraph 13.7.)
13.4 Oral Testing. Providers may use oral testing to supplement retention assessment as an adjunct to written tests. However, oral testing may not supplant or replace written tests.
Oral testing is optional on the part of the individual provider. Written testing, as described in this section, is mandatory for all providers.
13.5 Test Records Retention. Providers will retain all versions of each attendee’s tests, to include any failing tests if applicable, in a secure location for a period of 24 calendar months and will make them available to the FAA on demand. Test storage may be digital.
13.6 Conventional In-Person FIRC Testing. Providers should design exams to test the retention of a range of information provided during the FIRC program. Therefore, the provider should not give instructor attendees the written tests nor allow instructor attendees to complete them during class subject sessions presentations. Attendees should not be permitted to compare responses while the tests are being administered or to grade their own tests. Providers will retrieve and retain all copies of the tests in a secure location at the conclusion of the testing period. Attendees will not be allowed to take them with them when they leave. The chief instructor or assistant chief instructor is responsible for ensuring compliance with these requirements and that test integrity is not compromised. Providers may retest attendees to 100 percent if they choose to, provided that they give adequate retraining for the attendee’s deficient areas. Attendees who receive retraining on deficient areas need only be retested on those specific areas;
however, the questions used for the makeup test portions must be different from the ones first answered incorrectly.
13.7 Internet FIRC Testing. When a provider presents an internet FIRC in a lesson-by-lesson manner (as opposed to stages found in a conventional in-person FIRC program), a written test consisting of at least five multiple choice questions relating to the material covered in each lesson should be administered following each lesson. The total number of questions for the course will meet or exceed 60. A minimum score of 70 percent is required for satisfactory completion of each test administered. A score of less than 70 percent will require the attendee to restudy the material and retake the test for that lesson. The programming may not allow the attendee to proceed until the attendee achieves that minimum score. Providers may retest online attendees to 100 percent if they choose to, provided that they give adequate retraining specific to the attendee’s deficient areas.
Attendees who receive retraining on deficient areas need only be retested on those specific areas; however, the questions used for the makeup test portions must be different from the ones first answered incorrectly. A second score of less than 70 percent on any specific lesson will require contact with the course provider for instructions on how to proceed. No two internet-based tests can be identical. The provider must randomize tests between attendees and with individual attendees taking FIRCs at a later date.
14 TCO REVISION, AMENDMENT, OR DELETION.
14.1 Required and Optional Revisions. Providers or organizations approved to present FIRC programs are required to revise their subject matter as necessary to reflect changes in policy or recommendations. Revisions in response to changing emphasis in subject matters currently listed in Appendix A and other subject matters selected for periodic emphasis by the FAA will usually be deferred until the provider renews their authorization. Additionally, the FAA requires providers to change exams at least once every 2-year renewal period. Providers may make any changes they wish to their TCOs throughout the approval period, provided that they include, at a minimum, the current core topics listed in Appendix A or any other changes that the Administrator has determined necessary. However, the General Aviation and Commercial Division must approve all proposed substantive changes to the TCO before the provider presents them in a FIRC.
14.2 S ubmission of Revisions. The provider should email a revised TCO with all proposed revisions to 9-AWA-AVS-AFS-FIRC@faa.gov or send them by any of the methods identified in paragraph 9.1. The provider should submit a single digital (i.e., Microsoft Word document) copy of the change(s), accompanied by a revised TCO, and a separate electronic letter requesting approval of the change(s). The provider may not include the revised material in the FAA-approved presentation until actual receipt of the letter of approval from the General Aviation and Commercial Division. Changes to the selection of any preapproved electives (provided that lesson plans for each are on file with the FAA) do not need approval; only email notification to the same FAA email address identifying what the elective changes are and where and when the provider will present them. It is highly recommended that any submitted documents to the FAA email address require an electronic return receipt. A change of chief instructor or assistant chief instructor will require notification to the General Aviation and Commercial Division in accordance with the instructions contained in paragraph 16.
14.3 Method. The method for revising, amending, or deleting materials in the TCO should:
• Ensure approval chronology.
• Include the effective date of change or revision.
• Ensure ease in identifying changed or revised material.
• Include entry of change on a revision summary page.
• Include written guidance describing the revision procedure that the provider will use.
15 SCHEDULING OF COURSES. FIRC providers are required to keep the General Aviation and Commercial Division directly apprised of the dates, times, and locations of each course presentation. This is typically accomplished in the form of an email or physical mail.
15.1 FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) FIRC Scheduling Website. The FAA intends to provide FIRC information at https://www.faasafety.gov to display upcoming FIRC events. The intent is for the public to be able to find general FIRC information, as well as specific information on participating FIRC providers. As such, FIRC providers will have a place to input basic information about their programs. Information will include provider name, website (if applicable), contact email, contact telephone, and the current schedule of presentations. Listings of FIRC presentations may include state, city, dates, and times.
If, for any reason, a FIRC provider does not wish to have their information listed, they may select the option to disallow their information from being visible to the public. Any provider who chooses not to allow their information to be visible to the public must nevertheless maintain their schedule data for FAA personnel. The FAA will treat such data as proprietary and not permit access to it outside the FAA.
15.2 I nability to Upload. If the provider is unable to upload schedule information for any reason, they must notify the General Aviation and Commercial Division of their scheduling plans directly, preferably via the FAA’s FIRC email address at 9-AWA-AVS- AFS-FIRC@faa.gov or through any of the methods identified in paragraph 9.1. The provider should notify the General Aviation and Commercial Division at least 2 weeks prior to the expected presentation to allow the FAA sufficient time to arrange for an ASI to observe if it wishes.
15.3 Sc heduling Website Versus Information Website. The FAASTeam FIRC scheduling website should not be confused with the FAA’s FIRC general information website located at https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/firc.
16 CHANGE OF CHIEF INSTRUCTOR OR ASSISTANT CHIEF INSTRUCTOR.
The approved FIRC provider should notify the General Aviation and Commercial Division when making a change in the provider’s chief instructor (or assistant chief instructor where designated). A FIRC provider may not conduct FIRCs without an authorized FIRC chief instructor. The FIRC provider should notify the General Aviation and Commercial Division at least 45 days before the change, but in no case later than 10 days after the change. Notification should be in electronic form and include an
34 updated TCO with the new chief or assistant chief instructor’s information (i.e., Microsoft Word document or Portable Document Format (PDF)).
17 CHANGE OF PROVIDER. Should a change in provider occur due to sale or other reason and no change in personnel or course content occurs, the providers (both old and new) are required to notify the General Aviation and Commercial Division at least 15 days before the presentation of any FIRC programs conducted under the new FIRC provider. If it is an internet-based program, the provider should notify the FAA within 48 hours of transfer of the private rights to the program to the new owner by email sent to the FAA FIRC email at 9-AWA-AVS-AFS-FIRC@faa.gov. If the change in provider involves any change in personnel of the approved FIRC TCO, authorization to conduct any further FIRCs is canceled until the new provider has obtained FAA approval.
18 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN APPROVED TCO. The failure of a FIRC provider or its representatives to comply with an approved course of training, or to complete any required corrective action on a timely basis, as deemed appropriate, can be the basis for denial or withdrawal of the FAA’s approval and associated delegation of authority. When the FAA determines that a revision to a previously approved TCO or related corrective action is necessary, the provider will be given no more than 60 days to make the necessary revision or corrective action, as appropriate. Should the provider not make the necessary revision or corrective action within 60 days, FAA approval and authorization to conduct FIRC programs will be withdrawn automatically.
19 FIRC APPROVAL PROCESS.
19.1 TCO Document Submission. Candidates requesting authorization to become a FIRC provider should submit a written request and a TCO to the General Aviation and Commercial Division for consideration. (See paragraph 9.1 for methods of contacting and transferring documents to the General Aviation and Commercial Division.) A provisional pilot school or pilot school (under part 141) wishing to include or add a FIRC under part 141 appendix K should submit a written request and a TCO to the appropriate FSDO.
When the FAA receives an authorization request, the General Aviation and Commercial Division, or the certificate holding FSDO for a provisional pilot school or pilot school under part 141, when applicable, will conduct a thorough review of the TCO. Candidates should understand that they have full responsibility for developing and maintaining a TCO that complies with the requirements for TCO approval and subsequent FIRC program presentations. If the TCO meets all the guidance and recommendations discussed in this AC, the FAA will issue an approval. The FAA will not issue an approval when a TCO does not meet FIRC TCO development, training, and testing standards, so please verify that the TCO follows the guidance and recommendations provided in this AC before the General Aviation and Commercial Division or certificate holding FSDO receives it for review.
35 Note: The FAA will not approve an initial or renewal request without receiving a TCO from the organization requesting authorization. As such, all candidates and FIRC providers should develop, submit, and maintain an up-to-date TCO. Upon FAA consideration and authorization, the TCO serves as a record for the provider and the FAA.
19.2 FAA LOA. When the FAA finds that a FIRC TCO meets authorization standards, they will forward a signed letter indicating approval of the submitted TCO to the provider electronically. The approval letter constitutes authority to conduct FIRCs at locations either within or outside the United States. The FAA may withdraw approval at any time for sufficient cause, but, in any case, will become invalid on the last day of the 24th month after original approval, unless the FAA grants a renewal or other form of continuation approval. FAA personnel will monitor one of the first FIRCs presented by a new provider. The FAA will approve an internet FIRC on a case-by-case basis, and the FAA will provide approval by the same method as for any other FIRC.
19.3 Field Inspections. The appropriate FSDOs are expected to monitor these programs to the extent possible. The appropriate FSDO, a representative of the General Aviation and Commercial Division, or any other representative of the FAA Administrator may monitor FIRC presentations at any time on a random basis.
20 FIRC RENEWAL, WITHDRAWAL, OR CANCELLATION.
20.1 Renewal Requests. FIRC providers holding approval who desire to renew their authorization to conduct FIRC programs beyond the date of original expiration should send their request for renewal to the General Aviation and Commercial Division. (See paragraph 9.1 for methods of contacting and transferring documents to the General Aviation and Commercial Division.) It is the provider’s responsibility to ensure that its FIRC approval has not expired. Should the FAA’s approval of a FIRC expire, a graduation certificate issued by the provider after the expiration date is invalid. The FAA will not honor a graduation certificate issued by a provider that held an expired approval.
Additionally, an ACR designation, if held, is no longer valid after the expiration of a FIRC LOA and, therefore, may not be used.
20.2 Required Renewal Documents. A pproved providers who wish to renew an already existing FIRC TCO will submit a complete, new digital TCO with a new submission date and an updated revision page. The provider should clearly identify any changes from the previously approved TCO. The FIRC provider should convey the most up-to-date information possible. The FIRC provider has the responsibility to continually research and keep abreast of dynamic issues affecting the training needs of pilots. However, if there are no changes to the body of the TCO, then the cover letter will state that there have been no changes. In any event, each provider is still required to update the tests or test question pool each renewal period as discussed in paragraph 11.11. If the provider submits a TCO containing the most up-to-date information possible and has only changed the test(s) in the resubmitted documentation, the revision page will show a revision date with the notation “Updated test(s) only.”
20.3 Reissuance of LOAs. Upon a finding by the General Aviation and Commercial Division that the submitted TCO is in compliance with current FIRC TCO development, training, and testing standards, as discussed in this AC, and is otherwise acceptable, the General Aviation and Commercial Division will issue a new LOA establishing a new expiration date. Failure to comply with the FAA-approved TCO or the FIRC standards discussed in this AC, or the failure to incorporate necessary changes to the existing TCO when so directed by the General Aviation and Commercial Division in writing, may be sufficient cause for withdrawal of the approval.
20.4 Retention of Expired Documents by the FAA. If the General Aviation and Commercial Division has not received a letter from the FIRC provider requesting renewal as described above, or if the provider requests to surrender its authorization, the FAA will not return the materials originally approved and presented by the applicant; in this case, the FAA may choose to destroy those materials. The provider may not present any courses from that point on. To reestablish approval, the applicant should then comply with the original application procedures as outlined in this AC.
Note: The FAA will not notify FIRC providers of an approaching expiration date.
Monitoring a provider’s approval period is the responsibility of the provider.
21 APPLICATION AND APPROVAL OF AN ACR EMPLOYED SOLELY BY A FIRC PROVIDER.
21.1 Reissuance. An ACR affords the FIRC provider the ability to process flight instructor applications to validate recent experience in accordance with § 61.197(b)(2)(iii) or reinstatement of privileges in accordance with § 61.199(a)(1) or § 61.427(a), as applicable, and forward them directly to the Airmen Certification Branch without directly involving the FSDO.
21.2 Requirements for Employing an ACR. FAA-approved FIRC providers who have held their approval for a period of at least 12 calendar months and presented at least one full FIRC program within that year may qualify to request designation of an ACR for their FIRC.
21.3 ACR Appointment. Appointment of an ACR is the responsibility of the appropriate FSDO. Qualified providers should contact their FSDO directly to make application to employ an ACR for their program. Approval or denial of a provider’s application for an ACR is made at the discretion of the appropriate FSDO.
21.4 ACR Designation or Renewal. Procedures and requirements for the designation or renewal of an ACR are outlined in Order 8000.95, Designee Management Policy, as amended.