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a. Each attendee and/or FAA observer/monitor will be provided an opportunity to review a copy of the FAA-approved TCO upon enrollment or during the registration of attendees on site. However, the test questions used by the FIRC for its lessons, stage, or course completion evaluations may be given only to the FAA observer/monitor on request. FAA participation by forum or by presentation may not exceed 2 hours maximum and is authorized only by prior agreement between the FAA representative(s) and the FIRC sponsor.
b. An FIRC program must be completed within the time periods specified in the approved TCO with all lesson and time requirements fulfilled during those periods. A graduation certificate may not be issued to a flight instructor attendee who has not successfully completed all curriculum requirements.
c. Academic institutions or vocational schools having state board of education approval and/or national accreditation for a curriculum leading to an associate or bachelor’s degree, or to a certificate of completion in aviation science or similar course of study, may be approved on a case-by-case basis by AFS-800 to conduct an FIRC over a period of time in excess of the 2 to 5 consecutive days; i.e., semester or quarter.
d. The TCO may not contain material, nor may any materials be presented during the FIRC, that is prejudicial or contrary to the FAA’s Federal regulations or prescribed procedures. An FIRC program is not a forum for disagreement with FAA policy or procedures. Rather, it should engender appropriate respect for the role of the FAA and a proper compliance disposition toward Federal regulations. Failure to meet this criterion may constitute grounds for withdrawal of FAA approval.
e. No sponsor may teach a part of his/her own FAA-approved TCO and a part of another sponsor’s TCO. An approval to conduct an FIRC is limited solely to the TCO for which an FAA approval is held.
Inclusion of any materials not approved in the TCO, regardless of their source, is prohibited.
f. Sponsors may use video and/or aural presentations to conduct part of the FIRC program.
However, except for an at-distance or out-study curriculum submitted under paragraph 5c, or an on-line Internet FIRC presented under paragraph 5d, the sponsor must limit video and aural presentation use to not more than 50 percent of the entire course hours. The information provided by video and/or aural presentations in at-distance or out-study curriculums must be germane to the materials presented and each subject matter presentation must be moderated by an introduction and closure given by an instructor who is well versed in the subject matter and materials presented.
g. An applicant for renewal of a valid and current flight instructor certificate who, because of extenuating circumstances, fails to satisfactorily complete all of an FIRC sponsor’s program approved under this AC may, at the discretion of the sponsor, attend a later scheduled FIRC program presented by that same sponsor. Upon full and satisfactory completion of that sponsor’s FIRC at a later date, the attendee may be issued a graduation certificate. This procedure is not intended to permit an attendee’s intentional absence from any part of an FIRC sponsor’s program for other than unforeseen (emergency) circumstances.
17. FIRC APPROVAL PROCESS. TCOs should be submitted for consideration by AFS-800, as described in paragraph 5. The FAA will conduct a thorough review of the TCO and, if all the guidelines of this AC have been met, an initial or final approval, as appropriate, will be issued. Final approval may not be issued until a satisfactory evaluation of the FIRC has been completed by the FAA.
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a. Finding that a conventional FIRC is in compliance with this AC, the TCO will be stamped approved in the space provided on each page. The TCO, when approved, will be accompanied by a cover letter from AFS-800 stating that initial approval to conduct FIRC programs has been given. The stamped TCO and cover letter constitutes authority to conduct FIRCs at locations either within or outside the United States. The initial FAA approval may be withdrawn at any time for sufficient cause, but, in any case, will become invalid on the last day of the 24th month after the month in which approval is given, unless continuation of approval has been granted. The approval of an Internet FIRC will be on a case-by-case basis and the FAA’s approval will be signified by a cover letter appropriately identifying the TCO
b. Continuation of initial approval may be granted or extended beyond the scheduled expiration date for an additional 24 months if the sponsor has notified AFS-800 by letter of its desire to continue to provide FIRC programs at least 90 days in advance of the scheduled expiration date. In no case will a second extension of 24 months be granted unless the TCO has been updated to reflect current policy, procedures and regulations, and the FAA believes that final approval will be warranted.
c. FSDOs having geographic jurisdiction over the locations where FIRCs are presented are expected to monitor these programs to the extent possible. When an initially approved FIRC has been sufficiently monitored to determine that it is fully satisfactory, final approval may be given. When FSDO personnel have monitored an FIRC program and have found it fully acceptable, the FSDO should notify AFS-800 of this fact by letter. The letter must state the date, location, and findings relating to the program that was monitored. A letter stating that the complete FIRC program has been observed to be in conformance with the provisions of this AC and the FAA-approved TCO will be forwarded by AFS-800 to the FIRC sponsor. The letter and the approved TCO will constitute final approval of the sponsor to conduct FIRCs in accordance with this AC and the approved TCO. This final approval may be rescinded or withdrawn for sufficient cause, but will otherwise remain in effect until the last day of the month, 24 months after the month in which final approval is given.
18. FIRC RENEWAL, WITHDRAWAL, OR CANCELLATION.
a. FIRC sponsors holding final approval who desire to renew their authorization to conduct FIRC programs beyond the date of original expiration must state their request by letter to AFS-800 at least 90 days before to the original expiration date. It is the sponsor’s responsibility to ensure that its FIRC approval has not expired. Should the FAA’s approval of an FIRC expire, a graduation certificate issued by the sponsor is invalid and may not be honored. Additionally, an ACR designation, if held, is no longer valid and may not be used.
b. Upon a finding by AFS-800 that the TCO reflects current AC requirements and that the FIRC’s program is acceptable and in compliance with the AC and the FAA-approved TCO, AFS-800 will renew the approval and establish a new expiration date. Failure to comply with the FAA-approved TCO or this AC, or the failure to incorporate necessary changes to the existing TCO when so directed by AFS-800 in writing, may be sufficient cause for withdrawal of the approval.
c. If AFS-800 has not received a letter from the FIRC sponsor requesting renewal as described above or, if the sponsor requests to surrender its authorization, the FAA will return all materials originally presented by the applicant and accompanied by a letter stating that the sponsor’s FAA approval has been canceled and no further clinics may be presented. If undeliverable, the FAA will not be responsible for retaining the TCO or locating the sponsor. To re-establish approval, the applicant must then comply with the original application procedures as outlined in this AC.
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19. APPLICATION AND APPROVAL OF AN ACR EMPLOYED SOLELY BY AN FIRC
SPONSOR (ONLY FIRCS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN FINAL APPROVAL MAY APPLY FOR AN ACR).
a. Except for FIRC sponsors who were previously authorized with an ACR designee on their staff, only sponsors or organizations presenting FIRCs that have received final FAA approval and have presented three or more FIRC programs during each 12 month period since approved, or that have a designated pilot examiner on staff, are eligible to apply for an ACR under this AC. Exceptions to the above will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will require that acceptable justification be provided in accordance with FAA Order 8710.3C, Pilot Examiner’s Handbook, chapter 17.
b. Application for the designation of an ACR authorized to issue flight instructor certificate renewals to eligible course graduates of specific FAA-approved FIRCs should be submitted by letter to the FSDO having jurisdiction over the area in which the applicant’s principal business office is located.
The FSDO receiving the application will forward the request for ACR designation and the FSDO’s recommendation through the appropriate regional office to AFS-800 for review and concurrence with the action indicated. When approved, an ACR designation should be forwarded to AFS-800 for inclusion in the FIRC sponsor’s file.
c. The sponsor or organization presenting an FAA-approved FIRC that is eligible for designation of an ACR may request such designation for one or more responsible members or employees of the organization represented by submitting a letter of request containing at least the following information:
(1) The original date of FAA approval of the sponsor to conduct the FIRC.
(2) The number of programs given in the 12-month period immediately preceding the request for an ACR designation.
(3) The number of attendees issued graduation certificates, the number of graduation certificates denied, and the reasons for the denials.
(4) The number and location of programs scheduled and the expected number of attendees for the 12-month period immediately following the date of request for designation.
d. General Eligibility and Experience Requirements. A candidate employed solely by an FIRC sponsor, applying for designation as an ACR must:
(1) Be at least 21 years of age.
(2) Hold at least a commercial pilot certificate.
(3) Hold a flight instructor certificate with at least one aircraft category rating, or hold a ground instructor certificate with an advanced rating.
(4) Have a good record as a pilot in regard to accidents, incidents, and violations.
(5) Have a reputation for integrity and dependability in the industry and the community.
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(6) Have been employed as either a chief flight instructor, assistant chief flight instructor, or ground instructor of an FAA-approved pilot school, or have held a management or administrative position in a pilot school that is superior to the chief flight instructor designated for each course of training conducted by the school under examining authority, for at least 12 months immediately preceding application for designation as an ACR.
(7) Have a written recommendation from the FIRC sponsor when the candidate is a person other than the sponsor.
e. ACR Privileges and Limitations. An ACR is authorized to accept applications for the renewal of a valid and unexpired flight instructor certificate from FAA-approved FIRC graduates. The ACR may accept applications only from eligible course graduates of the FIRC named on the examiner’s Certificate of Authority and Certificate of Designation.
(1) After reviewing the applicant’s attendance/training record and eligibility, an ACR is authorized to renew the valid flight instructor certificate of an FIRC graduate who meets the requirements of 14 CFR Section 61.197(a)(2)(iii).
(2) An ACR is not authorized to conduct any knowledge or practical tests in connection with ACR duties.
20. ACR DURATION, RENEWAL, WITHDRAWAL, OR CANCELLATION.
a. An ACR designation expires the last day of the 12th month following the month in which designation is made and may be renewed for a period not to exceed another 12 months on a recurring basis.
b. Renewal of an ACR is not automatic. Application for renewal of an ACR must be submitted to the FDSO of jurisdiction at least 60 days before the date of expiration. The request for renewal will again be coordinated with the appropriate regional office for concurrence before the renewal is granted.
A copy should then be sent to AFS-800 when renewed.
c. FAA approval of an ACR may be withdrawn when the FIRC receives an unsatisfactory rating as the result of an FAA inspection or monitoring, when discrepancies are noted in the FIRC sponsor’s program, or when the associated ACR’s certification files are not corrected in a satisfactory or timely manner. Except in the case of an at-distance learning or out-study, or Internet FIRC program, the issuance of a flight instructor certificate renewal based upon successful completion of an FIRC when the applicant did not complete all renewal requirements within the 2 to 5 consecutive-day period will constitute cause for withdrawal of the ACR designation unless the issuance is based on satisfactory completion in accordance with subparagraph 16c or 16g.
d. The designation of an ACR who fails to apply for renewal, as described in paragraph 19, will be canceled. Failure of an FIRC sponsor to obtain ACR renewal or cancellation of the FIRC’s authority will also cancel the designation of any ACRs in its employment. The reappointment process for an ACR will be the same as for original designation. Notification of cancellation of the ACR designation will be issued in accordance with appropriate FAA guidelines and procedures. The appropriate file(s) will be returned to the sponsor holding the ACR designation.
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21. DISPOSITION OF CERTIFICATION FILE.
a. An ACR, unless authorized otherwise, forwards each certificate renewal file, complete with a signed FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, and the original of FAA Form 8060-4, Temporary Airman Certificate, within 5 days of the FIRC completion to the FSDO having jurisdiction over the area where the FIRC program was conducted. A copy of the ACR’s letter of designation should be included with the submitted files when sent to other than the designating FSDO or to AFS-760.
b. When the FAA’s Airman Certification and Rating Application (ACRA) program is used to create an FIRC attendee airman’s certification file, the file must be forwarded directly to the Airman Certification Branch, AFS-760, within 5 days of the FIRC completion. ACRA certification files must be electronically uploaded within 5 days of the FIRC completion.
/s/ Louis C. Cusimano Acting Director, Flight Standards Service
Appendix 1 APPENDIX 1. REQUIRED INSTRUCTIONAL SUBJECTS FOR
FAA-APPROVED TCO CURRICULUMS These Appendixes and subject matters listed herein, along with minimum program hour requirements, may be revised periodically by FAA to reflect the changing emphasis determined by FAA for the renewal of flight instructor certificates under section 61.197(a)(2)(iii).
The subject areas described below are those in which instruction is required to be given by holders of authorization to present FAA-approved FIRC curriculums. These subject areas may be taught individually or they may be combined when the subjects are such that teaching them in combination is appropriate. However, these subjects must be taught in logical succession and in cohesive units consistent with the attendees’ need to know and their ability to understand the subjects and their application to the instructional process.
The instruction presented must be clearly identifiable as relating to the required subjects listed herein.
Not less than 13 hours of ground instruction in the 15 Core and Special Emphasis subject matters must be given in each FIRC program. At the discretion of the sponsor, additional subject matters germane to flight instruction may be presented as elective subjects in meeting the total 16-hour requirement. It is intended that not less than 30 minutes will be devoted to any one of the 15 individual Core and Special Emphasis subjects listed in this Appendix. The use of one or more 30-minute presentations devoted to the Core and Special Emphasis subjects will permit additional time to be devoted to critical subject areas given Special Emphasis when deemed necessary.
*CORE AND **SPECIAL EMPHASIS SUBJECT AREAS
1. *Teaching Aerodynamics
2. *Practical Test Standards
3. * Federal Regulations
4. *Flight Information Publications
5. *National Airspace System
6. **Weather Analysis (Scenario-based training should be given priority)
7. *Human Factors
8. *Fundamentals of Instruction
9. *Flight Maneuvers and Procedures
10. *Flight Safety
11. *Recurrency/Transition Training
12. *Collision Avoidance Procedures
13. *Instructor Professionalism
Appendix 1
14. ** Airport Operations
15. ** Controlled Flight Into Terrain
RECOMMENDED SUBJECT OUTLINE
1. Teaching Aerodynamics
a. Controlling Lift and Drag
b. Stall/Spin Considerations
c. Flight at Slow Airspeeds
d. Limitations of Flight
2. Practical Test Standards
a. Checklist Use
b. Updated Amendments
c. Night Flying (to include X/C)
d. Instrument Flying (full and partial panel)
e. Abnormal and Emergency Procedures
3. Federal Regulations
a. Title 14 CFR Parts 1, 61, 91 and 141
b. CFI Endorsements
c. Application (FAA Form 8710-1)
d. Automated Airman Certification and Rating Application (ACRA)
4. Flight Information Publications
a. FAA Publications and Advisory Circulars
b. Aeronautical Charts and Symbols
5. National Airspace System
a. Airspace Classification
b. Special Use Airspace
c. New RNAV Instrument Approach Charts
Appendix 1
6. Weather Analysis
a. Formats and Aids Available to Pilots
b. Preflight Weather Acquisition
c. Scenario Based Go-No-Go Decisions
d. En route Weather Acquisition
e. PIREPS/Thunderstorms/Windshear/Microbursts
f. Analyzing Special Weather Phenomena and Hazards
g. Set and Adhere to Personal Wx Minimums
7. Human Factors
a. Aeronautical Decisionmaking
b. Judgment Training/Risk Assessment
c. Cockpit Resource Management
d. Avoiding Hazardous Operations
8. Fundamentals Of Instruction
a. The Learning and Teaching Process
b. Effective Communications
c. Critique and Evaluation
d. Planning Instructional Activity
e. Instructor Responsibilities
9. Flight Maneuvers and Procedures
a. Aircraft Familiarization
b. Basic Principles of Flight
c. Analysis and Performance of Maneuvers
d. Traffic Pattern Entries/Exits
10. Flight Safety
a. Flight Safety Publications
Appendix 1
b. Incident/Accident Analysis/Stall Spin Awareness
c. Aircraft Weight and Balance
d. Performance Charts and Graphs
e. Avoiding Hazardous Operations
11. Recurrency/Transition Training
a. Regulatory Requirements
b. Training Goals and Objectives
c. Flight Review and Wings Program
d. Instructor Qualifications
e. Training Standards/Syllabi
f. Documentation
12. Collision Avoidance Procedures
a. See and Be Seen Concept and its Limitations
b. Visual Scanning Techniques
c. Accuracy in Position Reporting by Pilots
d. Monitoring Appropriate Communications Channels
e. Situational Awareness
13. Instructor Professionalism
a. Training Oversight
b. Student Supervision
c. Teaching By Example
d. Aircraft Checkouts
e. Practical Recommendations
14. **Airport Operations
a. Airport/Runway Familiarization (to include signs and markings)
b. Review of Notices to Airmen
Appendix 1 Page 5 (and 6)
c. Making the Aircraft Visible
d. Runway Incursions
e. Land and Hold Short (LAHSO)
f. Situational Awareness
15. **Controlled Flight Into Terrain
a. Avoiding Distractions
b. Maintaining Situational Awareness
c. Alternative Actions NOTE: Additional sponsor-selected subjects (elective subjects) germane to the needs of certificated flight instructors may be added under the provisions of paragraph 7 of this AC.
Appendix 2 Page 1 (and 2) APPENDIX 2. SAMPLE SEQUENCE OF TCO CONSTRUCTION
1. Cover page of TCO identifying the FIRC sponsor by name, address, and approval date.
2. The name, address, and telephone and/or facsimile number of a continuously available point of contact.
3. TCO table of contents with verbatim list of all subjects to be presented with subject matters addressing “Core” or “Special Emphasis” subjects clearly identified (Example: *Core, **Special Emphasis).
4. A daily schedule showing start and stop times for each lesson to be presented.
5. A revision summary page.
6. A description of the classroom facilities and training aids to be used.
7. The name and qualifications of the chief instructor, and other instructors, lecturers, moderators, or panelists.
8. Course enrollment prerequisites and remedial training policy of the sponsor.
9. A course overview and acknowledgment of FIRC procedures required to be addressed in each TCO by this AC.
10. A statement of acknowledgment that each instructor , lecturer , moderator , and/or panelist will be familiar with and understands the content of the TCO in accordance with paragraph 6h of this AC.
11. Course, stage, lesson objectives, and completion standards.
12. An index of alternate lesson plans if alternate lesson plans will be used.
13. Review and evaluation questions with source reference and answer key.
14. A sample graduation certificate (and completion certificate if one is to be provided).