basis. The key is ensuring that the attendee receives all of the authorized information. A CFI may use no portion of the approved FIRC program for renewal credit if the CFI has taken that portion before the applicant’s last renewal. In other words, the applicant must have received all 16 hours of the approved TCO within his or her most current biannual certificate period. If the sponsor chooses to spread their program over an extended period (for example, 2 years), they are solely responsible for ensuring any attendee is compliant. Failure to do so may result in an invalid application for renewal for an instructor. Because of the logistical difficulties, providers are strongly advised not to employ this option for periods exceeding 1 year. Nevertheless, it remains the option of the operator. If the sponsor modifies their TCO in the middle of an extended program of training, the sponsor is responsible to ensure that attendees are provided all of the training in the TCO that is approved at the time of their graduation.
e. Training Block Time Frames. Reasonable variances in the time frame to accommodate individual learning differences and other situations may arise from time to time during the FIRC presentations. The potential for these variances should be considered when determining the adequacy of the estimated time frames of the overall course, the course stages, and the individual lessons. There are no required minimum times to teach any particular topic, including core topics. The sponsor’s TCO must specify the anticipated amount of time that the sponsor will spend on each topic. It should specify the expected start and stop times of each lesson. The overall FIRC program must consist of the specified 16 hours of ground and/or flight instruction and comply with acceptable teaching standards and techniques appropriate to the TCO used. For the purposes of the FIRC, a program hour consists of 60 minutes. Each hour may, at the option of the sponsor, include a 10 minute break after each 50 minute learning session without taking away from the total required 16 hours. The sponsor may, for example, wish to offer a 100 minute (1 hour, 40 minute) block of training followed by a 20 minute break. However, the sponsor may not continue training throughout an 8 hour day with no breaks, then end the day 1 hour and 20 minutes early. Unbroken spans of instruction should never exceed 2 hours in length. A 50 minute learning session may include one or more individual topics or lessons. Pre course registration, lunch periods, or graduation activities other than the distribution of graduation certificates may not be included as part of the hours of instruction creditable to § 61.197(a)(2)(iii). Part of the required 16 hours may include testing, but may not exceed 30 minutes in any given 8 hour span of instruction. Sponsors may use a lunch period as an approved instructional block if all attendees are present during the lunch period and the TCO identifies the topic of instruction that the sponsor is to cover. If the sponsor exercises this option, it must be identified in the TCO, as would any other instructional block of time. The chief (or assistant chief instructor where designated) is responsible for ensuring the full attention of the participants and that the attendees complete all lessons, achieve all lesson objectives, and do not abuse permitted break privileges.
f. Instructional Techniques/Alternatives. The sponsor should seek the most desirable and/or alternative instructional techniques available that a certificated instructor may find effective in learning during the FIRC. Although there are well established traditional methods of training, the sponsor should explore any effective alternatives in developing their program. The goal is to transfer useful information to the attendee in an effective manner. How the presenter accomplishes the transfer is entirely up to the sponsor, who is expected to be an expert in the field of training trainers. The underlying premise should emphasize teaching ability and the skills necessary for flight instructors to convey new information to their students successfully. The Par 7 Page 13
Page 14 Par 7 course should be both challenging and thought provoking. Construction of the TCO should follow the general guidance in this AC to ensure expeditious approval. The FAA seeks to ensure a certain level of FIRC program standardization and emphasizes the coverage of program areas believed essential to enhance the knowledge, skills, and instructional capability of attending flight instructors.
g. Completion Standards. The goal of the FIRC is to effectively transfer knowledge to the attendee. The only objective way to measure the degree to which the sponsor obtained this goal is to test the attendees in some manner. Paragraph 10 discusses in some detail that testing is a serious and important component of the FIRC program.
h. Workshops. The curriculum may contain workshops or discussion forums as part of the approved TCO to foster an open exchange of information among everyone in attendance. The sponsor must structure any such forum to reflect the high standards of excellence expected of the FIRC program. The sponsor must carefully monitor and moderate these forums. All instructor attendees must be present in order for them to complete the course successfully. Any open forums/workshops, while encouraged, are limited to 1 hour of the 16 hours of course material.
i. Topic Sequencing. Topic sequencing identified in the TCO must reflect the sequencing that will take place during each particular in person FIRC presentation. This will allow ASIs to adjust their schedules if they wish to observe only particular topic(s) of the FIRC. Because of the inherent flexibility of the Internet, sponsors of Internet-based programs may optionally allow their online attendees to move more freely about the course, taking different modules in differing sequences. This is at the discretion of the Internet FIRC sponsor; however, the sponsor must remain mindful of the building block method of learning and “fine tune” their attendee’s ability to move through the subject matter topics accordingly.
j. Academic Institutions. AFS-800 may approve 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 a similar course of study on a case by case basis.
k. Flight Component. Sponsors who wish to incorporate a flight component into their approved TCO must first contact AFS-800 by any of the methods identified in paragraph 6 of this document to discuss this aspect of their development plans.
l. Graduation Certificates.
(1) Graduation Certificates as a Basis for CFI Renewal. A graduation certificate issued by an approved FIRC sponsor may serve as the sole basis for renewal of a flight instructor’s credentials under the provisions of § 61.197(a)(2)(iii). The renewal applicant must complete their CFI renewal within the 3 months subsequent to the month within which the FIRC sponsor issued the graduation certificate. Further, the renewal applicant’s CFI credentials must be current at the time he or she presents the renewal application. In no case will the FAA renew a pilot’s CFI credentials if application for renewal is attempted past the expiration date printed on their current CFI.
NOTE: Some form or method of testing is a prerequisite for the receipt of a graduation certificate by an attendee.
(2) Contents of a Graduation Certificate. An issued graduation certificate must contain the following information in order to be considered a valid basis for CFI certificate renewal:
(a) The full name and address of the organization (or sponsor) holding FAA approval to conduct the course.
(b) The full name and address of the graduate.
(c) The date of issuance.
(d) The signature of the chief instructor (or assistant chief instructor where designated).
(e) A statement that the graduation certificate expires 3 calendar months from the month of issuance.
(f) Sponsor contact information.
(g) A sequential number.
(h) The expiration date of the sponsor’s current authorization to conduct FIRCs.
NOTE: The sponsor may preprint the expiration date on the certificate or a FIRC representative may fill it in at the completion of each presentation.
However, under no circumstances may a sponsor or representative issue a graduation certificate without the expiration date of the sponsor’s current authorization clearly printed somewhere on the document. The verbiage may be placed anywhere on the front or back of the graduation certificate and should read:
[SPONSOR’S NAME] is authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct FIRC programs that may serve as a basis for the renewal of a flight instructor certificate in accordance with 14 CFR part 61, § 61.197(a)(2)(iii). [SPONSOR’S NAME] current authorization expires on [DATE].
(3) Renewal Information. The sponsor should note that the applicant must submit a completed and signed Form 8710 1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (or IACRA equivalent), along with a copy of the graduation certificate, to a certifying official (ACR, aviation safety inspector (ASI), or approved designated examiner) before their current instructor certificate expires and within the graduation certificate validity period if they wish to renew their instructor credentials based on attendance at that FIRC. The sponsor may use any verbiage that they think most effectively transmits that critical information to the attendees and may place that information anywhere they choose on the front or back of the certificate. Failure to inform the Par 7 Page 15
Page 16 Par 7 attendee of these requirements may result in the attendee’s inability to renew their instructor credential.
(4) Completion Certificates. The sponsor, at their discretion, may issue a completion certificate to any attendee who will not need to use successful FIRC attendance as a basis for meeting any FAA regulatory or policy requirement. A renewal applicant may not use a completion certificate as a basis for CFI renewal or reinstatement. Additionally, a completion certificate does not meet the annual training requirements for the chief pilot of a part 141 pilot school. Testing as a prerequisite for receiving a completion certificate at the conclusion of the FIRC program is also at the discretion of the FIRC sponsor.
8. TCO STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS. This paragraph provides guidance regarding how the TCO should physically be structured and what the sponsor should include in the TCO.
Sponsors may construct their TCOs in any manner they wish. The document should follow a logical sequence and be easy to read and reference. Each TCO submitted for approval should contain at least the following:
a. Page Numbering and Version Identification. Each page (including the cover page) must be sequentially numbered, dated as appropriate, and should identify the version number.
This may be in the form of a footer or header, or otherwise placed in any obvious and consistent location on each of the pages.
b. Cover Page. The TCO should have a cover page containing the full name and address of the FIRC sponsor/organization. This must be the name and address that will appear on the letter of authorization (LOA) when issued. The cover page must also include the name, address, current telephone number, facsimile number (if available), and email address of a POC.
c. Table of Contents. The cover page should be followed by a table of contents with a list of all lesson plans intended to be taught during the course, as well as other constituent components of the TCO. The table of contents should clearly indentify lesson plans that represent or include the required core topics (identified in Appendix 1), as well as all additional elective subjects selected by the sponsor. The table of contents should present the lessons in a manner that allows the reader to easily recognize specific subjects and content. At the discretion of the sponsor, the larger topic framework may incorporate core topics; however, the table of contents must clearly identify each of the core topics by some obvious manner, such as an asterisk. The principal reason for this level of detail is primarily because an FAA inspector may wish to monitor only a specific topic or topics and must be able to easily determine where they occur during the program so as to synchronize his or her arrival time if necessary.
d. Revision Page. A revision summary page will follow the table of contents page.
e. Facilities. A description of the facilities will follow the revision page. The description of the facilities must include a depiction of physical classroom facilities such as climate control (air conditioning/heating), lighting, seating, work areas, distraction avoidance, noise control, and any other pertinent physical environmental characteristics that may influence the learning experience (in person FIRCs only).
f. Training Aids. The TCO must include a description of audio visual aids that will be available for use including, but not limited to, chalk boards, slide and/or overhead projectors, video recorders/players, tape recorders, CD/DVD players, computer data/information presentation, and Internet access. If the TCO program is Internet-based, the TCO must describe the system requirements that the online attendee must meet to ensure that the program operates smoothly.
g. Chief/Assistant Chief. The TCO must list the name and qualifications of the chief instructor (and assistant chief instructor where requested). The chief instructor must meet at least the certificate and experience requirements of a chief instructor required for a part 141 pilot school course of training leading to flight instructor certification.
h. Program Presenters. The TCO must list the qualifications of other instructors, lecturers, moderators, or panelists who will present the sponsor’s program. These persons need not be limited to certificated ground or flight instructors; however, they should be recognized experts in the subjects of their presentations or specialty areas. The principal instructor who is physically giving presentations at any specific approved FIRC (in person FIRCs only) must be an employee or affiliate of the approved sponsor or organization, or be contracted to the approved sponsor or organization.
i. Prerequisites. The TCO must state the enrollment prerequisites for flight instructors planning to attend a FIRC approved under this AC. Only flight instructors whose instructor credentials have not yet expired are eligible to renew their credentials predicated on full attendance and satisfactory completion of the FIRC program. This does not preclude instructors with expired certificates, or any other interested parties, from attending if they choose to do so for their own information. On the contrary, the sponsor should encourage such attendees to attend. Those who are attending for reasons other than credential renewal will not receive flight instructor FIRC graduation certificates. Instead, they may receive certificates of attendance/course completion. This is left to the discretion of the FIRC sponsor. Once a flight instructor certificate has expired, the flight instructor must successfully accomplish a practical test for the reinstatement of that certificate.
j. Daily Schedule. The TCO will include a daily schedule, including the start and stop times for each lesson and the lesson title. The sponsor may choose any period of time they feel is appropriate to cover a particular topic or module adequately. The presenter must make every attempt to adhere to the topic duration established in the schedule. However, it is understood that particular interest or activity in a given module or topic may mean that the sponsor exceeds the duration established for that particular lesson. This is acceptable to a certain extent, although the sponsor must remain mindful to adequately cover subsequent topics and modules. Major changes that may result in the exclusion of another topic must be preapproved by the FAA.
k. Syllabus. A training syllabus will consist of a collection of lesson plans. Each individual lesson plan will include, at a minimum, a description of each lesson to be presented. Each lesson plan will describe all ground and/or flight components (where applicable), lesson objectives, completion standards, and the measurable unit of accomplishment or learning. The sponsor should identify appropriate reference materials that the presenter will use during the presentation.
The sponsor should print an individual lesson plan for each core and elective topic, or unit of Par 8 Page 17
Page 18 Par 8 training, on its own page(s). The individual lesson plans must contain at least the following elements:
(1) Lesson or Module Title. In a practical sense, the lesson or module section will be the title of the module or 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.
(2) Subject Matter. The subject matter portion of each lesson plan should offer an expanded discussion of the specific subject matter(s) the presenter is to 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, but rather should make clear to the reviewer what the intent of the sponsor is regarding the subject matter and identify the principal knowledge components of the topic(s) that the sponsor intends to transfer to the attendee. The FAA is interested in the major points of information that the sponsor is offering the attendees in the specific topics for which they are approved.
(3) Lesson Objectives. The “Lesson Objectives” section should clearly specify the desired attendee learning outcomes and should be consistent with the objectives and subject matter 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 and must retain the bulk of the material and the key specific points presented. These are the lesson objectives. It is important to fully identify these objectives. Be specific. As examples, two inadequate lesson objective descriptions related to a hypothetical module on Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) are shown below, followed by a more acceptable example:
(a) Inadequate Example. At the end of this lesson, the attendee will know about CRM.
(b) 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. The attendee will understand how CRM differs between single pilot and two pilot environments. In addition, the attendee will have learned effective methods of managing 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. The instructor attendee will understand the importance of being able to effectively communicate this information to their attendees/students in a clear and concise manner.
(4) Completion 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 sponsor may set the minimum standard higher if they wish; however, they may not reduce the standard below 70 percent. If the sponsor wishes to employ a non traditional method of completion standard they should contact AFS-800.
(5) Testing Procedures. The sponsor must provide a description of the testing procedure used to measure the attendee’s proficiency. This discussion should identify and describe the form of test (i.e., 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 sponsor will specifically test the applicant on this topic or module on two different occasions using a printed multiple choice format.
l. Written Test Questions. The sponsor will provide a comprehensive written test or test question pool with an answer key in the submitted TCO. The sponsor 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. Test questions must be appropriate to the lesson plans and subject areas the sponsor will teach. The sponsor must administer closed book exams for tests given at live, in person FIRCs. The sponsor must require each attendee to answer at least 30 test questions. All 30 test questions do not have to be given at the same time;
however, at least 15 of the questions must be given at the end of the entire FIRC program, and that final test must 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 sponsors may set higher standards. The sponsor may provide the test questions, answers, and references as an appendix to the TCO so as to allow other non FAA personnel to see the TCO without seeing the tests and their answers. However, the sponsor must submit it as a component part of the TCO when seeking FAA approval.
NOTE: The sponsor must 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 sponsor 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 sponsor should alter multiple choice answer sequence (where used), and should reword or recast preexisting questions.
NOTE: See paragraph 9 for additional information pertaining to Internet-based FIRC testing.
m. Graduation Certificate. The sponsor should include a copy of the graduation certificate to be issued and a copy of a completion certificate, if one is to be used, in the TCO package presented for review. Specific details regarding what must be on the graduation certificate are found elsewhere in this document.
n. Remedial Training. If the sponsor 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. Sponsors who elect not to provide remedial training and testing to instructor attendees who fail to meet the minimum Par 8 Page 19
Page 20 Par 8 standards should include a statement in their TCO to that effect. In this case, the TCO must 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.
9. INTERNET BASED, DISTANCE LEARNING, OR OUT STUDY PROGRAMS.
a. Distance Learning Programs. Distance learning FIRC curricula (which does not include Internet-based) will be accepted by the FAA for review. Sponsors who wish to submit distance learning curricula should first present a clear and logical outline and description of the sequential elements of the training curriculum. Such sponsors should be prepared to provide a 1-800 telephone number and facsimile number to ensure a rapid and effective means of communications between the sponsor and enrollees to aid the enrollees in completing all approved course materials. It may be highly advantageous for a sponsor or organization that intends to submit a distance learning curriculum to meet with AFS-800 in advance to discuss the proposed curriculum in detail.
b. Internet or Web Based Programs. Internet or Web based FIRC curricula will be evaluated by the FAA on a case by case basis. Sponsors/organizations who wish to submit an Internet-based FIRC program must contact AFS-800 and notify them of their intent. Sponsor applicants are encouraged to provide graphical outline representations of their proposed training programs for review and consideration by AFS-800. The graphical representation of an Internet-based FIRC should contain a step by step description of how participants will 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 guidelines contained in this AC. The FAA neither requires nor expects the applicant to print every screenshot used in the FIRC presentation; online access to this material is sufficient. The applicant must submit a brief TCO that contains general information about the FIRC, as well as the items 1 through 10 listed below in this paragraph. Where a stated requirement is not considered applicable to an Internet-based FIRC program, the sponsor should identify that requirement and provide a reason for its inapplicability. The sponsor must make available to the FAA free form access to the completed FIRC training site. Free form access means that the FAA must be able to navigate freely throughout the program as desired, rather than being compelled to follow topics sequentially. This includes access to testing. It is strongly recommended that a sponsor or organization intending to present an Internet-based FIRC program arrange to meet with AFS-800 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:
(1) Source Materials. The source of all study materials used to support the course element that would appear on the Internet, and a description of all drawings, mockups, demos, or links used by the sponsor in the course.
(2) Minimum Hours Verification. A statement of how the sponsor intends to ensure that the attendee completes the minimum requirement of 16 hours of FIRC course subject material (study, completion, and test(s)).
(3) Identity Verification. The methodology proposed to determine the identity of course participants at log on and during navigation of the lessons, including intentional or unintentional disruption of the lesson flow. Additionally, the TCO must describe methodologies proposed to prevent multiple concurrent log-ons by a course participant for the purpose of viewing or printing material during inappropriate stages of the lesson.
(4) Testing Materials Security. A statement of how the sponsor intends to ensure that flight instructor renewal applicants are not given access to any completion test(s) until the course materials for which the test is applicable have been satisfactorily completed.
(5) FAA Access. The 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.
(6) Online Attendee List Availability. A statement that the sponsor will, upon request, provide the FAA a listing of all Internet FIRC program participants that contains, at a minimum, the sponsor’s name and location, the instructor attendee’s name, identification number or code, the date(s) the course was administered, and the completion status of all course participants.
(7) Data Security. Methodologies proposed to ensure data availability, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability for course materials, participant information, and lesson plans.
(8) Certificate Renewal Methodology. If appropriate, the manner in which the sponsor will process applications for flight instructor certificate renewal.
(9) Revisions. The manner in which the sponsor will present future revisions to the approved TCO. These revisions must be approved by the FAA before being included in the online program.
(10) Other Information. Any other information the sponsor may consider necessary or appropriate by the FAA during development of the online program.
10. TESTING PROCEDURES.
a. Minimum Testing Standards. The most effective practical method for assessing the retention of material presented during the FIRC is a knowledge test. This is most frequently in the form of multiple choice questions, although some sponsors employ essay questions or a mixture of both. All are acceptable methods of providing quantitative data reflecting the CFI’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 sponsors give them in terms of practical knowledge and a safe operational mindset. It is incumbent upon the FIRC sponsors to take this aspect of the FIRC very seriously and design their tests in light of this mission. Tests should be sufficiently demanding. Tests should be reflective of the material Par Page 21
Page 22 Par 10 presented. The sponsor 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, sponsors may retrain deficient attendees to 100 percent if they choose to, provided that they give adequate retraining in the attendee’s deficient areas. The sponsor 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.
b. Test Questions. Written tests will consist of a minimum of 30 multiple choice questions relating to the material covered. Sponsors may, and are encouraged to, use more if they choose.
Sponsors may give a single final test of 30 questions, or they may break out 15 of those 30 questions into smaller units given at different times during the 16 hour program. The remaining minimum of 15 questions must be in the form of a comprehensive final test given at the conclusion of the training. This final test, or at least 15 of the questions if the sponsor uses all 30 questions in the final test, must be comprehensive and reflect all of the material presented throughout the entire 16 hours.
c. Alternative Testing. Sponsors may use methods other than multiple choice questions for testing. An acceptable alternative would be essay questions. In such a case, the sponsor 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. Sponsors may explore other methods of testing; however, they must coordinate with AFS-800 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 sponsors 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 must meet or exceed the minimum of 30 questions. See subparagraph 10g.
d. Oral Testing. Sponsors 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 sponsor. Written testing as described in this section is mandatory for all sponsors.
e. Test Records Retention. Sponsors will retain all versions of each attendee’s tests, to include any failing tests if applicable, in a secure location for a period of 2 years and will make them available to the FAA on demand. Test storage may be digital.
f. Conventional In Person FIRC Testing. Sponsors should design exams to test the retention of a range of information provided during the FIRC program. Therefore, the sponsor 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. Sponsors 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. Sponsors 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.
g. Distance Learning or Internet FIRC Testing. When a sponsor presents a distance or 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 must meet or exceed 30. 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. Sponsors 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 sponsor must randomize tests between attendees, and with individual attendees taking FIRCs at a later date.
11. TCO REVISION, AMENDMENT, OR DELETION.
a. Required and Optional Revisions. Sponsors 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 1 and other subject matters selected for periodic emphasis by the FAA will usually be deferred until the sponsor renews their authorization. Additionally, sponsors must change exams at least once every 2 year renewal period. Sponsors may make any changes they wish to their TCOs throughout the approval period provided that they include, at a minimum, the current core courses listed in Appendix 1 or any other changes that the Administrator has determined necessary. However, all proposed substantive changes to the TCO must be approved by AFS-800 before being presented by the sponsor in a FIRC. TCOs and revisions should be emailed to 9-AWA-AVS-AFS-FIRC@faa.gov, or sent by any of the methods identified in paragraph 6 of this document.
b. Submission of Revisions. The sponsor should email TCOs and revisions to 9-AWA-AVS-AFS-FIRC@faa.gov, or send them by any of the methods identified in paragraph 6. The sponsor should submit a single digital (i.e., Microsoft Word document or PDF) copy of the change(s), accompanied by a separate electronic letter requesting approval of the change(s). The sponsor may not include the revised material in the FAA-approved presentation until actual receipt of the letter of approval from AFS-800. 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 site identifying what the elective changes are and where and when the sponsor will present them. It is highly recommended that any submitted documents to the FAA email site require an electronic return receipt. A change of Par 10 Page 23
Page 24 Par 11 chief instructor or assistant chief instructor will require notification to AFS-800 in accordance with the instructions contained in paragraph 13.
c. Method. The method for revising, amending, or deleting materials in the TCO should:
(1) Ensure approval chronology.
(2) Include the effective date of change or revision.
(3) Ensure ease in identifying changed or revised material.
(4) Include entry of change on a revision summary page.
(5) Include written guidance describing the revision procedure to be used by the sponsor.
12. SCHEDULING OF COURSES. In the past, sponsors were required to keep AFS-800 directly apprised of the dates and locations of each course presentation. This was typically in the form of an email or physical mail. This is no longer necessary with the implementation of the FAA Safety Team’s (FAASTeam) FIRC registration page located at http://www.FAASafety.gov.
a. FAASTeam FIRC Scheduling Web Site. The FAASTeam has developed a location on the http://www.FAASafety.gov Web site where FIRC sponsors will input basic information about their programs once their TCOs are approved. Information will be limited to sponsor name, Web site (if applicable), contact email, contact telephone, and the current schedule of presentations. Listings of FIRC presentations are limited to State, city, dates, and times. The presentation schedule must extend at least 6 months at any given time. In other words, any time that an interested party reviews a sponsor’s information on the Web site, he or she should be able to determine what that sponsor’s offerings are for the next 6 months. It is the responsibility of the FIRC sponsor to maintain their data entries. Directions for use are available at the FAASTeam Web site. Individualized access codes will be assigned to each sponsor upon approval and sponsors are required to input their organizational and contact data within 1 week of receipt of the letter of approval. Once the data are input by the sponsor, the sponsor will be responsible for keeping their information up to date. This site will be available to the public; however, only the specific sponsor and FAA personnel will be allowed to make any modifications. If, for any reason, a FIRC sponsor does not wish to have their information listed, they may select the option to disallow their information from being visible to the public. Any sponsor who chooses not to allow their information to be visible to the public must maintain their schedule data on the Web site nevertheless. Such data will only be visible to FAA personnel. The FAA will treat such data as proprietary and not permit access to it outside the FAA.
b. Inability to Upload. If the sponsor is unable to upload schedule information for any reason, they must notify AFS-800 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 6 of this document. Notification must be made 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.