The FAA has published a “Correction” to the final rule published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2009 that amended FAR Part 61. The corrections include standardizing certain time period durations within the rule from “60 days” to now read “2 calendar months and correcting the duration of a student pilot certificate to 60 calendar months for a student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate. Significantly, the correction also fixes an omission and errors to the prerequisite eligibility requirements for use of flight simulators.
Although the FAA intended to consolidate and clarify the uses of flight simulators and flight training devices in the final rule without substantive changes to the uses of or prerequisite eligibility requirements to flight simulators and flight training devices, that didn’t happen. However, the correction revises the final rule to require the use of a qualified and approved Level C flight simulator if a flight simulator is used for the entire practical test, as previously required. In addition to several other clarifications, the correction also explains that the final rule still provides for partial use of the aircraft for performing the pre-flight inspection, normal takeoff, normal instrument landing system approach, missed approach, and normal landing tasks, or the applicant will receive the supervised operating experience.
The corrections are effective today. If you have questions regarding the corrections or the final rule, you may contact John D. Lynch, Certification and General Aviation Operations Branch, AFS-810, General Aviation and Commercial Division, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3844; e-mail to john.d.lynch@faa.gov. Or, for legal interpretative questions about the corrections or final rule, you may contact: Michael Chase, AGC-240, Office of Chief Counsel, Regulations Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3110; e-mail to michael.chase@faa.gov.
