The FAA today published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register that proposes a Second-In-Command Type Rating. The rule is intended to “conform the FAA pilot type rating requirements to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) pilot type rating standards” and “to allow U.S. flight crews to continue to operate in international airspace without the threat of being grounded for not holding the appropriate pilot type rating.”
Currently, the ICAO requires type ratings for SIC pilot crewmembers whereas the FAA does not. The FAA simply relies upon the initial and annual recurrent training an SIC pilot crewmember receives. Unfortunately, many European countries do not consider the FAA’s view sufficient and they have indicated that they will require an SIC pilot crewmember to have a type rating for operations in their countries.
Under this NPRM, the FAA is proposing to revise the regulations to allow for the issuance of an SIC type rating for use in international airspace where the foreign country in which the SIC is operating requires an ICAO SIC type rating. However, the FAA will continue to take the position that an SIC type rating is not required for operations in U.S. airspace.
In a nutshell, the SIC will need to receive familiarization training from a qualified pilot in command or authorized certified flight instructor who holds the applicable type rating. Upon completion, a logbook entry will be made in the SIC’s logbook indicating that the training was successfully completed. The SIC then completes an FAA form 8710-1 and presents it to the local FSDO or a designated examiner who reviews the logbook entry and signs the 8710-1. No checkride or practical test is required. The SIC then simply presents the 8710-1 to the FSDO for processing. For more detailed information regarding the process, please read through the procedures listed in the NPRM.
You can review the docket for this NPRM or submit comments electronically here. Alternatively, comments may be mailed to Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001, faxed to1-202-493-2251 or hand delivered to Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC. Comments are due no later than December 16, 2004.
