Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 58 - Advanced Qualification Program

Section 1. Purpose and eligibility. 2. Definitions. 3. Required Curriculums. 4. Indoctrination Curriculums. 5. Qualification Curriculums. 6. Continuing Qualification Curriculums. 7. Other Requirements. 8. Certification. 9. Training Devices and Simulators. 10. Approval of Advanced Qualification Program. 11. Approval of Training, Qualification, or Evaluation by a Person Who Provides Training by Arrangement. 12. Recordkeeping requirements. 13. Expiration.

Contrary provisions of parts 61, 63, 65, 121, and 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations notwithstanding—

1. Purpose and Eligibility.

(a) This Special Federal Aviation Regulation provides for approval of an alternate method (known as ”Advanced Qualification Program” or “AQP”) for qualifying, training, certifying, and otherwise ensuring competency of crewmembers, aircraft dispatchers, other operations personnel, instructors, and evaluators who are required to be trained or qualified under parts 121 and 135 of the FAR or under this SFAR.

(b) A certificate holder is eligible under this Special Federal Aviation Regulation if the certificate holder is required to have an approved training program under § 121.401 or § 135.341 of the FAR, or elects to have an approved training program under § 135.341.

(c) A certificate holder obtains approval of each proposed curriculum under this AQP as specified in section 10 of this SFAR.

(d) A curriculum approved under the AQP may include elements of present part 121 and part 135 training programs. Each curriculum must specify the make, model, and series aircraft (or variant) and each crewmember position or other positions to be covered by that curriculum. Positions to be covered by the AQP must include all flight crewmember positions, instructors, and evaluators and may include other positions, such as flight attendants, aircraft dispatchers, and other operations personnel.

(e) Each certificate holder that obtains approval of an AQP under this SFAR shall comply with all of the requirements of that program.

2. Definitions. As used in this SFAR:

Curriculum means a portion of an Advanced Qualification Program that covers one of three program areas: (1) indoctrination, (2) qualification, or (3) continuing qualification. A qualification or continuing qualification curriculum addresses the required training and qualification activities for a specific make, model, and series aircraft (or variant) and for a specific duty position.

Evaluator means a person who has satisfactorily completed training and evaluation that qualifies that person to evaluate the performance of crewmembers, instructors, other evaluators, aircraft dispatchers, and other operations personnel.

Facility means the physical environment required for training and qualification (e.g., buildings, classrooms).

Training center means an organization certificated under part 142 of this chapter or an organization approved by the Administrator to operate under the terms of this SFAR to provide training as described in section 1(b) of SFAR 58.

Variant means a specifically configured aircraft for which the FAA has identified training and qualification requirements that are significantly different from those applicable to other aircraft of the same make, model, and series.

3. Required Curriculums. Each AQP must have separate curriculums for indoctrination, qualification, and continuing qualification as specified in sections 4, 5, and 6 of this SFAR.

4. Indoctrination Curriculums. Each indoctrination curriculum must include the following:

(a) For newly hired persons being trained under an AQP: Company policies and operating practices and general operational knowledge.

(b) For newly hired flight crewmembers and aircraft dispatchers: General aeronautical knowledge.

(c) For instructors: The fundamental principles of the teaching and learning process; methods and theories of instruction; and the knowledge necessary to use aircraft, flight training devices, flight simulators, and other training equipment in advanced qualification curriculums.

(d) For evaluators: Evaluation requirements specified in each approved curriculum; methods of evaluating crewmembers and aircraft dispatchers and other operations personnel; and policies and practices used to conduct the kinds of evaluations particular to an advanced qualification curriculum (e.g., proficiency and online).

5. Qualification Curriculums. Each qualification curriculum must include the following:

(a) The certificate holder's planned hours of training, evaluation, and supervised operating experience.

(b) A list of and text describing the training, qualification, and certification activities, as applicable for specific positions subject to the AQP, as follows:

(1) Crewmembers, aircraft dispatchers, and other operations personnel. Training, evaluation, and certification activities which are aircraft- and equipment-specific to qualify a person for a particular duty position on, or duties related to the operation of a specific make, model, and series aircraft (or variant); a list of and text describing the knowledge requirements, subject materials, job skills, and each maneuver and procedure to be trained and evaluated; the practical test requirements in addition to or in place of the requirements of parts 61, 63, and 65; and a list of and text describing supervised operating experience.

(2) Instructors. Training and evaluation to qualify a person to impart instruction on how to operate, or on how to ensure the safe operation of a particular make, model, and series aircraft (or variant).

(3) Evaluators. Training, evaluation, and certification activities that are aircraft and equipment specific to qualify a person to evaluate the performance of persons who operate or who ensure the safe operation of, a particular make, model, and series aircraft (or variant).

6. Continuing Qualification Curriculums. Continuing qualification curriculums must comply with the following requirements:

(a) General. A continuing qualification curriculum must be based on—

(1) A continuing qualification cycle that ensures that during each cycle each person qualified under an AQP, including instructors and evaluators, will receive a balanced mix of training and evaluation on all events and subjects necessary to ensure that each person maintains the minimum proficiency level of knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for original qualification; and

(2) If applicable, flight crewmember or aircraft dispatcher recency of experience requirements.

(b) Continuing Qualification Cycle Content. Each continuing qualification cycle must include at least the following:

(1) Evaluation period. An evaluation period during which each person qualified under an AQP must receive at least one training session and a proficiency evaluation at a training facility. The number and frequency of training sessions must be approved by the Administrator. A training session, including any proficiency evaluation completed at that session, that occurs any time during the two calendar months before the last date for completion of an evaluation period can be considered by the certificate holder to be completed in the last calendar month.

(2) Training. Continuing qualification must include training in all events and major subjects required for original qualification, as follows:

(i) For pilots in command, seconds in command, flight engineers, and instructors and evaluators: Ground training including a general review of knowledge and skills covered in qualification training, updated information on newly developed procedures, and safety information.

(ii) For crewmembers, aircraft dispatchers, instructors, evaluators, and other operation personnel who conduct their duties in flight: Proficiency training in an aircraft, flight training device, or flight simulator on normal, abnormal, and emergency flight procedures and maneuvers.

(iii) For instructors and evaluators who are limited to conducting their duties in flight simulators and flight training devices: Proficiency training in a flight training device and/or flight simulator regarding operation of this training equipment and in operational flight procedures and maneuvers (normal, abnormal, and emergency).

(3) Evaluations. Continuing qualification must include evaluation in all events and major subjects required for original qualification, and online evaluations for pilots in command and other eligible flight crewmembers. Each person qualified under an AQP must successfully complete a proficiency evaluation and, if applicable, an online evaluation during each evaluation period. An individual's proficiency evaluation may be accomplished over several training sessions if a certificate holder provides more than one training session in an evaluation period. The following evaluation requirements apply:

(i) Proficiency evaluations as follows:

(A) For pilots in command, seconds in command, and flight engineers: A proficiency evaluation, portions of which may be conducted in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device as approved in the certificate holder's curriculum which must be completed during each evaluation period.

(B) For any other persons covered by an AQP a means to evaluate their proficiency in the performance of their duties in their assigned tasks in an operational setting.

(ii) Online evaluations as follows:

(A) For pilots in command: An online evaluation conducted in an aircraft during actual flight operations under part 121 or part 135 or during operationally (line) oriented flights, such as ferry flights or proving flights. An online evaluation in an aircraft must be completed in the calendar month that includes the midpoint of the evaluation period. An online evaluation that is satisfactorily completed in the calendar month before or the calendar month after the calendar month in which it becomes due is considered to have been completed during the calendar month it became due. However, in no case is an online evaluation under this paragraph required more often than once during an evaluation period.

(B) During the online evaluations required under paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(A) of this section, each person performing duties as a pilot in command, second in command, or flight engineer for that flight, must be individually evaluated to determine whether he or she—(1) Remains adequately trained and currently proficient with respect to the particular aircraft, crew position, and type of operation in which he or she serves; and (2) Has sufficient knowledge and skills to operate effectively as part of a crew.

(4) Recency of experience. For pilots in command and seconds in command, and, if the certificate holder elects, flight engineers and aircraft dispatchers, approved recency of experience requirements.

(c) Duration periods. Initially the continuing qualification cycle approved for an AQP may not exceed 26 calendar months and the evaluation period may not exceed 13 calendar months. Thereafter, upon demonstration by a certificate holder that an extension is warranted, the Administrator may approve extensions of the continuing qualification cycle and the evaluation period in increments not exceeding 3 calendar months. However, a continuing qualification cycle may not exceed 39 calendar months and an evaluation period may not exceed 26 calendar months.

(d) Requalification. Each continuing qualification curriculum must include a curriculum segment that covers the requirements for requalifying a crewmember, aircraft dispatcher, or other operations personnel who has not maintained continuing qualification.

7. Other Requirements. In addition to the requirements of sections 4, 5, and 6, each AQP qualification and continuing qualification curriculum must include the following requirements:

(a) Approved Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) Training applicable to each position for which training is provided under an AQP.

(b) Approved training on and evaluation of skills and proficiency of each person being trained under an AQP to use their cockpit resource management skills and their technical (piloting or other) skills in an actual or simulated operations scenario. For flight crewmembers this training and evaluation must be conducted in an approved flight training device or flight simulator.

(c) Data collection procedures that will ensure that the certificate holder provides information from its crewmembers, instructors, and evaluators that will enable the FAA to determine whether the training and evaluations are working to accomplish the overall objectives of the curriculum.

8. Certification. A person enrolled in an AQP is eligible to receive a commercial or airline transport pilot, flight engineer, or aircraft dispatcher certificate or appropriate rating based on the successful completion of training and evaluation events accomplished under that program if the following requirements are met:

(a) Training and evaluation of required knowledge and skills under the AQP must meet minimum certification and rating criteria established by the Administrator in parts 61, 63, or 65. The Administrator may accept substitutes for the practical test requirements of parts 61, 63, or 65, as applicable.

(b) The applicant satisfactorily completes the appropriate qualification curriculum.

(c) The applicant shows competence in required technical knowledge and skills (e.g., piloting) and cockpit resource management knowledge and skills in scenarios that test both types of knowledge and skills together.

(d) The applicant is otherwise eligible under the applicable requirements of part 61, 63, or 65.

9. Training Devices and Simulators.

(a) Qualification and approval of flight training devices and flight simulators. (1) Any training device or simulator that will be used in an AQP for one of the following purposes must be evaluated by the Administrator for assignment of a flight training device or flight simulator qualification level:

(i) Required evaluation of individual or crew proficiency.

(ii) Training activities that determine if an individual or crew is ready for a proficiency evaluation.

(iii) Activities used to meet recency of experience requirements.

(iv) Line Operational Simulations (LOS).

(2) To be eligible to request evaluation for a qualification level of a flight training device or flight simulator an applicant must—

(i) Hold an operating certificate; or

(ii) Be a training center that has applied for authorization to the Administrator or has been authorized by the Administrator to conduct training or qualification under an AQP.

(3) Each flight training device or flight simulator to be used by a certificate holder or training center for any of the purposes set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must—

(i) Be, or have been, evaluated against a set of criteria established by the Administrator for a particular qualification level of simulation;

(ii) Be approved for its intended use in a specified AQP; and

(iii) Be part of a flight simulator or flight training device continuing qualification program approved by the Administrator.

(b) Approval of other Training Equipment. (1) Any training device that is intended to be used in an AQP for purposes other than those set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be approved by the Administrator for its intended use.

(2) An applicant for approval of a training device under this paragraph must identify the device by its nomenclature and describe its intended use.

(3) Each training device approved for use in an AQP must be part of a continuing program to provide for its serviceability and fitness to perform its intended function as approved by the Administrator.

10. Approval of Advanced Qualification Program.

(a) Approval Process. Each applicant for approval of an AQP curriculum under this SFAR shall apply for approval of that curriculum. Application for approval is made to the certificate holder's FAA Flight Standards District Office.

(b) Approval Criteria. An application for approval of an AQP curriculum will be approved if the program meets the following requirements:

(1) It must be submitted in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator.

(2) It must meet all of the requirements of this SFAR.

(3) It must indicate specifically the requirements of parts 61, 63, 65, 121 or 135, as applicable, that would be replaced by an AQP curriculum. If a requirement of parts 61, 63, 65, 121, or 135 is replaced by an AQP curriculum, the certificate holder must show how the AQP curriculum provides an equivalent level of safety for each requirement that is replaced. Each applicable requirement of parts 61, 63, 65, 121 or 135 that is not specifically addressed in an AQP curriculum continues to apply to the certificate holder.

(c) Application and Transition. Each certificate holder that applies for one or more advanced qualification curriculums or for a revision to a previously approved curriculum must comply with § 121.405 or § 135.325, as applicable, and must include as part of its application a proposed transition plan (containing a calendar of events) for moving from its present approved training to the advanced qualification training.

(d) Advanced Qualification Program Revisions or Rescissions of Approval. If after a certificate holder begins operations under an AQP, the Administrator finds that the certificate holder is not meeting the provisions of its approved AQP, the Administrator may require the certificate holder to make revisions in accordance with § 121.405 or § 135.325, as applicable, or to submit and obtain approval for a plan (containing a schedule of events) that the certificate holder must comply with and use to transition to an approved part 121 or part 135 training program, as appropriate.

11. Approval of Training, Qualification, or Evaluation by a Person who Provides Training by Arrangement.

(a) A certificate holder under part 121 or part 135 may arrange to have AQP required training, qualification, or evaluation functions performed by another person (a training center) if the following requirements are met:

(1) The training center's training and qualification curriculums, curriculum segments, or portions of curriculum segments must be provisionally approved by the Administrator. A training center may apply for provisional approval independently or in conjunction with a certificate holder's application for AQP approval. Application for provisional approval must be made to the FAA's Flight Standards District Office that has responsibility for the training center.

(2) The specific use of provisionally approved curriculums, curriculum segments, or portions of curriculum segments in a certificate holder's AQP must be approved by the Administrator as set forth in section 10 of this SFAR.

(b) An applicant for provisional approval of a curriculum, curriculum segment, or portion of a curriculum segment under this paragraph must show that the following requirements are met:

(1) The applicant must have a curriculum for the qualification and continuing qualification of each instructor or evaluator employed by the applicant.

(2) The applicant's facilities must be found by the Administrator to be adequate for any planned training, qualification, or evaluation for a part 121 or part 135 certificate holder.

(3) Except for indoctrination curriculums, the curriculum, curriculum segment, or portion of a curriculum segment must identify the specific make, model, and series aircraft (or variant) and crewmember or other positions for which it is designed.

(c) A certificate holder who wants approval to use a training center's provisionally approved curriculum, curriculum segment, or portion of a curriculum segment in its AQP, must show that the following requirements are met:

(1) Each instructor or evaluator used by the training center must meet all of the qualification and continuing qualification requirements that apply to employees of the certificate holder that has arranged for the training, including knowledge of the certificate holder's operations.

(2) Each provisionally approved curriculum, curriculum segment, or portion of a curriculum segment must be approved by the Administrator for use in the certificate holder's AQP. The Administrator will either provide approval or require modifications to ensure that each curriculum, curriculum segment, or portion of a curriculum segment is applicable to the certificate holder's AQP.

(d) Approval for the training, qualification, or evaluation by a person who provides training by arrangement authorized by this section expires on August 3, 1998 unless that person meets the eligibility requirements specified under § 121.402 or § 135.324 of this chapter. After August 2, 1998 approval for the training, qualification, or evaluation, by a person who provides training by arrangement authorized by this section, shall be granted only to persons who meet the eligibility requirements specified under § 121.402 or § 135.234 of this chapter.

12. Recordkeeping Requirements. Each certificate holder and each training center holding AQP provisional approval shall show that it will establish and maintain records in sufficient detail to establish the training, qualification, and certification of each person qualified under an AQP in accordance with the training, qualification, and certification requirements of this SFAR.

13. Expiration. This Special Federal Aviation Regulation terminates on October 2, 2005, unless sooner terminated.