OTORCRAFT CHECKRIDE
“I’m an NVG Instructor” …Are you sure?
In October 2009, the FAA released new regulations related to the use of night vision goggles (NVGs) in the U.S. National Airspace System. In these newly minted FARs was guidance on NVG pilot training and were established to be an NVG instructor. Although the regulation is clear guidance to provide an NVG instructor the required endorsement per FAR 61.197(k)(7) is nonexistent. Since the release of these new regulations in on this issue.
With the release of these new regulations, every NVG pilot and instructor manner in which they had been prior to the release of the regulations. Most pilots were either conducting law enforcement or air medical operations. Law enforcement pilots were provided relief in FAR 61.31(K)(3). Most air medical pilots operate under Part 135, so they were approved under their company Part 135 NVG training program. All other pilots desiring
FAA inspectors that were working with operators already conducting NVG training simply provided each instructor an endorsement under FAR 61.197(k)(7). All that was required was a simple review of those items However, as the NVG industry has expanded and more NVG instructors have been trained, the FAA has taken a second look at the process by which an NVG instructor is endorsed. In many cases, NVG instructors were providing NVG instructor endorsements to other NVG instructors they had trained. Although not uncommon among other endorsements contained with FAR 61.31 such as a tail-wheel endorsement, this was not the intent of the FAA.
In early 2014, my status as a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) with NVG instructor authorization was removed. Since I too was a victim of the lack of clear guidance to support the NVG regulations in the October 2009 the situation, or at least obtain some guidance, I reached out to the answer on 21 May 2015.
and that guidance to provide the remedy to this situation is forthcoming. However, since there is no standard for the NVG instructor endorsement for the person authorized to provide that endorsement, then there is no person authorized to provide the NVG instructor endorsement. The FAA inspector for such a purpose, however the endorsement that would be issued does not exist at this time. Once developed, the NVG instructor endorsement will be added to AC 61.65.
I know this article will bring more questions than answers. NightCon (the NVG industry’s only civilian conference) will be held on August 27-28 in Dallas, Texas. At NightCon, representatives from the FAA and other international regulatory agencies, NVG operators, service providers, and educators will meet to discuss this issue among many others. Come join
If you have any questions related to this article, please email me at
randyrowlesdpe@gmail.com the subject line.
Training Musings By Randy Rowles
Randy Rowles has been a FAA pilot examiner for 20 years for all
52 August 2015
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