MY 2 CENTS
To be eligible for the more advanced certificates and ratings, a Part 141 chief instructor needs a minimum of 2,000 flight hours pilot-in-command and 1,500 flight hours of instruction. In today’s industry, pilots with this level of experience already are working in the field. Since Part 141 pilot schools may not operate without a chief flight instructor, alternative processes like using an FAA designated pilot examiner (DPE) to aid with student stage checks during training are often utilized, but this is a short-term solution and one with very limited capability.
In contrast to the airlines or large helicopter operators, there are limited funds available for staff compensation in flight training. Flight training is a pay- to-play process, and the rate of pay for staffing directly contributes to the price of flight training charged to the customer. For staffing shortages and employment retainment issues, the industry often cites compensation as a culprit. With lowering thresholds to move into higher-paying jobs combined with limited abilities to increase tuition for flight training, an easy solution to attract and retain Part 141 management staff is challenging.
Adding to the challenge is the lack of regulatory process to request an experience exemption for a Part 141 chief or assistant chief flight instructor. That process doesn’t exist. Part 141 pilot schools are falling victim to this experience deficit, and the situation is only getting worse. The choice on the table for Part 141 schools experiencing these staffing challenges is to continue operating in a noncompliant manner — or close. It’s sad, but we’re seeing many pilot schools choosing the latter option. This fact is only adding to the pilot shortage and stimulating a steady trend of flight instructor skill degradation.
I believe it’s time for the FAA to move away from arbitrary experience requirements for
aviation management
positions. Having a minimum standard is not a bad idea, however always having a proficiency-based alternative is key to improving, growing, and sustaining a healthy aviation industry.
Hey FAA, it’s time for a change!
Randy Rowles has been an FAA pilot examiner for 20 years for all helicopter certificates and ratings. He holds an FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate, NAFI Master Flight Instructor designation, and was the 2013 recipient of the HAI Flight Instructor of the Year Award. Rowles is currently the owner of the Helicopter Institute. He can be reached at randyrowlesdpe@
gmail.com
rotorpro.com
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