WASHINGTON, DC—The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) filed comments today on the draft Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for private pilot and instrument ratings. The comments strongly support the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) efforts to continue modernizing how pilots are trained and certified by implementing the ACS for all pilot certificates.

Jens Hennig, GAMA’s Vice President of Operations, who chaired the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) that proposed the establishment of the ACS, said, "The creation of the Airman Certification Standards framework addresses concerns raised from across the aviation training community that the existing practical test and knowledge test are outdated and need to better focus on safety priorities."

The ACS framework brings together the existing Practical Test Standards (PTS) and knowledge test questions into a single set of standards that provide the bridge between the Part 61 regulatory requirements and the knowledge, skills and risk management that should be taught to pilots. The draft ACS was developed jointly by representatives from across the aviation training community—including manufacturers, pilot and instructor training organizations, universities, and aviation training providers and material developers as well as the FAA. The FAA has made the draft ACS available for public comment to ensure that their content is subject to the broadest review by affected stakeholders.

The development of the ACS is one of three joint-FAA/industry programs focused on enhancing general aviation safety. Work is also underway to reorganize the Part 23 airplane certification standards and to analyze and establish data-driven risk mitigations under the auspices of the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC). GAMA’s comments to the FAA on the draft ACS (Docket No. FAA-2013-0316) are available at www.GAMA.aero under Advocacy.