[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 54 (Friday, March 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 13120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6149]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic Approvals

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of policy change.

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SUMMARY: This notice is provided to inform the aviation community that 
effective April 30, 2004, the FAA's General Aviation And Commercial 
Division, AFS-800, will no longer grant any new Flight Instructor 
Refresher Clinic (FIRC) approvals. After that date, only those FIRC 
providers holding a current FAA approval will be considered for 
renewal. This policy change does not effect Special Preparation Courses 
approved under 14 CFR 141.11(b)(2)(ii). The FAA reserves the right to 
approve new FIRC programs as future demands dictate. Should such a need 
arise the FAA will issue a new Federal Register notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Brown, Certification and Flight 
Training Branch, AFS-840, FAA, 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, 
DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-7653; fax (202) 267-5094; or e-mail 
[email protected].
    Background: Since the advent of Internet, or Web-based FIRCs, the 
demand for traditional (stand-up) and at-distance renewal programs has 
steadily declined. This has led to a marked reduction in requests for 
new FIRC program approvals. Moreover, the current Web-based FIRC 
providers have demonstrated the ability to meet the demand of certified 
flight instructors. The FAA estimates that in 2003 alone, over 8,000 
certified flight instructor renewals were completed though Web-based 
FIRCs.
    These factors, coupled with the ease and availability of existing 
certificate renewal methods (Web-based and at distance learning 
programs, the existing cadre of stand-up and Internet providers, 
practical test, etc.), has led the FAA to issue this notice. Further, 
the FAA asserts that existing methods for renewing certified flight 
instructor certificates are adequate to meet the current and future 
demands of the aviation training community. Therefore, this policy 
change will become effective on April 30, 2004.

    Issued in Washington, DC on March 11, 2004.
Anne Graham,
Acting Manager, General Aviation and Commercial Division.
[FR Doc. 04-6149 Filed 3-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P