[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 12, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56251-56253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22451]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC); New Task 
Assignment for the ARAC: Establishment of Airman Testing Standards and 
Training Working Group

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA assigned the ARAC a new task arising from 
recommendations of the Airman Testing Standards and Training Aviation 
Rulemaking Committee (ARC). The ARC recommended ways to ensure that the 
FAA's airman testing and training materials better support reduction of 
fatal general aviation accidents. The new task is to integrate 14 CFR 
part 61 aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency requirements for 
the private pilot and flight instructor certificates and the instrument 
rating into a single Airman Certification Standards document for each 
type of certificate and rating; to develop a detailed proposal to 
realign FAA training handbooks with the Airman Certification Standards 
documents; and to propose knowledge test item bank questions consistent 
with the integrated Airman Certification Standards documents and the 
principles set forth in the ARC's recommendations.
    This action item informs the public of the new ARAC's task and 
solicits membership for the new Airman Testing Standards and Training 
Working Group (Working Group).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Van L. Kerns, Manager, Regulatory 
Support Division, FAA Flight Standards Service, AFS 600, FAA Mike 
Monroney Aeronautical Center P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125; 
telephone (405) 954-4431, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 56252]]

Background

    The FAA established ARAC to provide advice and recommendations to 
the FAA Administrator on the FAA's rulemaking activities. ARAC's 
objectives are to improve the development of the FAA's regulations by 
providing information, advice, and recommendations related to aviation 
issues.
    On September 21, 2011, the FAA chartered the ARC for the U.S. 
aviation community to develop recommendations for more effective 
training and testing in the areas of aeronautical knowledge and flight 
proficiency required for safer operation in today's National Airspace 
System (NAS).
    The FAA's charge to the ARC was to help ensure that FAA's technical 
information related to existing standards for airman knowledge and 
skill tests, computer testing supplements, knowledge test guides, 
practical test standards and training handbooks incorporates the most 
current, relevant, and effective approaches to training and testing. 
The FAA specifically tasked the ARC with providing recommendations on a 
process for ongoing stakeholder participation in developing the content 
of these materials, and methodologies for developing better test item 
bank questions. The FAA also asked the ARC to develop a prioritized 
list of certificates and ratings to update.
    This new task is the FAA's response to several of the ARC's 
recommendations. Establishment of the ARAC's Working Group creates a 
process by which the stakeholders' real world aviation education and 
training expertise can contribute to the development of materials and 
methodologies. In accordance with the ARC's recommended certificate and 
rating priorities, the Working Group will address the private pilot, 
flight instructor, and instrument rating training and testing materials 
by developing an integrated Airman Certification Standards document for 
each one.
    By aligning the aeronautical knowledge testing standards required 
by 14 CFR part 61 with the flight proficiency standards set out in the 
existing Practical Test Standards (PTS), the integrated Airman 
Certification Standard will enhance the relevance, reliability, 
validity, and effectiveness of aeronautical knowledge testing and 
training materials and thus support the FAA's goal of reducing fatal 
general aviation accidents. The FAA is also tasking the ARAC's Working 
Group to develop a detailed proposal to realign and, as appropriate, 
streamline and consolidate existing FAA guidance material (e.g., 
handbooks) with each integrated Airman Certification Standards 
documents; and to propose methodologies to ensure that knowledge test 
item bank questions are consistent with both the Airman Certification 
Standards documents and the test question development principles set 
forth in the ARC's recommendations.
    In August 2012, the ARAC's Executive Committee discussed the 
proposed actions for this tasking. This notice advises the public that 
the FAA has assigned, and the Executive Committee has accepted, a new 
task to develop the items listed below. The FAA has specifically tasked 
the ARAC's Working Group to support the FAA's goal to enhance general 
aviation safety and reduce the fatal general aviation accident rate by 
providing:
    (1) An integrated Airman Certification Standards document that 
aligns the aeronautical knowledge testing standards required by 14 CFR 
part 61 with the flight proficiency standards (``Areas of Operation'') 
set out in 14 CFR part 61 and the existing Practical Test Standards 
(PTS) for (a) the private pilot and (b) flight instructor certificates 
and (c) the instrument rating. To accomplish this task, the Working 
Group should follow the ARC's recommendations to integrate appropriate 
elements of aeronautical knowledge and risk management into each Area 
of Operation in the current Practical Test Standards documents.
    (2) A recommendation on priorities for revision of additional 
certificates and ratings, along with ways to ensure expert review of 
any revisions to these documents.
    (3) A detailed proposal to realign and, as appropriate, streamline 
and consolidate existing FAA guidance material (e.g., the handbooks 
listed below) with the integrated Airman Certification Standards 
documents developed in accordance with item (1). The Working Group will 
also develop and recommend a process for review and revision of these 
materials.
    (4) Proposed knowledge test item bank questions that are consistent 
with both the newly developed Airman Certification Standards documents 
and the test question development principles set forth in the ARC's 
recommendations. The Working Group will also recommend options that 
provide for expert outside review (``boarding'') of proposed questions 
while safeguarding the integrity of the testing process.
    The Working Group is expected to develop a report containing each 
of the listed elements. Any disagreements should be documented, 
including the rationale for each position and the reasons for the 
disagreement.
    In developing this report, the Working Group shall familiarize 
itself with:
    1. A Report to the FAA from the Airman Testing Standards and 
Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee: Recommendations to Enhance 
Airman Knowledge Test Content and Its Processes and Methodologies for 
Training and Testing (www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/arc).
    2. Aeronautical knowledge standards set forth in 14 CFR part 61, 
Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors.
    3. Flight proficiency standards set forth in 14 CFR part 61, 
Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors.
    4. FAA Airman Knowledge Test Guide (FAA-G-8082-17E).
    5. Current Practical Test Standards documents for Private Pilot 
Airplane (FAA-S-8081-14B); Flight Instructor Airplane (FAA-S-8081-6C); 
and Instrument Rating for Airplane, Helicopter, and Powered Lift (FAA-
S-8081-4E).
    6. Current FAA guidance materials, to include the Pilot's Handbook 
of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25A); the Airplane Flying 
Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A); the Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-
8083-9A); the Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15A); and the 
Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-1A).

Schedule

    The recommendations must be forwarded to the ARAC Executive 
Committee for review and approval no later than September 30, 2013.

ARAC Acceptance of New Task

    The ARAC's Executive Committee has accepted the task and assigned 
it to the newly-established ARAC Working Group. The Working Group 
serves as staff to ARAC and assists in the analysis of the assigned new 
task. ARAC must review and approve the Working Group's recommendations. 
If ARAC accepts the Working Group's recommendations, it will send them 
to the FAA in the form of a written report.

Working Group Activity

    The Working Group must comply with the procedures adopted by ARAC. 
As part of the procedures, the Working Group must:
    1. Recommend a work plan for completion of the task, including the 
rationale supporting such a plan, for

[[Page 56253]]

consideration at the next ARAC Executive Committee meeting held 
following publication of this notice.
    2. Provide a status report at each meeting of the ARAC Executive 
Committee.
    3. Draft the recommendations report and required analyses and/or 
any other related materials or documents.
    4. Present the final recommendations to the ARAC Executive 
Committee for review and approval.

Participation in the ARAC Working Group

    The Working Group will be comprised of aviation professionals with 
experience and expertise in airman training and testing, and technical 
experts having an interest in the assigned new task. The FAA would like 
a wide range of members to ensure that all aspects of airman testing 
and training, including best practices, are considered in the 
development of its recommendations.
    If you wish to become a member of the Working Group, please write 
the person listed under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
expressing such desire. Describe your interest in the new task and 
state the expertise you would bring to the Working Group. We must 
receive all requests by October 2, 2012.
    The ARAC Executive Committee and the FAA will review the requests 
and advise you whether your request is approved.
    If you are chosen for membership on the Working Group, you must 
actively participate by attending all meetings and providing written 
comments when requested to do so. You must devote the resources 
necessary to support the Working Group in meeting any assigned 
deadlines. You must keep your management chain, and those you may 
represent, advised of the Working Group's activities and decisions to 
ensure the proposed technical solutions do not conflict with your 
sponsoring organization's position, when the subject is presented to 
ARAC for approval. Once the Working Group has begun deliberations, 
members will not be added or substituted without the approval of the 
FAA and the Working Group chair.
    The Secretary of Transportation determined the formation and use of 
ARAC is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the 
performance of duties imposed on the FAA by law. ARAC meetings are open 
to the public. However, ARAC Working Group's meetings are not open to 
the public, except to the extent individuals with an interest and 
expertise are selected to attend. The FAA will make no public 
announcement of the Working Group's meetings.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 5, 2012.
Lirio Liu,
Acting Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2012-22451 Filed 9-11-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P