The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed\nFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval on regulatory changes to pilot\nmedical certifications, training proficiency and a host of other pressing\nrequirements for business aviation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NBAA has continually advocated for the accommodations to\naddress the dramatically changing circumstances presented by the COVID-19\ncrisis. Many business aviation pilots and operators are facing expiration of\ntraining and proficiency requirements, medical certifications and more, with no\nsafe or practical means of renewing those certifications, in light of\nstay-at-home orders prohibiting nonessential activities and social-distancing\nguidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are grateful to FAA Administrator Dickson and his team\nfor hearing and acting on NBAA\u2019s request that the agency make this much-needed\nrelief for pilots and operations a top priority,\u201d said NBAA President and CEO\nEd Bolen. \u201cIn particular, we appreciate the efforts made by Associate\nAdministrator for Aviation Safety Ali Bahrami. The important actions taken on\nthese matters preserves aviation safety, while thoughtfully and appropriately\nresponding to the unprecedented times caused by the COVID-19 crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FAA addressed NBAA\u2019s requests for extensions or\nexemptions on pilot training and medicals, and a number of other matters, in a\nSpecial Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) expected to be made public today.\nThe SFAR serves as a direct, final rule providing relief for a number of\nregulatory requirements, including certain flight reviews, crew requirements,\nand provisions addressing large aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems, among\nothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once published, NBAA will provide details about the SFAR\u2019s\nimplementation date and other aspects of the relief package. Additionally, the\nassociation plans an upcoming NBAA News Hour webinar to go through the SFAR\u2019s\nparticulars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NBAA and other groups recently sent a letter to Bahrami emphasizing the need for the changes approved by the agency today. The joint industry letter notes the benefit of general aviation (GA) to the public, emphasizing its role in humanitarian efforts responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and other services. Read the joint industry letter<\/a> (PDF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n