Cork-based South Aer is reported to have become the first company in Ireland to be accredited as an official FAA written exam test centre. There are very few test centres outside of the US which offer this facility, and Scott Kennedy (director of Aviation Service) explained why: “It was very difficult to get the accreditation. There are quite a few stipulations and regulations to be able to achieve the status, one of which is that you have to be an American citizen to act as a testing centre supervisor.

I’ve been here for four years managing our aviation services department, so it just fell into place as I’m an American.”

Flight training has been the company’s core business since 1993, although it has since branched into other areas. “We have Ireland’s only pilot shop, training students with equipment including charts to Jeppesen type product. South Aer now offers an opportunity for those wishing to obtain a commercial licence and instrument ratings. Also offered is airline transport pilot rating (Part 135) which is geared towards corporate and charter work and then there’s the ability to take maintenance exams for those wishing to become maintenance engineers,” said Kennedy.

The FAA testing facility is the latest service the company offers, receiving approval last October. Kennedy added: “It was a lengthy process particularly post September 11. We feel the award was particularly significant, in light of the crackdowns from the FAA regarding non-US citizens training. We are now recognised as conforming to the standards they require, outside of the US.” South Aer began looking for accreditation in February 2001 and it took around six months to get approval, followed by regular inspections and audits by the FAA to achieve the final accreditation. Kennedy spelt out the advantages to European pilots: “Prior to this most people would have had to go to the US to complete their FAA licence.

Now they can complete their written exam before travelling. We can also offer flight training and in the future plan to become a full FAA accredited training centre, which I believe will happen.

All of the exams are videotaped and there is strict surveillance in light of security, to prevent cheating and to assist if there is a problem with an applicant somewhere down the line.

It is not only the security conscious aftermath of September 11 which makes FAA accreditation outside the US difficult. “From a geographical point of view the FAA doesn’t want saturation and in my opinion they want to keep a tight reign on FAA training, because it’s outside of the US therefore it might be more difficult to monitor,” explained Kennedy. Consequently there are very few such centres in Europe. The company was aware of one in Frankfurt and a few in the UK, although it was thought that some had closed over the past months.

There has certainly been no shortage of takers for this geographically convenient solution: “Since the accreditation in October 10, 2001 we have been fully booked out nearly every day. The response has been overwhelming for the three computer testing stations available,” he said. Kennedy told EBAN his plans for the future: “Aviation in Europe is not at the same level as the US and I want to make pilots’ lives as simple as possible, while keeping costs down. We want to make it completely accessible in order to help the market grow.

“Competition is not an issue, because there is as set fee established by the FAA. Therefore I would think that European pilots will choose us now. Why go all the way to the States when you can do it in your back yard.”