The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) have welcomed the release today of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidance on a new standardised curriculum for Part 135 training that will improve safety and increase administrative efficiencies for on-demand operators.

The FAA's Advisory Circular streamlines the relationship between Part 142 training centres and on-demand air carriers, and reduces inefficiencies in the approvals and qualification processes. The guidance also creates a training standardised working group composed of industry and FAA experts that will develop standardised training procedures for the most common aircraft types.

The guidance was developed by the FAA after NATA, NBAA, Part 135 operators and training centres recommended the concept through the Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ACT ARC).

“NATA is pleased about this exciting advancement in Part 135 training that provides efficiency and safety gains for both operators and the FAA alike,” says NATA president and CEO Timothy Obitts. “This is the result of a tremendous four-year effort from many industry stakeholders, and we are pleased that the FAA is implementing the recommendations of the FAA's Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee. We'd also like to thank NATA's vice president of regulatory affairs John McGraw for his leadership as chair of the ACT ARC working group and NBAA's Brian Koester and Mark Larsen, along with our members who served on the ARC and provided their expertise and time to this effort."

“NBAA is committed to continually improving the safety of our industry, and by working jointly with operators, training centres and NATA, we are proud to have developed a concept of standardised curriculum that will revolutionise training for Part 135 operators,” adds NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “We applaud the FAA's effort during these difficult times to deliver guidance that significantly heightens safety standards and creates a dynamic, responsive and more efficient pilot training programme.”

The standardised curricula are voluntary and Part 135 operators can continue with their current training programmes. However, the FAA anticipates most Part 135 operators will choose to use standardised curricula and training centres that promote safety, enable continuous improvement through data analysis data and increase administrative efficiency. The concept also supports the National Transportation Safety Board's initiative to increase safety in Part 135 operations.