The FAA and industry have spent the last three years preparing to replace the existing practical test standards (PTS). As a result, the new airman certification standards (ACS) will go into effect in 2016 for all airman certificates and ratings. This new system can potentially improve the general aviation safety record, but only if flight instructors, designated pilot examiners and FAA inspectors are prepared to teach, test and administer the new system.
We discussed the new standards in a July 2013 article, “The Coming Airman Certification Standards.” We noted the change could potentially “have a greater impact on the general aviation safety record than any regulatory change or new industry training practice in the last 75 years.” Let’s explore what’s coming and why it has potential for beneficial change.
