Aviation Stakeholders Call for FAA to Increase Knowledge Testing Oversight

A new reimbursement structure for aviation knowledge tests could create obstructions to FAA certification, aviation stakeholders told the agency.

Amelia Walsh

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 02:13 PM ET

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Since 2018, aviation knowledge tests have been administered by testing contractor PSI. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A third-party contractor, PSI, administering FAA aviation knowledge tests, is creating barriers to pilot certification through recent changes.
PSI's new reimbursement structure significantly reduces payments to third-party test providers, leading aviation stakeholders to warn of diminished testing availability and access.
Stakeholders also raised concerns about the quality of PSI's tests and customer service, urging the FAA to increase oversight, assess test availability, and evaluate PSI's performance.

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Recent changes in aviation knowledge testing availability and quality made by a third-party testing contractor are creating obstructions to FAA certification for pilots, according to a group of aviation stakeholders pressing the agency to increase oversight of the process.

Since 2018, aviation knowledge tests have been administered by testing contractor PSI, following a competitive bid to become the sole provider of FAA knowledge exams.