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:

Aviation stakeholders are criticizing PSI, the sole administrator of FAA knowledge exams, for creating obstructions to pilot certification.
PSI's new reimbursement structure significantly cuts payments to third-party test providers, which is anticipated to reduce testing availability and impede efforts to grow the pilot workforce.
Concerns also extend to the poor quality of PSI's administered tests, outdated content, inadequate customer service, and a lack of transparency regarding testing location data.
Aviation groups are urging the FAA to increase oversight, assess test availability, and evaluate PSI's performance to ensure a functional and accessible certification system.

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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.