FAA Rule Changes Spark Flight Training Concerns

Proposed DPE regulation updates, impacting check rides and instructor certification, face January 23 comment deadline.

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

FAA insignia on a laptop [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Flight instructors and schools have until January 23 to submit feedback on proposed FAA rule changes (Order 8000.95D Change 1) affecting how pilot practical tests are conducted.
Key changes include requiring Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) to have 5 hours of pilot-in-command time in each aircraft model for check rides and prohibiting fee collection until applicant eligibility is confirmed.
Concerns are that these changes could limit DPE availability, cause scheduling delays, increase costs for applicants, create administrative burdens, and bottleneck flight instructor training.
The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) is urging members to comment, emphasizing the potential negative impact on the flight training process.

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The deadline is less than 48 hours away for flight instructors and flight school owners to let the FAA know their thoughts on proposed changes to a rule that will affect how practical tests are conducted.

The deadline for commenting on FAA Order 8000.95D Change 1 is 11:59 p.m. EST on January 23. The order will alter the way designated pilot examiners (DPEs) operate and how flight schools schedule and conduct these tests, commonly known as check rides.