The Flight School Association of North America is worried about the backlog of applicants nationwide still waiting for their check rides to prove they meet the FAA standards for a given pilot certificate. FSNA said last week in a news release that, “This backlog is affecting the pilot production pipeline nationwide. Waits for practical test scheduling in many locations are more than a month, causing flight training providers to limit student intake and applicants to spend more to remain current and proficient as they await testing availability.”
FSANA Asks Pilot Examiners for Help Clearing Test Backlog
Key Takeaways:
- The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) reports a nationwide backlog for pilot check rides, delaying pilot production and increasing costs for applicants.
- The primary cause is the part-time nature of the 950 FAA Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs), who average only 63 practical tests annually.
- FSANA is requesting current DPEs to conduct extra tests, especially in April and May 2020, to help clear the backlog.
- Flight training providers are also urged to ensure applicants are fully prepared before recommending them to avoid cancellations and unused testing slots.
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