FAA sticks to its guns on not allowing solo glider flight for out ofcurrency power pilots

On Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 6:01:47 PM UTC-5, wrote:
The FAA is sticking to its guns in holding that a rated power pilot who is out of currency in his power rating cannot solo in a glider when the transition pilot is not current (no current flight review) in his other rating. The most recent legal opinion is dated today, April 27, and addressed to Chris Bennett of the Southern California Soaring Academy, who requested the clarification. I have a copy of the legal opinion, but can't figure out how to attach it to this post. Send me an email if you want a copy.

The FAA realizes their ruling makes no logical sense, but they feel the ruling is compelled by the language of the FAR. They have suggested to the rule making branch of the FAA that the FAR be amended but that won't happen overnight.

In the meantime, I understand that there may be a work-a-round in the form of the FAA Wings program if the power pilot doesn't want to either get current or surrender his power rating and get a new student certificate. I'm not an expert on it, but I think that it is possible for a rated pilot to do an FAA Wings program in lieu of a flight review with an instructor. Worth checking out. I think I saw something from Cindy Brickner or someone else on the topic a few months ago when this issue first raised its ugly head.

Not sure what there is for SSA to do at this point other than to disseminate the info and advise all clubs, operators and instructors to follow the ruling. I'm sure SSA's volunteer liaisons with the FAA will encourage a prompt amendment to the FARs, but other than that I think we just have to suck it up and comply.

Best,

Phil Umphres,
SSA Treasurer

Several people with whom I have spoken think the best route of the three available options (flight review, WINGS course, surrender license for non-current rating) may be to just go get a flight review in the category of aircraft in which you hold the non-current power license. You can take a flight review without a current medical (I am told) as long as you are not the PIC. Find a friendly instructor, get a flight review sign off and then go fly gliders!

Phil Umphres

Phil - that works, unless you are only rated in say Helicopters, which would be cost prohibitive in the first place not to mention finding a "friendly" CFI that was willing to do such a thing.

So Did I miss where it was explained why a commercial certificate, contains all lessor certificates (i.e. You can excercise private, or sport pilot privileges) except a Student Certificate?

Brian

Brian,In 2014 the FAA wrote in the Beard Letter "because this exception [not needing a flight review for solo] applies to student pilots, a pilot who holds a higher level certificate and has an endorsement for solo flight under 61.31(d) must comply with the flight review requirements in 61.56 before acting as pilot in command of any aircraft."

(Link to letter: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...rpretation.pdf)

Bill, I understand the flight review problem with FAR 61.31, what I don't under stand is why a pilot can't be soloed under FAR 61.87 using the student pilot privedges that should be included with their existing certificate (like sport and private pilot privileges, if they have a commercial certificate).

Brian

Call your local FSDO. Mine said just keep doing what you have been doing for past 40 years.

Great FSDO.........

Originally Posted by

Call your local FSDO. Mine said just keep doing what you have been doing for past 40 years.

I'd get that in writing........

Walt

Until the smart DPE starts looking in the applicants log book for the last Flight Review endorsement.
Soon Flight Review endorsements may need to be filed electronically through IACRA, then the computer will check for current FR when adding a rating.
No getting around that.

BillT