Match the Initial Student Application to their Passport!
Since the knowledge test now is registered through IACRA, the primary source of checkride name problems usually comes from the student certificate compared with the “legal government document.” Every CFI with a new learner must very carefully supervise the applicant’s first entry into IACRA. The CFI should ensure this matches the applicant’s passport (if they have one). Increasingly, as states move to “REAL ID” that meets federal I-9 requirements, the licenses will often change with renewal to match the passport (full name, no middle initials).
TSA Rules Require CFI Registration
The new TSA rules went into effect last fall. These provided considerable relief for foreign students training in the US; primarily a longer training window and the ability to change flight training providers. The TSA also announced some ambiguous requirements for CFIs regarding TSA registration. The FAA finally stepped in last week and clarified the requirements with a bulletin on faasafety.gov. Every active CFI (with the apparent exception of employees of a “registered provider”) is required to create an account with the TSA now (even if you only train US citizens). There is an exception for flight review/IPCs but any “new” training requires registration. The process is fairly simple. (If you register as an individual CFI you are automatically established as the “Provider Administrator” and “Security Coordinator” of your account). This little TSA Provider Guide is very helpful.
This FREE King School course also covers the details. If you are trying to read though this rule, please understand the term “Candidate” § 1552.3, defines a “candidate” as anyone applying for flight training who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a foreign military pilot endorsed by the DoD.” Candidates are not US citizens.
If a flight school (not the FAA definition; could be part 61 or a club) has a “Flight Training Provider” account, this seems to relieve the individual CFIs of the burden of registration with the TSA (not a lawyer folks). This paragraph seems to indicate that these instructors are listed as part of the program? But then the TSA definitions page defining “flight training provider” seems to indicate *every* CFI must register (simple process) AOPA’s article trying to explain the TSA maze of regulations.
More MOSAIC
We discussed the ramifications of MOSAIC for pilots and especially CFIs in last week’s blog. The SAFE Strategies on Sept. 1st will include a complete review of this new expansion of Sport Pilot privileges. Register here to receive that important digital news magazine. Fly safely (and often)!
