FAA Corrects Check Pilot Medical Certificate Rule
Summary
On June 24, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published the final rule entitled Removal of Check Pilot Medical Certificate Requirement. In that final rule, the FAA made two errors in the amendatory instructions. This correction corrects those errors.
Compliance Requirements
- #1
This correction is effective July 18, 2024; Flight instructors, check pilots, and check flight engineers must hold the appropriate medical certificate only when serving as required flightcrew members in an aircraft; Correct amendatory instruction 'a. Revising paragraphs (c) and (f); and' to read 'a. Revising paragraphs (c) introductory text and (f); and'; Correct amendatory instruction 'b. Revising paragraph II.(c)(2) in the table;' to read 'b. Revising paragraph II.(c) in the table;'
Deadline: 2024-07-18
Market Impacts
Removes medical certificate requirement for check pilots and flight instructors when not serving as required flightcrew members, reducing regulatory burden and potentially increasing availability of qualified instructors; Clarifies that flight instructors, check pilots, and check flight engineers must hold appropriate medical certificate only when serving as required flightcrew members in aircraft
Validated Company Impacts
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
United Airlines operates as a major airline under Part 121 regulations, directly employing flight instructors, check pilots, and check airmen who are explicitly covered by this FAA rule correction. The company's core airline operations and training activities align perfectly with the rule's scope affecting Part 121 operators and aviation personnel. The FAA rule correction addresses aviation-specific operational and regulatory compliance requirements for flight instructors and check pilots, while the company's disclosed risk factors are exclusively financial and market-based (fuel prices, interest rates, currency exchange) with no mention of aviation operations, regulatory compliance, or training-related risks. There is no meaningful overlap between the rule's focus on medical certification requirements and the company's financial risk profile.
ALASKA AIR GROUP, INC.
Alaska Air Group operates as a Part 121 airline carrier providing passenger and cargo air transportation services, which directly falls under the FAA's jurisdiction for check pilot and flight instructor medical certificate requirements. The company employs check pilots and flight instructors for training and certification purposes, making it directly subject to this rule's provisions regarding medical certificate requirements when serving as required flightcrew members. The rule addresses a minor regulatory compliance burden reduction for aviation training personnel, but the company's single regulatory risk factor is generic and not specifically tied to aviation safety or medical certification requirements. There is minimal overlap as this correction provides regulatory relief rather than imposing new compliance costs or restrictions.
DELTA AIR LINES, INC.
Delta Air Lines operates as a Part 121 airline carrier, which is explicitly targeted by this FAA rule correction. The rule directly affects flight instructors, check pilots, and check airmen - all roles that Delta employs for pilot training and certification operations within their airline business. The FAA rule correction addresses medical certificate requirements for aviation personnel, which does not align with the company's disclosed risk factors focused on climate change regulations and economic volatility affecting air travel demand. There is no overlap between the technical aviation certification requirements and the company's identified regulatory or market competition risks.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO
Southwest Airlines operates as a Part 121 air carrier under FAA jurisdiction, directly subject to the medical certificate requirements for flight crew members including check pilots and instructors. The rule specifically targets Part 121 operators like Southwest, affecting their training operations and regulatory compliance for flight instructors and check airmen. The FAA rule correction addresses aviation medical certificate requirements for flight instructors and check pilots, which has no connection to the company's cybersecurity-focused risk profile. The company's identified risks are entirely technology and cybersecurity related, while the rule impacts aviation operations and training compliance.