Subject: PILOT PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM

Date: 4/26/96

AC No: 61-91H

Initiated by: AFS-810

Change:

 

1. PURPOSE. This advisory circular (AC) describes the Federal Aviation

Administration's (FAA) Pilot Proficiency Award Program and outlines the eligibility

requirements for pilots to qualify for Phase I through Phase XX Pilot Proficiency

Awards.

 

2. OBJECTIVE. Regular proficiency training is essential to the safety of all

pilots and their passengers. The objective of the Pilot Proficiency Award Program

is to provide pilots with the opportunity to establish and participate in a personal

recurrent training program. Aviation safety is a cooperative effort of all members

of the aviation community. The FAA encourages each pilot to establish a regular

recurrent training program and invites pilots to participate in the Pilot

Proficiency Award Program.

 

3. CANCELLATION. AC 61-91G, Pilot Proficiency Award Program, dated 8/4/94, is

canceled.

 

4. WHO MAY PARTICIPATE. All pilots holding a recreational pilot certificate or

higher and a current medical certificate, when required, may participate. In

addition, uncertificated pilots of qualified ultralight vehicles under Title 14 of

the Federal Code of Regulations (14 CFR) part 103 may participate. Requests to

participate in the program should be made to a certificated flight instructor, an

appointed Aviation Safety Counselor (ASC), or the Safety Program Manager (SPM) in

the local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

 

5. INCENTIVE AWARDS - PILOT WINGS AND CERTIFICATE. The Pilot Proficiency Award

Program is now a 20-phase program. Upon completion of each of the first 10 phases,

pilots become eligible to wear and are presented with a distinctive lapel or tie pin

(wings) and a certificate of completion. Phase I wings are plain bronze tone.

Phase II wings are silver tone with a star added. Phase III wings are gold tone

with a star and wreath. Phase IV wings are gold tone and have a simulated ruby

mounted in the shield. Phase V wings are gold tone with a rhinestone mounted in the

shield. Phase VI wings are gold tone with a simulated sapphire mounted in the

shield. Phases VII, VIII, and IX wings are gold tone with the appropriate Roman

numeral displayed within the wreath. Phase X wings are bright gold tone with the

Roman numeral X and shield located within a ring of 10 stars. No complimentary

wings will be issued. Pilots, regardless of certificate type, ratings, or position,

must earn the privilege of wearing the pilot proficiency wings. A pin and

certificate will be awarded for Phases I through X. A certificate only will be

awarded for Phases XI through XX.

 

NOTE: Seaplane-rated pilots who specify "seawings" on their proficiency

record/wings application form and complete the requirements listed below for

seaplanes and amphibians will receive a distinctive seawings pin.

 

6. PARTICIPATION IN THE PILOT PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM IN LIEU OF A FLIGHT

REVIEW. A pilot need not accomplish the flight review requirements of 14 CFR part

61, _ 61.56 if, since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month in

which that pilot acts as pilot in command, he or she has satisfactorily completed

one or more phases of an FAA-sponsored Pilot Proficiency Award Program in an

aircraft (reference 61.56(f)).

 

7. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS PHASES I THROUGH XX. Minimum requirements, which include

specific subjects and flight maneuvers, have been established for airplanes,

seaplanes and amphibians, rotorcraft, gliders, lighter-than-air aircraft, and

ultralights. The required training profiles represent those phases of operation

that have been identified by accident reports as phases most likely to produce

accidents. These training profiles are established for each category of aircraft.

Pilots may select the category and class of aircraft or ultralight in which they

wish to receive their flight training. All training must place special emphasis on

safety of flight operations. All training requirements for each phase of the

program must be completed within 12 months. After completing a phase of the

program, pilots may begin working on the requirements of the succeeding phase at any

time; however, 12 months must pass between the date of completion of a phase and

application for the award for the next phase.

 

a. Airplanes.

 

(1) One hour of flight training to include basic airplane control, stalls, turns,

and other maneuvers directed toward mastery of the airplane.

 

 

(2) One hour of flight training to include approaches, takeoffs, and landings,

including crosswind, soft field, and short field techniques.

 

 

(3) One hour of instrument training in an airplane, FAA-approved aircraft

simulator, or training device.

 

b. Seaplanes and Amphibians.

 

(1) One hour of flight training in a seaplane or amphibian to include a

demonstration by the applicant of a complete seaplane or amphibian passenger safety

briefing, a weight and balance computation and interpretation for the actual flight,

a review and evaluation of the current and forecast weather, and on-the-water

training in docking, beaching and anchoring, and maneuvering in confined areas.

 

 

(2) One hour of flight training in a seaplane or amphibian to include landing area

assessment, safe approaches and departures, takeoffs, and landings, including

crosswind, rough water, and glassy water techniques. (Conditions may be simulated.)

 

 

(3) One hour of flight training in a seaplane or amphibian to include power-on and

power-off stalls in various configurations with minimum altitude loss, power-off

emergency landings, step taxi, step turns, rapid decelerations from the step, and

emergency procedures. In addition to the 1 hour of flight time ( not included in

the 1 hour), there must be a discussion of stall avoidance and prevention

techniques.

 

 

NOTE: If the applicant is not qualified and current in accordance with 61.57

for instrument flight, 1 additional hour of basic instrument training with emphasis

on partial panel approaches, inadvertent penetration into instrument meteorological

conditions (180 turn), descent into visual meteorological conditions, and safe

operations shall be accomplished in an airplane, seaplane, FAA-approved aircraft

simulator, or training device for each odd-numbered award phase (Phase I, III, V,

etc.).

 

c. Rotorcraft.

 

(1) One hour of ground training to include use of the rotorcraft flight manual to

determine operating limitations, weight and balance computations, performance data,

aircraft servicing, use of optional equipment, and standard emergency procedures.

 

 

(2) One hour of flight training to include airport and traffic pattern operations,

including departures from a hover (helicopter only), normal and crosswind approaches

and landings, maximum performance takeoffs, and steep approaches.

 

 

(3) One hour of flight training to include systems orientation, autorotative

descents, power failure at a hover, settling-with-power, pinnacle/rooftop takeoffs

and landings, and navigation procedures.

 

d. Gliders.

 

(1) One hour of ground training to include preflight operations, including

installation of wings and tail surfaces, on-line inspection, use of glider operating

limitations, weight and balance computations, performance data, and standard

emergency procedures.

 

 

(2) One hour or three flights to include launch procedures, proper position during

tow, emergency procedures such as a slack line or tow rope failure, and tow release

procedures.

 

 

(3) One hour or three flights to include thermalling procedures, flight in close

proximity to other aircraft, maneuvers at various performance speeds, demonstration

of best lift over drag (L/D) and minimum sink, and precision approaches and

landings.

 

e. Lighter-Than-Air.

 

(1) One hour of ground training to include fuel management, refueling, proper

inflation procedures, review of the flight manual, and proper weather check.

 

 

(2) One hour of flight training to include approaches, touch-and-go, level flight,

rapid descent and level out, and simulated landing in a congested area.

 

 

(3) One hour of flight training to include relighting the pilot light, simulated

high wind/short field landings, and other simulated emergency situations.

 

f. Ultralights. Pilot Proficiency Award Program training given in powered

ultralight vehicles by United States Ultralight Association, Inc. (USUA)-approved

flight instructors or other approved powered ultralight flight instructors will be

accepted.

(1) One hour of ground training on preflight operations to include operating

limitations, weight and balance computations, performance data, vehicle servicing,

use of optional equipment, and standard emergency equipment.

(2) One hour of basic vehicle control, turns and other maneuvers directed towards

mastery of the vehicle.

 

 

(3) One hour of flight training to include airport and traffic pattern operations,

including departures, normal and crosswind approaches and landings, maximum

performance takeoffs, and steep approaches.

 

g. Mountain Flying Course. Applicants who successfully complete an FAA-sponsored

or FAA-sanctioned mountain flying course, including ground and flight training, may

substitute this course for the safety meeting required by subparagraph h when

completing all other mountain flying requirements.

 

(1) One hour of flight training to include basic airplane control, stalls, and

other maneuvers with emphasis on the use and difference of performing these

maneuvers in mountainous terrain and under high density altitude conditions.

(2) One hour of flight training to include approaches, takeoffs, and landings at

or simulating mountain airports with high density altitudes.

(3) One hour of ground training to include effects of high density altitude,

mountain terrain, and mountain weather conditions.

 

 

h. Safety Meetings.

 

(1) All applicants must attend at least one FAA-sponsored or FAA-sanctioned

aviation safety seminar or industry-conducted recurrent training program.

 

(2) Attendance at an Aviation Safety Program aviation safety seminar must be

verified in the pilot's logbook or other proficiency record. This verification must

be signed by an FAA SPM, other FAA inspector, or an ASC involved in conducting the

seminar.

 

 

(3) Attendance at a physiological training course conducted under the FAA/U.S. Air

Force or U.S. Navy training agreements at various military installations in the

United States is also acceptable as a safety meeting. It is necessary to complete

AC Form 3150-7, Physiological Training Application/Agreement, to participate in

physiological training. The form may be obtained from the SPM in the local FSDO or

by a letter of request to:

 

Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center

Airman Education Programs, AAM-400

P.O. Box 25082

Oklahoma City, OK 73125

 

Pilots who do not wish to participate in physiological training need not complete

the form. Pilots completing a physiological training course will receive FAA Form

3150-1, Physiological Training. A completed FAA Form 3150-1 must be submitted to

the SPM for verification of course completion.

 

i. Training Substitution. Completion of a training program or a flight instructor

refresher clinic conducted by various organizations such as flight schools, air

carriers, or other training facilities may be substituted for the requirements of

the Pilot Proficiency Award Program, if the minimums outlined in paragraphs 7a, b,

c, d, e, f, and g are met.

 

j. Aircraft Accidents and Enforcement Actions. Involvement in an aircraft or

ultralight vehicle accident and/or a pending or completed enforcement action will

not preclude participation in the Pilot Proficiency Award Program. However, a pilot

who has been involved in an accident or enforcement action should request that the

flight instructor place special emphasis on the causal factors of the accident or

enforcement action during pilot proficiency training. The instructor should focus

the training on educating the pilot in ways to preclude future accidents or

enforcement actions.

 

8. PILOT PROFICIENCY AWARDS EARNED BY FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS.

 

a. Phase I Through III Requirements. A certificated flight instructor,

USUA-approved flight instructor, or other approved powered ultralight flight

instructor may earn Phases I through III wings by providing the required instruction

for completion of a phase of the Pilot Proficiency Award Program to three pilots (a

minimum of 9 hours of instruction). To qualify for a Phase I wings award, an

instructor must document the completion of the training he or she has given to at

least three pilots and attend or participate in an aviation safety seminar or

clinic. The instruction given must be in accordance with paragraphs 7a, b, c, or d,

e, f, or g, as appropriate. The completion of the required instruction for three

additional pilots and attendance or participation in an additional safety seminar or

clinic is required to earn a Phase II award. An instructor may repeat the

requirements stipulated for a Phase II award to earn a Phase III award.

 

b. Phase IV Through XX Requirements. Twelve months after the date of meeting the

requirements for the Phase III award, a certificated flight instructor,

USUA-approved flight instructor, or other approved powered ultralight flight

instructor may apply for the Phase IV award. Phases IV through XX award wings

and/or certificate may be earned by the successful completion of an evaluation or

proficiency flight with a designated flight instructor examiner or an FAA operations

inspector and by attending or participating in an aviation safety seminar or clinic.

USUA-approved or other approved powered ultralight vehicle flight instructors may

receive their evaluations or proficiency flights with a USUA-approved advanced

flight instructor. Twelve months must pass between the date of completion of each

phase and application for the award for the next phase.

 

c. Safety Meetings. Flight instructors and powered ultralight vehicle flight

instructors must also attend or participate in at least one FAA-sponsored or

FAA-sanctioned aviation safety seminar, attend an FAA-approved Flight Instructor

Refresher Clinic, or complete a physiological training course as specified in

paragraph 7h(3) to meet the requirements for each phase of the awards. Attendance

must also be verified in the flight instructor's logbook or other proficiency

record. This verification must be signed by an SPM, other FAA inspector, or any APC

involved in conducting the above programs.

 

9. AWARDING OF THE PILOT PROFICIENCY WINGS AND CERTIFICATE.

 

a. Endorsement Verification. As pilots complete each step of training outlined in

paragraphs 7 or 8, whichever is appropriate, their logbooks or other proficiency

records must be endorsed by the persons who gave the instruction. That endorsement

should read substantively as follows:

 

Mr./Ms. XXXXXXX , holder of pilot

certificate no. XXXX , has satisfactorily

completed the training requirements outlined

in Advisory Circular 61-91H, paragraphs 7a,

b, c, d, e, f, or g (state which)

/s/ (date) M. Smith, 385652472CFI or

/s/ (date) M. Smith, USUA Ultralight Instructor

(or other approved instructor)123454

Note: In the case of ultralights, no certificate number is required.

 

b. Award of Pilot Proficiency Wings and Certificate. The Pilot Proficiency Award

certificate and the appropriate wings will be awarded after the pilot's logbook or

other proficiency record (such as a properly documented "wings card") is presented

to the Safety Program Manager (SPM) for verification of completion of training as

stipulated in this Advisory Circular.

 

 

/s/

William J. White

Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service