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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2001-2002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00553]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 61 and 141

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0987; Amdt. Nos. 61-133, 141-18]
RIN 2120-AK62

Aviation Training Device Credit for Pilot Certification; 
Withdrawal

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a direct final rule regarding aviation 
training devices published December 3, 2014. That rule would have 
relieved burdens on pilots seeking to obtain aeronautical experience 
for an instrument rating by increasing the allowed use of aviation 
training devices. The FAA received adverse comments to the direct final 
rule and, thus, is withdrawing the direct final rule.

DATES: The direct final rule published on December 3, 2014 at 79 FR 
71634 is withdrawn, effective January 15, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning 
this action, contact Marcel Bernard, Airmen Certification and Training 
Branch, Flight Standards Service, AFS-810, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 55 M Street SE., 8th floor, Washington, DC 20003-3522; 
telephone (202) 385-9616; email marcel.bernard@faa.gov.
    For legal questions concerning this action, contact Anne Moore, 
International Law, Legislation, and Regulations Division, Office of the 
Chief Counsel, AGC-200, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-
8018; email anne.moore@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 3, 2014, the FAA published a direct final rule 
regarding use of aviation training devices (ATDs). The direct final 
rule would have increased the maximum time that may be credited in an 
ATD toward the instrument time requirements for an instrument rating 
under Sec.  61.65(i). The direct final rule would have permitted a 
person to credit a maximum of 20 hours of instrument time in an 
approved ATD toward the requirements for an instrument rating under 
that section.
    The direct final rule would have also amended appendix C to part 
141 to increase the limit on the amount of training hours that may be 
accomplished in an ATD in an approved course for an instrument rating. 
With this direct final rule, an ATD would have been permitted to be 
used for no more than 40 percent of the total flight training hour 
requirements for an instrument rating.
    Finally, the direct final rule would have revised Sec.  61.65(i)(4) 
to eliminate the requirement that pilots accomplishing instrument time 
in an ATD wear a view-limiting device.

Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule

    The FAA is withdrawing the direct final rule because the agency 
received adverse comments to the rule. The agency is obligated by Sec.  
11.13 to withdraw a direct final rule if the agency receives any 
adverse comments. One commenter raised concerns regarding the 
effectiveness of ATDs for training, suggesting that these devices do 
not provide appropriate sensory cues or provide a realistic 
environment. Another commenter believed that the increases in time/
percentage of training contained in the direct final rule were too 
great.
    As a result of this withdrawal, the current regulations remain in 
effect, which provides that no applicant for an instrument rating under 
part 61 may credit more than 10 hours of instrument time in an ATD 
toward the minimum aeronautical experience requirements

[[Page 2002]]

required to take the practical test for an instrument rating. In 
addition, no graduate of a training program approved under appendix C 
to part 141 may credit more than 10% of the required coursework in ATDs 
(unless that program has been approved in accordance with Sec.  
141.55(d) or (e)).
    The FAA notes that the regulations do not place a limit on the 
amount of time that a person may train in an ATD. Rather, the 
regulations place a limit on the amount of time in an ATD that may be 
credited toward the minimum aeronautical experience requirements for an 
instrument rating. Operators may continue to use these devices to 
improve pilot proficiency and potentially reduce the overall time 
required in an aircraft. In addition, those devices that were issued an 
LOA that terminated on January 1, 2015, may continue to use the device 
for pilot proficiency and training. However, any time logged in such a 
device could not be used to meet any aeronautical experience 
requirements of part 61, or any of the flight training coursework 
requirements of part 141.

Conclusion

    Withdrawal of Amendment Nos. 61-133 and 141-18 does not preclude 
the FAA from issuing rulemaking on the subject in the future; nor does 
it commit the agency to any future course of action. The agency will 
make any future necessary changes to the Code of Federal Regulations 
through a notice of proposed rulemaking with opportunity for public 
comment.
    Therefore, the FAA withdraws Amendment Nos. 61-133 and 141-18 
published at 79 FR 71634, December 3, 2014.

    Issued under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 
44701(a)(5), and 44703 in Washington, DC, on January 9, 2015.
Michael P. Huerta,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-00553 Filed 1-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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