Federal Aviation Administration

National Part 139 Cert Alert

1. Purpose. This CertAlert reiterates the importance of training all personnel with access to

movement areas and clarifies the airport vehicle operator training requirements already

identified in 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 139, Certification of Airports;

Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5210-20, Ground Vehicle Operations to include Taxiing or Towing

an Aircraft on Airports; and AC 00-65, Towbar and Towbarless Movement of Aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reminds Airport Operating Certificate (AOC)

holders to ensure Aircraft Brake Ride Operators (Cockpit Observers), Tug Operators, and

Taxi-Qualified Mechanics receive the required vehicle operator training before accessing the

airport movement area.

Vehicle operator training for access to the movement area remains a “best practice” for noncertificated airport operators.

2. Background. A recent regional surveillance inspection of an airport’s driver training program

revealed Aircraft Brake Ride Operators (Cockpit Observers), Tug Operators, and TaxiQualified Mechanics were not consistently receiving training prior to operating in the airport

movement areas. Initial and annual recurrent training of any vehicle operator requiring access

to the movement areas is mandatory at certificated airports in accordance with CFR Part

139.329. We stress the importance of following the existing guidance documents cited below

to help ensure training consistency for Aircraft Brake Ride Operators (Cockpit Observers),

Tug Operators, and Taxi-Qualified Mechanics across the National Airspace System:

**Advisory**Cautionary**Non-Directive**Advisory**Cautionary**Non-Directive**Advisory**Cautionary**Non-Directive**

Date: 2/25/2020 No. 20-01

To: All Title 14 CFR Part 139 Airport Operators

Subject: Required Training for Vehicle Operators Prior to 

Accessing the Movement Area 

Point of Contact: Phillip Davenport, AAS-320, 202-267-7072

Email: Phillip.Davenport@faa.gov
CertAlert No. 20-01 2

2/25/2020

a. AC 150/5210-20. Paragraph 1.1 states, “Airport operators are ultimately responsible 

for establishing procedures and policies for vehicle access and operation on the 

movement and safety areas of the airport. Aircraft can also act as vehicles. When an 

aircraft is not intended for flight, anyone (except pilots) taxiing or towing an aircraft 

needs vehicle training to access the movement and safety areas of the airport”. The 

airport operator is accountable for the training and actions of all airfield vehicle 

operators approved to operate on the airport. 

b. AC 00-65. Paragraph 7 outlines the procedures and guidelines for training Aircraft 

Brake Ride Operators (Cockpit Observers), Tug Operators, and Taxi-Qualified 

Mechanics. Specifically, “Flight deck/cockpit observer duties include looking outside 

the cockpit and warning the tow vehicle operator of possible safety issues.” In 

addition, the Aircraft Brake Ride Operator (Cockpit Observers) may be the primary 

person communicating with the ground operations (control tower and/or ramp control), 

so it is critical to ensure that individual is trained. 

3. Recommendations. Airport operators should:

a. Review their movement area access requirements to ensure training requirements are 

identified for Aircraft Brake Ride Operators (Cockpit Observers), Tug Operators, and 

Taxi-Qualified Mechanics;

b. Ensure the training materials cover all the elements emphasized in this CertAlert; and

c. Fully document training.

_____________________________________ ____________________

Anthony Butters, Acting Manager 

Airport Safety and Operations Division, AAS-300

2/25/2020

Date