That is, provided that pilots are trained to a standard of proficiency on all objectives within an approved AQP curriculum, it is not necessary to verify proficiency by virtue of a formal proficiency check on every such item. Rather, the proficiency evaluation may consist of a sample of such items, in order to validate that the training to proficiency strategy has in fact achieved its objectives. Once approved by the FAA, these TPO's become regulatory requirements for the individual carrier. An AQP provides an approved means for the carrier to propose TPO additions, deletions, or changes as needed to maintain a high degree of aircrew proficiency tailored to the operator's line requirements. In order to assure that the increased flexibility inherent in AQP does not come at the cost of reduced safety, certain mandatory criteria have been established, among them the following.
Indoctrination consists of fleet common knowledge items.
Qualification consists of fleet specific ground and flight operations training for a newly assigned cockpit duty position. Continuing qualification consists of fleet specific ground and flight operations recurrent training for presently held duty positions. The evaluation of CRM proficiency is mandatory, and substandard performance on CRM factors must be corrected by additional training. In AQP demonstration of proficiency in maneuver oriented technical skills is a necessary but insufficient condition for pilot qualification. Participants are also required to forward certain data to the FAA in digital electronic format on a routine basis.