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GASA Team,
As we continue to advance aviation safety and efficiency across the National Airspace System (NAS), one area for improvement centers around the aviation training and evaluation system. It is our responsibility to ensure that our system supports both safety and access to certifications. We want to highlight an important initiative aimed at strengthening our oversight framework, while helping to reduce delays in practical testing for pilot applicants: increasing participation in examining authority among Part 141 pilot schools.
Currently, 14% of certificated Part 141 pilot schools – which represents only 74 out of 509 certificated pilot schools – hold examining authority for at least one approved training course. This low participation contributes to the strain on our designated pilot examiner (DPE) resources and extended waiting times for practical tests. Holding examining authority allows the pilot schools greater flexibility in conducting the end-of-course test rather than having to meet the scheduling and location requirements of a DPE. In turn, this will help DPE capacity and better serve applicants awaiting practical tests with DPEs. We have an opportunity to increase examining authority participation across the training landscape.
Recent policy changes, as outlined in Notice 8900.723 issued last year, have reduced the level of surveillance previously required for pilot schools to obtain examining authority approval. This makes surveillance more targeted and feasible, especially for GASA offices with limited resources. These changes make it easier—and more practical—for our offices to support the pilot schools who apply for examining authority.
This initiative isn’t just about policy; it’s also about mindset. For years, the posture has been to restrict examining authority approvals due to concerns about oversight, enforcement, and consistency or quality. That may have made sense in the past, especially due to the resources needed for previous surveillance requirements, but now it’s time to shift our mindset. This initiative calls on us to proactively support examining authority for eligible and qualified schools.
We recognize the challenges that our offices face: confusion around eligibility, inconsistent interpretations, limited resources, and industry examiner quality. That’s why we are launching a robust outreach campaign to equip both GASA personnel and the Part 141 pilot school community with clear guidance, support, and additional tools. Our communications and outreach plan includes Flight Standards employee advisory messaging, webinars for inspectors and managers, new just-in-time videos, stakeholder template letters, answers to frequently asked questions, subject matter expert points of contact, and external engagement. Please be on the lookout for more information about these opportunities and resources.
This will be a collective effort, and your engagement is critical to making this initiative successful. Thank you for your partnership, leadership, and commitment to aviation safety.
All the best,
Hardie, Thomas, and Calvin
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