Student and Instructor Information All jet aircraft and many models of piston engine Warbirds require specific Pilot Authorizations for a pilot to fly them as Pilot in Command, and this authorization is now placed on the pilots’ license. These authorizations, properly known as “Authorized Experimental Aircraft”, but called in slang “Experimental Type Ratings” are issued upon testing of an applicant by an FAA Designated Experimental Aircraft Evaluator (EAE). The following is a short explanation of the roles of the Authorized Instructor, the Evaluator, and what requirements are needed in order to qualify as a Pilot in Command, as well as currency requirements. Here are a few pieces of information on how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together: CANDIDATES for issuance of an Authorization must hold an Unrestricted US FAA pilot certificate. If they are a non-US Citizen, they must hold a license that was issued on the basis of a practical test, not based on an exchange of a foreign license. If not a US Citizen, approval must be obtained from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) before receiving ANY training. This will require submission of fingerprints, and takes at least 4 weeks for approval. Candidates must have a minimum of 1000 hours of aeronautical experience, with not less than 500 hours as PIC. AUTHORIZED INSTRUCTORS: Instructors authorized to conduct training in aircraft for which an pilot authorization is required may be either the holder of an Authorized Instructors (AI) certificate, or be a Certified Flight Instructor who holds authorization to act as pilot in command for the specific make and model, who is current in the model, and who has not less than 5 hours PIC time logged in that make and model aircraft. Holders of AI certificates are those who previously held the now-obsolete Letter of Operational Authority (LOOA) in a specific aircraft. Those certificates were converted by the FAA to AI certificates for some qualified airmen who do not hold a conventional CFI certificate, but in general no new AI certificates are being issued. More commonly, required instruction these days is given by a CFI who is properly qualified and current in the aircraft. Prior to sending a Candidate for a practical test, the Authorized Instructor needs to have filled out a completed FAA Form 8710-1, Application for Airman Certificate, and to have made a series of very specific logbook endorsements prior to sending a candidate for testing. Red Star Aviation has produced a short document called “Instructors for Instructors” which is available for free, upon request setting forth the latest requirements for the forms of endorsement and the training required for each applicant. Applicants are encouraged to ask for a personal copy by emailing us, no matter if you choose to test with our examiner, or from any other examiner in the USA. EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT EVALUATORS (EAE) are FAA Designated Pilot Examiners, selected by the FAA based on reputation, experience, the needs of the FAA, and their willingness to serve the community. Each has gone through a one week course at the FAA Training Academy in Oklahoma City, and each has then undergone additional specific training and testing by the FAA. The result is that each of the EAE’s is formally designated to provide routine testing in one or several aircraft models, based on the EAE’s own qualifications and experience. In addition, EAE’s may be given specific testing authority to give flight tests in aircraft in which they have not been granted permanent authority, upon application and request to the FAA. This is the case for unique aircraft for which no examiner is qualified, for single seat aircraft for which a ground-observed flight test is required, of for other special circumstances. Some examiners are personally qualified in aircraft models in which they have not received routine permission to give flight tests. These examiners may be able to secure permission on a case by case basis to give tests in these aircraft. Generally, EAE’s will not be given permission to test those applicants that they have trained. Although an EAE may have given a particular candidate instruction towards a rating, the final recommendation for the flight test MUST be given by a second individual unless very special circumstances are present (such s no other qualified Instructor in type). This is the “Checks and Balances” requirement that has been set forth by the FAA, and is an important part of the proper qualification of airmen. APPROVED TRAINING PROGRAMS: Applicants for examination must have been trained by an under a FAA Approved Aircraft Training Program setting forth the minimum number of hours and subjects to be covered in both ground and flight training. Many AI’s have had programs approved. If a program is not available, contact us: We probably have one done, or can send you to someone who can provide one. At the very least, we can suggest the form and content so that you may have your own approved. CURRENCY REQUIREMENTS: The requirements for currency for all aviators flying these aircraft (Instructors and Airmen) are quite different than for normal category aircraft, so particular attention must be paid when a candidate selects an Instructor to ensure that the instructor is, in fact, legally current in the type as well as for determining his own currency after an authorization is received. Basically, currency requirements are as follows: RATING CURRENCY: Does the Airman hold the correct Authorized Experimental Aircraft rating in make and model? FLIGHT REVIEW CURRENCY: Has the airman taken a Flight Review in Make and Model within the past two years? RECENT EXPERIENCE CURRENCY: Has the airman logged an uninterrupted series of six takeoffs and landings every 180 days since the date of his last Flight Review? If not, he cannot reset his own currency by flying solo, but must take a flight review before exercising his privileges as PIC.   CHECKLIST FOR STUDENTS: Am I qualified for a rating? You must have a minimum of 1000 hours of flight time, with 500 hours PIC to be issued a rating. You can begin flight training at any time, but you cannot be tested for a rating until you have the required experience. Is my Instructor PROPERLY QUALIFIED by virtue of being an AI in Make and Model, or by being a CFI with a Rating in the Make and Model, and who at as least 5 hours in type? Is my Instructor CURRENT by having had a Flight Review himself within the last 24 months? Is my Instructor LANDING CURRENT by virtue of the 180 day requirements? Is my Instructor using an APPROVED TRAINING COURSE that has been FAA approved? Does my Instructor have a copy of the Red Star Aviation “Instructions for Instructors” and does he fully understand his responsibilities prior to sending me on my checkride? Do I also have a copy and do I understand my Instructors and MY responsibilities prior to presenting myself for a checkride? If so, you’re all set! If not, take care of these details before you start training. Any short delay making it right to begin with will pay off later.