According to this article (http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1452-full.html#201085) on Avweb, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing several changes to its pilot, flight instructor, and pilot school certification rules. Among other things, it is proposing the following changes:
- The definition of “complex airplane” would include airplanes equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) engines
- Pilots of single-pilot-certified light jets would be required to pass a proficiency check
- Efforts to make it easier to issue U.S. certificates to foreign pilots
- Commercial pilot requirements, both single-engine and multi-engine, would be changed by replacing 10 hours of complex airplane aeronautical experience with 10 hours of advanced instrument training
- Flight schools would be excused from having ground school space if they offer internet-based ground school training
- Students would be allowed to apply for a private pilot certificate and an instrument rating at the same time
These are just a few of the proposed changes mentioned in the article. You can read the proposed changes in there entirety here (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-20957.htm). As these are only proposed changes, it will be interesting to follow them to see what comments are made and what eventually ends up making the final changes.