Congressman Mo Brooks Introduces Bill to Help Defense Department Pilots Qualify for Civilian Pilot Licenses Based on Military Training

Washington, DC— Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) has introduced the Civilian Aviation Certification Equity Act, a bill that would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modify existing regulations so that Department of Defense civilian pilots who receive the same training, instruction, and qualifications as their active-duty, reserve, and national guard counterparts receive the same treatment with respect to FAA recognition of pilot ratings.

Click HERE to view the bill text

Congressman Brooks said, “The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently allows active-duty, reserve, and national guard pilots to use their training and flight hours earned from their time in the military to qualify for a civilian pilot license and for type ratings. But, Department of Defense (DoD) civilian pilots do not enjoy that privilege, even though DoD civilian pilots receive the same training and qualifications as their active-duty, reserve, and national guard counterparts. It is unjust to force DoD civilian pilots to pay out-of-pocket (which can easily exceed $20,000) in order to qualify for FAA pilot’s license and/or type rating when they have proven to be as competent flying their aircraft as other military pilots.”

Brooks concluded, “This issue was brought to my attention by a Meridianville pilot who recently asked the FAA if he could add (pursuant to existing regulations for “military pilots”) a certificate or type rating based on the qualifications he earned as part of his job as a DoD civilian. When the FAA declined his request, the pilot contacted my office for help. By requiring the FAA to expand the definition of ‘military pilot’ to include DoD civilians, I aim to ensure equal treatment of pilots with the same training and qualifications no matter if they serve as a civilian or as an active-duty, reserve, or National Guard pilot.”

Background:

FAA regulations (14 CFR §61.73) allow U.S. military pilots or former military pilots to apply, on the basis of his or her military pilot certifications, for commercial pilot certificates, instrument ratings, and type ratings. However, the FAA currently interprets this regulation to apply only to pilot certifications earned while the applicant was a member of the U.S. armed forces. DoD civilian pilots cannot use FAA regulation to add an FAA certificate or rating, based on qualifications earned while the applicant was a DoD civilian, even if the applicant received the exact same training and qualifications as their active duty, reserve, or national guard counterparts.

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