FAA Extends Pilot Background Check Database Paperwork Approval
Published Date: 1/28/2025
Notice
Summary
The FAA is renewing its approval to collect pilot records using both paper forms and a new online system that helps employers check pilot backgrounds before hiring. Thanks to a recent rule, more pilots and operators will now be part of this system, so the FAA wants your feedback on the extra paperwork. Comments are open until March 31, 2025, and this update helps keep skies safe without costing pilots anything extra.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Large Annual Reporting Burden Stated
The FAA estimates the information collection has an average burden per response of 0.07181 hours and an estimated total annual burden of 385,367.92 hours. The notice describes respondent responsibilities for submitting PRIA or PRD materials.
Employers Must Review 5-Year Pilot Records
Under PRIA and the PRD, a hiring employer cannot place a pilot into service until it obtains, reviews, and approves all relevant information for the past 5-year period. The PRD/PRIA materials are required to be used as a hiring aid in that decision-making process.
PRD Retains Records for Life
The PRD contains employer and FAA records on an individual's performance as a pilot for the life of the individual. Records in the database are permitted to be used as a hiring aid in operator hiring decisions.
171 Pilots Added to PRD
A final rule published November 21, 2024 expands the Pilot Records Database (PRD) to cover 171 additional pilots. The FAA says this change increases the paperwork burden for those newly covered pilots and seeks public comment by March 31, 2025.
4 More Operators Now Covered
The November 21, 2024 rulemaking also makes four additional operators subject to the Pilot Records Database requirements. Those operators must participate in PRD reporting and access obligations described in the notice.
Pilot Control Over Record Releases
The FAA states that pilots control disclosure: their information cannot be released unless the pilot first authorizes it, and pilots control who they release PRD information to and for how long. The notice also says this renewal does not cost pilots anything extra.
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