The NPG identifies required  inspections and optional inspections. Pilot Schools’ Training Varies, and Although All Students Must Pass the Same Test, Concerns Exist Related to the Quality of the Testing and Other Training Requirements

The roughly 3,400 U.S. pilot schools can be divided into three categories:  (1) non-collegiate flight instructor-based schools, (2) non-collegiate  vocational pilot schools, and (3) collegiate aviation schools. However, all student pilots have to  successfully complete ground and flight training and pass the same  knowledge and practical tests prior to receiving a pilot certificate from  FAA. In addition, modern aircraft used  by regional airlines have evolved and the operational demands have  increased on pilots in high-altitude and complex airline operations; yet,  U.S. pilot training requirements for certification of commercial pilots were  last revised in 1997. Some stakeholders, including representatives of regional airlines,  we interviewed said the current training regulations for commercial pilots  should be revised to incorporate additional training that would improve the  competency of entry-level first officer applicants. FAA has initiated several  efforts to address issues related to pilot training and certification testing. 3). However, when pilots are hired by airlines,  these types of training are provided by the airline to ensure that pilots are  adequately competent in these and other advanced training areas—some  required by FAA for airline operations. European Pilot Training Differs from the U.S. System, in Part Due to Varying Philosophies and Circumstances

Similar to FAA, EASA provides the regulatory framework for oversight of  European countries’ national aviation authorities, which carry out the  requirements for pilot licensing and training. The United States and Europe also have differing approaches to the pilot  certification knowledge and practical testing. FAA Completed Most Required Inspections of Pilot Schools, but Oversight of Examiners and Instructors Is Difficult to Assess

		The Majority of Required Inspections of Pilot Schools Were Completed from Fiscal Years 2006 through 2010

For fiscal year 2010, our analysis of FAA’s PTRS data found that FAA  completed about 78 percent of the required inspections for the 545 pilot  schools with a Part 141 certificate (vocational schools and most collegiate  aviation schools). We were unable to determine whether the data were missing because  they were entered incorrectly into PTRS, or because the inspections did  not take place as required. As a result, we could not determine the  identity and number of schools that needed to be inspected. Thus, FAA  does not have the ability to measure FAA’s annual performance in  meeting the NPG inspection requirements for pilot schools and pilot  examiners based on PTRS inspection data, or to make risk-based, data- driven decisions about the scope of its discretionary, planned work  activities that include flight instructors. FAA’s national office  does not monitor the annual completion of the requirements outlined in  the annual NPGs related to monitoring pilot schools and pilot examiners. Specifically, we reviewed a range of reports from GAO, Federal  Aviation Administration (FAA), Congressional Research Service,  International Civil Aviation Organization, National Transportation Safety  Board, and Bureau of Labor Statistics that included general background  information on a variety of related issues on U.S. pilot training, such as  pilot certification and training issues in the U. S.; historical trends, current  supply and demand, and forecasts for commercial airline pilots; types and  requirements of pilot training schools; FAA regulatory training  requirements for different levels of pilot certification; FAA oversight of  U.S. pilot training system; and comparable international pilot training  systems. The National Association of Flight Instructors  reported that Sallie Mae took a $1 billion loss in 2009 for educational  loans, which explains, in part, the reason it has become increasingly  difficult to obtain funding.
Why GAO Did This Study

Regional airlines have experienced the last six fatal commercial airline accidents, and pilot performance has been cited as a potential contributory factor in four of these accidents. As a result, Congress and others have raised questions about, among other issues, the initial pilot education and training required before pilots can be hired by airlines, at which time they receive further training. The initial training is provided by pilot schools overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As requested, this report discusses (1) the various types of U.S. pilot schools, how they compare, and associated issues; (2) key similarities and differences between the U.S. and international approaches to pilot training; and (3) how and to what extent FAA carries out oversight of pilot training and certification. To address these issues, GAO reviewed literature, legislation, regulations, and FAA documents and inspection and enforcement data; interviewed agency and industry officials; and studied the training approach in Europe because of the different training model and visited four European countries.

What GAO Found

The approximately 3,400 pilot schools in the United States can be divided into three types: (1) flight instructor based, (2) vocational, and (3) collegiate. The school types vary in several ways, but all pilot students must pass the same knowledge and flight tests to obtain a pilot certificate from FAA. Airline operations have evolved operationally and technologically, but the pilot training requirements for certification of commercial pilots were last revised in 1997. FAA and some industry stakeholders have indicated that current requirements for commercial pilots should incorporate additional training to improve the competency of entry-level regional airline pilots. FAA has initiated or planned a number of efforts to address these issues and recently enacted legislation requires FAA to implement regulations to increase pilot requirements for airlines by August 2013. The U.S. and Europe both offer the same pilot certifications but the training models differ, in part, due to training philosophies and other circumstances. The U.S. training approach emphasizes proficiency on actual flight training, while Europe's approach tends to emphasize academic instruction with more knowledge training requirements and testing. European pilot schools have also developed more comprehensive student screening processes than in the U.S. FAA has an annual inspection program that includes the oversight of pilot schools, pilot examiners, and flight instructors, the gatekeepers for the initial pilot training process. GAO analysis of FAA inspection data showed a 78 percent completion rate of the required inspections for pilot schools in fiscal year 2010, but, due to insufficient information, GAO was unable to determine completion percentages for prior years. Similarly, GAO could not determine 1) whether FAA completed the required inspections for pilot examiners or 2) the reasons that the discretionary inspections of flight instructors--which are generally optional--were conducted. Furthermore, FAA's national office does not adequately monitor the completion of annual inspection activities due, in part, to an inability to aggregate inspection data from the local district offices that conduct the inspections. Thus, FAA does not have a comprehensive system in place to adequately measure its performance in meeting annual inspection requirements, which could make it difficult to ensure regulatory compliance and that safety standards are being met.