CHAPTER 31 ISSUE/RENEW A STATEMENT OF AEROBATIC COMPETENCY Section 1 Background 1. PTRS ACTIVITY CODE: 1578 3. OBJECTIVE. The objective of this task is to determine whether to issue a Statement of Aerobatic Competency to an applicant. Completion of this task results in the issuance or denial of an FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Aerobatic Competency. 5. GENERAL. The aerobatic competency evaluator program has been in use for several years. In the past, most pilots found it advantageous to simply go to the local FAA district office for an annual evaluation or renewal instead of using an industry evaluator for peer review and recommendations. As a result, the FAA found it necessary to appoint inspectors in each office to conduct these evaluations. However, the FAA was not always able to designate an adequately trained inspector who had related experience. Consequently, flight evaluations were sometimes inequitable. Efforts to correct these inadequacies revealed that it was not cost-effective to attempt a nationwide training program for inspectors in this specific task, due to the relatively low demand for the evaluation. The other safeguards built into the airshow environment have prevented the public from being placed at any undue risk. However, twelve pilots suffered fatal accidents within one year. Although the number of accidents was no greater than in previous years, and many of the accidents did not take place at an airshow, the accidents did appear to be related to aerobatic competency. These accidents served as a catalyst toward more aggressive evaluation of the aerobatic competency of airshow pilots. It is generally agreed that the level of safety of any segment of the industry is critically dependent upon that industry's assuming responsibility for itself and its safety programs. In this instance, the airshow industry was very proactive in its steps to alleviate future events that would reflect negatively on general aviation. Within a very short time, one industry group proposed a revamping of the evaluator program to include new techniques and procedures. The most encouraging part of the proposed program was that, for the first time, there would be a well-orchestrated program that would directly effect virtually all active airshow pilots in the U.S. and Canada. Moreover, the industry is developing a database of information on airshow pilots and their competency checks. Such a fund of information is unprecedented, and the program far exceeds the FAA's capabilities for action in light of other priorities. This action will significantly advance airshow safety without cost to the public. The FAA is convinced that industry evaluators are people who are credible and dedicated to fulfilling their duties to conduct peer review, counsel, and make appropriate recommendations to the FAA. A. Aerobatic Competency. In order for a pilot of non-military aircraft to perform aerobatic maneuvers at aviation events authorized by FAA Form 7711-1 (Certificate of Waiver or Authorization), the pilot must have FAA Form 8710-7 (Statement of Aerobatic Competency) in his or her possession. (1) The Statement of Aerobatic Competency must have been issued within the preceding 12 months. (2) FAA Form 8710-7 is not required if a pilot is competing in an aerobatic contest that is not associated with an airshow, or if a pilot is practicing in an aerobatic practice area authorized by FAA Form 7711-1 for that specific purpose. B. Aerobatic Flight Demonstrations. Individuals requiring a Statement of Aerobatic Competency should be referred to an industry evaluator such as those designated by the International Council of Air Shows, Inc. (ICAS). An aerobatic competency evaluator (ACE) will forward a written recommendation to the FAA district office. The ACE will also recommend limitations to an individual's Statement of Aerobatic Competency based upon observed performance. C. Helicopters. Aerobatic flight demonstrations by helicopters are evaluated by FAA personnel only. 7. ISSUANCE OF A STATEMENT OF AEROBATIC COMPETENCY. An inspector issues a Statement of Aerobatic Competency upon an applicant's successful completion of an oral examination and an aerobatic demonstration. The examination and demonstration are conducted by an ACE. A. ACE's Role. After requesting the required information about the pilot from an industry organization, the ACE conducts the examination and evaluation. The ACE uses the checklists found in the ACE handbook during this procedure. After the examination and demonstration are completed, the ACE notes his or her recommendations on the application form. B. Application Processing. The completed application is forwarded to the industry organization for processing. The organization records the information, then sends the application to the FSDO closest to the applicant's mailing address. The cover letter also includes a completed card for the applicant. C. Reissuance or Renewal. An evaluation by an ACE is required for reissuance or renewal of a Statement of Aerobatic Competency. D. Forms. FAA Form 8710-7 (Figure 31-1) is used to issue a Statement of Acrobatic Competency. This form expires on the last day of the twelfth month after the date it was issued. E. Limitations. Placement and removal of limitations are based upon recommendations made by the ACE during initial or subsequent evaluations. F. District Office Considerations. Applicants for the Statement of Acrobatic Competency may also be applying for a waiver for an aerobatic practice area in a location convenient to the ACE. Each office should be prepared to facilitate the process for obtaining a waiver required to conduct an evaluation. 9. FAA AEROBATIC EVALUATIONS. All evaluations, except of helicopters and occasional checks dictated by unusual situations, should be referred to an industry organization that has developed an acceptable method of making recommendations of aerobatic competency to the FAA. A. Helicopter Operations. At present, there are only a limited number of aerobatic helicopter operations. Helicopter operations are usually evaluated by FAA personnel in the Western Pacific and Southwest regional offices. B. FAA Aerobatic Competency Evaluators. FAA headquarters and regional offices will maintain a roster of FAA personnel who are skilled in evaluating airshow aerobatic competency. Occasionally these individuals will be called upon to help resolve unusual problems or situations. However, these evaluators should not be expected to conduct routine airshow aerobatic competency evaluations. Section 2 Procedures 1. REQUIREMENTS. The issuance of a Statement of Aerobatic Competency requires an evaluation by an Aerobatic Competency Evaluator (ACE) such as those designated by the International Council of Airshows (ICAS). Although the evaluation program is administered by the industry, the FAA is the final authority on issuance of a Statement of Aerobatic Competency. 3. REFERENCES AND FORMS. A. References. * Advisory Circular 91-45, Waivers: Aviation Events * Order 8700.1, General Aviation Operations Inspector's Handbook * International Council of Airshows ACE Program * International Council of Airshows ACE Handbook * International Council of Airshows list of ACEs B. Forms. * FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application * FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Aerobatic Competency * FAA Form 7711-1, Certificate of Waiver or Authorization 5. PROCEDURES. A. Obtain Application. An applicant for a Statement of Aerobatic Competency should contact an industry organization to obtain the industry application form. The individual will receive a numbered application form with an instruction sheet covering all necessary procedures. If the evaluation is to be conducted by the FAA, such as a helicopter evaluation or an evaluation dictated by an unusual situation, a FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, should be appropriately completed by the applicant. B. Schedule Evaluation. With the application, the individual also receives a list of ACEs and a copy of the checklists that will be used for the evaluation. The individual contacts one of the ACEs from the list and schedules the time and location of the examination and demonstration. The individual must also hold an FAA waiver for the airspace used for the demonstration. C. FAA's Role. The local FSDO/GADO makes the final decision on each application. This office also issues the Statement of Aerobatic Competency, Form 8710-7, to the successful applicant. D. Issue Certificate. After an application is approved, an inspector issues a Statement of Aerobatic Competency on Form 8710-7. When issuing the certificate, the inspector should: (1) list recommended maneuver or altitude limitations on the reverse side of the form; (2) sign and date the form; (3) make copies of the form for the office and district office files; and (4) forward the form to the pilot at the address shown in the cover letter. Do not forward a copy to AVN-460, Airman Certification Branch. (5) Make the appropriate PTRS entry. 7. TASK OUTCOMES. Completion of this task results in issuance, renewal, or denial of a Statement of Aerobatic Competency. 9. FUTURE ACTIVITIES. The inspector could take part in an investigation as a result of an accident, incident, or violation of the FAR.