AOPA asks FAA for improved testing oversight
PSI, the testing contractor that is responsible for administering FAA knowledge exams, introduced a new reimbursement structure in January that reduced reimbursement rates—a move that has disproportionally affected third-party providers.
Flight training organizations are concerned about how this change might impact testing center availability, access to FAA knowledge exams in a timely and cost-effective manner, and the quality of test facilitation.
As for testing center availability, AOPA and industry leaders voiced their concerns about the lack of access to transparent and verifiable data on the impact on airman applicants. The community has been forced to facilitate their own surveys—and early reports are suggesting a reduced capacity in testing availability since the new reimbursement rate went into effect.
“Diminished access to testing could not come at a worse time. It is widely held that the availability of a diverse, qualified workforce is the biggest threat to growth in our industry,” AOPA and partners wrote in the letter. “Further barriers to testing will only exacerbate an already tenuous situation.”
The group also highlighted its concern of the quality of knowledge test facilitation in the areas of incomplete and inaccurate sample exams, outdated form tests and test maps, exam question review processes for applicants, and expedited development of exams to reflect the most recent and relevant information.
To fix these problems with knowledge test facilitation and availability, AOPA and flight training industry leaders have offered four recommendations to the FAA to address these issues. Requests include an independent FAA assessment of knowledge test accessibility before and after the January 2023 fee change; development of additional ways to increase testing capacity; an assessment of PSI’s performance using stakeholder feedback; and an assessment of the FAA’s emphasis of knowledge exams in the current certification process.
The coalition of flight training organizations has requested a meeting with the FAA to “elaborate on these concerns, propose possible resolutions, and agree on the next steps to ensure the FAA airman testing system supports a safe, efficient, and sustainable aviation training environment and National Airspace System.”
