Federal Register Comment: National Collaboration on FAA’s Modernization of Pilot Schools (February 8, 2025–Current)

Date: February 2025-Current

Description: AICA led a February 8, 2025 Federal Register comment on the FAA’s Modernization of Pilot Schools (14 CFR Part 141) with Save Our Skies Alliance and Groton Ayer Buzz. The endorsements by the University Aviation Association (UAA) and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), followed by a subsequent joint submission by AICA, UAA, and NATA, marked an unprecedented alignment between community advocates and national aviation organizations.

1. Public Comment: AICA, Save Our Skies Alliance, and Groton Ayer Buzz’s, joint Federal Register Comment on FAA’s Notice of Public Meeting, and Request for Comment on the Modernization of Pilot Schools

On February 8, 2025 three community groups jointly submitted a public comment in the Federal Register regarding FAA’s Notice of Public Meeting, and Request for Comment on the Modernization of Pilot Schools; Docket ID: FAA-2024-2531.

The modernization effort presents an opportunity to advance pilot training while ensuring all stakeholders—including impacted communities—are meaningfully considered. As stated in the Federal Register notice, the FAA has encouraged public input on innovative ideas, methods, and solutions that could significantly impact pilot school training, and we appreciate the opportunity to contribute. Many of our recommendations align with ongoing industry-supported efforts to enhance training, safety, and community engagement. Strengthening these measures will further the FAA’s commitment to operational excellence while fostering transparency and accountability. We urge the FAA to adopt these recommendations as it modernizes Part 141 to benefit both aviation and the communities it serves.

2. Media Coverage: “Communities Must be Engaged Partners in Modernizing Pilot Schools, FAA Told” Airport Noise Report (ANR)

February 14, 2025 – ANR newsletter article discusses the FAA’s efforts to modernize flight training schools, drawing on Federal Register comments submitted separately by the City of Phoenix and jointly by AICA, Save Our Skies Alliance, and Groton Ayer Buzz. The article includes excerpts from these comments, emphasizing the responsibility of flight training schools to work in partnership with communities to ensure their operations are compatible with their neighbors. Airport Noise Report (ANR) vol. 37, no. 6 (February 14, 2025).

3. Public Comment: University Aviation Association (UAA) and National Airport Transportation Association (NATA) endorse AICA, Save Our Skies Alliance (SOS), and Groton Ayer Buzz’s Federal Register Comment on FAA’s Notice of Public Meeting, and Request for Comment on the Modernization of Pilot Schools – March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025 – The UAA and NATA organizations support the AICA, SOS, and Groton Ayer Buzz’s Federal Register comment with their comment FAA-2024-2531-0221.

• UAA’s 1,100+ individual members represent 116 collegiate aviation institutions and 74 industry partners across aviation education including regional and major US airlines, aircraft and flight simulation manufacturers, fixed- and rotary-wing flight training providers, and other aviation trade associations.

• NATA represents nearly 3,700 aviation business locations across a broad cross-section of the industry, including on-demand air charter air carriers and fractional ownership companies, maintenance facilities, FBOs, flight training providers, airport sponsors at general aviation airports, and others.

4. Media Coverage: “Universities, NATA Endorse Community Comments on Pilot Training Needs”Airport Noise Report (ANR)

March 28, 2025 – ANR newsletter article discusses two major aviation associations – the University of Aviation Association (UAA) and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) – endorse comments submitted by Aviation-Impacted Communities Alliance (AICA). Airport Noise Report (ANR) vol. 37, no. 11 (March 28, 2025).

5. Public Comment: University Aviation Association (UAA) and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), and AICA, joint Federal Register Comment on FAA’s Notice of Public Meeting, and Request for Comment on the Modernization of Pilot Schools

September 30, 2025 – Marking an unprecedented alignment between community advocates and national aviation organizations, the University Aviation Association (UAA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), and Aviation-Impacted Communities Alliance (AICA) jointly submitted a public comment on modernizing flight training.

The joint comment includes recommendations such as:

• Incorporate Responsible Operations in Noise-Sensitive Areas – Integrate recognition of noise-sensitive areas into pilot training by embedding Advisory Circular (AC) 91-36D guidance into Airman Certification Standards to foster safe and community-conscious operations.

• Incorporate Stakeholder Inclusion and Community Engagement – Strengthen collaboration and transparency across industry, academia, and community stakeholders.

In addition, UAA respectfully requests the opportunity to join the Writing/Other Working Group, and AICA respectfully requests the opportunity to serve on the Operations Working Group.

6. Media Coverage: “Joint Comments Bridge Perspectives of Aviation, Community Stakeholders” Airport Noise Report (ANR)

October 17, 2025 – ANR newsletter article highlights an unprecedented collaboration between aviation and community stakeholders in joint comments on FAA flight training modernization. The University Aviation Association (UAA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), and Aviation-Impacted Communities Alliance (AICA) jointly submitted a five-page comment with seven recommendations to strengthen pilot school modernization, including integrating noise-sensitive operations awareness into training under 14 CFR Part 141 through Advisory Circular 91-36D. 

The filing builds on earlier comments from AICA, Save Our Skies Alliance, Groton Ayer Buzz, and the City of Phoenix, featured in ANR’s February 14 issue, and the March 28 report noting UAA and NATA’s endorsement of community-focused recommendations. Quoting AICA President Darlene Yaplee, ANR notes the joint effort “marks a significant milestone in bridging the perspectives of aviation and community stakeholders” and “demonstrates that shared values and mutual respect can bring these groups together around common goals.”  Airport Noise Report (ANR) vol. 37, no. 36 (October 17, 2025).