FAA Revises R22/R44 Special Training and Experience Requirements

The FAA recently issued a final rule to revise the Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 73 – Robinson R22/R44 Special Training and Experience Requirements (SFAR) to provide consistency with other FAA regulatory requirements, training, Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and Practical Test Standards (PTS).

Effective August 22, 2024, this final rule:

  1. Removes the low gravity flight instruction requirement to align the SFAR with current aircraft placard requirements and the limitations section of the Robinson Helicopter Company Rotorcraft Flight Manual/Pilot Operating Handbook (RFM/POH) set forth by Airworthiness Directives.
  2. Amends certain terminology in the SFAR to mirror the Helicopter Flying Handbook, ACS and PTS.
  3. Clarifies the awareness training endorsement and flight review requirements for less experienced pilots, removes legacy dates and updates the applicability section to include ground and flight training, including flight reviews provided by flight instructors.
  4. Adds an expiration date to the SFAR to allow the FAA time to review and refine the R22 and R44 requirements for ground training, aeronautical experience, including flight training and flight reviews, before permanently adopting them into an independent separate subchapter.

You can the final rule here.

Share this