ONLINE AVAILABILITY IS NOW FINALLY AVAILABLE

Ok after 5 years of trying I finally got Yahoo to work with my PDA. So you can now see openings in my calendar at:

http://calendar.yahoo.com/mikeshiflett

You can't book a checkride but you can see when the next one is available and if the day you want is open. There are two reasons that I don't allow you to see or make book your own tests. The first reason is privacy. I can't allow other people to see addresses, phone numbers, and times of tests of anyone else. Second, as far as scheduling yourself I didn't make that available to avoid having someone book a test in the morning in Monterey and the afternoon another person in San Carlos. The calendar is best viewed in the MONTH VIEW.

IACRA - Paperless Checkrides are here!

Effective April 16th 2004 we can now do an almost paperless checkride. Flight Instructors and Pilots need to register first at:

http://acra.faa.gov/iacra

This site allows you to get a digital signature, fill out the 8710 form and won't take the application until everything is correct including flight times etc. So, in theory we should have a zero percent paperwork return rate. In addition to the above, the certification file goes directly to Oklahoma City and completely bypasses the local office which should save loads of time. No mail, no review, no nothing. It should allow you to get your certificate in about 30 days. The only requirements are that we must have an internet connection and adobe acrobat version 5 or higher. It's not mandatory to use IACRA but I encourage everyone to register and begin using it. NOTE: PLEASE PRINT OUT A PAPER COPY AND SIGN IT, BOTH APPLICANT AND CFI. THIS IS IN CASE OUR INTERNET CONNECTION GOES DOWN AFTER THE TEST, ETC.

New Instrument PTS is out but not effective until October 2004

The new PTS addresses flight tests in "Technically Advanced Aircraft" among other things. The main differences are as follows but more updates are sure to be posted here prior to the must use date of October 1, 2004.

New Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is available NOW

This new handbook is a lot beefier than the previous and covers more ground. It is the new official reference for the PTS so get a copy.

New Airplane Flying Handbook is due out this Month

The new handbook I've yet to see but it is currently in print. It will be posted here when I see it first hand but I'm sure it will be out within a month or so.

New Test Fee Structure:

The following are the new test fees effective June 1, 2004

Private Pilot ASEL, Instrument Rating Airplane, Commercial Pilot ASEL, Additional Class Ratings:	$ 375.00
All Flight Tests involving Multi Engine Aircraft except ATP:	$ 400.00
ATP Multi Engine:	$ 425.00
All Flight Instructor Ratings that I do including CFI Renewal or Reinstatement:	$ 400.00
All Retests:	$ 200.00

The following Discontinuance policy applies:

The applicant will not have to pay additional fees for a rescheduled test unless one of the following conditions caused the missed test:

So in short if the airplane is airworthy but needs maintenance, the weather is not good enough for the test or there is an emergency on either of our parts then no additional fees are required. For any other reason you pay for the missed test.