PRIA Consultation for Air Carriers and Designated Agents

PRIA or the Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 at 49 U.S.C. §44703(h) is a record recording/reporting system which requires Part 121, 125, and 135 operators to request, receive, and evaluate certain information concerning a pilot/applicant’s training, experience, qualification, and safety background, before allowing that individual to begin service as a pilot with their company. Furthermore, PRIA allows an air carrier to request Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) records including verification of the medical certificate, pilot or mechanic certificate, or any other authorized certificate held by an airman, accident and incident information, and FAA enforcement information. PRIA was enacted to ensure that air carriers and air operators adequately investigate an airman’s background before allowing that airman to conduct commercial air carrier flights.

Failure of an air carrier to engage a competent system for collecting PRIA records and/or responding to PRIA requests could potentially land an air carrier in hot water with the FAA. As a result, it is critical that an air carrier ascertain a successful process or program for PRIA record-keeping, which is in compliance with 49 U.S.C. §44703(h) and the FAA’s PRIA guidance. Beyond potentially facing the wrath of the FAA, if an air carrier fails to employ an appropriate PRIA collection and response process, the air carrier also opens itself up to civil liability by the airmen that it employs.

Although physically located in Florida, The Ison Law Firm consults with Part 121, 125, 135, and PRIA designated agents regarding PRIA law and programs nationwide. If you have any questions regarding PRIA or are in the need of developing a PRIA compliant program for your air carrier or designated agent company, call your PRIA attorney at The Ison Law Firm today.

PRIA Consultation