Jan. 17, 2023
The Pilot Records Database (PRD) Application Program Interface (API) is available for operators subject to the PRD regulations to submit pilot records electronically. The API is an alternate method for reporting pilot records and is geared toward operators using electronic record keeping systems.
Operators aren’t required to use the API; web-based forms are still available.
Exemption No. 19176, requested by NBAA, gave association-member companies conducting Part 135 operations that hold OpSpec A025 for electronic training records and members operating under Part 91(k) that hold MSpec MA025 for electronic training records, temporary relief from submitting pilot records to the PRD until the API was available.
That exemption expired on Jan. 10, 2023. Now that the API is active, operators utilizing the exemption must submit records to the PRD by June 12, 2023.
“NBAA appreciates the exemption granted to certain members, which gave the FAA time to develop, test and launch the API,” said Brian Koester, CAM, NBAA’s director of flight operations and regulations. “Manually submitting pilot records in large volumes was not only inefficient, but could have led to data inaccuracies.”
The FAA said the API enables bulk uploads, which increases speed and accuracy when reporting pilot records.
Koester urged operators previously utilizing the exemption to register for the PRD API, become familiar with the system and begin uploading historic records.
Each air carrier or operator must have a single MuleSoft account that authenticates into the PRD API. These accounts will be issued to a single person in the company.
Affected entities should now be registered for PRD access and must use the database to view FAA and operator records for pilot candidates. The following deadlines apply:
- June 12, 2023 – Upload records generated on or after Jan. 1, 2015
- Sept. 9, 2024 – Upload records generated prior to 2015
Also on Sept. 9, 2024, the Pilot Records Improvement Act will end and full compliance with PRD is required.
The FAA has an API webinar planned for Feb. 22. A list of webinars and guidance documents are available at prd.faa.gov.
The NBAA’s Pilot Records Database Resource Guide provides additional information for NBAA members.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.