COVID-19 Relief for Certificate Holders: Policy Deviations, Exemptions, and Rule Changes

Active Relief

Regulatory Exemptions

Exemption 18510C from part 135 regulations pertaining to the timeframes for completing recurrent training and qualification requirements for ground personnel and crewmembers.  Extended exemption is valid through June 30, 2021.
https://beta.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2020-0292-0308

Exemption 18522C is available for part 121 air carriers pertaining to passenger briefings, flight attendant distribution, and flight attendant seat belt requirements. Extension providing relief until June 1, 2021.
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2020-0372-0047

Exemption 18561 gives temporary relief from certain operational rules, to enable an operator to carry cargo on the passenger seats of transport category airplanes, when no revenue passengers are carried. The exemption originally expired on December 31, 2020. The FAA amended the exemption on July 10, 2020 to add crew training requirements and extended its validity through July 10, 2021.
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2020-0429-0008

Exemption 18584 gives temporary relief from certain operational rules, to enable an operator to carry cargo on the main deck (secured to seats or secured to seat tracks) of transport category airplanes  when no revenue passengers are carried and some or all seats are removed. The exemption expires on July 10, 2021.
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2020-0492-0007

Exemption 18685 is available for part 135 carriers extending the timeframe from 24 to 36 months for a check pilot to conduct a proficiency or competency check under the observation of an FAA inspector. Exemption termination date is December 31, 2022.
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2020-0292-0342

Final Rule - Oxygen Mask Requirement: 121.333
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/25/2020-06312/oxygen-mask-requirement-supplemental-oxygen-for-emergency-descent-and-for-first-aid-turbine-engine

Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs):
https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo/all_safos/

SAFO 20005, Temporary Parking of Overflow Aircraft
SAFO 20008, Transporting Cargo on Transport-Category Airplanes Configured to Carry Passengers
SAFO 20009, COVID-19: Updated Interim Occupational Health and Safety Guidance for Air Carriers and Crews
SAFO 20011, Operations in Oceanic Airspace during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
SAFO 20012, Continuation of Air Carrier and Other Operations in Terminal Airspace when an Air Traffic Control (ATC) Facility with Responsibility for That Controlled Airspace Closes Unexpectedly

Information for Operators (InFOs):
https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/

INFO 20005, Expansion of Existing Programs and FAA Policy – Flexibilities for Managing Scheduled Maintenance Requirements Due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Temporary Deviation Memorandums

Deviation from Inspector Training Requirements to Perform Job Functions

Certificate Holder’s Requesting Relief (COVID-19) – AQP

Deviation to FAA Order 8900.1 for 14 CFR Part 145 Repair Stations

Deviation to FAA Order 8900.1 for 14 CFR Part 145 Repair Station Renewals

Operational Control Part 121 Air Carriers

Termination: Special Guidance for Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation (14 CFR) part 141 Pilot School Regarding Training Interruptions Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Applicable Deviations to Order 8900.1

Special Guidance for part 147 AMTS Regarding Training Interruptions

COVID-19 14 CFR Part 65

Deviation from Maintenance Annex Guidance (MAG) renewal and change recommendations during COVID-19  

Deviation from U.S. – EU (MAG) renewal and change recommendations during COVID-19 (Extension)

COVID 145 EU MAG Deviation to June 30, 2021 with VCT Text

Deviation from U.S. – Switzerland Maintenance Guidance (MAG) renewal and change recommendations during COVID-19

Deviation from U.S. – Switzerland Maintenance Guidance (MAG) renewal and change recommendations during COVID-19 (Extension)

Deviation from the FAA-Singapore Maintenance Agreement Guidance (MAG) renewal and change recommendations during COVID-19

Deviation from U.S. – Singapore (MAG) renewal and change recommendations during COVID-19 (Extension)

Deviation from U.S. – UK (MAG) renewal and change recommendations during COVID-19

Alternate Means of Compliance for Pre-Employment Proficiency Checks

Deviation to FAA Order 8900.1 Recurrent 12 and 24 Month Formal Flight Training Requirements and Events Based Currency Program Requirements while Conducting a Special Medical Flight Test or Reexamination of an Airman from an Observer Seat  

Deviation to FAA Order 8900.1 Recurrent 12 and 24 Month Formal Flight Training Program Requirements (Supersedes deviation dated June 30, 2020)

Safety Standards’ Approval of Non-Standard Text and Deviation to 8900.1: Expansion of Existing Air Carrier / Operator STE Programs Due to COVID-19

Deviation to FAA Order 8000.95, Actual Certification Event Observation
This memorandum provides a deviation to the following FAA Order 8000.95, volume 6 and 7 policy regarding observation of aircrew program designees and training center evaluators conducting an actual certification event.
https://my.faa.gov/content/dam/myfaa/news/focusfaa/media/FS%20GovDel/Deviation_to_FAA_8000.95-Actual_Certification_Event_Observation_210402.pdf

Deviation to FAA Order 8000.95, Maximum Evaluation Events
This memorandum provides a deviation to the following FAA Order 8000.95, volume 7, chapter 5 policy regarding Training Center Evaluator (TCE) maximum evaluation events.
https://my.faa.gov/content/dam/myfaa/news/focusfaa/media/FS%20GovDel/Deviation_to_FAA_8000.95-TCE_Maximum_Evaluation_Events_210402.pdf

Second Extension to COVID-19 Deviation for 14 CFR Part 142 Training Center Certificate Holders

Request for Deviation from the Annual Observation Requirement Policy for Training Center Evaluators without Certification Authority

Letters to Industry
COVID-19 Virus IA Refresher Course Provider Letter

Archives for Expired Relief

Special Federal Aviation Regulations (SFAR)

Relief for Certain Persons and Operations during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak Final Rule (SFAR 118)
Preamble: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2020-0446-0005

Limited Extension of Relief for Certain Persons and Operations During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Rule (SFAR 118-1)
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/06/29/2020-13960/limited-extension-of-relief-for-certain-persons-and-operations-during-the-coronavirus-disease-2019

Second Limited Extension of Relief for Certain Persons and Operations During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Rule (SFAR 118-2)
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/10/06/2020-22004/second-limited-extension-of-relief-for-certain-persons-and-operations-during-the-coronavirus-disease

Relief Granted by SFAR: Frequently Asked Questions

Regulatory Exemptions

Exemption 18509C from part 135 regulations pertaining to certain required crewmember emergency procedures during recurrent and upgrade training, testing, and checking. (Amended)
https://beta.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2020-0291-0307

Exemption 18511C from part 121 regulations pertaining to the timeframes for completing recurrent training and qualification requirements for ground personnel, crewmembers, and aircraft dispatchers. (Amended)
https://beta.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2020-0308-0077

Exemption 18512C from part 121 regulations pertaining to certain required crewmember emergency procedures during recurrent and upgrade training, checking, and evaluation. (Amended)
https://beta.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2020-0307-0052

Exemption 18537A is available for air ambulance personnel.
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA‐2020‐0412‐0006 (Amended)

Exemption 18549B from part 135 regulations pertaining to NetJets Flight Attendants.
https://beta.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2020-0366-0366 (Amended)

Exemption 18550B from part 121 regulations pertaining to NetJets Pilots.
https://beta.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2020-0367-0367 (Amended)

Exemption for medical relief for part 135 air carriers and its pilots that conduct operations outside the U.S. (Rescinded)
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2020-0317-0003

Enforcement Policy for Expired Airman Medical Certificates
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/04/01/2020-06784/enforcement-policy-for-expired-airman-medical-certificates

Exemption for medical relief for part 135 air carriers and its pilots that conduct operations outside the U.S. (Rescinded)
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2020-0317-0003

Temporary Deviation Memorandums

Part 141 Training Interruptions Related to COVID-19 and Applicable Deviations to Order 8900.1

Flight Standards Designee Oversight Related to the Current Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic (Revised)

Recurrent Designee Training Seminars Now Available Virtually in Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

COVID-19 Deviation for 14 CFR Part 142 Training Center Certificate Holders

Extension to COVID-19 Deviation for 14 CFR Part 142 Training Center Certificate Holders

Third Extension to COVID-19 Deviation for 14 CFR Part 142 Training Center Certificate Holders

Deviation to FAA Order 8900.1 Events Based Currency (EBC) and Annual Proficiency Check Requirements

Deviation to FAA Order 8900.1 Annual Proficiency Check Requirements