Can an airman request a Pilot Records Database correction when they discover inaccurate or disputable information in their Pilot Records Database file? Oftentimes, airmen discover disputable information in their Pilot Records Database (PRD), during or after interviewing for a new job. The potential employer gives an indication something is unflattering in the PRD. Subsequently, the airman is declined to continue the interview process. Unfortunately, inaccurate information in the PRD can adversely affect an airman’s ability to get a new job. How does a pilot initiate a Pilot Records Database correction?
PRD and PRIA Background
What is PRIA? The Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 (PRIA). PRIA is a federal law that requires airlines and other aviation employers to conduct a comprehensive background check of all pilots they employ or intend to employ. The purpose of the PRIA is to ensure that airlines have access to complete and accurate information about a pilot’s training, experience, and safety record before making a hiring decision.
What is the PRD? The Pilot Records Database (PRD) facilitates the sharing of pilot records among pilot employers in a clearinghouse managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The PRD contains employer and FAA records on an individual’s performance as a pilot for the life of the individual. Records contained within the PRD would only be permitted to be used as a hiring aid in an employer’s decision-making process for pilot employment.
As of December 7, 2021, the FAA has migrated to the Pilot Records Database (PRD), an electronic system, from the previous paper records system.
Potential employers must review the following information in the PRD:
• Medical certificate and pilot certificate information
• Failed attempts to pass a practical certificate or type rating
• Enforcement actions that have not been overturned
• Aviation accidents or incidents
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing history – including refusals
• National Driver Register (NDR) records
• Employment history discrepancy from the Pilot Records Database to the airman’s reported history for 5 years
Types of Records in the PRD
Employer Records – Employer records are soley contained in the PRD. Information such as: Employment dates; testing results; pilot performance; and reasons for termination may be included. Reason for Termination is the source of most PRD disputed information.
It’s important to note that the PRIA only applies to records held by employers or air carriers. It does not cover records held by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other government agencies. If a pilot wishes to correct records held by the FAA or other government agencies, they must follow the procedures established by those agencies.
FAA Records – If an error exists in the airman’s FAA records, the correction process can be complicated. Numerous FAA databases house an airman information within the FAA:
- Airman Certification Branch
- Accident and Incident Database System
- Enforcement Information System
- FAA Drug Abatement Division
Pilots Have Rights
Under PRIA, pilots have the right to review and correct any information contained in their PRD records. This includes information such as their flight experience, training, and safety record. Pilots may also request that incorrect or outdated information be removed from their records.
To access their PRD records, pilots must submit a written request to the employer or air carrier that holds the records. The employer must then provide the pilot with a copy of their PRD records within a specified timeframe. If the pilot finds that there is incorrect or outdated information in their records, they can request that the employer correct or remove the information.
Barnett Law Offices can assist airmen with the PRD correction process.
Contact Us for A Consultation
Pilots have the right to access their Pilot Records Database records and to correct any inaccurate or outdated information contained in those records. If you are a pilot and have concerns about the information contained in your PRD records, contact the experienced aviation attorneys at Barnett Law Offices, who can help you understand your legal rights and options.
