Understanding PRIA And It’s Effect On Your Aviation Career

Understanding PRIA And It’s Effect On Your Aviation Career

Author: Jackson Barnett, Principal Attorney

Imagine the FAA as a meticulous librarian, diligently cataloging every detail of your aviation career. Central to this process is the Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA), a cornerstone legislation ensuring the thorough vetting of pilots by air carriers before extending offers of employment. But what does this mean for you as a pilot, especially when the data is not correct, and how can Barnett Law Offices assist in correcting those errors? 

PRIA mandates that air carriers conduct comprehensive background checks of pilots, before extending an offer of employment. Read our article on Understanding PRIA, where we cover PRIA basics or visit our page on PRIA Consultations.

Your PRD file serves as a digital fingerprint, encompassing records from various sources, including:

FAA Provided Data:

  1. Pilot Certificate Information
  2. Notices of Disapproval
  3. Drug & Alcohol Reported to the FAA
  4. Enforcements
  5. Accidents
  6. Incidents

Airman Provided Data:

  1. Experience

Air Carrier Data:

  1. Employers who provided records
  2. Assignment to duty history
  3. Final Disciplinary Action
  4. Drug & Alcohol Reported by Employers
  5. Training, Qualification or Proficiency records.

The Effect On Your Career:

Pilots cannot make entries into the Pilot Records Database (PRD). Entries into the PRD are made by the FAA and employers, making it imperative for pilots to regularly review their PRD for accuracy. Any errors or inaccuracies could adversely impact future job applications, potentially leading to lost employment opportunities.

At Barnett Law Offices, we stand ready to assist pilots in correcting errors in their PRD and even litigating on their behalf for lost opportunities due to false or inaccurate information entered into the PRD by employers. Contact Barnett Law Offices for a confidential consultation.