ATEC Fly-In News: PSI Executives Address Fly-In Attendees

Executives from FAA testing partner PSI Services addressed ATEC Fly-In attendees last week, pledging to work with industry to address concerns while offering perspective on their role. PSI is approaching 20 years as the FAA's official testing partner for airmen certification programs, Senior Vice President Federal Programs Brett Greenwood said. It started out focused on test delivery, but has expanded its services to meet the FAA's needs.

Today, PSA's services cover both test development and delivery, as well as related tasks. Several attendees broached arguably the hottest PSI-related topic among part 147 schools: adding test centers. While the issue affects a small number of schools, it is a major problem for them, forcing some students to travel 2 or more hours to sit for an exam."We've heard this for 20 years," Greenwood said. "We understand everyone wants to be a test center, and we have no reason to deny it, except there is a huge regulatory cost."

Greenwood, who led a presentation and discussion that included two other PSI representatives, cited extensive requirements that all testing centers must meet, primarily linked to the secure connection required to exchange data with the FAA. "It's not going to get better," he said of the requirements.

Developing and expanding an ongoing dialogue with aviation technician education experts is one of PSI's priorities, Greenwood told Fly-In attendees. Industry input will be crucial as testing is revised once the airmen certification standards are updated. Greenwood said he would personally ensure PSI is accessible for industry executives, representatives are expected to participate in the spring ATEC Conference in Portland. Look for registration to open and the agenda to publish in November.