404 Titan
We agree that the devil is indeed in the detail and you are correct that it is up to the FAA Administrator (at least as much as he is "politically" allowed)! What was his last job by the way?
Just amplifying the comments you made, there has been no discussion yet as to what these "credits" may or may not amount to in terms of hours, but - oh dear - an expert committee will be informed to advise the administrator.
Extract below. Apologies to those fellow PPruners who don't like long extracts being posted.
(b) Expert Panel To Review Part 121 and Part 135 Training Hours-
(1) ESTABLISHMENT- Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall convene a multidisciplinary expert panel comprised of, at a minimum, air carrier representatives, training facility representatives, instructional design experts, aircraft manufacturers, safety organization representatives, and labor union representatives.
(2) ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS- The panel shall assess and make recommendations concerning--
(A) the best methods and optimal time needed for flight crewmembers of part 121 air carriers and flight crewmembers of part 135 air carriers to master aircraft systems, maneuvers, procedures, takeoffs and landings, and crew coordination;
(B) initial and recurrent testing requirements for pilots, including the rigor and consistency of testing programs such as check rides;
(C) the optimal length of time between training events for such flight crewmembers, including recurrent training events;
(D) the best methods reliably to evaluate mastery by such flight crewmembers of aircraft systems, maneuvers, procedures, takeoffs and landings, and crew coordination;
(E) classroom instruction requirements governing curriculum content and hours of instruction;
(F) the best methods to allow specific academic training courses to be credited toward the total flight hours required to receive an airline transport pilot certificate; and
(G) crew leadership training.
(3) BEST PRACTICES- In making recommendations under subsection (b)(2), the panel shall consider, if appropriate, best practices in the aviation industry with respect to training protocols, methods, and procedures.
(4) REPORT- Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the National Transportation Safety Board a report based on the findings of the panel.
Fly Safe
PJ88